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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