Rated at 350 horsepower, this mighty mouse sported factory hardware that rivaled even the best stuff down at the local speed parts emporium. The new Nova Super Sport was available with the economical six cylinder, or myriad mouse-motor derivatives, but clearly the hot ticket was the L79 version of the 327. It, too, underwent a complete restyling in 1966 into what many Nova aficionados consider the most desirable example of the marquee. Hot on the heels of the newly restyled Chevelle came the Chevy II Nova. As a true performance platform, the Nova was finally beginning to come around. A slight restyling put the turn signals in the front bumper rather than in the grille, while out back a new taillight treatment could be found. Bucket seats, a floor shift and a console were expected ingredients included in the SS package, as were the Nova SS badges on the quarters and rear cove area. Still available on the last of the first-generation Novas, the Super Sport package remained virtually unchanged from the preceding years. It was also the first year for the twelve-bolt posi rear, an in-dash tachometer, and a FM band radio. Not only was it the first year for the 327 cid engine but is was the only year a Powerglide transmission could be ordered with a high performance 327. The 1965 Nova was significant for many reasons. Both the 250 and 300 horsepower variants (元0 and L74 respectively) could be specified on the order form, and when coupled to the optional close-ratio four-speed and a set of 3.36 gears, the Nova was an unpleasant surprise for many unsuspecting stoplight bandits. The 327 was deemed as an acceptable means of motivation for the Nova and was added to the option list. The Nova was the willing recipient of an even larger infusion of horsepower in 1965. With the introduction of the factory-installed, 195 and 220 horsepower 283 small blocks (元2 and L77) in 1964, the 2,500 pound Nova began taking on the image of a real musclecar. This made the 1963 convertible SS one of the most valuable Novas, even though it only came with the 194-ci 6 cylinder. This was the only year that Chevrolet built a "drop-top" Nova SS because it discontinued the convertible body style on Novas in 1964. But while the rest of the Chevy lineup was intoxicated by the heady horsepower generated from big blocks, the Nova maintained its compact car status and plucked its performance from the 153-ci in-line 4-cyl and the 194-ci straight-6.Ī Super Sport option (RPO-Z03) first became available on the Chevy II Nova 400 line in 1963. That engine would later be used as a base for the development of GM's 4-cylinder sub-compact engines of the late 70's and 80's.Ī strong following had been generated by Chevy's diminutive compact since its introduction in 1962, thanks, in no small part, to its sensible size and sporty appeal. It was the first car to offer a Chevrolet 4-cylinder engine since 1928. The 153-ci 4-cyl and the 194-ci 6-cyl were all new engines when the Nova debuted on September 29, 1961. Production began in August of 1961 and as the Chevy II gradually became available with many engine, trim, and convenience options, it joined in the performance ranks of the mid-60's as an inexpensive musclecar. The Chevy II was designed as a relatively plain intermediate "economy" car powered by four and six cylinder engines, to steal sales away from the popular Ford Falcon. The plans for the Chevy II began in December of 1959 with the code name H-35. It offered buyers a third choice in terms of size, standing between the (then) compact Corvair and the full size Chevrolet. The popular Chevrolet Nova was introduced as the Chevy II in 1961 as a 1962 model. NovaResource - Chevrolet Nova History Main Page
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