Chevrolet Nova SS
The Chevrolet Nova SS held a unique position in the muscle car hierarchy. While Mustangs and Camaros drew attention with their sporty styling and Chevelles and GTOs dominated with big-block brawn, the Nova SS was the quiet assassin — a compact, unassuming car that could be ordered with some of Chevrolet's most potent engines.
Based on Chevrolet's X-body compact platform, the Nova was significantly lighter than its mid-size and full-size stablemates. A 1970 Nova SS with the L48 350 V8 weighed just 3,050 pounds — 700 pounds less than a comparable Chevelle SS. The power-to-weight advantage was decisive: the Nova could run with cars making far more horsepower.
The SS package added the 350 four-barrel V8 (300 hp), special suspension, power front disc brakes, SS badges, and blacked-out grille treatment. For those wanting more, the 396 big-block (375 hp) was available from 1968-1970, transforming the compact Nova into a tire-shredding terror that required skill and courage to keep in a straight line.
The Nova's simplicity was its greatest asset. The rugged unibody was easy to work on, parts were cheap and plentiful, and the car responded enthusiastically to modification. A Nova with a built 350, headers, and 4.11 gears could run deep into the 12s for a fraction of what it cost to campaign a big-block Chevelle.
The Nova SS became one of the most popular cars in grassroots drag racing, a tradition that continues today. The combination of light weight, V8 power, and simple mechanicals makes it the ideal platform for everything from mild street builds to full-tube chassis race cars.
On the collector market, the Nova SS occupies an affordable niche. While not as glamorous as Camaros or Chevelles, the Nova offers genuine muscle car performance and a devoted enthusiast community at more accessible prices.
Nova SS values depend heavily on engine and year. Big-block (396) cars from 1968-70 are the most valuable. The COPO 427 is extremely rare and valuable. Check for unibody rust in the floor pans, inner fenders, and rocker panels. The compact body makes rust repair less expensive than larger cars. Verify SS equipment with cowl tag and documentation. Many base Novas have been converted to SS specification — original SS cars carry a premium. The aftermarket for Nova performance parts is excellent.
The Nova SS was available from 1963 (as Chevy II Nova SS) through 1976. The 396 big-block option was offered 1968-1970. The COPO 9738 Nova was available with the 427 in 1969 — approximately 50 were produced and are extremely valuable. Production numbers for SS-equipped Novas are difficult to determine as SS was an option package, not a separate model.