Chevrolet introduced the Chevy II in 1962 as a back-to-basics compact to compete with the Ford Falcon. Built on a conventional unibody platform, it was offered in a full range of body styles including a 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, convertible, and station wagon. The top trim level was the Nova 400. Early cars were powered by a 153 cu in 4-cylinder or a 194 cu in 6-cylinder engine.
The collector market strongly favors the sportier variants. The Super Sport (SS) package arrived in 1963 for hardtops and convertibles, and the first factory V8, a 283, became available in 1964. These 1964-1965 V8 SS cars are the most desirable original examples. The car's light weight and simple mechanics also make it an extremely popular platform for restomods, with many builders swapping in modern LS V8s and aftermarket suspension.
With an average sale price around $28,000, the market shows a massive spread in values. The low end consists of base model sedans or project cars, while six-figure sales are reserved for professionally built restomods or perfectly restored, numbers-matching V8 Super Sports. Originality drives value for top-tier SS cars, while build quality and component choice determine the price for modified examples.
Buying Tips
- Check for rust thoroughly. As a unibody car, structural integrity is key. Inspect the floor pans, trunk floor, front subframe rails where they meet the firewall, and around the windshield and rear window.
- Authenticate Super Sport models using the cowl tag. For 1962-1963, the SS was a trim package, so many standard Novas have been cloned. Real V8 cars (1964-1965) are rarer and command a premium.
- The original front suspension and 4-wheel drum brakes are inadequate for modern traffic, especially with V8 power. Many cars feature popular upgrades like a Mustang II-style front end and front disc brakes, which are desirable for drivers.
- Drivetrain choice is critical to value. Decide if you want a period-correct 194 six-cylinder, a 283 V8, or a modified car. Many have been upgraded with 327s, 350s, or modern LS engines, creating a wide performance and price gap.
Prices for first-generation Chevy IIs range from $4,150 for projects and base models to over $106,700 for concours-quality restorations and high-end restomods.
1,560 Chevrolet II 1st Gen vehicles have been tracked across auctions and listings on Hypercars, with 655 currently live.
Data sourced from Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, eBay Motors, PCarMarket, and Collecting Cars. Updated daily.
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