After the significant body style change in 1975, the Nova remained fairly untouched for the following model year, seeing only modest brake changes as well as revisions to fuel system and exhaust mounts.
All three body styles remained as options for the model while the more luxurious LN was renamed the Concours. With this rename came Rosewood vinyl interior trim, fold-down center arm rest, bright exterior trim moldings, an upright hood ornament, bumper guards and black bumper impact stripes, as well as full wheel covers.
The Nova SS model also remained, but again was limited to minor upgrades like a blacked-out grille, Rally wheels and a four-spoke steering wheel, although the 1976 SS came equipped with a “heavy duty” suspension system.
For standard coupes, a padded vinyl Cabriolet top was an available option.
In 1976, the 262ci V8 engine was discontinued and a 350ci V8 engine was added to the available engines for the Nova. 1976 also marked the year that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department chose the compact Nova for their law enforcement fleet.
1976 Chevy Nova OEM Brochure
1976 Nova Information
Body Styles:
- 2-Door Coupe
- 2-Door Hatchback
- 4-Door Sedan
Trim Levels:
- Nova
- Concours– replaced the Luxury Nova (LN)
- Custom
- Nova SS
Engine Options:
- L22 – Turbo-Thrift 250 | 250ci | 105hp L6
- LG3 – 305ci | 140hp V8
- LM1 – Turbo-Fire 350 | 350ci | 165hp V8
Production Numbers:
- Nova: 334,728
- 2-Door Coupe: 0
- 2-Door Convertible: 0
- 2-Door Hatchback: 26,293
- 2-Door Sedan: 154,157
- 4-Door Sedan: 154,278
- 4-Door Wagon: 0
- Super Sport: 7,416
Dimensions & Capacities:
- Length:
- 2 & 4-Door Sedan, 2-Door Coupe, & Convertible: 183.0 in / 15.25 ft
- Wagon: 187.4 in / 15.61 ft
- Width: 70.8 in / 5.9 ft
- Height:
- 2 & 4-Door Sedan: 55.0 in / 4.58 ft
- 2-Door Coupe: 54.0 in / 4.5 ft
- Convertible: 54.4 in / 4.5 ft
- Wagon: 55.0 in / 4.5 ft
- Wheelbase: 110 in / 9.1 ft
1976 Nova Engine Codes & Specs
Available Engine Specifications
|
Type |
Size |
Carb (bbl) | RPO |
Horsepower |
Torque |
Bore & Stroke (in.) |
Compression Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
L6 |
250ci |
1x1bbl |
L22 |
105 hp @ 3800 RPM |
185 lb-ft @ 1200 RPM |
3.875 x 3.53 | 8.25:1 |
|
V8 |
305ci |
1x2bbl |
LG3 |
140 hp @ 3800 RPM |
245 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM |
3.736 x 3.48 | 8.5:1 |
|
V8 |
350ci |
1x4bbl |
LM1 |
165 hp @ 3800 RPM |
260 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM |
4.000 x 3.48 | 8.5:1 |
1976 Nova 6 Cylinder Engine Codes
| Code |
Size / Carb |
HP / RPO |
Transmission |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
250 |
||||
| CCC |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
105 hp L22 |
TH200 |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CCD |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
105 hp L22 |
3-Speed Manual |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CCF |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
105 hp L22 |
TH200 |
– |
| CCL |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
105 hp L22 |
n/a |
– |
| CCJ |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
105 hp L22 |
n/a |
– |
1976 Nova 8 Cylinder Engine Codes
| Code |
Size / Carb |
HP / RPO |
Transmission |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
305 |
||||
|
CPA |
305 cid 1x2bbl |
140 hp LG3 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
|
CPB |
305 cid 1x2bbl |
140 hp LG3 |
TH200 |
– |
|
CPC |
305 cid 1x2bbl |
140 hp LG3 |
n/a |
– |
|
CPJ |
305 cid 1x2bbl |
140 hp LG3 |
TH200 |
