Cops N Rodders-1971 Chevrolet Nova
Hello, Tipp City, and welcome to another edition of Cops N Rodders!
In this edition of Cop’s N Rodders, we will be featuring my oldest brother Bob Basye’s 1971 Chevrolet Nova.
This car has a bit of history in the Village of Covington. The car was purchased new by a local family, who cared for it and always garaged it. Yes, this car was the classic “Little Old Lady” car, driven only to church on Sundays.
The car was traded in at our car lot, Jon-Be Auto Sales, back in the late 90s. The vehicle began its transformation. My nephew Jon originally got the car. He took out the factory drivetrain, the 250 CID inline six that was paired to a two-speed automatic, aka the Power Glide transmission.
Jon put a 350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8, a Turbo 350 transmission, and a 4.11 rear differential. The car passed everything but a gas station!
As in most car stories, life happens. Jon ended up selling the car to my oldest brother, Bob. Bob kept the vehicle in its current condition for a few years. The old Chevy 350 was tired and needed to be replaced. Bob created a plan.
His vision was to replace the tired, worn-out 350 with a 383 stroker engine, upgrade the transmission, then go all out and mini-tub the car and install a narrowed 9-inch rear end with 3.73 gears.
Bob added a cowl induction hood, Line Lock, and a new interior to complete this Reso Mod! Tim Bragg of 937 Restorations did the bodywork on the car and painted it Harley-Davidson Cobalt Blue.
So, let's talk a little about the factory options for the 1971 Chevrolet Nova.
The 1971 Chevrolet Nova carried forward the third generation of Chevy’s popular compact, offering buyers everything from basic economy transportation to legitimate small-block performance. By 1971, the muscle-car era was on the decline due to rising insurance premiums and looming emissions regulations. However, the Nova still offered surprising punch for those who wanted it, while remaining affordable and practical for everyday use.
Stylistically, the 1971 Nova mainly remained unchanged from the 1968–74 models. This was known as the third-generation Nova. It featured a clean, simple grille design and straight-lined fenders that gave it a muscular yet uncluttered appearance. It was available exclusively as a two-door coupe or a four-door sedan. The Super Sport (SS) version continued, although it was transitioning into more of an appearance and handling package rather than a pure performance model.
Under the hood, the 1971 Nova’s engine lineup ranged from modest to spirited. Above that was the dependable 230-cid inline-six, rated around 140 horsepower. For buyers wanting more torque, Chevy offered the 250-cid inline-six, one of the era’s most popular engines thanks to its smoothness and durability.
V8 power began with the 307-cid small-block, providing respectable performance for everyday drivers. The next step up was the 350-cid V8, available in multiple configurations. The standard 350 in non-SS models delivered solid mid-range power. At the same time, the SS-optioned 350 packed more compression and horsepower, making it the actual performer of the lineup for the ’71 model year. Due to tightening emissions rules, the high-powered 396 big-block was discontinued after 1970, making the small-block 350 the top engine for 1971.
Driveline choices were versatile. Buyers could choose a three-speed manual, a four-speed manual, or a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission. The four-speed manual, when paired with a 350 V8 and the SS package, gave the Nova its most engaging driving experience. Rear axle ratios varied by engine choice and performance package, with the SS offering more aggressive gearing for quicker acceleration. A limited-slip differential (Positraction) was also available for improved traction and performance.
Trim options for the 1971 Nova covered a broad spectrum. The base trim offered a simple interior with vinyl bench seats, rubber flooring on lower-end models, and minimal ornamentation. Moving up, buyers could equip their Nova with upgraded vinyl or cloth upholstery, bucket seats, additional interior trim, and optional convenience features such as air conditioning, power steering, and the Custom Interior Group.
The Nova SS package remained the most iconic trim. It provided a sportier appearance with unique badging, special wheels, blackout grille elements, upgraded suspension components, and front disc brakes. Though less potent than earlier big-block SS models, the 1971 SS still delivered respectable performance and a muscular appearance without the big-block insurance penalties.
Overall, the 1971 Chevrolet Nova blended practicality, affordability, and performance, offering a wide range of engines and trims that made it appealing to nearly any buyer of the era.
Do you have a car with a great story you'd like featured in this column? You can email me at Marcthecop@tippgazette.com,
The opinions and statements in this column are those of the author, who is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. This column is for entertainment purposes only. Persons referred to may be fictional for comedic purposes only.
