In 1973 Chevrolet once again reworked the Nova to introduce a hatchback body style and also restyled the front and rear end.
Due to new government mandates, Chevrolet had to redesign the front and rear bumpers to increase the size and strength. This was in order to comply with new automotive safety standards. A new grille with crosshatch inserts and parking lights located inside of the headlights were also added. Every Nova in 1973 also received side guard door beams, additional sound insulation, and better flow-through ventilation.
The Super Sport option still remained available but was mainly a visual package. It featured a blacked out grille, rally wheels, and could be ordered with any of the available engines. By 1973 the 307 and 350 were the most common of engine options available for the Chevy Nova.
1973 Nova OEM Brochure
Images provided by My Classic Garage
1973 Nova Model Options
Body Style & Model Options:
- Coupe
- 4-Door Sedan
- Hatchback Coupe
- Custom Hatchback
- Custom Coupe
- Custom 4-Door Sedan
Engine Options:
- L22 – Turbo-Thrift 250 | 250ci | 100hp L6
- L14 – Turbo-Fire 307 | 307ci | 115hp V8
- L65 – Turbo-Fire 350 | 350ci | 145hp V8
- L48 – Turbo-Fire 350 | 350ci | 175hp V8
Available Transmission:
- Powerglide
- 4-Speed Manual
- 3-Speed
- Turbo Hydra-Matic
Production Numbers:
- Nova: 369,509
- 2-Door Coupe: 0
- 2-Door Convertible: 0
- 2-Door Hatchback: 91,012
- 2-Door Sedan: 194,197
- 4-Door Sedan: 84,300
- 4-Door Wagon: 0
- Super Sport: 35,542
Dimensions & Capacities:
- Length: 194.3 in / 16.19 ft
- Width: 72.4 in / 6.03 ft
- Height:
- 2-Door Sedan: 52.4 in / 4.36 ft
- 2-Door Hatchback: 52.5 in / 4.36 ft
- 4-Door Sedan: 53.9 in / 4.49 ft
- Wheelbase: 111 in / 9.25 ft
1973 Nova Engine Codes & Specs
Available Engine Specifications
|
Type |
Size |
Carb |
RPO |
Horsepower |
Torque |
Bore & Stroke (in.) |
Compression Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
L6 |
250ci |
1x1bbl |
L22 |
100 hp @ 3600 RPM |
175 lb-ft @ 1600 RPM |
3.875 x 3.53 | 8.5:1 |
|
V8 |
307ci |
1x2bbl |
L14 |
115 hp @ 3600 RPM |
205 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM |
3.875 x 3.25 | 8.5:1 |
|
V8 |
350ci |
1x2bbl |
L65 |
145 hp @ 4000 RPM |
255 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM |
4.000 x 3.48 | 8.5:1 |
|
V8 |
350ci |
1x4bbl |
L48 |
175 hp @ 4000 RPM |
260 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM |
4.000 x 3.48 | 8.5:1 |
1973 Nova 6 Cylinder Engine Codes
| Code |
Size / Carb |
HP / RPO |
Transmission |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCA |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
100 hp L22 |
Powerglide |
– |
| CCB |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
100 hp L22 |
Powerglide |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CCC |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
100 hp L22 |
3-Speed Manual |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CCD |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
100 hp L22 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
1973 Nova 8 Cylinder Engine Codes
| Code |
Size / Carb |
HP / RPO |
Transmission |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHA |
307 cid 1x2bbl |
115 hp L14 |
TH350 |
– |
| CHB |
307 cid 1x2bbl |
115 hp L14 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
| CHC |
307 cid 1x2bbl |
115 hp L14 |
TH350 |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CHD |
307 cid 1x2bbl |
115 hp L14 |
3-Speed Manual |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CHH |
307 cid 1x2bbl |
115 hp L14 |
TH350 |
– |
| CHK |
307 cid 1x2bbl |
115 hp L14 |
TH350 and NB2 |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CKA |
350 cid 1x2bbl |
145 hp L65 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
| CKB |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
175 hp L48 |
4-Speed |
– |
| CKC |
350 cid 1x2bbl |
145 hp L65 |
3-Speed Manual |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CKD |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
175 hp L48 |
TH350 |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CKH |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
175 hp L48 |
4-Speed Manual |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CKK |
350 cid 1x2bbl |
145 hp L65 |
TH350 |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CKR |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
175 hp L48 |
TH350 |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CKU |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
175 hp L48 |
TH350 |
– |
| CKW |
350 cid 1x2bbl |
145 hp L65 |
TH350 |
– |
Click here for further engine decoding information
1973 Nova Transmission Codes
|
Code |
Description |
Engines |
Assembly Plant |
|---|---|---|---|
|
TM |
3-Speed |
L6, V8 |
S = Muncie |
|
VC |
4-Speed |
V8 |
P = Muncie |
|
TR |
Powerglide |
L6 |
C = Cleveland |
|
FA |
TH350 |
V8 |
B = Cleveland | Y = Toleldo |
Click here for further transmission decoding information
1973 Nova Rear Axle Ratio
