The Super Sport, or RPO-Z03, was released in 1963 on the Chevy II Nova 400. Equipped with either a 153 cubic-inch four-cylinder or 194 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine, the Chevy II quickly evolved to include sportier options. The first generation ran from 1962-1965, with a few notable highlights. Available as a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, convertible, or station wagon, the simple design of the Chevy II represented what Chevy’s General Manager, Ed Cole, dubbed “maximum functionalism with thrift.” Designed in 1961 and released in 1962, the Chevy II was a back-to-basics compact car, smaller than the full-size Chevy vehicles, but bigger than the compact Chevy Corvair. Early Days…1962-1965Īfter the Chevy II’s rapid-fire design and subsequent approval, which led to its manufacture only eighteen months later, this car was among the speediest new car development programs released by General Motors. Produced between 1962-1988 (though some people will tell you the Nova died in the 70s), you would be lucky to find a used Chevy Nova at your Chevy Dealership. However, Nova was chosen as the name for the higher-end, sportier trim option, and did eventually replace Chevy II as the car’s official name in 1969. As a model name, Nova was relegated to runner-up name because it didn’t start with C. But it didn’t start out as the Chevy Nova…not quite, anyway.Įager to produce a budget-friendly compact muscle car, Chevy introduced the Chevy II. While the 1960s and 1970s witnessed a fight between American automotive manufacturers to produce the fastest and most powerful muscle cars, the Chevy Nova was just right when it came to size, speed, and affordability. The interior is original, too, but the Aztec Bronze shade was refreshed in 1998.The Chevy Nova was a compact competitor in the legendary American pony wars. The car had it well in its life – the first buyer owned it from July 7, 1966, until 1996.Īlso, this Nova SS is powered by its factory-installed V8, matching its numbers with the M21 four-speed manual and 3.31 12-bolt Positive-Traction rear end. Nearly six decades later, one of the first factory muscle cars to emerge from Detroit’s three-party hot horsepower wars is parting ways with its present owner. The high-output engine, easily identifiable by its diametrically-opposed snorkels on the air cleaner cover, was only offered for one year, and a survivor from that rarified production is not that common. The 1966 Chevy II SS equipped with the performant 350 didn’t have the “Nova” written anywhere on it – but the sales brochures made it clear that the car bore that name. The 350 hp (355 PS) and 360 lb-ft (488 Nm) rating was backed by a close-ratio four-speed manual (the only option for the L79 Nova SS) that scored low 15s in the standing quarter. And it’s no real surprise: with 10.5:1 compression, forged pistons, and an aluminum intake, the SS was barely (if at all) outgunned by big-block muscle. Other than this, it can be easily confused with a 1966 two-door X-body with a straight-six or even a measley inline-four – until the going got tough. The 327-ci L79 was packing one of the highest horsepower-per-cubic-inch ratios (1.07:1) among all the American V8 of its time. Two discrete SS badges on the grille and trunk, a pair of Super Sport scripts on the rear fenders, and corresponding 327 V8 flags behind the front wheels are the only external telltale signs that the Nova SS is special. On the contrary, few elements indicated that a V8 Nova SS was something different than Auntie Mildred’s churchgoer Chevy II or even told it apart from the rest of the Super Sport crowd. Distinguished but barely distinguishable: the sporty blue-collared kept to itself, not boasting any flashy decals, oversized script, or blinding trim to set itself apart. 3,547 were assembled – out of a total Nova production volume of over 172,000 for the year, which makes it a distinguished car among its peers.
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