1963 Nova Restoration Information

1963 Nova Specifications

Following up on the 1962 introduction of the Chevy II by Chevrolet, the 1963 model year followed suit with very minimal changes holding true to the Chevy II’s inception of a back-to-the-basics compact car as the 1963 Nova.

The 1963 Chevy II / Nova was another first generation model and was the first year a Super Sport option (RPO-Z03) became available on the Chevy II Nova 400 series.

Oddly enough, the standard engine for the Super Sport was still a 6-cylinder and the Super Sport model was not made available from the factory with the V8 option. Despite this many 1963 Novas ended up with V8s under the hood as it provided consumers with much desired power . The combination of the V8 power and light weight design made the 1963 Nova a highly sought after drag car.  

Due to popular demand and interest from the public, Chevrolet would introduce the V8 factory option in 1964. Yet this would be the only year that Chevrolet built a “drop-top” Nova Super Sport because it discontinued the convertible body style on Novas in 1964. This made the 1963 convertible Super Sport one of the most sought after 1963 Chevy II / Novas.


1963 Chevy II Nova Advertisements


1963 Nova Model Options & Information

 
Body Styles & Model Options:
  • 4-Door Wagon
  • Sport Hardtop Coupe
  • 4-door Sedan
  • Convertible Coupe
 
Engine Options:
  • Super-Thrift 153 I-4 | 153ci | 90hp
  • Hi-Thrift 194 | 194ci | 120hp
 
Available Transmissions:
  • 3-Speed Manual
  • Powerglide
 
Production Numbers:
  • Chevy II / Nova: 326,607
    • 2-Door Coupe: 59,586
    • 2-Door Convertible: 23,741
    • 2-Door Sedan: 44,390
    • 4-Door Sedan: 139,004
    • 4-Door Wagon: 59,886
 
Dimensions & Capacities:
  • Length: 183.0 in / 15.25 ft
  • Width: 70.8 in / 5.9 ft
  • Height:
    • 2 & 4-door Sedan: 55 in / 4.58 ft
    • 2-Door Coupe: 54 in / 4.5 ft
    • Convertible: 54.5 in / 4.54 ft
    • Wagon: 55 in / 4.58 ft
  • Wheelbase: 110 in / 9.16 ft

1963 Nova Engine Codes & Specs

Available Engine Specifications

Type

Size

Carb

Horsepower

Torque

Bore & Stroke (in.)

Compression Ratio

L4

153ci

1x1bbl

90 hp @ 4000 RPM

152 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM

3.875 x 3.258.5:1

L6

194ci

1x1bbl

120 hp @ 4400 RPM

177 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM

3.563 x 3.258.5:1
1963 Nova 4 Cylinder Engine
CodeCubic-Inch DisplacementTransmission
E 153 cid 3-speed manual
EB 153 cid 3-speed and HD clutch
EG 153 cid

Powerglide

EK 153 cid 3-speed manual (Taxi)
EL 153 cid

Powerglide (Taxi)

EP 153 cid 3-speed manual and posi-vent
EQ 153 cid

Powerglide and posi-vent

ES 153 cid 3-speed manual and posi-vent (Taxi)
ET 153 cid

Powerglide and posi-vent (Taxi)

ER 153 cid 3-speed, HD clutch and posi-vent
1963 Nova 6 Cylinder Engine
CodeCubic-Inch DisplacementTransmission

H

194 cid

3-speed manual

HB

194 cid

3-speed and HD clutch

HF

194 cid

Powerglide

HG

194 cid

Powerglide

HL

194 cid

3-speed manual (Taxi)

HM

194 cid

Powerglide (Taxi)

HT

194 cid

3-speed manual and posi-vent (Taxi)

HU

194 cid

Powerglide and posi-vent (Taxi)

1963 Nova Rear Axle Codes

Code

Gear Ratio

Notes

DA

3.36

Open

DB

3.08

Open

DC

3.55

Open (4-cylinder, 3-speed Manual)

DD

3.55

Positraction (4-cylinder)

DE

3.36

Positraction

DF

3.08

Positraction

DH

3.08

Positraction (6-cylinder)

DJ

3.08

Open (Metallic Brakes)

DK

3.08

Positraction (Metallic Brakes)

DL

3.36

Open (Metallic Brakes)

DM

3.36

Positraction (Metallic Brakes)

DN

3.55

Open (4-cylinder, Metallic Brakes)

DP

3.55

Positraction (4-cylinder, Metallic Brakes)

1963 Nova Factory Options

Regular Production Option (RPO)

RPODescriptionUnits
A01Tinted Glass - all windows30,474
A02Tinted Glass - windshield only120,195
A33Power tailgate window12,421
A37Seat belt equipment46,645
A66Divided second seat142
B01Police equipment25
B02Taxi equipment172
B70Instrument panel pad112,130
C05Folding top equipment10,505
C06Folding top - electric control6,992
C48Heater delete11,576
C60Air Conditioning - deluxe13,389
D10Arm rest equipment775
F51Shock absorber equipment3,680
F60Special heavy duty front suspension2,960
G50Special heavy duty rear suspension4,793
G76Rear axle - 3.36 ratio5,603
G80Rear axle - Positraction14,651
G96Rear axle - 3.55 ratio641
J50Vacuum power brake equipment10,927
J65Metallic brake equipment420
K79A/C generator - 42 amp973
K81A/C generator - 62 amp97
K82A/C generator - 52 amp282
M01Heavy duty clutch3,527
M35Powerglide transmission243,549
N40Power steering41,819
P01Wheel trim cover119,251
P02Simulated wire wheel cover8,140
P506.00-13-4 whitewall tires16,258
P536.50-14-4 whitewall tires125,361
P547.00-13-4 whitewall tires5,788
P676.50-14-4 whitewall tires59,961
T60Heavy duty battery5,589
U60Radio - AM54,139
U63Radio - AM push button107,046
V01Heavy duty radiator18,932
V20Front grille guard equipment13,782
V32Rear bumper guard equipment8,691
V55Luggage carrier equipment11,563
Z01Comfort and convenience equipment160,888
Z02Push button Radio & auxiliary speaker10,173
Z03Super sport42,432
Z04Police car equipment28

*The numbers have been compiled from many sources to make these pages as correct as possible. There is no guarantee that the numbers are complete or accurate, therefore, we cannot accept any liability or responsibility for damages incurred from the use of this information.*

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