NB2 California Emissions |
|
350 |
||||
| CHT |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
165 hp LM1 |
4-Speed Manual |
– |
| CHU |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
165 hp LM1 |
TH350 |
– |
| CKM |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
165 hp LM1 |
TH350 |
– |
| CML |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
165 hp LM1 |
TH350 |
– |
Click here for further engine decoding information
1976 Nova Transmission Codes
|
Code |
Description |
Engines |
Assembly Plant |
|---|---|---|---|
|
UX |
3-Speed |
L6, V8 |
S = Muncie |
|
UF |
4-Speed |
V8 |
P = Muncie |
|
TK |
TH350 |
L6 |
D = Parma |
|
XE |
TH350 |
V8 |
Y = Toledo |
Click here for further transmission decoding information
1976 Nova Rear Axle Ratios
| Code | Axle Ratio | |
|---|---|---|
| FK |
2.73:1 |
Open |
| FG |
3.08:1 |
Open |
| PA |
2.73:1 |
Open |
| PC |
3.08:1 |
Open |
| PH |
2.56:1 |
Open |
| PT |
2.56:1 |
Positraction |
| PU |
2.73:1 |
Positraction |
| PW |
3.08:1 |
Positraction |
| PY |
3.42:1 |
Positraction |
| PZ |
3.42:1 |
Open |
| 2PA |
2.73:1 |
Open |
| 2PC |
3.08:1 |
Open |
| 2PU |
2.73:1 |
Positraction |
| 2PW |
3.08:1 |
Positraction |
Click here for further rear axle decoding information
1976 Nova Factory Options
Regular Production Option (RPO)
| RPO | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AB8 | Formal rear quarter window – Cabriolet roof | 16,686 |
| AK1 | Deluxe belts & harness front | 59,941 |
| AR5 | Wide back reclining bucket seat | 6,421 |
| AU3 | Power door lock system | 12,386 |
| A01 | Tinted Glass – all windows | 185,447 |
| A02 | Tinted Glass – windshield only | 9,504 |
| A20 | Swing-out rear quarter window | 4,395 |
| A31 | Power windows | 5,210 |
| BW2 | Deluxe body side molding | 32,752 |
| BW6 | Custom appearance group | 20,966 |
| B37 | Floor mats | 75,070 |
| B49 | Deluxe carpet floor covering | 26,689 |
| B80 | Roof drip rails | 32,323 |
| B84 | Body side molding | 112,172 |
| B93 | Door edge guards | 38,864 |
| B96 | Wheel opening molding | 37,842 |
| CD4 | Intermittent windshield wiper | 8,417 |
| C50 | Rear window defroster | 68,697 |
| C60 | Air Conditioning – deluxe | 170,184 |
| D31 | Day-night inside rearview mirror | 9,887 |
| D33 | Outside mirror – remote control | 44,000 |
| D35 | Sport mirrors | 39,317 |
| D55 | Front compartment floor console | 5,008 |
| D68 | Twin remote sport mirrors | 3,324 |
| D85 | Body side pin striping | 32,977 |
| F40 | Special heavy duty front & rear suspension | 21,397 |
| F41 | Special performance front & rear suspension | 3,605 |
| G80 | Rear axle – Positraction | 8,527 |
| G92 | Rear axle – 3.08 ratio (Performance / High Altitude) | 2,859 |
| J50 | Vacuum power brake equipment | 72,382 |
| K05 | Engine block heater | 7,162 |
| K30 | Cruise-master speed control | 8,947 |
| LG3 | V8 engine – 305 2-bbl | 116,000 |
| LM1 | V8 engine – 350 regular fuel | 15,030 |
| L22 | L6 engine – 250 | 203,698 |
| M11 | 3-speed Floor shift transmission control | 5,056 |
| M15 | 3-speed manual transmission | 20,893 |
| M20 | 4-speed manual transmission | 2,317 |
| M29 | 3-speed automatic transmission – TH200 | 121,267 |
| M38 | 3-speed automatic transmission – TH350 | 190,251 |
| N31 | Sport steering wheel | 1,177 |
| N33 | Comfortilt steering wheel | 31,486 |
| N41 | Variable ratio power steering | 318,620 |
| PE1 | Turbine I wheels | 3,601 |
| P01 | Wheel trim cover | 155,893 |
| P06 | Wheel trim ring | 503 |
| QBT | FR78-14/B steel belt radial tires – white letter | 5,496 |
| QDV | FR78-14/B steel belt radial tires – blackwall | 21,363 |
