Chevrolet Nova

Chevrolet Nova

Nova started out as a car that Chevrolet needed to compete against the new compact-car wars were heating up. Nova was designed directly from the drawing board, not from any other car. Ford came out with the Falcon / Comet, Chrysler came out with the Valiant / Dart, had AMC Rambler American and had his Studebaker Lark. Although Chevy already had a compact car (the Corvair), the goal was to come out with a car that would compete with the new RWD compacts. All these cars were the "unibody" design, with a completely detatchable front so the front fenders and other sheet metal could be repaired or replaced very easily. These cars became known as GM "X" body line bodies from Fisher Body.

1962

In autumn 1961 the Chevy II came out (as a 1962 model). The first came off the line in Willow Run, Michigan, along with the Corvair. Later, Norwood OH, Oakland, CA and Framingham, MA. started cranking them out. Three different levels of this car were made - the Chevy II 100, Chevy II 300 and Chevy II Nova 400th These cars were available as a 2-door coupe, a 2-door sedan, a 4-door sedan, a 2-seat station wagon, a 3-seat station wagon, and finally a convertible. These cars had only the 153 CI inline-4 (Iron Duke) or the 194 inline six. These were newly designed specifically for this new car. The six used 7 main bearings, a revolutionary design in its time.

1963

The 1963 models came out with minor trim changes, some very small mechanical changes, but with a new addition: The Chevy II Nova SS. All models used the available engines of 1962. Production numbers, concluded that the 1963 Chevy II / Nova outsold the competition in the domestic market of compacts that year.

1964

In 1964 Nova SS fell, in anticipation of the arrival of the new, larger Chevelle SS, but the public demand caused a mid-year return of Nova SS. 2 new engines were available in 1964 - the 283 V8 (the first year for a V8) and 230 inline six. 5-inch standard wheels and GM 9 1 / 2 inches brakes were used. The convertible no longer did so in 1964, nor the 3-seat station wagon, but the 2-seat wagon continues. Also, the Chevy II 300 series trim level was deleted, leaving only the 100, 400 and SS remained.

1965

1965 meant trim changes, more listed on the grille and rear taillamps.

1966

1966 was marked external sheet-metal changes, a 327 engine, available up to 350 whore power (L-79). Below and mechanical-wise, it was the same chassis and the overall structure of the 1962-5 models. Seat belts became standard equipment for the first time in years (in anticipation of meeting 1968 mandates).

1967

1967 was the year of L-79 option was dropped, so the sale would not be stolen from the recently introduced Camaro. A new grille and side trim was the most visible change. Dual-pot brake system became standard, disc brakes were an option. The 250 inline six was added to the list of available sixes.

1968

1968 meant a radical new model based on the Camaro-like framework. This basic body design would last 11 years and will be shared in one form or another with all other GM divisions. All models were known as the Chevy II Nova.

1969

1969 Chevy II name was dropped - all models referred to as just "Nova" The 350 and 396 were available. Coupés and sedans had the same body. Gone are the frame-less doors. Headrests were installed, and the ignition was moved from the dashboard to the steering column.

1970

1970 continued Taillight changes and other minor changes.

1971

1971 meant a low-compression engines so they can be made to run on lower octane unleaded gas, which should be widely available 4 years later). Gone was the 396th No more big-blocks in Nova. Evaporative equipment.

1972

1972 - roughly the same. A trim package called "Rally Nova" was available. "SS" meant nothing more than a "trim and beauty package

1973

1973-Phase I of the federal bumper requirements (up to 5MPH the following year), added emission equipment EGR) engines were meant performance history, and lower horsepower prevailed.

1974

The body has not changed since 1973, apart from the 5 MPH bumpers. New "functions" includes seatbelt ignition interlocks. This prevented the car from starting if someone sat in the driver's or passenger's seat belt clamped (thanks to the wonderful bureaucrats manning the NHSTA, an agency created by Democrats). Chevrolet installed more EPA-required smog junk, making the car a great dog to run.

1975

Metal plate redesigned and put on top of a tweaked frame. The 250 inline six has an integrated head and swallowed. Catalytic converters require unleaded gas. Available engines in addition to the 250 was 305 and the 350 V8. Electronic HEI ignitions were standard. "Ln" or Luxury Nova is a name badge.

1976

Nova "Concours" is introduced. It is a Nova full of luxury goods. Landau roof was optional on the coupé.

1977

1977 restyled dashboard. Otherwise it is basically the same.

1979

1979 Rectangular headlights. Nova ends production in the early part of the 1979th Chevrolet Citation X is the replacement-body platform, to later be followed by Malibu.

Canada

Nova was shared by other GM divisions, the 62-67 models were sold as a Pontiac Acadian, American CANSO, American Invaders and American Beaumont (GM of Canada)

N.O.V.A.

Nova also had sibling cars (X-Body) in the U.S. beginning in the early 70s, known as the Pontiac Ventura and Ventura II (70? -77) Phoenix (78-79), Oldsmobile Omega (70? -79) and Buick APPOLO (70? -75) / SKYLARK (76-79).

Australia

Novas (at least the early them) were portrayed as right-hand drive models for the Australian markets.

Argentina

Novas built and sold in Argentina was known simply as Chevy or Chevy Special 70th The Chevy Super Sport were all 4-door models.

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