Chevrolet Nova Classic Cars for Sale

The Chevrolet Nova (Chevy II) was a car series manufactured from 1962 to 1988, with a six-year gap in production between 1979 and 1985. As a popular compact option, the Chevy Nova brand would eventually replace the Chevy II badge towards the end of the '60s. During its time in production, Chevrolet released a number of popular Chevy Nova models including the 1962 Chevy II Nova 400 Series and the sporty Chevy Nova SS.

History of the Chevy Nova

Chevrolet Nova began life as a compact car series designed to compete with other economical options on the market. The 1962 Chevy II Nova 400 made it into production very quickly and was available to buy as part of the Chevy II line-up for 1962. A year later, Chevrolet introduced the Chevy Nova Super Sport, a powerful choice comparable to the GTO. Despite being dropped from production in 1964, the Super Sport returned shortly after due to popular demand. Alterations to the Chevy Nova from 1965 to 1969 included new grilles and tail-lamps in 1965; a sharper sheet-metal design in 1966; the option for disc brakes in 1967; and the end of the Chevy II badging in 1968. Now known simply as Chevrolet Nova, the series continued through to 1979, during which time new bumpers and emblems were added in 1973, as well as further alterations two years later. A longer front-end, changes to the interior and a new sheet-metal frame made the 1975 Chevrolet Nova the company car that was altered the most that year. After the Chevy Nova was replaced in 1979, it would be only six years before the nameplate returned, this time as a smaller sub-compact model. This period of production for the Chevrolet Nova lasted four years, ending in 1988.

Modifying the Chevy Nova

As well as offering an economic, compact option for the public, the powerful potential of the Chevrolet Nova prompted Don Yenko, a specialist in muscle cars, to refit a number of the Third generation Chevrolet Nova models during the 1960s. This was in order to compete with the frontrunners leading the way during this time – notably the Plymouth Barracuda and the Ford Mustang. Yenko made a raft of changes to the Nova – called the “Yenko Supernova” by some – including stronger suspension and a sturdier body frame, as well as a new V8 engine in 1970 to keep in line with emissions standards. In total, Yenko is known to have modified 37 Chevy Nova models, of which seven are still in existence.