| QDW | FR78-14/B steel belt radial tires – white stripe | 161,291 |
| QEG | E78-14/B Bias belt tires – blackwall | 44,246 |
| QEH | E78-14/B bias belt tires – white stripe | 102,330 |
| UA1 | Heavy duty battery | 14,274 |
| UM1 | Stereo tape system w/AM radio | 5,484 |
| UM2 | Stereo tape & AM/FM stereo radio | 2,163 |
| UR3 | Econominder light | 3,805 |
| U05 | Dual horn | 24,774 |
| U17 | Front compartment console instrument cluster | 2,464 |
| U35 | Electric clock | 24,225 |
| U58 | AM/FM stereo radio | 4,456 |
| U63 | Radio – AM push button | 228,501 |
| U69 | Radio – AM/FM push button | 26,154 |
| U76 | Windshield antenna | 46,601 |
| U80 | Auxiliary speaker | 18,280 |
| V01 | Heavy duty radiator | 16,894 |
| V29 | Rear bumper edge | 8,905 |
| V30 | Front & rear bumper guards | 40,325 |
| V78 | Plate – less cert of export compliance | 3,726 |
| YF5 | California assembly line emission test | 21,324 |
| ZJ1 | Custom interior package | 65,907 |
| ZJ3 | Interior convenience package | 21,730 |
| ZJ5 | Exterior decor package | 83,274 |
| ZJ7 | Special wheel, hub cap and trim ring (Rally wheel) | 36,485 |
| ZJ9 | Auxiliary lighting group | 27,567 |
| ZN5 | Color keyed Rally wheels | 10,734 |
| Z26 | Super Sport | 7,416 |
| Z49 | Canadian base equipment | 25,474 |
| Z78 | Medalist package | 5,489 |
| 02N | White vinyl buckets / dark blue accents | 1,862 |
| 02V | White vinyl buckets / dark blue accents | 2,790 |
| 03N | White vinyl buckets / dark lime accents | 1,672 |
| 03V | White vinyl bench / dark lime accents | 1,198 |
| 07N | White vinyl bench / dark firethorn accents | 11,230 |
| 07V | White vinyl buckets / dark firethorn accents | 7,608 |
| 11N | White vinyl buckets / black accents | 1,680 |
| 11T | White vinyl roof cover | 11,912 |
| 13L | Silver | 43,368 |
| 13T | Silver metallic vinyl roof cover | 3,220 |
| 19B | Black sport cloth bench | 17,929 |
| 19E | Black knit cloth bench | 9,210 |
| 19L | Black | 5,885 |
| 19N | Black vinyl buckets | 12,548 |
| 19T | Black vinyl roof cover | 5,551 |
| 19Z | Black vinyl bench | 1,141 |
| 26C | Dark blue knit cloth bench | 12,351 |
| 26M | Dark blue vinyl buckets | 55,463 |
| 28L | Light blue metallic | 46,404 |
| 35L | Dark blue metallic | 23,857 |
| 35T | Dark blue vinyl roof cover | 3,995 |
| 36L | Firethorn metallic | 39,660 |
| 36T | Firethorn vinyl roof cover | 6,604 |
| 37L | Mahogany metallic | 24,853 |
| 37T | Mahogany vinyl roof cover | 2,176 |
| 40L | Lime green metallic | 11,722 |
| 49L | Dark green metallic | 10,334 |
| 50L | Cream beige | 27,979 |
| 51L | Bright yellow | 10,582 |
| 53L | Gold metallic | 5,489 |
| 64B | Buckskin sport cloth bench | 21,617 |
| 64D | Buckskin sport cloth buckets | 15,587 |
| 64E | Buckskin special custom cloth buckets | 12,350 |
| 64M | Buckskin vinyl buckets | 60,331 |
| 64T | Buckskin vinyl roof cover | 10,002 |
| 64V | Buckskin vinyl buckets | 10,851 |
| 64Z | Buckskin vinyl bench | 1,295 |
| 65L | Buckskin | 16,592 |
| 67L | Medium saddle metallic | 27,093 |
| 71B | Dark firethorn knit cloth bench | 18,883 |
| 71C | Dark firethorn sport cloth bench | 7,383 |
| 71E | Dark firethorn special custom cloth buckets | 14,529 |
| 71M | Dark firethorn vinyl buckets | 31,778 |
| 71N | Dark firethorn vinyl bench | 11,230 |
| 71V | Dark firethorn vinyl buckets | 7,608 |
| 719 | Dark firethorn shoulder harness | 64 |
| 78L | Medium orange | 12,448 |
1976 Nova Cowl Tag Info
1976 Nova Example Cowl Tag & Breakdown
The Cowl Trim Tag, located on the cowl area identifies significant information about your car.
