Chevy Nova: GM's Best Small Car

The history of the Chevy Nova.
From it's humble beginnings as the Chevy II, Nova survived and even thrived for 17 model years.
The first generation (1962-1965) Nova was a compact car made to compete with the Ford Falcon, and copied (and improved on) its design in a lot of ways.
The second generation (1966-1967) saw the Nova stay true to it's original design philosophy. It got a more elegant look based off of the Super Nova concept. Generation two also saw the 350hp Nova SS.
The third generation (1968-1974) took the Nova from the height of the muscle car era into the gas crisis. The fastest Nova's were produced at the time. Nova SS had a 396CI/375HP big block. The ultra rare and valuable Yenko Deuce's were made in 1969 and 1970.
The fourth generation (1975-1979) refined the Nova's philosophy of affordable transportation that can be fun. Eventually GM's fleet was downsized and Nova was squeezed out of the lineup.

[@6twzted2]

Still have mine bought in high schgo 1962 with the 194 30 years later still working on it

[@dmbirkeland]

I STILL have my 1968 Chevy II Nova that I purchased in 1974. It is equipped with the 153 C. I. engine and the 3 speed column shift manual transmission. The car has about 335,000 miles about 170,000 since I overhauled the engine. The transmission did not need any repairs.

[@michaelwhite2823]

I bought a used 77 Concours coupe. I loved it. Great documentary! You should do more!

[@billstiles280]

Still have my 68 Chevy II SS. 350 with a Muncie 4 speed on the floor. Love that old girl!

[@craigdoriety9798]

Still have my 70 with a 327 and Muncie.

[@barbmelle3136]

Our family had a 69, 70, 71 and a 1976 Nova. They were all very reliable, easy to drive and cheap to maintain. Big enough to be useful and comfortable. I wish we had cars like that now. It is discouraging to spend today's car prices for cars that you don't even like.

[@mzaccagnini7179]

I agree totally.

[@Embargoman]

The best Nova is the one from the 1980s to 1985 to 1988 are the best years for the Nova!

[@HighGear39]

I always thought the third gen Nova was the quintesential muscle car. Power to weight ratio is killer! I have a 72 Rally Nova with a big block and it is so fun to drive. Thumbs up all the time. Sure I could buy a new Camaro, but they are a dime a dozen. How often do you see a sweet Nova driving down the road?

[@mikeshinobi6819]

I have a 1973 Nova which a small block 350 and man I love that ride. I will never get rid of this monster

[@sonnymanriquez2963]

I also have a 73 and 72 and love my cars

[@NovaVelle808]

They're fun cars. I've had my '74 custom hatch for 10 years now. dropped a 355 in it. considering an LS swap now.

[@ClaytonMoore-xp6fn]

Great video! I had a 72 SS back in the 80's but I was too foolish to keep it. A few years ago I decided it was time and found 69 SS with a 396, I will not let this one go easily!!

[@chrisjeffries2322]

I had a 1976 Nova Concours, 350 v/8 with T 350 trans and I drove it to 250,000 miles with no rebuilds.

[@robertbeaulieu8721]

I had a 69 ss Tonawanda it had 300 hp 350 Muncie 4 speed I was suprised when you mkentioned 290 hp for that year wonder if the 290 hp had air as mine did not. When I see what my Nova is worth today I shake my head out of all my life investments this would have paid big. She was a head turner and a rubber burner, these cars like many others of that period are so out of reach I would love to own one but not have to give the government 15 Gs for no good reason. cheers thanks for the memories.

[@RCullis47]

My second car was a 1970 SS 396 Nova with a 4-speed and 12-bolt posi rear. I loved that car. I wish I still had it.

[@Apache1220]

If only we could have seen the future. All the new junk we have to choose from now.

[@RogerDoan-b1x]

. LOVE MY 74 NOVA HATCH Back, STILL DRIVING IT BEAUTIFULL CALIFORNIA CAR. ROGER DOAN.

[@westoncross2629]

I’m got a 74 nova ss project build. I think the nova went down hill with their looks after 74. But there still pretty great

[@RoddyDa]

In 1995 my first car was a mint 1972 all original Nova with a 307…..worst mistake of my life was selling it. I’m now 45 and 2yrs ago put a 1970 Nova back in the garage! Currently have the engine pulled to shave the firewall and install a vintage air system….a must have here in the desert!

[@obvioustoaster2764]

Mines a 73' with 383 and a TH350, 3.73 and complete aftermarket suspension. I had to change it to a 72' front-end. Most people don't notice but my old man gives me a hard time and says it looks funny. We had a few Novas when I was a kid and I always loved them. I have had mine for almost 5 years now and will never give it up.

