The 1967 Chevy II Nova marked the final year of the car's first generation, capping off an era before Chevrolet completely redesigned the compact line into the iconic '68 body style. Originally launched in 1962 as a basic economy car, the Nova evolved rapidly by the mid-1960s into a lightweight street fighter capable of housing potent big-block power under the hood.
If you're tracking down specs, trim details, or the history behind this legendary model, you'll find that 1967 represents a sweet spot of subtle styling refinements and factory performance options. This guide breaks down what made the '67 Nova special, how its engine options stacked up, and what you need to know if you're evaluating one today.
Evolution of the 1967 Chevy II Nova
Chevrolet introduced the Chevy II lineup for the 1962 model year to counter Ford's compact Falcon. By 1966 and 1967, the design matured with crisper rooflines, sharper front fender styling, and updated taillight panels. The Super Sport (SS) option code 118 shifted the Nova from a simple commuter car into a legitimate contender on both drag strips and suburban boulevards.
Unlike larger muscle cars of the era like the Chevelle or GTO, the Nova relied on a compact, unibody platform. This lightweight construction gave it an exceptional power-to-weight ratio. When owners dropped heavy V8 engines into the front bay, the car transformed into a formidable straight-line performer.
Factory Engine Lineup and Performance
Buyers in 1967 could choose from a broad spectrum of powerplants, ranging from economical inline-sixes to high-revving small-blocks and rare factory big-blocks.
- 153 cubic-inch inline-four: Rated at 90 horsepower, this base engine was built strictly for fuel economy and daily commuting.
- 194 cubic-inch inline-six: Producing 120 horsepower, this was the standard six-cylinder offering for most base sedans and wagons.
- 230 cubic-inch inline-six: Bumping output to 140 horsepower, it offered slightly better passing power without sacrificing fuel economy.
- 283 cubic-inch V8: The classic small-block V8 pushed out 195 horsepower with a two-barrel carburetor, serving as the entry point for V8 enthusiasts.
- 327 cubic-inch V8: Available in two powerful tunes—the L30 producing 275 horsepower and the high-output L79 pushing a stout 350 horsepower with solid lifters and an aluminum intake manifold.
- 396 cubic-inch V8 (L78): Officially rated at 375 horsepower, this big-block powerhouse was a tight squeeze in the Nova engine bay and was built in limited numbers for serious racers.
The high-performance L79 327 and the L78 396 engines turned the lightweight Nova into a terror at local tracks. Testers of the era clocked the L79-equipped Novas hitting zero to sixty in roughly seven seconds, an impressive feat for a small family car in 1967.
Trim Levels and Body Styles
The 1967 Chevy II lineup offered several distinct body styles to suit different buyers:
- Two-Door Sedan and Hardtop: The pillarless hardtop coupe remains the most sought-after body style among collectors today due to its clean profile when the side windows are rolled down.
- Four-Door Sedan: Favored by families who wanted sleeper performance with four doors.
- Station Wagon and Convertible: The convertible was dropped after 1965, but the wagon remained part of the lineup for practical buyers before disappearing for '68.
- Nova Super Sport (SS): Exclusive to the two-door hardtop, the SS package added bucket seats, a center console, special exterior badging, brushed aluminum interior accents, and distinctive wheel covers.
Buying, Restoring, and Owning Today
Finding a solid project car or a numbers-matching survivor requires careful inspection. Because these cars share a unibody frame structure, rust is the primary enemy.
Common Rust Areas
- Subframe rails and mounting points: Check where the front subframe bolts to the body structure.
- Rockers and lower quarters: Road salt and moisture frequently trap in the lower rear wheel arches and rocker panels.
- Floor pans and trunk pans: Leaking windshield seals and trunk weatherstripping often rot out the sheet metal beneath the carpets.
According to automotive hobby resources like Hagerty, clean, original Super Sport models equipped with factory V8 engines command strong collector interest, while base inline-six sedans offer an affordable entry point into classic car ownership. Sourcing replacement sheet metal is straightforward because the aftermarket supports first-generation Novas extensively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell a real 1967 Chevy II Nova SS from a clone?
Look at the trim tag (data plate) located on the driver-side firewall. A genuine V8 Super Sport hardtop will typically feature specific style codes or interior trim codes. Furthermore, check the VIN: a true V8 car starts with specific prefix digits depending on the model, though verifying via physical cowl tags and registry documentation is essential for high-dollar purchases.
What transmission options were available in 1967?
Buyers could select a three-speed column-shift manual, a four-speed floor-shifted Muncie manual, or the two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. The four-speed manual paired with the 327 or 396 engine is the most desirable combination for performance driving.
Did Chevrolet offer front disc brakes in 1967?
Yes, power front disc brakes became an optional factory extra for the 1967 model year, significantly improving stopping capability over the standard four-wheel drum setup. Many surviving cars have since been retrograded with modern front disc conversion kits for safety.