Click here for further cowl tag decoding information
Line 1: Year, GM Division, Model & Body, Assembly Plant, Sequence Number
|
Year |
GM Division |
Model Series |
Body Code |
Assembly Plant |
Sequence Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
76 = 1976 |
1 = Chevrolet |
XX = Nova |
17 = 2-Door Hatchback |
K = Kansas City, MO |
Starts at 100001 |
|
XY = Concours |
27 = 2-Door Sedan |
L = Van Nuys, CA |
|||
|
69 = 4-Door Sedan |
T = Tarrytown, NY |
||||
|
W = Willow Run, MI |
Line 2: Trim and Paint
|
Interior Trim |
Seat Type |
Exterior Paint (Lower/Upper) |
|---|---|---|
|
02N = White w/ Dark Blue Vinyl Bench or Buckets (Custom) |
A51 = Bucket Seats |
11 = White |
|
02V = White w/ Dark Blue Vinyl Bench (Concours only) |
A52 = Bench Seat |
13 = Silver Metallic |
|
03N = White w/ Dark Lime Vinyl Bench or Buckets (Custom) |
19 = Black |
|
|
03V = White w/ Dark Line Vinyl Bench (Concours Only) |
28 = Light Blue Metallic |
|
|
07N = White w/ Dark Firethorn Vinyl Bench or Buckets (Custom) |
35 = Dark Blue Metallic |
|
|
07V = White w/ Dark Firethorn Vinyl Bench (Concours only) |
36 = Firethorn Metallic |
|
|
11N = White w/ Black Vinyl Bench or Buckets (Custom) |
37 = Mahogany Metallic |
|
|
11V = White w/ Black Vinyl Bench (Concours only) |
40 = Lime Green Metallic |
|
|
19B = Black Cloth Bench |
49 = Dark Green Metallic |
|
|
19E = Black Knit Cloth Bench or Buckets (Concours only) |
50 = Cream Beige |
|
|
19N = Black Vinyl Bench or Buckets (Custom) |
51 = Bright Yellow |
|
|
26C = Dark Blue Knit Cloth Bench (Custom) |
53 = Gold Metallic |
|
|
26M = Dark Blue Vinyl Bench |
65 = Buckskin |
|
|
64B = Light Buckskin Cloth Bench |
67 = Saddle Brown Metallic |
|
|
64D = Light Buckskin Sport Cloth Bench (Custom) |
78 = Medium Orange |
|
|
64E = Light Buckskin Knit Cloth Bench or Buckets (Concours only) |
11T = White Vinyl Roof |
|
|
64M = Light Buckskin Vinyl Bench |
13T = Silver Vinyl Roof |
|
|
64V = Light Buckskin Vinyl Bench (Concours only) |
19T = Black Vinyl Roof |
|
|
71B = Dark Firethorn Cloth Bench |
35T = Dark Blue Vinyl Roof |
|
|
71C = Dark Firethorn Knit Cloth Bench (Custom) |
36T = Firethorn Vinyl Roof |
|
|
71E = Dark Firethorn Knit Cloth Bench or Buckets (Concours only) |
37T = Mahogany Vinyl Roof |
|
|
71M = Dark Firethorn Vinyl Bench |
61T = Light Buckskin Vinyl Roof |
|
|
71N = Dark Firethorn Vinyl Bench or Buckets (Custom) |
||
|
71V = Dark Firethorn Vinyl Bench (Concours only) |
Line 3: Build Month and Week
|
Month |
Year |
|---|---|
|
01 = January |
A = First Week |
|
02 = February |
B = Second Week |
|
03 = March |
C = Third Week |
|
04 = April |
D = Fourth Week |
|
05 = May |
E = Fifth Week |
|
06 = June |
|
|
07 = July |
|
|
08 = August |
|
|
09 = September |
|
|
10 = October |
|
|
11 = November |
|
|
12 = December |
Disclaimer
*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.*
