Chevrolet Nova History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
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Introduced for 1962 as the 'Chevy II', this compact line adopted the 'Nova' name (originally its top trim) as the model name; the two are the same car line.
The Nova became a budget performance favorite — V8-powered Nova SS models, including the rare 1968–1970 SS 396, made it a giant-killer at the drag strip.
Production of the original Nova ran through 1979; the name was later reused for a 1985–1988 Toyota-built compact, a separate and unrelated vehicle.
Body styles
- Sedan
- Coupe
- Hardtop
- Wagon
- Convertible
Notable special editions & performance variants
Nova SS
The Super Sport Nova; the 1968–1970 SS 396 big-block cars are prized.
Related models
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