Nova History

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SUPER SPORTS
(Nova History)

1974 Nova SS 1975 Nova SS

   Demand for sporty, performance-type cars rebounded in 1972. Nova Super Sport Coupes shared in the revival, with 12,309 copies sold.
   The Rally Nova Coupe continued in production during 1972 after its late 1971 debut. Any available power train was offered in the Rally Nova, which featured broad, tapering stripes extending the full length of the body and around the rear panel. A black-out grille ('a la Super Sport) was used. The current-style Sport Mirror was included for the left-hand installation, painted body color. Rally Nova equipment included 14x6 Rally Wheels, which were optional on Nova Super Sports. Some special suspension parts were included as well. 1971 Rally Nova production was 7,700; the package caught on big in 1972, with 33,319 sold.

   Fresh styling marked the 1973 Nova SS, which found a tremendous reception in the market, with sales amounting to 35,542 by the end of the year, making it the top Nova Super Sport year of the decade. Blunt, front fenders edges relieved the stark mass of new impact-resistant bumpers. Nova finally did away with vent windows. Underneath, it was basically the same car. For the first time since 1967, Novas were offered in two series, Custom and plain Nova. Three styles were offered: a coupe, hatchback coupe and sedan.
   The Nova Super Sport option survived, but was hidden away in the "Nova Selected Options" section of the 1973 showroom book, and even there it was merely described, not illustrated. The 1973 Nova SS was a blend of 1972's SS and Rally nova features. Any engine/transmission combination offered for the Nova was acceptable. Exterior detailing included black or white stripes, the traditional black-accented grille, and a black panel on the rear. SS identification appeared front and rear, on the fenders, and on the black steering wheel. A left-hand remote control Sport Mirror and complementing manually adjusted right-hand mirror were part of the SS option this year, but front disc brakes returned to the option list. White-letter E70x14B bias belted tires were optional at extra cost, and came with 14x7 wheels when ordered. Sales were strong, stopping at 5,542. There was no 1973 Rally Nova option.
   Strato-bucket seats were optional, and gave the buyer the right to also specify a floor console, and if he wished to spend even more, a gauge cluster. On cars equipped with the cluster, a tach/clock unit replaced the fuel gauge on the dash which moved down to the console gauge group.
   Engines for the 1973 Nova SS went from the 250-cubic-inch six to the 350 four-barrel V-8. The L48 received another cut in horsepower, as emissions regulations continued to strangle it. Net horsepower was now 157. Power disc brakes for front wheels were required with the 350, as was either the M20 four-speed or Turbo Hydra-matric.
   A new rarely seen optional Sky Roof (RPO CFI), introduced in mid 1972, was offered again for 1973. This was a vinyl roof insert that rolled back to give a view of the sky.

1974 Nova SS    Nova Super Sport sales started strong as the Chevrolet compact entered the 1974 model year. Adverse economic conditions slowed the pace as the year progressed, however, and sales took a downturn. still, there were 21,419 Nova SS Coupes built in 1974.
   Sheet metal styling was virtually unchanged on the 1974 Nova, but a new graphic approach gave the car a really new look. Contrasting paint and decal areas spread across the Nova Super Sport's surfaces this year. Black accents were used not only on the grille, but around side windows as well. Large Nova SS decals were used on the front fenders, while traditional SS emblems appeared on the grille and steering wheel. Dual Sport Mirrors, finished in flat black, were standard, as were Rally-type 14x6 wheels. The new stripes, in black outlined with gold or gold outlined with red (depending on body color), raced along the hood and deck lid.
   All available Nova engines were again offered, but the SS option did include heavy-duty suspension components with larger stabilizer bars and stiffer springs. The top engines were still 350 four-barrel units, but now there were two RPO numbers: L48, gaining back a few of its lost ponies at 185 net hp; and the California-only LM1 of 160 emaciated horse-power, resulting from a detune to meet that state's emission requirements. Required options with the L48 350 were power disc brakes and either the M20 four-speed or Turbo Hydra-matic.
   Gone from the 1974 option list was the mid-1972 and 1973 sliding sunroof. Variable power steering, with special SS ratios (14.2:1 to 10.2:1 for the SS compared to 18.9:1 to 13.5:1 for regular Novas) was an increasingly popular option. A full traditional SS interior could still be ordered by purchasing extra-cost optional bucket seats, console and guages.
   During 1974 Novas were offered, along with Vegas and Impala, in special Spirit of America trim. These cars were white, with special red and blue stripes. Identification was by decal on Novas and Vegas, while the Impala coupes had gold medallions. Rally Wheels and bucket seats were included, but apparently the Spirit of America package could not be combined with SS equipment on the Nova.

1975 Nova SS    Novas used totally new sheet metal for 1975, though the basic design package continued intact. A new roof line, using a new windshield which eliminated the rounded corners of previous Nova windshields gave the car a really fresh look. Front and rear ensembles were redesigned to bring the car up-to-date.
   A new top series of Novas was introduced for 1975. The new Nova LN models were the nicest yet. Going another round was the SS package. This year it had black accents on the new roof pillar louvers, as well as on the grille and around side windows. Black Sport Mirrors were standard, and large SS identification symbols were used on the front fenders and deck, while a smaller emblem provided frontal recognition. Contrasting lower body stripes were part of the year's graphic package-dual stripes in red, silver or white, depending on the body color. Rally Wheels with trim rings and SS center caps used on SS cars. Inside, the neat Sport four-spoke steering wheel was installed, with an SS emblem on the horn button.
   The SS package was offered with any engine. Standard Nova power plant for 1975 was the 250 six, with three V-8's; the new 4.3-liter engine and two- and four-barrel versions of the 350. The top V-8 was now the LM1 with catalytic converter and unleaded-fuel capability. The very word horsepower was stricken from the Chevrolet Sales Album this year; the LM1 now had a 'power rating' of 155. The M20 four-speed or Turbo Hydra-matic were equipped options for the LM1 (in California, even the four-speed was forbidden). Special suspension (RPO F40 for other Novas) was included, but the heavy-duty Sports Suspension, RPO F41, was optional. Manual front disc brakes were standard on all 1975, but the power unit was still offered, optionally. The new Turbine Wheels were excluded from Nova equipment in parts of the Sales Album, but listed as available elsewhere. The sun was really setting on the muscle car era in 1975. Nova Super Sports suffered from the general decline in performance interest, as sales fell to 9,067 units.

1976 Nova SS    There was a 1976 Nova Super Sport, although it was almost a secret. The 1976 Passenger Car Buyers Guide (Showroom Album) devoted exactly one line to the Super Sport, stating under the "Option Availability" listing that SS equipment was offered. The final passenger-car Super Sport (El Caminos would continue to feature SS kits for the rest of the decade) consisted of a Nova coupe with special paint and decal detailing. Most of the former goodies were still available, though, and many of the small number (exact numbers are unavailable) of 1976 SS Novas built were equipped with bucket seats, an improved 350 V-8, four-speed, gauges and special wheels.
   By 1977 there was no further mention of SS equipment being offered for the Nova, although the 350, and other performance-type options, remained on the list.

1977-1978 Nova Rally Grill    A half-hearted effort to revive a sporting Nova came in 1977 with a regenerated Rally equipment package approximating the 1971-72 Rally Nova's kit. The Nova passed away quietly during the 1979 model year; there was no fanfare when the last Nova was built on December 22, 1978. The basic Nova package had lasted for eleven years, accounting for more than 3.5 million sales. Today only the 396-engined 1968-70 versions of the last type of Novas are avidly sought by collectors. But, then, there was a time when no one wanted a 1957 Chevy as a collector car, either.