1962 Nova Parts and Restoration Information

1962 Nova Specifications

In the early 1960s, Chevrolet was growing ever concerned that the Chevy Corvair could no longer hold its own or even compete against the new Ford Falcon in the compact-car sub-category. Despite the Corvairs technical innovations, the car simply lacked the kind of universal appeal needed for high-volume production & sales.

What Chevrolet needed to compete against Ford was something new but not all that different. A car not only economical but also desirable that could compete in the quickly growing compact car market of the ’60s. Without hesitation, Chevrolet went to the drawing board and in 1962, the 1st generation Chevy II was made available to the public.

The final product of the Chevy II appeared in a slightly boxy but overall pleasing design and considering the relatively short time between idea and launch the Chevy II line up was packed with options. Upon inception, the Chevy II was available in “four” different series and five body styles giving the consumer plenty of choices and making the Chevy II a serious contender in the compact car market.

There was the 100 Series, the very short-lived 200 Series, 300 Series, and Nova 400 Series. The 200 series was briefly introduced but was discontinued almost immediately and replaced by the mid-level 300 series. Each series could be configured as a two-door coupe or four-door sedan and could also be purchased as a convertible or station wagon.

One of the biggest sellers for the 1962 Nova model year was the convertible 400 series with a sticker price of only $2,475. Even in today’s economy, this top of the line production model would only set you back $21,079.13.

The car was advertised at the time as a sporty yet conventional car that came with two different engine choices from the factory: a 153-cubic-inch 4-cylinder and a 194-cubic-inch 6-cylinder. Stock in the 1962 Nova was the efficient new inline 4-cylinder engine, which provided the Chevy II with 90 HP and great fuel economy. This was the first four-cylinder powerplant used by Chevrolet in a production vehicle since 1928.

Chevrolet also provided the option of a beefier 120-horsepower, 194-cubic-inch 6-cylinder for those unsatisfied with the stock powerplant. And for anyone who didn’t want to operate a column-shift three-speed gearbox could select the optional two-speed Powerglide offered by Chevrolet instead.

There were also rumors that the 1962 Nova had an available dealer-installed V8 option, but according to the GM Heritage Center this was untrue and Chevy II did not have an available V8 motor until 1964 after the introduction of the SuperSport option.

While the 1962 Nova was more successful than the Chevrolet Corvair during its debut, ultimately it was unable to beat Ford’s compact Falcon in sales. In the 1962 model year, a total of 326,607 Chevy II were produced with 139,004 of those produced being 4-door sedan models.

1962 Chevy II OEM Brochure & Advertisement

1962 Nova Model Options & Information

Series Options:

• 100 Series
• 300 Series
• Nova 400 Series

Model Options:

• 4-Door Wagon
• Sport Hardtop Coupe
• 2-Door Sedan
• 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:

• Chevrolet Chevy II 100 Sedan
  • Length: 183 in / 11.5 ft
  • Width: 70.8 in / 5.9 ft
  • Height: 55 in / 4.58 ft
  • Wheelbase: 110 in / 9.16 ft
  • Shipping Weight: 2410 lbs
  • Curb Weight Estimated: 2580 lbs
• Chevrolet Chevy II 100 Station Wagon
  • Length: 187.4 in / 15.61 ft
  • Width: 70.8 in / 5.9 ft
  • Height: 55.1 in / 4.59 ft
  • Wheelbase: 110 in / 9.16 ft
  • Shipping Weight:  2665 lbs
  • Curb Weight Estimated: 2840 lbs
• Chevrolet Chevy II 300 Sedan
  • Length: 183 in / 11.5 ft
  • Width: 70.8 in / 5.9 ft
  • Height: 55 in / 4.58 ft
  • Wheelbase: 110 in / 9.16 ft
  • Shipping Weight: 2425 lbs
  • Curb Weight Estimated: 2600 lbs
• Chevrolet Chevy II 300 Station Wagon
  • Length: 187.4 in / 15.61 ft
  • Width: 70.8 in / 5.9 ft
  • Height: 55.1 in / 4.59 ft
  • Wheelbase: 110 in / 9.16 ft
  • Shipping Weight:  2765 lbs
  • Curb Weight Estimated: 2930 lbs
• Chevrolet Chevy II Nova Convertible
  • Length: 183 in / 11.5 ft
  • Width: 70.8 in / 5.9 ft
  • Height: 54.5 in / 4.58 ft
  • Wheelbase: 110 in / 9.16 ft
  • Shipping Weight: 2745 lbs
  • Curb Weight Estimated: 2930 lbs
• Chevrolet Chevy II Nova Sedan
  • Length: 183 in / 11.5 ft
  • Width: 70.8 in / 5.9 ft
  • Height: 55 in / 4.58 ft
  • Wheelbase: 110 in / 9.16 ft
  • Shipping Weight: 2540 lbs
  • Curb Weight Estimated: 2710 lbs
• Chevrolet Chevy II Nova Sport Coupe
  • Length: 183 in / 11.5 ft
  • Width: 70.8 in / 5.9 ft
  • Height: 54 in / 4.58 ft
  • Wheelbase: 110 in / 9.16 ft
  • Shipping Weight: 2550 lbs
  • Curb Weight Estimated: 2730 lbs
• Chevrolet Chevy II Nova Station Wagon
  • Length: 187.4 in / 15.61 ft
  • Width: 70.8 in / 5.9 ft
  • Height: 55.1 in / 4.59 ft
  • Wheelbase: 110 in / 9.16 ft
  • Shipping Weight:  2775 lbs
  • Curb Weight Estimated: 2950 lbs

1962 Chevy II Engine Specs

1962-1963 Chevy II Engine Codes

4-Cylinder Engine (Super-Thrift)

6-Cylinder Engine (Hi-Thrift)

1962 Chevy II Rear Axle Codes

1962 Chevy II Rear Axle Assembly Codes

1962 Chevy II Standard Axle Ratios

1962 Chevy II Axle Ratios

1962 Chevy II RPO Production Numbers

*DISCLAIMER – Numbers have been compiled from many sources to make these pages as accurate as possible. There is no guarantee that the numbers are complete or accurate.*