1962-1972
Chevrolet entered into the compact budget muscle car battle in 1962 with the Chevrolet Nova SS. The Nova SS started as the underpowered Chevy II but was soon made into a true muscle car in 1964 with the availability of its first V8. Eventually the Nova SS came with the same engines that were used in the Camaro, including the powerful 396/375hp V8. The budget compact car with the powerful V8 engine created the ultimate sleeper.
1962 Chevrolet Nova
Production:
Engines: 194 I6 120 bhp
Performance: 194/120: 0-60 in 13.0 seconds, 1/4 mile in 19.0 seconds @ 70 mph
1963 Chevrolet Nova SS
Production: 42,432
Engines: 194 I6 120 bhp
Performance: 194/120: 0-60 in 15.9 seconds, 1/4 mile in 21.0 seconds @ 67 mpg
1964 Chevrolet Nova SS
Production: 10,576
Engines: 194 I6 120 bhp
230 I6 140 bhp
230 I6 155 bhp
283 V8 195 bhp
Performance: 283/195: 0-60 in 11.3 seconds, 1/4 mile in 18.0 seconds @ 75 mph
1965 Chevrolet Nova SS
Production: 9,100
Engines: 194 I6 120 bhp
230 I6 140 bhp
230 I6 155 bhp
283 V8 195 bhp
327 V8 250 bhp
327 V8 300 bhp
Performance
1966 Chevrolet Nova SS
Production: 21,000
Engines: 194 I6 120 bhp
230 I6 140 bhp
230 I6 155 bhp
283 V8 195 bhp
283 V8 220 bhp
327 V8 275 bhp
327 V8 350 bhp
Performance: 327/350: 1/4 mile in 15.10 sec
1967 Chevrolet Nova SS
Production: 10,100
Engines: 194 I6 120 bhp
250 I6 155 bhp
230 I6 155 bhp
283 V8 195 bhp
283 V8 220 bhp
327 V8 275 bhp
327 V8 350 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Performance: 327/350: 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.9 seconds @ 96.5 mph
1968 Chevrolet Nova SS
Production:
Nova SS: 5,571
Nova SS w/ 396/350: 234
Nova SS w/ 396/375: 667
Engines: 350 V8 295 bhp
396 V8 350 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 415 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
396 V8 375 bhp @ 5600 rpm, 415 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Performance: 327/325: 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.5 seconds @ 101 mph
1969 Chevrolet Nova SS
Production:
Nova SS: 17,654
Nova SS w/ 396/350: 1,947
Nova SS w/ 396/375: 5,262
Engines: 350 V8 295 bhp
396 V8 375 bhp @ 5600 rpm, 415 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
(Yenko) 427 V8 425 bhp @ 5600 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Performance: 396/375: 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. 1/4 mile in 14.5 seconds @ 101 mph
(Yenko) 427/425: 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, 1/4 mile in 13.2 seconds @ 103 mph
With less weight than the Yenko Camaros and Chevelles, even less than a 427 Corvette, the L72 Yenko Nova was probably the fastest automobile Don Yenko ever offered.
1970 Chevrolet Nova SS
Production: 19,558
Engines: 350 V8 295 bhp
402 V8 350 bhp
402 V8 375 bhp
Performance
1971 Chevrolet Nova SS
Production:
Engines: 350 V8 270 bhp
Performance
1972 Chevrolet Nova SS
Production:
Engines: 350 V8 200 bhp
Performance: 350/200: 1/4 mile in 15.5 seconds @ 88.4 mph
Although the Nova SS would live until 1976, true Nova SS performance ended in 1972.