The police will only take it if they deem it dangerous, otherwise its the responsibility of the local authority.
When the police stick their sticker on they will normally PNC it and possibly chase the owner up, they may just refer it staright to the local council. If the car is on 'public highway' (this includes verges pavements etc) then any interested party must be given a minimum of 7 days notice before vehicle is removed. This is normally done with a sticker on the vehicle from the council explaining the relevent laws and contacts etc. The council must make 'reasonable' enquiries as to the keeeper. This does not neccessarily include the DVLA recorded keeper as these details may not turn up until weeks after the 7 days are up. After 7 days (or whatever stipulated) notice has expired the council can remove the vehicle. If it is deemed unroadworthy (the majority are, even probably this nova due to the lowish value) the car is v likey to be scraped. If it is roadworthy it can still be removed but will normally be stored until the keepers details turn up so that they can be written to to be sure. In either case the council has powers to recover the cost of removal, any storage, and disposal charges, from the registered keeper (if any). This will be arranged when the details are known.
On privately owned (but open) land the powers are very similar although the council must give the land owner 14 days (min) notice. This again is normally done by a sticker on the car. removal storage and disposal are the same as in the case for public highway.
One last point is that councils will be reluctant to remove a car that has a valid tax disc as this is evident that there is an obvious financial interest in the car.
You may be able to contact the council about the Nova and dependent on their practices, put in an offer on the car if no owner is evident. If the council insist on removing the car for disposal you may be able to find out their contracted breakers and contact them direct.
cheers
Rich