Rare Chevrolet Nova SS Flexes 396 Muscle, "Probably 1 of 10 Left on Planet"

The 1970 Nova SS in these photos is far from a perfect 10 example, albeit it comes with an intriguing package paving the way for a complete restoration.

The car is fitted with a matching-numbers powertrain, so you'll find a 396 with 350 horsepower and an M21 4-speed transmission in the trunk.

However, the mechanical part of this Nova SS needs major fixes. The engine must be rebuilt, but this isn't a surprise. The car requires a complete restoration, and eBay seller mach117 explains that "some metal work is needed." The good news is that this Nova SS "won't need to be cut to pieces," but I still recommend interested buyers to go see it in person before committing to a purchase.

The most intriguing part refers to how rare this Nova SS is.

The owner explains that the car is one of only 138 ever built, explaining that it's probably "one of 10 left on the planet." It's unclear what makes it so rare – it might be a combination of the engine, the transmission, the paint codes, and the trim. The car sports code 78B, which means it rolled off the assembly lines in Black Cherry with a black vinyl top.

Chevrolet produced 19,558 Nova Super Sport examples in 1970 of 307,280 units that rolled off the assembly lines for this model year. Of the entire production, 137,280 units left the factory with a V8 engine under the hood, with the L4 production dropping to only approximately 2,000 units. It was the last year for the L4, with the Nova remaining available only with six-cylinder and V8 engines beginning with the 1971 iteration.

It's hard to find something to walk away if you're a diehard Nova SS fan, especially as the car looks solid and still comes with the matching-numbers engine under the hood. The biggest shortcoming could be the selling price, as bidders keep fighting to win the auction but can't unlock the reserve.

The top offer today is $9,100 after 15 bids and with four days remaining until the auction ends. The owner didn't reveal the reserve's value, so it'll be interesting to see if someone sends an offer to unlock it. Meanwhile, if you want to see this Nova SS in person, you must travel to Loon Lake, Washington. Considering the Nova SS looks buried alive under boxes of what are likely parts to restore the car, you'll need a trailer to take the car and the extra components home.