One among my favourite hobbies is automotive archaeology – in any other case referred to as “automotive”-chaeology. This course of entails piecing collectively the story a few automobile’s previous. Investigative efforts are drastically helped when a automotive comes with documentation, as proven in at the moment’s characteristic automobile.

The Decide of the Day is 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova two-door hardtop listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a personal vendor in Claremore, Oklahoma. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing).

The documentation proven with the itemizing is in depth, together with service information, registration data, buy paperwork, an proprietor’s handbook, a Shield-O-Plate, and a window sticker. The vendor can hint the automotive’s story again to new:

“Automobile was purchased new in 1966 by Bertie Huffman from Bob Parker Chevrolet in Cleveland, Oklahoma,” the itemizing states. “Bertie was 69 years previous on the time. My father purchased it in 1985. I’ve been the caretaker since 1987 when father handed unexpectedly.”

The compact Chevy II mannequin rolled on the Normal Motors X-body platform and was launched in 1962 with many physique types accessible. A second technology launched in 1966 with revised options together with a semi-fastback roofline, vertical taillights, and squared-up general aesthetics. This Cameo Beige hardtop from 1966 appears to be like to be well-preserved, sporting a set of Rally wheels on BFGoodrich tires. Energy underneath the hood comes from a 283cid V8 linked to a Powerglide two-speed computerized transmission. Shifting to the within, we see a stock-looking cabin with an under-dash air con unit, auxiliary gauges, and a radio.

Documentation-wise, the included (however weathered) window sticker tells us extra about this construct. The automotive was assembled in Ypsilanti, Michigan and got here with a base value of $2,360. On high of that, it was optioned with tinted glass, wire wheel covers, lap belts, a radio, air con, white sidewall tires, a Powerglide transmission, and Fawn fabric seating. All-in, the automotive retailed at $3,117 together with vacation spot.

One among my favourite artifacts accompanying the automotive is a handwritten observe from September 29, 1981, with mileage famous as 66,522 displaying that the automotive obtained an oil change, a brand new air filter, STP gasoline therapy, and a suspension lube on that day. Together with photographs of the paperwork, the itemizing consists of photos of the rust-free underside. A brief walkaround video of the automobile at idle demonstrates the melodic burble of the exhaust.

I feel that Bertie (the unique proprietor) – together with the vendor’s father – could be proud to know that their previous Nova retains a few of its authentic documentation, and I hope that whoever buys this automotive retains all that precious historical past. The asking value is $45,000 for this sport coupe.

To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Decide of the Day.