One of my newfound chores here at the Rocky Mountain CCHQ is to periodically check the CC email account (curbsideclassic@gmail.com). I’ll admit I don’t check it every single day and can’t always respond immediately due to other commitments but sometimes people send in story submissions or random pictures or whatever that is interesting or something we can use along with loads of spam to weed through (if you have something to share, please send it, I can’t guarantee we’ll use it but we will definitely consider it).
Yesterday however was a bit special as Aaron M took the time to pen a nice thank you note for a post that Paul wrote a little while ago along with some pictures that are very relevant to his message. After checking with Aaron I’ve decided to publish the letter in its entirety along with the pictures, I think you will like it.
“Paul,
I stumbled onto your article “Curbside Classic: 1963 Chevy II Nova SS – Saved By The Stock Wheel Covers” last night and really enjoyed it as I have a soft spot for this particular car.
In 1963, my Dad purchased one brand new from Camp Chevrolet in Spokane, Washington. His Palomar Red SS came with the 3 speed manual “three on the tree”.
Unlike so many other Chevy ll owners, Dad never succumbed to the V8 swap urge. His SS always remained bone stock (With the exception of upgrading to radial tires of course). Simply elegant.
More importantly, unlike so many other Chevy ll owners, Dad has no regrets for selling his SS all those years ago, because sell it he never did!
I actually had the pleasure of spending some time today with my Dad changing the fuel pump on that old Nova. Drove it around the neighborhood a bit and it reminded me of so many childhood memories piling in the back of that car. So many memories of cruising around town in that SS with my high school buddies. It never occurred to me back then how special that car really was and how amazing that my Dad had continued to hold on to it. Facts that are not lost on me today!!
Anyway, I thought you might like to know that there are some Chevy ll originals still lurking out there.
Best to You!
Aaron M.”
A huge CC “Thank You” to Aaron for writing and sharing these great pictures with us! The gentleman in the picture is of course Aaron’s dad busily maintaining his gorgeous car. I and the others here see and read the comments on the various posts every day and we aren’t just writers, we are readers as well, but sending a separate email with the pictures was a very nice gesture. So thank you Aaron, and I along with everyone else invite you to become a regular reader!
Absolutely. Perfect!
Shake your father’s hand. From all of the CCers.
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Thanks Aaron; that made my morning! It’s a very special thing to have owned a car that long, especially a sweet one like this Nova SS. I wish your dad many more years of happy motoring in it.
What a nice feel good story for Sunday morning. These were all around in the neighborhood when I was growing up, but so rare now. It’s a treat to see this.
In 1970 my parents bought a new Nova, and when they were ready to let it go after 27 years, I had no means to take it and give it the care it needed (still don’t). I miss it, as well as the ’63 Dart GT they had as well.
What a treat, and what a difference one year and the model line step-up made, compared to my own late father’s 1962 Chevy II 300, a plain white midline four-door. The 1962’s plain, stamped aluminum grill looked cheap, its non-Nova wheel covers did, too. The tan interior was utilitarian and frumpy.
The Nova SS trim and the 1963 grill really dressed up the Chevy II, inside and out.
Aaron, TREASURE your Dad and his Nova SS!
Really nice, original car!
Very Nice!
Great story and beautiful car.
Even a dyed-in-the-wool Ford Guy can’t help but be charmed by today’s story. Perhaps the western weather made preservation a little easier, but still it’s no mean feat to stick with a car 50+ years when there were always opportunities to replace it. Wonderful tale, and very true to the CC spirit!
Beautiful car, great story.
Spokane’s dry air certainly does preserve cars. New sightings in the neighborhood this morning: ’55 Olds 88 sedan, ’64 Olds convertible. Both look original and both are driven.
Gorgeous car!
It’s surprising in retrospect that Chevy didn’t include a floor shifter with the buckets as part of the SS package. But that’s part of the specialness of an original old car like this.
What an excellent car! In beautiful shape after all these years. a true classic! I love all that room in the engine compartment, and how clean it is.
Outstanding.
What a fabulous story! I love unusual combinations like this – a resale red Nova hardtop with bucket seats and – – – a three on the tree. What a great car all on its own, and the longtime ownership just makes it better.
I had a little passenger experience in this generation of the Chevy II but never in one of the fancy Novas.
What a lovely car and story. Kudos to your Aaron’s father for keeping his machine original and correct.
What a great story, and very cool car! Long term cars like this are the best kind. I love cars with family history. Aaron, your dad did a fantastic job at preserving the car.
I like these early Chevy IIs. I rode home from the hospital in a ’67 Chevy II with a 250 six. It was in the family from new (first bought my uncle and later owned by my dad as our family car). Canadian winters finished it by the early 1980s, which was pretty good for those times.
I have to say that I’ve never been much of a fan of the original Chevy II. However, I most certainly DO like that 1963 Nova SS. That is in truly amazing original condition! Thank you, Aaron, for sharing the pictures and your story about the car. Very cool! And, I can and do change my opinion on things. Actually, as a confirmed “car nut,” I appreciate most all old cars in good shape these days. Have little to no interest in the supposedly self-driving cars that are supposed to be available in the near future. Seems like they’re for the young people who want to text and drive at the same time. And, again, I appreciate that original car far more than one where someone yanked the original engine and installed a big block V-8.