[@TrueBlue-l2u]

Kenneth Franklin Nola I have 1972 NOVA 😊 my Dad had 1 when I was a kid and my father n law had 1 4 on da floor ,,,MAN I WILL NEVER RID OF MY LOVE ! MY 72 NOVA !!!

[@mariocooldude9092]

​@@TrueBlue-l2umy dad owned many hot GM cars from Chevelles to El Caminos but his fave was his '71 Nova 😊👍

[@bobbyfutch1219]

I had a 68 Nova SS and a 74 Nova SS. I sure wish I had both of them back.

[@thewoodbutcher9035]

My first car was a 72 nova my aunt purchased brand new. I bought in 1990 for $750.00 ( big bucks for a 16 yr old) to this day it is a time machine for me. Everytime I see one it takes me back to my first taste of independence. Boy I miss that car.

[@idooski]

I am the proud owner of a 1969 SS L48. It’s a 4 speed fathom green bucket seats console car. A real SS.

[@mrdrenalin69]

Mines a 1969. Two years ago I did a turbo LS swap, and love it!

[@srercrcr]

Nova in spanish means "won't GO". Latin markets responded.

[@alanalonso6082]

I have a 71 murdered out. Novas grew on me. A few years ago I wasn't really a fan of them, but later on fell in love with the body lines. Not a heavy platform compared to other GMs of the time.

[@briankent903]

1970 4 banger numbers match

[@glenrye9091]

In 1970 purchased a new SS396 / 375 hp Nova with a 4 speed Muncie rock crusher. Loved it. Unfortunately, thought it needed a bigger engine and drive train. Swapped the engine for a bored out 427 and the stock rear for 410 12 bolt. put a 50 lb flywheel on it with full race cam and ladder bars, milled, ported and polished the heads adding over size valves with triple springs (Which required notched pistons) a Wyan high rise, headers and 800 cfm Holly to it. Now needed electric fuel pump in back to keep up. Supper race car shifting at about 8000 rpm. Ran in low 10s with best speed of 135 in quarter. With good tires could pull front wheel off of ground on city street. Now got about 4 mpg and needed Sunoco 260 or octain booster not to knock. Should have left it stock. Sold it after 2 years and been missing it ever since. If I had left it stock, would still have it today.

[@el74nova44]

I have a 1974 chevy nova with a 250hp inline 6 thinking of ls swapping it

[@Jariharri17]

When I was 18 I bought a 1974 Chevy nova 350 hatchback, I loved that car. Now it’s ❤2024 and My bucket list is 1974 Nova SS Hatchback Candy Apple Red car ❤️❤️❤

[@GaylonNunn]

Nice Nova video. The 1971-1972 Rally Nova didn't necessarily come with muti leaf springs as stated in your video. That totally depended on other options such as a larger engine and AC. I have an original Rally Nova purchased new by my mother that came with a 307 and mono leaf springs for proof this is fact.

[@dlol3896]

Love my 72 Nova with a 406 small block Holley EFI fuel injection system built 350 th trans 373 posi

[@chamberizer]

My parents had a 1962 Chevy II station wagon light blue with straight six. I had a 1970 Nova dark green with straight six.

[@cbtbcd12]

Growing up my Step Dad had a 73 nova that had a 1970 396 4 speed in it....That thing was bad fast...I myself have had 4 Novas and two Olds Omegas.Two 70 novas...1971 SS Nova and a 74 Nova....And I had a 74 Omega with a 350 rocket that had 3.73 posi rear end..and a lame 76 Omega with a 262....I love those short wheel base cars....fun to drive.

[@BUIKPAN]

I bought a 1969 armey green Nova in December of 1972 for $1200.00. It was a 3 speed column shifter with a 307 V8 you never mentioned here.

[@ulyssestorres3411]

I just came across a 64 nova ss all matching numbers car 230 inline 6 for 2 grand? Needs a Lil work but is that a good deal with 60k miles on it, plus it's been sitting for over 35 years. I'm the second owner of this car now....what would be the value of this car?

[@daniellaubach7544]

I had owned mostly the '73/ '74 models three were the hatchback body one being a 'Spirit Of America " edition. Man i miss that one. Would've been a great car to drive to a show or crusein. Another was a '73 hatchback base trim straight six with the powerglide transmission ralley wheels build date of 11/'72 . '73 was the last time that tranny was available before being discontinued. The turbo 350 was the automatic mid year.

