I know that the Chevelle and the Nova are cousins, but who came first?? I was having a discussion with a friend of mine who has a 72 Nova and we are not sure. I think the Chevy II came out in 1962, but the first Chevelles appeared in 1965. However, I thought I had also read somewhere that Chevy introduced the Nova as a smaller version of the Chevelle, which is why they have similar body lines.

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1971 Malibu
BOWTIES FOREVER!!!

71boo,
Chevelles came out in 1964, Novas came out in 1962, didn't have the same lines until about 68 when most cars were entering the fastback style of car. So, Novas came first & was a cheaper version of the Velle with not as many luxuries. The biggest engine for a Nova was a 396, EXCEPT for Yenko Dueces, which packed 427 power as with the 69 Chevelle Yenko.

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Jay W.
In-the-works 67 Malibu
surferwagons.8m.com (http://surferwagons.8m.com)




[This message has been edited by SoCalRat (edited 10-02-99).]

The Yenko Duece Nova came out in 1970 and had a 350 LT1 motor, The 1969 Yenko Nova had the L72 427 like the 69 Yenko Chevelle and Camaro

The Chevy II was introduced in 1962. The "Nova" was the top of the line model. In the late 60s, the Chevy II name was dropped and they were just Nova. The Chevy II got its first V8 in '64 and it's ONLY conv was in '63.
The Chevelle was introduced in '64 and the top of the line was the Malibu and Malibu SS. In '66 the Malibu SS was dropped for just SS and it was a 396 only.

And while we're at it, what year did Z-28 change to Z28?

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Tom Parsons

[This message has been edited by DZAUTO (edited 10-02-99).]

I believe the Nova actually came out in 1961. There were only a small handful made that were considered '61's. (saw this in an old Super Chevy mag)

Im not a big Nova person so can anyone confirm this?




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Bob (Pa.)

1963 Impala 283
1966 Chevelle SS 409
1969 Malibu 307
1972 Malibu 307
1969 Chevy stepside 350

Bob's 409 Chevy Page

silverstone.fortunecity.com/tvr/246/bob_s_409_chevy_page_index.html (http://silverstone.fortunecity.com/tvr/246/bob_s_409_chevy_page_index.html)

The Chevy II came out first, as the answer to the Ford Falcon, Rambler American, and Chrysler compacts (Valiant/Dart). The Chevy II was a success after its introduction, which made the Corvair a shadow of itself.

The GM A-body line, introduced in 1964, was a replacement for the BOP compacts of 1961-63 vintage. Chevrolet came up with the idea first, and the BOP divisions used their styling cues.

BTW, the Z/28 designation was changed to the current Z28 in 1970.

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The Emissary
descendant of a former Chevelle owner
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/lonestarclassics/acar.html

Tales From The Crypt -- A-Cars
http://members.tripod.com/~seributra_d/TFTC2.htm

1969 Chevelle Memories Page
http://members.tripod.com/~seributra_d/time_and_memories.htm

Chevelles (and A-cars) On Screen
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/5196/a_car.html

Disco-Era Classics
http://homepages.go.com/~55498/hooptie.htm

Bob,
I have learned not to say that something or someone is wrong. I, personally, never knew of a '61 model Chevy II, but the '62 Chevy II model did come out in the fall of '61. None of the books that I have give reference to a late '61 model Chevy II.
But, do you remember that 2x4 409hp-409 that I ask about which I saw in one of the magazines and now can't find? Anyone found the article yet (Hot Rod, Super Chevy, All Chevy)? Whoever wrote the article gave what was supposed to be a rare factory RPO # for it.

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Tom Parsons

Well if there were any 1961 Chevy II's it's a big secret to Chevrolet... at least their production reports don't list ANY being built.

So if you know of such an animal it's RARE AS HEN'S TEETH.

Also, There were ALSO convertible Chevy II's built in 1962.

Production for Chevy II convertibles.. 1962 & 1963.

The Super Sport option came out in 1963.. so there was only ONE year for a "Chevy II SS convertible.. 1963".

Thanks.

Ok, you guys are going to make me go through that big box of old magazines aren't you? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Well its raining anyway, I guess im going to go searching. I know that I saw production numbers for a 1961 Nova and if I remember correctly it was something like 86??? Whether it's correct or not I don't know, I'll just be happy to find it again.

I'll be back...Hopefully with proof.




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Bob (Pa.)

1963 Impala 283
1966 Chevelle SS 409
1969 Malibu 307
1972 Malibu 307
1969 Chevy stepside 350

Bob's 409 Chevy Page

silverstone.fortunecity.com/tvr/246/bob_s_409_chevy_page_index.html (http://silverstone.fortunecity.com/tvr/246/bob_s_409_chevy_page_index.html)

Wow, that didn't take long. The 6th mag from the top. (Oct 1981 issue) I scanned it in. Click this link to view:
http://silverstone.fortunecity.com/tvr/246/superc.jpg

Now that I look at it, I see some other strange things like (1982) 1963 Chevelles, (863) 1966 Camaro's, (4486) 1969 Monte Carlo's.

What does this all mean? I leave that to you to decide. Now at the sound of the bell, everyone come out fighting! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif



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Bob (Pa.)

