If you are looking for a classic car that (possibly) won’t break the bank, has the powerful base specifications of a muscle car, and offers multiple opportunities for modification you may want to take a closer look at an American classic by the name of the Chevy Nova.
1966 Chevrolet Nova SS Hardtop Coupe image by Sicnag (1966 Chevrolet Nova SS Hardtop) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Origins of the ’66 Chevy Nova
Originally known as the Chevy II Nova, 1966 was a banner year for the car that would eventually become a staple of General Motors automotive catalog. The 66 Nova flew off the sales lots, accounting for 20,986 units sold, and for good reason. It combined a certain subtlety with supercar flair and redefined what a sport coupe could be.
1966 Chevy Nova Engine Specs
The 1966 Nova featured a powerful yet economical six cylinder engine that boasted 350 horsepower and forged high-compression pistons. Its engine included big valve heads, aluminum intake mounting, and performance profile camshaft that all combined to enable performance that was indistinguishable from many of the eras sports cars and hot rods. Its small frame of less than 3000 pounds let the power of the engine get the most bang for its buck.
A Classy, Under-Rated Sports Coupe
While some modern car fanatics might not put much stock in the ’66 Chevy Nova, this highly underrated sports coupe packed a lot of power into its small frame and outclassed some of its competition, including the beloved Chevelle, in terms of performance. It distinguished itself visually with wide rocker panels and an aluminum deck lid cove that brightened its trim significantly.
The Often Imitated, Never Duplicated ’66 Nova
The 1966 Chevy Nova was an influential automobile that was often imitated but never duplicated in the next two model years. Novas of the next few years adhered to the model specifications very closely because the prevailing attitude was that very little could be done to improve on it. With a tacit endorsement like that, you may wonder why the brand doesn’t have more recognition or gearheads singing its praises. It may have more to do with general dissatisfaction with its iterations in the early 1970s and its relaunch as a subcompact in the 1980s than the actual performance of the 1960s models.
Take a closer look at the Chevy Nova for 1966. It won’t let you down.
Part of the reason Classic Cars Online US exists is to help connect classic car buyers and sellers, and we’ve added several ways for you to connect, but first, be sure to visit the Classifieds page if you’re in the market to buy or sell classic cars such as the iconic 1966 Chevy Nova.
To be the first to know about our site updates and latest offerings, sign up for the newsletter on the upper right side of this page.
If you would like to connect on social media, be sure to visit and like this site’s Facebook page, the Best Classic Cars for Sale Online Facebook page or join the Classic Cars Online: Classic Cars for Sale Facebook group.