Chevy Nova: Small Package, But Underneath The Hood is Where The Magic Happens.

In this video, we shed light on what makes the Chevy Nova an ultimate favorite among classic car enthusiasts. Whether you're a devoted fan of vintage automobiles, a proud owner of a Chevy Nova, or simply intrigued by the charm of classic cars, this video is a must-watch.

The first generation ran from 1962-1965, with a few notable highlights. Equipped with either a 153 cubic-inch four-cylinder or 194 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine, the Chevy II quickly evolved to include sportier options. The Super Sport, or RPO-Z03, was released in 1963 on the Chevy II Nova 400. Although it wasn’t much of a performance booster, the trim, bucket seats, new instruments, and spiffier steering wheel gave the car a spicier appearance, making it seem sportier than its performance actually was. #ChevyNova #ClassicCar #americanicons

This was the only year that the Chevy II Nova SS was available as a convertible. 1964 The following year brought about a larger, 283 cubic-inch engine, able to generate either 195 or 220 horsepower. Already lightweight, this engine upgrade edged the Chevy II into muscle car territory, with a 0-60 mph in 11.3 seconds and crushing the quarter-mile in eighteen. The final year, 1965, of this first generation delivered additional muscle to the engine in the form of a 327 cubic-inch V8 engine, generating 300 horsepower, available in a Powerglide transmission.
In 1968 the Chevy II name was dropped in favor of simply Chevy Nova. The Nova was redesigned as the Nova SS, was mechanically and aesthetically based off the Chevy Camaro. Outfitted with the standard 350 cubic-inch V8, generating 295 horsepower, there was also the available 396 cubic-inch V8, which boosted horsepower between 350-375.
The L34 option generated 350 horsepower, while the L78 generated 375 horsepower. Only 234 Novas were equipped with the L34 engine configuration, and 667 Novas featured the L78, making them both targets of car collectors. 1969 came and went without many significant changes to the Nova.
An available Yenko Nova 427 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine generated a maximum 425 horsepower with 460 lb.-ft. of torque, but only 37 were created during that year, making them another classic car collectible. Those of us familiar with car history, or those of us who were alive during the seventies, can attest to the muscle car parade being rained on by emissions regulations, increased safety requirements, and the astronomical price of gas…when gas was actually available. With respect to safety initiatives, automotive manufacturers were forced to decrease horsepower in favor of additional safety features, which resulted in heavier vehicles, straining performance and power.
The 1970 Nova featured a modified 396 cubic-inch engine, which boosted its size to 402 cubic-inches, generating 375 horsepower. With performance no longer a priority, the 1971 Chevy Nova was given a 350 cubic-inch engine, which got a maximum of 270 horsepower. Not surprisingly, after the previous power and performance of earlier Novas, sales of the 1971 Nova started to slip.
Chevy tried to bolster its sliding sales by releasing the Rally Nova, or RPO-YF1, reminiscent of a race car, but without the actual performance of one, and only lasted until 1973. The year 1972 introduced a Nova with a 350 cubic-inch V8 engine, able to get 200 horsepower, while 1973 just brought with it additional compliance with federal regulations, and cosmetic enhancements, including: bigger bumpers and rear side mirrors, as well the availability of a hatchback. More regulations influenced the 1974 Nova, but the biggest change was cosmetic, and came as a “Spirit of America,” one-year option, which unveiled red, white, and blue accented trim levels.
Due to additional regulations, the 1975 Nova now came standard with mechanical changes to the brakes, suspension, and tires. Because of emissions concerns, the 1975 Novas were equipped with catalytic converters to reduce emissions, disc brakes were a required safety feature, as were steel-belted radial tires. In 1976, the Nova’s 262 cubic-inch engine was replaced by a new 305 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine, as part of the Gold Medalist package, designed in honor of the 1976 Olympic Games.
By 1977, production ended on the Nova SS, and sales plummeted, especially in the shadow of other new Chevy releases. The fourth generation lasted until 1979, but the Nova made an unexpected return in 1985. More than a few collectors gladly ignore models from the 1980s and insist the Nova met its demise in the 70s.