1963 Impala 283
1966 Chevelle SS 409
1969 Malibu 307
1972 Malibu 307
1969 Chevy stepside 350

Bob's 409 Chevy Page

silverstone.fortunecity.com/tvr/246/bob_s_409_chevy_page_index.html (http://silverstone.fortunecity.com/tvr/246/bob_s_409_chevy_page_index.html)

My best guess on that article would be this: The '62 came out in the fall of '61 and sold 86 units. Hence showing sales in '61, even thought they were 1962 Chevy II's. Same follows for the Camaro and the others, as the first year for the Camaro was '67 even though it was introduced/sold in '66.
Sound good?

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Fred
Madness takes it's toll, please have exact change.
www.geocities.com/motorcity/shop/9385/1970Chevelle.html (http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/shop/9385/1970Chevelle.html)

Yeah, I agree with Fred. When was the last time you saw a 63 chevelle? Or a 66 camaro? What about a 69 monte carlo? According to the chart, nearly 5000 monte's were made in 1969, so chances of seeing one today are slim, but possible. I've never seen a 69 monte, but I know a guy who swears his first car was a 68 monte carlo http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif. I think those numbers are the number of cars manufactured during those years.

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Ian McDermott
1970 Chevelle SS 396
Gold Member #101
E-mail: havoc@chevelles.com
Web page: chevelle.dhs.org (http://chevelle.dhs.org)
ICQ UIN: 3923441

Len,
That's probably what I was thinking. The 63 SS conv. Anyway, any V-8/Muncie converted Chevy II conv would be sweet (with air).

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Tom Parsons

Hey Bob,
While you're digging through that box, see if you can find that article about the rare '61 2x4 409hp-409.

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Tom Parsons

I too agree with Fred. But you have to admit, the way it's worded at the top they sure imply that these vehicle exist.

(ex.Did you know that there were 4487 "1969" Monte Carlo's produced? Or 1982 '63 Malibu's? etc.etc.)

They are actually calling them by these strange years.

A 1962 Chevy II even though it comes out in September of 1961 is still called a 1962, not a 1961. I think they should have done this story a bit better. Oh well, it certainly did make a good conversation piece.

One thing that is kind of strange though, if what Fred said is true then that means that Chevy only sold "86" Chevy II's in the first 3-4 months (Sept 61-Jan 62)??? Does that sound right?

Now Tom, on that 409,

I still haven't found anything on that '61 you mention. All I can think is that is could have been a prototype. The 2X4 409hp was available for 1962 so im sure they were working the bugs out in '61.

We'll keep lookin', maybe it's out there.

Bob

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Bob (Pa.)

1963 Impala 283
1966 Chevelle SS 409
1969 Malibu 307
1972 Malibu 307
1969 Chevy stepside 350

Bob's 409 Chevy Page

silverstone.fortunecity.com/tvr/246/bob_s_409_chevy_page_index.html (http://silverstone.fortunecity.com/tvr/246/bob_s_409_chevy_page_index.html)




[This message has been edited by mr409 (edited 10-04-99).]

As best as I can recall, the 409 came out in 1961. It was the top option in the new (late spring of 61 introduction) 1961 Impala SS. I'm unaware of the dual quads being offered as an RPO until the 1962 model year, when the 409 H.P. 409 was available on anything from the Biscayne to the Impala SS. Chevy may have sneaked a few dual quad setups in 1961 to some people actively campaigning on the NHRA circuit ("Dyno Don" Nicholson comes to mind??) but this was probably stuff completely unavailable to the general public. Someone will probably prove me wrong here, but, hey, that's what makes this stuff fun & interesting!!

I worked in GM dealers in the 60s and early 70s.Most of the new models were introduced in about Oct Nov with production dates of the same year not the model year.The first Nova or Chevy 11 I can remember seeing was in 62 and most of them were 4 cly.cars...FRED

Another bit of trivia for ya - My '68 "Nova" (first year for the second generation body style) actually had "Chevy II" emblems on it. Subsequent years with the *exact* same body style (the trim varied) from 69 thru 72 carried only "Nova" emblems. Easy way to distinguish a 68 from a 69...

Also interesting in this discusion is the 1962 Beaumont. It started on the Acadian (Chevy II) platform but in 1964 (65?) moved to the "A" body similar to the Chevelle.
Technically speaking the Beaumont predated both the Nova and Chevelle lines presuming the '62's were sold in late 1961.

Moe

which was first?the 62 chevy two/nova--67RAT member #199

As far as the original question, there WAS a Nova that showcased some concepts that would appear on the Chevelle. That car was the 1964 Super Nova - a show car. It used the recessed backlite and sweeping sail panels that would later appear on the production '66 Chevelle Sport Coupe body style.

As for the bizarre 'off' model years, when i visited the Corvette plant in Bowling Green they had on display the only 1983-model Corvette. It was likely the 1st C4 model and was never released for sale. Otherwise, generally speaking a 1961 Chevy II would actually be a 1962 model year, but produced during calendar year 1961. Etc...

This really shouldn't surprise anyone. The big three were always eager to get the "jump" on each other when they could. Anyone remember the 64 1/2 Mustang? Still a '65', but came with a 260, had the horn mounted lower, etc.

Not an uncommon practive.

Oh sorry, I used to be a Ford only person. Currently working on a '67' El Camino. Hope to be driving it soon.

Later!