1970 Nova LS1 frame off - What's it worth?

Hey guys, still looking to get my first classic and came across this beautiful 1970 Nova. The seller is honest and has all records and pictures from a complete frame off restoration. He says he has 125k into the car. The car has the following;
LS1/T56
Currie 9" rear w/3.90 gears
12" 3 piston Wilwood Brakes
Edelbrock FI System
Ididit Tilt Column
Interior was custom upholstered
Thunder Road Dash w/ Autometer guages
TCI IFS Tubular suspension w/QA1 shocks
TCI 3 link rear suspension w/QA1 shocks
Mustang 2 rack and pinion steering
Mini Tubbed
Every body panel, nut, and bolt is new
Power Windows
Vintage heat and A/C
Dynamat sound deadening throughout
Everything under the car is either paint matched to the body or chrome
Paint is a 10/10
Interior is a 10/10

So anyways, What do you all think is a good price for this car/what would you pay for it? I have cruised the forums for comps however all I could find is project cars.

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That's a good looking car! While it's very tough to put a value on a car without seeing it in person, I would say that it's probably worth at least $80-100K.

I won't give a value but I know its not worth what they have into it. Based on the pics of how the body started, there is lot of labor into that car for sure.

I'll tell you my knocks on the car:
LS1/T56 is not a desirable drivetrain like it was in 2001-4. IMO the interior is not a 10/10. The seats look date and the material on the seats is sagging. The dash matches the console, but it doesn't match the carpet or the console. The interior has 3 different shades of red.

The paint and the suspension would be the only thing that attract me to this car.

Remember is only worth what someone is willing to pay...

Thank you for the insight, for reference I think I can get it for just north of 60k although we have not nailed down a number yet. I have never bought a car I didn't absolutely know the value on so that's why I am reaching out to the forum, just don't want to pay 65k and then get my ass handed to me if I need to sell for whatever reason in the future

I agree with Chris, while the LS1 is a fantastic motor, the don't add as much value to cars as they did 10 years ago. That is definitely a huge plus though. I also think that the car is a good color, has great suspension choices, and overall looks to be well done and thought out. My biggest gripe would be the interior like Chris said. Overall it appears to be very dated to me and personally between the steering wheel, gauges and 3 shades of red it just don't do it for me. Unfortunately interior costs can add up, but I think that if you were to get it for in the $50k range knowing that the interior needed updating, you would be in a good spot. IMO, I don't think that it's worth much more than that in the current state.

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Originally Posted by ryeguy2006a

I agree with Chris, while the LS1 is a fantastic motor, the don't add as much value to cars as they did 10 years ago. That is definitely a huge plus though. I also think that the car is a good color, has great suspension choices, and overall looks to be well done and thought out. My biggest gripe would be the interior like Chris said. Overall it appears to be very dated to me and personally between the steering wheel, gauges and 3 shades of red it just don't do it for me. Unfortunately interior costs can add up, but I think that if you were to get it for in the $50k range knowing that the interior needed updating, you would be in a good spot. IMO, I don't think that it's worth much more than that in the current state.

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Thank you for the response, I agree on the interior it is refinished however it is not modern. If I buy the car I would like to get the interior finished the right way and even would change the color to Fords "Dark Marsala" leather interior, as I think that darker red color would bounce nicely off that silver exterior color. If I can buy the car at roughly 65k, do the interior, and come away with a ~75k car that would be great. From my understanding if it had the interior and an LS3/LS7 it would be potentially in the 90's right?
Here is that Marsala Colored interior.

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Unfortunately I don't think you could get the interior you want for $10k.

Again you couldn’t have ome built for that price. I would definitely like it at 60k for what it’s got into it.

If you love it and don’t mind an interior update i think 65 is fine. If your not in love with it keep looking.

If it’s a true frame off i’ve seen those go from 40-50k. Adding what that has extra would cost more than 15k if you had to have someone do it.

People making the LS1 sound like its got the desirability of a TPI 305. lol.

While I obviously overestimated my evaluation, I think its a steal at $60K

I ended up picking the car up tonight, wanted to get out ahead of the Nor'easter coming in tonight. The car is amazing, absolutely amazing. The entire underside of the car is either body color painted, or chrome. The interior only looks odd because of the color choice, but up close you can see the detail and quality of the upholstery. The LS1 sounds and runs great. I still do want a more modern interior because I think that will bring the car to the next level so if anybody has recommendations in New England I would be glad to look into it. Because I am not familiar with these cars (this is my first old school, I had a couple C6 Z06 though) I can't tell you everything about it but it looks like a heavy amount of fabrication was involved under the car. Going to compile a more thorough modification list soon and make a separate thread probably

Congrats!!! Can't wait to see more of it.

