Chevrolet Nova

Chevrolet Chevy II First generation
1964 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova coupe
Overview
Production	1961–1965
Model years	1962–1965
Assembly	St. Louis, Missouri, US Norwood, Ohio, US Van Nuys, California, US Willow Run, Michigan, US Buenos Aires, Argentina, Antwerp, Belgium, Bienne, Switzerland
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Body style	2-door sedan 2-door hardtop 2-door convertible (1962-63) 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	X-body
Related	Acadian
Powertrain
Engine	153 cu in (2.5 L) Chevrolet 153 I4 194 cu in (3.18 L) I6 230 cu in (3.8 L) I6 283 cu in (4.64 L) V8 327 cu in (5.36 L) V8
Transmission	3/4-speed manual 2-speed Powerglide automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	110 in (2,794 mm)
Length	183 in (4,648 mm) Sedan, Coupe 187.4 in (4,760 mm) Station Wagon
Width	70.8 in (1,798 mm)
Height	54–55 in (1,372–1,397 mm) depending on body style

Chevrolet Chevy II Second generation
Overview
Production	1965–1967
Model years	1966–1967
Assembly	St. Louis Missouri, US Norwood Ohio, US Van Nuys California, US Willow Run Michigan, US
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Body style	2-door sedan 2-door hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	X-body
Related	Acadian
Powertrain
Engine	153 cu in (2.51 L) I4 194 cu in (3.18 L) I6 230 cu in (3.8 L) I6 250ci (4.1L) I6 (1967) 283 cu in (4.64 L) V8 327 cu in (5.36 L) V8
Transmission	3/4-speed manual 2-speed Powerglide
Dimensions
Wheelbase	110 in (2,794 mm)
Length	183 in (4,648 mm) Sedan, Coupe 187.4 in (4,760 mm) Station wagon
Width	71.3 in (1,811 mm)
Height	55.1 in (1,400 mm) Sedan 52.8–53.8 in (1,341–1,367 mm) Coupe 55.7 in (1,415 mm) Station Wagon

Chevrolet Nova Third generation
Chevrolet Nova SS 350 coupe
Overview
Production	1967–1974
Model years	1968–1974
Assembly	St. Louis, Missouri, US Van Nuys, California, US Norwood, Ohio, US Willow Run, Michigan, US Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, Canada Buenos Aires, Argentina
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	X-body
Related	Buick Apollo Oldsmobile Omega Pontiac Ventura
Powertrain
Engine	153ci (2.5L) I4 194ci (3.1L) I6 230ci (3.8L) I6 250ci (4.1L) I6 307ci (5.0L) V8 327ci (5.4L) V8 350ci (5.7L) V8 396ci (6.5L) V8 402ci (6.6L) V8
Transmission	4-speed M-20 manual 4-speed M-21 manual 4-speed M-22 manual 4-speed Borg-Warner T-10 manual 3-speed manual "Saginaw" 3-speed THM350 automatic 3-speed THM400 automatic 2-speed Powerglide automatic 2-speed Torque-Drive semi-automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	111.0 in (2,819 mm)
Length	189.4 in (4,811 mm)
Width	72.4 in (1,839 mm)
Height	53.9 in (1,369 mm) Sedan 52.4 in (1,331 mm) Coupe

Chevrolet Nova Fourth generation
1976/77 Chevrolet Nova sedan
Overview
Production	1974–1979
Model years	1975–1979
Assembly	Van Nuys California, US Tarrytown New York, US Willow Run Michigan, US Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, Canada Iran General Motors Iran
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Body style	2-door coupe 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	X-body
Related	Buick Apollo Buick Skylark Oldsmobile Omega Pontiac Phoenix Pontiac Ventura
Powertrain
Engine	151 cu in (2.47 L) Iron Duke I4 230 cu in (3.8 L) V6 250 cu in (4.1 L) I6 262 cu in (4.29 L) V8 (1975 only) 305 cu in (5.00 L) V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed M-21 manual 4-speed M-22 manual 4-speed Borg-Warner T-50 manual 3-speed THM350 automatic 3-speed THM400 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	111.0 in (2,820 mm)
Length	196.7 in (4,996 mm)
Width	72.2 in (1,834 mm)
Height	53.6 in (1,361 mm) Sedan 52.7 in (1,339 mm) Coupe
Chronology
Successor	Chevrolet Citation/Citation II

Chevrolet Nova Fifth generation
1986 Chevrolet Nova 5-Door Hatchback
Overview
Manufacturer	NUMMI
Production	1984–1988
Model years	1985–1988
Assembly	Fremont, California, US
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact
Body style	4-door notchback sedan 5-door hatchback
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	Toyota AE82 Platform
Related	Toyota Sprinter Toyota Corolla
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L 4A-C (LC9) I4 (gasoline) 1.6 L 4A-GE (LW0) I4 (gasoline)
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	95.7 in (2,430 mm)
Length	166.3 in (4,220 mm)
Width	64.4 in (1,640 mm)
Height	52.8 in (1,340 mm)
Chronology
Successor	Geo Prizm

The Chevrolet Chevy II/Nova was a small automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, and produced in five generations for the 1962 through 1979, and 1985 through 1988 model years. Nova was the top model in the Chevy II lineup through 1968. The Chevy II nameplate was dropped, Nova becoming the nameplate for the 1969 through 1979 models. Built on the X-body platform, the Nova was replaced by the 1980 Chevrolet Citation introduced in the spring of 1979. The Nova nameplate returned in 1985, produced through 1988 as a NUMMI manufactured, subcompact based on the front wheel drive, Japan home-based Toyota Sprinter.

Chevrolet designer Clare MacKichan recalled about creating the Chevy II: "There was no time for experimentation or doodling around with new ideas from either the engineers or from us in design; And it had to be a basic-type car." The 1962 Chevy II rode a 110-inch wheelbase, compared to 109.5 for the Ford Falcon, at which Chevy's new compact was aimed. "I think that was the quickest program we ever did at any time," he continued. "We worked night and day on that car, and it didn't take very long to run it through our shop because we had a deadline." And that's what made the Chevy II one of the fastest new-car development programs in GM history - just 18 months after the designers got the green light, the first production Chevy II rolled off the Willow Run, Michigan, assembly line in August 1961, in time for its September 29 introduction. Unlike the Corvair, the 1962 Chevy II was deliberately never intended to be revolutionary in concept or execution; its mission was to give Chevrolet buyers a simple, back-to-the-basics compact car. When he announced the Chevy II to the press, Chevrolet General Manager Ed Cole described the car as offering "maximum functionalism with thrift."

There was a lot of debate within the Chevrolet organization over just what to call this new car, and the decision to go with "Chevy II" was a very late one. Among the finalists was Nova. It lost out because it didn't start with a "C," but was selected as the name for the top-of-the-line series. Ultimately the Nova badge would replace Chevy II, but that wouldn't happen until 1969. In almost every way, the creators of the Chevy II used Falcon as a benchmark. The 1962 model range included sedans and wagons, as well as a two-door hardtop and a convertible, just like Falcon. The only body styles it didn't offer which the Falcon did were a sedan delivery and coupe utility (the Ford Falcon Ranchero), most likely to avoid competing with Chevrolet's own El Camino.