The Chevrolet Nova name covers two distinct runs: the rear-wheel-drive Chevy II/Nova built from 1962 to 1979 and a separate, later Nova sold from 1985 to 1988. Engine choices, SS equipment, and body styles changed by model year, so check a year-specific Chevrolet record rather than assuming one specification applies to every Nova.
Generation labels vary: CLASSIC.COM groups the 1962–1979 cars into six generations, while some guides combine years into broader eras. This guide uses clear year groups and highlights verified examples; it does not present unsupported price ranges as typical values.
Chevy II and Nova timeline
| Model years | How to understand the group | Useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| 1962–1965 | Original Chevy II era | Chevy II was the model name; Nova was a series name within the lineup. Early series included 100, 300, and Nova 400. |
| 1966–1967 | Restyled Chevy II era | Check the specific year’s Chevrolet information for its engines and equipment. |
| 1968–1972 | Nova-era classic compact | Often grouped with the later classic cars; performance and SS details vary by year. |
| 1973–1974 | Later classic compact | Some generation conventions separate these years from 1968–1972. |
| 1975–1979 | Final classic-car era | Chevrolet still offered multiple body styles and six- and V8-cylinder engines. |
| 1985–1988 | Separate later Nova run | This is not a continuation of the 1962–1979 rear-wheel-drive platform. |
CLASSIC.COM uses six groups for the 1962–1979 cars and includes the 1985–1988 Nova separately. Other summaries may consolidate classic-car years, so state the convention when comparing generations.
When did Chevy II become Nova?
Chevy II debuted for the 1962 model year. Nova initially identified a series within the Chevy II lineup, rather than being the name Chevrolet used for every early car. General Motors identifies Nova 400 as a 1963 series.
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For 1963, GM’s Heritage Collection says the Chevy II received detail improvements and that a new Super Sport package was available on Nova 400 coupes and convertibles. That year-specific description should not be generalized to every model year or body style.
Engines, trims, and body styles by era
There is no single engine list that applies to all Novas. Chevrolet changed engine availability and equipment by model year and series. The following verified examples show why it is important to check the documentation for the exact car.
| Example | Verified details | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Early Chevy II | GM’s 1964 information kit recounts an initial 153-cubic-inch four-cylinder and optional 194-cubic-inch six. GM’s 1963 Heritage entry lists the 194 six at 120 hp. | These figures are not a complete engine chart for all 1962–1965 cars. |
| 1963 Nova SS | GM describes the SS as a package available on Nova 400 coupe and convertible. The featured Heritage car has a 194-cubic-inch inline-six. | An SS badge alone does not prove the car had a V8. |
| 1970 Nova SS-396 example | GM’s Heritage entry describes a 396-cubic-inch V8 rated at 375 hp, with dual exhausts, power front brakes, simulated hood intake and fender louvers, and 14-by-7-inch wheels. The SS-396 package required a four-speed manual or Turbo Hydra-Matic. | This is a specific SS-396 configuration, not a description of every 1970 Nova or SS. |
| 1979 Nova | GM’s information kit lists hatchback coupe, two-door coupe, and four-door sedan body styles, plus a 4.1-litre L6, 5.0-litre V8, and 5.7-litre V8. | Do not assume every body style or engine was available in every year of the final classic era. |
For a year-by-year check, use GM’s Heritage Archive and the relevant vehicle information kit where available. Those kits are historical and specification references, not repair manuals.
How to verify an SS or engine
- Identify the car’s model year, body style, and series using its records and physical details.
- Find the matching year-specific GM vehicle information kit or Heritage Collection entry.
- Compare the documented engine and equipment with the car; do not authenticate an SS or engine from badges alone.
- Where available, compare build records and other documentation. Have a qualified marque specialist inspect the car if the purchase depends on originality.
GM’s archive lists year-specific vehicle kits for many Nova years. Their availability and level of detail vary, so a kit for one year should not be used as a substitute for another year’s specifications.
How much is a Chevrolet Nova worth?
There is no evidence-backed single value for a Nova in the research available for this guide. Price depends on the exact year, body style, engine and factory package, condition, originality, documentation, and sale venue. Compare recent sold cars that match those factors as closely as possible.
CLASSIC.COM recorded a $852,500 sale for a 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Nova on January 17, 2026. That is an exceptional specialty-car result, not a representative price for an ordinary Nova. CLASSIC.COM’s recorded-sales data can provide context, but it is not an appraisal or a guarantee of what another car will sell for.
What to compare when researching prices
- Same model year and body style, such as coupe, convertible, wagon, sedan, or hatchback where offered.
- Same documented engine and factory package, including whether an SS configuration is verified.
- Similar condition, originality, restoration quality, and supporting documentation.
- Comparable sale venue and sale date; do not treat an exceptional specialty-car result as a typical market value.
Frequently asked questions
What years are the Chevrolet Nova generations?
There is more than one convention. CLASSIC.COM divides the 1962–1979 cars into six groups, including separate 1968–1972 and 1973–1974 spans, and treats the 1985–1988 Nova as a separate run. Other guides consolidate some classic-car years, so check which convention a source uses.
When did Chevy II become Nova?
Chevy II debuted for model year 1962, with Nova initially used as a series name within the lineup. GM identifies Nova 400 as a 1963 series; the early cars should not all be described as if Nova were the original model name.
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Best Value
- 1970 CHEVY II & NOVA FACTORY ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL - INCLUDES 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder 1970 Chevy II Including, Nova, Super Sport SS, and station wagon.
What engines came in a 1969 Nova?
Engine availability was year-specific. The sources used for this guide do not provide a complete 1969 engine chart, so consult the 1969 GM vehicle information kit rather than inferring the answer from another year or a retrospective summary.
Did every Nova SS have a V8?
No such generalization is supported by the cited evidence. GM documents a 1963 SS package for Nova 400 coupes and convertibles, and its featured SS car has a 194-cubic-inch inline-six. Verify SS equipment and engine against records for the particular model year.
How can I tell what a Nova is worth?
Compare recent sold examples with the same year, body style, documented engine and package, condition, originality, and documentation. Recorded results provide context, not a guaranteed appraisal; an exceptional Yenko sale is not a typical Nova price.
Quick Recap
Sources
- General Motors Heritage Archive, vehicle information kits
- General Motors Heritage Collection, 1963 Chevy II Nova
- General Motors Heritage Collection, 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS
- CLASSIC.COM, Chevrolet Nova market and recorded sales
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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