With the introduction of the Turbo-Fire engine in 1966, the Nova SS had snuck its way into a muscle car label, despite its small stature. The Nova SS was introduced the following year in 1963 as the sports version of the line and had been steadily increasing in power throughout the intervening years. The Nova had humble beginnings as an upgraded trim level of the Chevy II, the very basic model Chevy designers had built from scratch in 1962 to compete with the extremely popular Ford Falcon. The base price of the car ranged from $2,487 to $2,590. Throughout the model year, there were about 10,100 Nova SS models built, which was less than half of the previous year’s production number of 21,000. This would also help the car in future years as more powerful engine options would be introduced throughout the rest of the 1960s and the early 1970s. 1967 Nova SSĮven without the more powerful engine it had the previous year, the Nova SS could still be an underestimated power machine because of its high power-to-weight ratio. As they had been for most of their lifetime, the Nova 400 models represented the best-sellers of the Nova/Chevy II, with around 47,600 built. Unlike the Nova SS, which was only available as a two-door sports coupe, the Nova 400 series included a two-door sedan, a four-door sedan and a wagon. Two V8 models also were available: a 283 CID version rated at a 195 horsepower and the top-performer, a 275-horsepower 327-CID engine. The first was also an inline six, though the bigger 250 CID engine produced 155 horsepower. Though all Nova models, including the SS, came standard with a 194 CID inline six that produced 120 horsepower, buyers also could choose from three other engine options. Sales of the Nova SS wore cut in half, while sales of the Nova 400 series fell by more than 26,000.īut just because the most powerful engine option was gone, didn’t mean the Nova was zapped of all its power. This introduction of the Camaro also likely played a part in the decline in sales for all models of the Nova and its base model car, Chevy II. But the elimination of the engine was because Chevrolet introduced the Camaro in 1967, as well. The Nova Super Sport (SS) had always been positioned as the sporty version of the Nova line, but with this engine it officially became a muscle car, even if it was one of the smallest muscle cars produced. One was the elimination of the Turbo Fire engine option, which was a 327 CID V8 that produced 350 horsepower and had been introduced only the year before. But there were a few important things to look at for the 1967 models. Other than the changes mentioned in the above highlights, the 1967 models were basically carbon copies of the 1966 Nova. This Nova was a Canadian-built car, sold in Alberta, and remains here to this day.After the restyled second-generation of the Chevy Nova was introduced the previous year, 1967 was very much a carryover year for the car. I nicknamed the car “Nightmare” because there were so many issues and problems that caused me lack of sleep and headaches. I had so many compliments about the car and the quality of the workmanship that it made all the hard work for two-plus years worthwhile. It was a huge honor for me and a top-shelf award. I came home with a Top-10 Builders award. I took it to my first car show in Spokane, WA in June of 2022, and the car showed amazingly. I did all the work myself and turned it into a piece of jewelry. I was able to do this so cost-effectively because I own an autobody repair facility. I threw everything at this car I could imagine (along with a few extras) to make it stand out from the crowd. Three years later, I restored “Nightmare.” I gave her the life she deserved by doing a complete rotisserie restoration, installing a crate Motown 427, all-aluminum small block with Holley fuel injection matted to a Tremek 5-speed pumping out 600 hp. If it wasn’t for my wife, I would have missed out on one of my dream cars. I looked the car over and bought it immediately. I had my wife drive me to his shop with the catheter and bag still attached to my leg. I immediately contacted the owner, and the rumors were true! When I got out and was resting at home, my wife told me that she heard the Nova I’d had my eye on for years was possibly for sale! I, unfortunately, was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 49 and had to go for surgery. I kept asking the gentleman if he would sell it, and the answer was always the same. I watched this car drive by my shop every week and envied it so much.
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