Under construction. November 29 1997. Additions and contributions or corrections are welcome. Email Don Coffman

Q: How can I join your club?

A: We would be glad to have you in our club if you live in this area. Actually, we would also be glad to have you in  our club even if you live a long distance away, but if you do not live in northern California, you would probably find that the national club is a better deal for  you. You can join NNN by sending $30.00 for one year to:
 National Nostalgic Nova
 PO Box 2344
 York PA, 17405

If you live in Canada, or if you would like first class mailing, the cost is $40.00.
If you live overseas, the cost is $50.00

 Dont forget to include your mailing address, and they would like to hear about your Nova while you are at it. This
 will get you their 48 page color magazine, and full membership.

 To join Golden State Novas send a check for $25.00 to:
 Golden State Novas
 PO Box 730248
 San Jose CA 95173 - 0248

 Both clubs print a newsletter where you can place free advertising while you are a member. But a lot more people
 will see the ad in the National newsletter, they send out more than 5,000 copies a month, while we do about 200.

Q: I heard that Chevy really screwed up when they tried to sell the Nova in Latin America, it seems that Nova really means "No Go" when translated into spanish!

A: This is bull. It's just one of those urban legends that won't die, because people don't want to check their facts before putting something up on the web. Check out the real story on the  "No Go" Nonsense.

Q: What year did xxx engine or option come out, etc...

A: A brief Nova history

1962
The Chevy II was introduced. It was intended as a competitor to Ford's Falcon, which had been outselling the Chevy Corvair,  just a cheap economy car.  There was a convertible, 2 door hardtop coupe, two door sedan with post, four door sedan, and station wagon. The engines were a 153 four cylinder,(90 HP) and a 194 six cylinder (120 HP). Three speed manual and two speed powerglide automatic transmissions were available. The car was made with unit body construction with a detatchable front section. There was no frame. The nicer models were called Nova, the cheaper models were called Chevy II.

1963
The SS model was added. At this point it was just a trim option with extra moldings, bucket seats, floor trim plate, and full instrumentation.

1964
The convertible was discontinued, along with the SS and the hardtop coupe also. The coupe and SS model were re-introduced after a couple of months, but the convertible was gone for good. Convertible buyers could get the new Chevelle. A 283 V8 was made available, in 195 and 220 HP versions, and also a four speed manual transmission. There was also a bigger six, a 230 (155 HP). The wheels were changed to five lugs, and the brake size was increased to 9.5 inches.

1965
A minor restyling was done with a different grille and more trim at the rear. The interior center console was redesigned on the SS models. A 327 V8 was made available, in 250 and 300 HP versions.

1966
The bodies were restyled, creating one of the best looking model years. The interior was also redone, with a new instrument panel, and new seats.  A "special high performance" 350 horsepower 327 engine was available this year. There was also a 275 HP 327.

1967
The car was only mildly restyled this year, with a new grille. This was the last year for the early Nova chassis design. Under the skin all 1967 and earlier models are the same basic design. The 230 six was replaced by the 250 six. The special high performance 327 was no longer listed as an option. The brake system received a new dual master cylinder. Front disk brakes were made available as an option.

1968
The car was totally redesigned, sharing a lot of parts with the new Camaro. There was a whole new bigger body and chassis, with a front subframe. The interior was all new also. The station wagon and the two door hardtop coupe bodies were discontinued. The SS included a new 350 engine (295 HP), and  a 396 V8 was made available in "high performance" 350 HP and "special high performance" 375 horsepower versions. The special high performance 327 returned for an encore, now rated at 325 HP. Also a three speed turbo hydramatic transmission was added. The 283 engine was dropped, replaced by the 307 V8 (200 HP). The 194 six was also discontinued, a 140 HP 230 was the standard six. The SS option included fake air intakes on the hood. The "Super thrift" 153 four banger was still available also.

1969
The Chevy II name was dropped, all of the cars were called Novas. The instrument panel was redesigned. Power disk brakes were included with the SS option. The 327 engines were discontinued at midyear, replaced by the 307 (200 HP) and also the 250 HP 350. The 350 used on the SS models was was increased to 300 HP. Nine different engines were available, the most ever, but the 396s were not listed in the brochures.

1970
The 396 engines were actually 402 cubic inches this year. The tail lights were enlarged, as were the front turn signals.

1971
The 396 V8s were dropped, and the power output of the engines started to go down. All engines were rated to run on unleaded gasoline. The 153 four cylinder was also dropped, along with the 230 six. A 250 with 145 HP was the only six left. Also the Rally Nova was introduced, a lower cost sport model with stripes.

1972
Not much change this year, optional high back bucket seats replaced the low back seats, and a sliding vinyl sky roof option was added.

1973
The Nova had a minor restyling, with bigger bumpers, and the vent windows were removed. A hatch back bodystyle was introduced. The SS model lost the hood grilles, and gained a stripe on the side. There was no longer any special engine included with the SS, this option was now available with any engine. The rally Nova was no longer available.

1974
The 307 was dropped, along with the 2 speed powerglide automatic. The SS got a new stripe job, and black frames around the windows.

1975
The car was completely redesigned, with a new sub frame, and sharing a lot of parts with the newer Camaro again. There were still the two door sedan with post, the four door sedan, and the hatch back bodies. A 262 V8 was added. The top 350 V8 was down to 155 net HP.

1976
The 262 V8 was dropped, and a 305 V8 was added. The Concours was introduced, a luxury model of the Nova.

1977
The Nova SS option was eliminated, replaced by the Nova rally. This was just a stripe package with a blacked out grille and rally wheels.

1978

1979
This was the last year for the Nova, at the end of the year it was discontinued, replaced by the front wheel drive Citation
 

Q: What are the right exhaust manifolds for an early Nova?
A: Here are the exhaust manifold casting numbers for early Chevy IIs and Novas:
These manifolds all have the rams horn design with the outlets pointed back at a 45 degree angle.
3790729 left side 1962 to 1967 no smog holes.
3790730 right side 1962 to 1965 no smog holes.
3791162 right side1962 to1964 has AC mount
3849288 right side 1964 to 1967 no smog holes.
3849290 right side 1964 to 1967 no smog holes, has AC mount
3872723 left side 1966 to 1967 has smog holes.
3872738 right side 1966 to 1967 has smog holes and AC mount