Looks like a nice car. IMO the fit/finish of a whole car is worth a lot and that car looks nice even if the details are dated now.


I would vote to hop in and drive the car for a few months before you start tearing everything apart to make changes. A few thousand miles of cruising has a way of altering your opinions. And it may reveal unknown bugs or deeper problems.

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Originally Posted by mikedc

Looks like a nice car. IMO the fit/finish of a whole car is worth a lot and that car looks nice even if the details are dated now.


I would vote to hop in and drive the car for a few months before you start tearing everything apart to make changes. A few thousand miles of cruising has a way of altering your opinions. And it may reveal unknown bugs or deeper problems.

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That's great advice too, I will probably do that. Here are a few more photos I got this morning of the build in progress
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Beautiful car man! congrats!

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Originally Posted by mriley1

I ended up picking the car up tonight, wanted to get out ahead of the Nor'easter coming in tonight. The car is amazing, absolutely amazing. The entire underside of the car is either body color painted, or chrome. The interior only looks odd because of the color choice, but up close you can see the detail and quality of the upholstery. The LS1 sounds and runs great. I still do want a more modern interior because I think that will bring the car to the next level so if anybody has recommendations in New England I would be glad to look into it. Because I am not familiar with these cars (this is my first old school, I had a couple C6 Z06 though) I can't tell you everything about it but it looks like a heavy amount of fabrication was involved under the car. Going to compile a more thorough modification list soon and make a separate thread probably

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Beautiful car and a nice purchase. The only changes i would make is new gauges if it will fit in that cluster and Some new wheels. Those look like inexpensive cast wheels and that build definitely calls for some forged ones

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Originally Posted by FORDvsCHEVY

Beautiful car and a nice purchase. The only changes i would make is new gauges if it will fit in that cluster and Some new wheels. Those look like inexpensive cast wheels and that build definitely calls for some forged ones

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I actually have not even checked on the wheels to see what kind they are. Only problem with looking into other wheels for me is that I have no idea about fitment, don't even know the bolt pattern of the ones I have. Just have to keep reading and learning

Congratulations. Great looking Nova.

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Originally Posted by mriley1

I actually have not even checked on the wheels to see what kind they are. Only problem with looking into other wheels for me is that I have no idea about fitment, don't even know the bolt pattern of the ones I have. Just have to keep reading and learning

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Looks like a ridler or american racing. Was looking at them before I decided to put a little money into the car. The look good but just kinda like haveing on a 3 piece suit with sketchers.

I got alot of work to do so some cheap wheels for now till i do the high dollar ones.


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American racing does make some nice forged wheels so they may be forged?

And all these are just changes to make it look like the high dollar car it is.

You could leave it alone including interior and it’s still a magnificent ride.

Its a US Mags Rambler.... Its a cast wheel, you can at most resellers including Summit and Jegs...

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Originally Posted by FORDvsCHEVY

Looks like a ridler or american racing. Was looking at them before I decided to put a little money into the car. The look good but just kinda like haveing on a 3 piece suit with sketchers.

I got alot of work to do so some cheap wheels for now till i do the high dollar ones.


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American racing does make some nice forged wheels so they may be forged?

And all these are just changes to make it look like the high dollar car it is.

You could leave it alone including interior and it’s still a magnificent ride.

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Originally Posted by csouth

Its a US Mags Rambler.... Its a cast wheel, you can at most resellers including Summit and Jegs...

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I was trying to think of them. The rambler is the one i settled on till i decided to spend a little more on some Welds.

I don't see the big problem with those wheels on the car now.


Style - if the car already had forged wheels that looked very similar, would anyone be complaining? I think they look fine.

Size - it looks like 17x8 or something now. Ideal for an air-conditioned street cruiser, which is what it is.

Weight - the existing wheels are cast alloy. There isn't a real-world difference for this size and usage.

Cheap wheels is like a cheap pAint job. Looks good to most but those who know, know. The look fine but different wheels would dramatically change appearance.

I would upgrade the wheels if I came across a good deal on some nicer ones, these look great for now
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