[@titoperez1327]

My first car was a six cylinder 1978 Nova. I bought it in 1989 and I lost it in a car crash. The Nova saved my life because it was hit from behind at 75mph

[@richardsobieck9660]

My first new car was a 1973 Nova SS hatchback. It had the 350 smog block engine that had very little power and only go 17 MPG. So when You say people turned to the Nova when gas prices started rising, I don't believe this was one of their choices.

[@donaldblankenship8057]

I own a 77 350 Nova Concours with the American Racer mags gorgeous tires 4 bbl lea seats full instruments near showroom condition sitting 30 feet from me. I snaked it for $38K in June! Moohahahaha! Mine all mine.

[@051570orion]

I have owned my 1972 Nova SS since 1993 ,my Mom and Dad baught it for my brother in 1988 from my uncle who baught it in 1986 , my brother baught a 1983 Chrysler k car so Mom said she was going to sell it , so I baught it from her in 93 .still have it .I also had a 76 nove briefly when I was 14 , then also had a 77 Nova that was really rough, I got it really cheap but was still a reliable car other than the doors not wanting to latch when you closed them , I managed to break the driver's side window shatter when trying to shut it .

[@justaguy1845]

64 nova 400 here , 383 stroked , calvert leafs with cal tracs . cpp front . disc brakes all 4. have to change the gear from 411 to 355 but happy

[@davidparsons4625]

This is GM's BEST snall car? Most Novas didn't even track straight- they looked like crabs going down the road. No wonder GM went bankrupt

[@Apache1220]

bought a new 70 Nova hugger orange black interior 307 like a dummy i sold it after 12 years. miss it.

[@donaldblankenship8057]

That picture is unbelievably hilarious! The guy is supposedly driving around in coat tie and hat with the driver's window down! The only thing that doesn't work on my 77 Nova is the driver's window. Heeeeelarious. They were actually honest enough to advertise that their driver's side windows didn't and still don't work. I buy tarps.

[@boataxe4605]

GM couldn’t figure out why they weren’t selling in Spanish speaking countries, until it was explained that in Spanish the name means “Doesn’t go”.😂

[@markcain460]

My first car was a 75 Nova with the 250ci straight 6. Put 260K on that car before Michigan rust ate away the body. Motor and tranny were still running great when I sold it for $500 to my cousin.

[@robertdesimone7460]

Had a 1977 nova. Stovebolt 6. 230,000 miles still ran good but rust and carburetor issues led to me donating it

[@rickbledsoe5064]

75 Nova Concours, 350 hi po engine, fully loaded. Miss that car. Dealer scammed it from me some years back.

[@davidj.7227]

Great car but they twist so much when a 500 hp engine and low gears are installed without a frame connection setup. Chevelle's race much better in stock body with big power.

[@skylarsoper241]

I have a 1970 ss 454 nova is triple black 4 spd and 12 bolt 3:73 , is still my grocery getter for 25 years

[@wherethereisfaith]

My Dad bought a 1970 Chevy Nova when I was a kid. My brother inherited it then me. I had the trans rebuilt and the front springs replaced but the rest of it was pretty much original. Rust got the rear fenders when my brother had it and he did a rough bondo job on it with a cheap paint job. It had a white top and baby blue paint job when it was new. The transmission was a T 350 3 speed and the engine a 307 CID V8 with a 2 barrel carburetor. It had 4 wheel manual drum brakes and power steering. Acceleration wasn't that great but was ok and it was a bear to get stopped. Sounded like a wheezy old fella when you hit the brake pedal hard.

[@donaldblankenship8057]

At 9:48 that is what I have in my driveway except mine has better wheels tires and I'm sure alot more. That was mean of me. Stop it. No. Gorgeous car.

[@docholiday1806]

I have a 1967 chevy 2 nova. Original 283 but I’ve got that on an engine stand with a 350 in the car

[@Westhelockpicker]

I used to have a 73 in cannery yellow and it was a lot of fun after I changed everything. Stock it had a 307 that wouldn't get out of it's own way but I took care of that

[@tommycook9620]

Man I grew up with novas my hole life dad had a few still have it a factory 68 nova big block car old school race car from back in the day dream to get it down in his memory when I was 19 he found me my own 68 nova factory Small block 4speed car with buckets as a roller still have mine been 20 years this year lol time flys

[@davidmartin8825]

Had a 1972 nova with a 350 engine fun car during my high school in the 80s

[@larrygregoire842]

I had 5 novas back in the 80's . First one was a 78 with a 6 cyl auto paid 700 lame but I needed a car after my 70 C10 died drove it until I got into an accident then a friend's dad sold me his 76 for parts that was hit from behind fixed the 78 . Then my sister in-law had a 75 she gave me with a 305 v 8 that was hit in the side . I wanted it for the engine to put in the 78 . As I was changing engines in front of my parents house , had the 305 out and on the side walk . And with the 6cylinder swinging on the cherry picker My mom came out and freaked . The next day my dad had called the auto wreckers and had it all scrapped . I got 50 bucks for both cars then I found a 72 with a 350/350 . I paid 350 bucks for it very little rust had it for a few months and was offered 900 and sold it . Then found a 68 sitting on the highway for sale for 200 bucks wound up getting it for 175 . It had a L6 and powerglide it pea green with light surface rust . came from the factory with SS:hood trim ( 2 rectangular chrome pieces with lines it it ) but not the SS emblems drove that one for almost a year and let it go for 500 . Then bought a 68 Impala . I wish cars where still.as cheap as they where then . Now you can't even touch a rusted out nova with no engine for under at least 1000 .

[@retrorock5333]

I had a 76 nova many years ago and to this day, it’s the absolute most favorite car I have ever owned

[@johncusumano7244]

I have a 1972 nova complete restoration but as original as possible great car love it 😍

[@KevinOdell-so3vd]

You got that wrong that would be a Chevelle what does Chevy's best small car

[@jeffpolen9533]

mines a 72 SS 4 speed 350 it has grown n 2 a 383 stroker and i have a lot of fun n this car

[@jiwms]

I had a 77 Nova, that thing was the best car I have owned. When I sold it, the next owner said it was the best car the owned and wonder while I sold it.

[@davidlittle3857]

I had a 1969 Nova 307 3 on the tree. Great car for highschool.

[@carlzalesski2975]

Had several,a70,72 and a 78 concours all V8 cars .great dependable cars.

[@nickrice7535]

Wrong about that. 66,67 Novas were not available in a convertible.

[@Nova.1971]

Love my 1971 Nova and just started putting up videos of it......

[@justjarrid6285]

This is ‘’gm’s best small car’’ what about the vette and camaro ?

[@anthonyrecollet306]

I had two Novas a 1975 hackback and 1979 3 on tree all black

[@tomweaver7723]

I have a 1971 Baldwin Motion Nova. It’s art

[@Debi-in5fp]

Have had several Nova's & loved ALL of them!

[@mzaccagnini7179]

Those corvairs and novas were great cars. We had both.

[@paulb9649]

One of the best cars I ever owned! It was a 1964 Chevy ll Nova 2 door sedan blue. Blue interior 3 speed on the tree had a chromed-out 230 cubic inch 1 barrel Chevrolet 6 from the factory and just a great car I miss that car today! Oh yeah it had a top speed of 105 miles an hour on a flat straight away! 😲

[@billnicholson3182]

I have a 69 SS 396 L78. Bought it when i was 15. Im 56...& I still got her! Love my baby...& will never part with her! Shes my baby! Way too many fond memories! Unbelievable car Chevy invented!

[@58nunzi]

I had a 63 nova with a built 327, ten bolt main with 60's on the back and a stock front end. That was back in the early 80's. It was pretty bad-ass.

[@jaustill237]

No question.

[@ryleyshaver8017]

I own a 76 nova concours with a 305

[@cody_beats5371]

have a 69 nova sedan with a 454

[@dw8840]

I've owned a 71 and a 75 Nova, now I own a 69 Nova.

[@chrisblackburn1872]

I had a 1969 with 307 and a 2 speed. I put a 4 barrel and headers with straight pipes. With some extra tweaking it would pull the front wheels off the ground about 3 inches all day long. Like a dummy sold it. Also had a 79 with 6 cylinder. Both were 2 doors would like to get another one some day.

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

Convertibles we're only available in 62 and 63 , wagons were available 62 to 67 . Yenko did not do the first 427 Novas , Fred Gibb Chevrolet out of LaHarpe , Illinois ordered one hundred 68 Novas with the L72 , 427/425 engine for NHRA Super Stock racing . The Yenko cars were 69s , and the Yenko Deuces we're 70s .

[@briangregory6303]

69 four door with a replacement 307 was my first car stationed at Minot AFB, ND in 1983.. ND winters are brutal on old cars and I couldn't afford to keep spending the money to keep it on the road. The day I had to trade it in on a newer car (late 70s Accord hatchback) it was sold and off the lot before I was. Still think about and miss that car.

[@CJColvin]

There's a Canadian 🇨🇦 version of the Chevy Nova call the Acadian Casno.

[@RedGarnett-n2p]

When I was a kid our family had a 66 Nova station wagon and a 63 Nova station wagon the 63 had 194 cubic inch 6 cylinder the 66 had a 283 believe it or not it had a lot of get-up-and-go 195 horsepower

[@kevinwest1874]

74 SS 383 small block, muncie 4 spd, bucks w/ hurst shifter in the center console. Sold it in 96. Still miss it!

[@johnthompson1280]

I had a 1970 Chevy Nova back in 1980 and I sold it to my best friend's sister who got four years of service from it. It was a tough little car that keeped on ticking.

[@callsop100]

I had a 72 with a six banger when I was young. Now I’m old some years ago I bought a project, born as a Ventura It was made to look like a nova when I bought it on eBay. I put a chassis works subframe in with rack and pinion steering and coil over shocks. I replaced the tired 350 with an LS 2 with limited slip rear end. It’s fun to drive can’t wait till spring time so I can take a spin anytime I want. We have a couple of feet of snow on the ground at present.

[@robertjewsbury3212]

Had a ‘70 Nova SS396, L78, M-21, 3.55 12-bolt. Cortez Silver, black buckets, console gauges.

[@patrickmcsorley118]

I love my 74 SS hatchback That is gold in color with black stripes and and a white vinyl interior with a 350 and colm shifter

[@Dyna_0311]

I just bought a 73 hatchback

[@davidgrimble2531]

You did not mention my nova that I have had since 1976.It is a 68 SS L34 car built in June of 68 one of 234 built.

[@jeffwalther3935]

Your video was superb, absolutely orienting me to the GM Chevy II/Nova models. Your directions at the end to comment were just personally stunning to me because my first cars were these and BOTH were outstandingly good, fun, etc. that they may have as much as determined much of the success in my life that I did enjoy JUST because of their overabundant quality built-in that you mentioned and show in the show. It is unusual to credit ones cars so much so but I think you and everyone had a similar experience with the cars too and so invited personal stories. History is important to note here because GM's Chevy II/Nova mission statement was an historical bulls-eye in practical economics/marketing of such precision, with the Nova line established and dominant, GM could enjoy the period of American market dominance in cars so much so that we became complacent, our competitors had recovered from WW2 and too had the 1974 oil problems for the first times in our history. Born in the USA. '62 Chevy II 2-door, convertible, 3 on the tree, 1974-76. '72 Rally Nova, 2-door, 4 on the floor, 350 V8 with Rally rims. My younger brother received my car when I got a motorcycle, decided he could use it much better and couldn't keep both, going into military. He got the great car that had carried me through college and first jobs and relocation AND HE drove it to even better high school fame as a record-setting athlete with the tuf-lookin' Nova rod too.

[@davidlittle3857]

I learned to drive in a 1969 Nova 307 3 on the tree. Drove it to school 1972 - 1974. Fun car and good looking. Best bang for the money spent

[@glennestes4940]

I had a 70 model,with a 250 cubic inch,that got I believe like 23 mile to the gallon,loved that car!

[@jerrydiver1]

I had a '75 350ci auto in dove gray. That black vinyl bench roasted my skin for my year and a half in Key West, and then on Guam, where it got wrecked by somebody's joyriding 15y.o. in a head-on. But I loved Nova's enough to order a '79 through the Air Force exchange and pick it up at Apple Chevy in Flint, MI on my return to the states. A Nova Rally with the 305 (no power) and automatic. The dark brown metallic with gold wheels and stripes, hatchback. If I'd had any idea how rare a combination that was, I'd have kept it and put it in the barn for a generation. I still have dreams of taking that car out now for a drive.

[@Thinkaboutit2050]

Had a tan 1966 four door with 2 speed automatic as my first car. Great gas mileage for the time.

[@CJColvin]

Thats what happens if you rely on Opec.

[@novass7493]

I have a 69 nova with a 431

[@charlescloughjr9696]

I had a 77 nova and omega

[@gilbertogutierrez7727]

Have a 1972 nova

[@rickhoyte4611]

I had a 1970 Chvy Nova that I could time it by ear and got it to withing 1/100th degree of timing! Only car I could do that with. Unforunetely it had the 250 engine in it and the main seals always leaked oil due to a poor engine design flaw. Best car I ever had!

[@angeluwu8585]

69 coupe with a 454

[@wheelmanvicful]

Me too lol 69 nova w a 454 lol

[@Wooley689]

My brother had a 75 Nova 4 door which he later traded for a 78 2 door, I had the 77 Ventura.

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

I've owned 11 from 64 to 74 nova is my all-time favorite

[@edwardgonzalez2155]

I love novas I have a 65 Chevy II 4 dr sedan and a 70 and 74 nova hatchback I will always buy nova thank you for the nova lesson I learned a few more things about the nova

[@johanelvis5349]

I have a 1974 Nova 350, I’m just starting to work on it but I love it

[@2010Flboy]

Good stuff.