| Code | Axle Ratio |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
| JA |
2.73:1 |
Open |
| JB |
3.08:1 |
Open |
| JC |
3.42:1 |
Open |
| JM |
2.73:1 |
Posi |
| JN |
3.08:1 |
Posi |
| JP |
3.42:1 |
Posi |
Click here for further rear axle decoding information
1973 Nova Factory Options
Regular Production Option (RPO)
| RPO | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AK1 | Deluxe belts & harness front | 22,416 |
| A01 | Tinted Glass – all windows | 180,816 |
| A02 | Tinted Glass – windshield only | 5,856 |
| A51 | Front bucket seat – Strato type | 45,433 |
| B37 | Floor mats | 50,975 |
| B84 | Body side molding | 96,059 |
| B93 | Door edge guards | 73,006 |
| CF1 | Skyroof | 3,259 |
| C08 | Exterior soft trim roof cover | 42,710 |
| C50 | Rear window defroster | 30,046 |
| C60 | Air Conditioning – deluxe | 127,212 |
| D33 | Outside mirror – remote control | 40,848 |
| D35 | Sport mirrors | 28,842 |
| D55 | Front compartment floor console | 34,521 |
| F40 | Special heavy duty front & rear suspension | 16,576 |
| F41 | Special performance front & rear suspension | 4,770 |
| G80 | Rear axle – Positraction | 14,699 |
| JL2 | Disc brakes front | 77,448 |
| J50 | Vacuum power brake equipment | 36,943 |
| K05 | Engine block heater | 2,849 |
| L22 | L6 engine – 250 | 106,437 |
| L48 | V8 engine – 350 | 16,238 |
| L65 | V8 engine – 350 2-bbl | 104,036 |
| M11 | 3-speed Floor shift transmission control | 17,712 |
| M15 | 3-speed manual transmission | 37,613 |
| M20 | 4-speed manual transmission | 8,140 |
| M35 | Powerglide transmission | 78,194 |
| M38 | 3-speed automatic transmission – TH350 | 245,562 |
| N33 | Comfortilt steering wheel | 7,774 |
| N40 | Power steering | 296,966 |
| N65 | Spacesaver spare tire | 733 |
| N95 | Simulated wire wheel trim cover | 903 |
| P01 | Wheel trim cover | 150,303 |
| P06 | Wheel trim ring | 13,116 |
| QEB | E70-14/B white letter tires | 26,341 |
| QEE | E78-14 white stripe tires | 214,410 |
| QEH | E78-14/B bias belt tires – white stripe | 30,254 |
| T60 | Heavy duty battery | 17,282 |
| U05 | Dual horn | 2 |
| U17 | Front compartment console instrument cluster | 10,002 |
| U35 | Electric clock | 17,510 |
| U63 | Radio – AM push button | 304,890 |
| U69 | Radio – AM/FM push button | 22,990 |
| U76 | Windshield antenna | 1,066 |
| U80 | Auxiliary speaker | 49,611 |
| VE5 | Deluxe bumpers | 5,558 |
| V01 | Heavy duty radiator | 32,834 |
| YA7 | California assembly line emission test | 27,940 |
| YD1 | Axle for trailering | 1,100 |
| ZJ4 | Trailering towing package | 67 |
| ZJ5 | Exterior decor package | 146,831 |
| ZJ7 | Special wheel, hub cap and trim ring (Rally wheel) | 67,920 |
| ZJ9 | Auxiliary lighting group | 19,525 |
| Z26 | Super Sport | 35,542 |
| Z54 | Interior decor/quiet group | 25,217 |
| 751 | Interior trim – black vinyl | 54,025 |
| 753 | Interior trim – black vinyl | 19,648 |
| 757 | Interior trim – dark green vinyl | 11,441 |
| 760 | Interior trim – dark green vinyl | 19,924 |
| 767 | Interior trim – medium chamois vinyl | 15,327 |
| 984 | Color combination two-tone – dark blue / white | 3,918 |
| 990 | Color combination two-tone – light green / white | 3,866 |
| 991 | Color combination two-tone – green gold / white | 3,619 |
| 993 | Color combination two-tone – light yellow / white | 1,109 |
| 994 | Color combination two-tone – chamois / white | 2,629 |
| 995 | Color combination two-tone – med orange / white | 1,692 |
1973 Nova Cowl Tag Info
1973 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
73 = 1973 |
1 = Chevrolet |
XX = Nova |
17 = 2-Door Hatchback |
L = Van Nuys, CA |
Starts at 100001 |
|
XY = Nova Custom |
27 = 2-Door Sedan |
W = Willow Run, MI |
|||
|
69 = 4-Door Hatchback |
|||||
Line 2: Trim and Paint
|
Interior Trim |
Seat Type |
Exterior Paint (Lower/Upper) |
|---|---|---|
|
750 = Black Sport Cloth Bench (Custom) |
A51 = Bucket Seats |
11 = Antique White |
|
751 = Black Knit Vinyl Bench or Buckets (Standard) |
A52 = Bench Seat |
24 = Light Blue Metallic |
|
752 = Black Sport Cloth Bench of Buckets (Custom) |
26 = Dark Blue Metallic |
|
|
753 = Black Knit Vinyl Bench (Standard) |
29 = Midnight Blue Metallic |
|
|
754 = Black Perforated Vinyl Buckets (Custom) |
42 = Dark Green Metallic |
|
|
755 = Black Cloth Bench (Standard) |
44 = Light Green Metallic |
|
|
756 = Blue Cloth Bench (Standard) |
46 = Green-Gold Metallic |
|
|
757 = Green Knit Vinyl Bench (Standard) |
48 = Midnight Green |
|
|
758 = Green Cloth Bench (Standard) |
51 = Light Yellow |
|
|
759 = Green Cloth Bench (Standard) |
56 = Chamois |
|
|
760 = Green Knit Vinyl Bench (Standard) |
60 = Light Copper Metallic |
|
|
761 = Green Cloth Bench (Custom) |
64 = Silver Metallic |
|
|
763 = Neutral Knit Vinyl Buckets (Standard) |
68 = Dark Brown Metallic |
|
|
764 = Neutral Cloth Bench (Custom) |
74 = Dark Red Metallic |
|
|
767 = Chamois Knit Vinyl Bench (Standard) |
75 = Medium Red |
|
|
769 = Neutral Cloth Bench (Standard) |
97 = Medium Orange Metallic |
|
|
770 = Green Cloth Bench (Custom) |
A = White Vinyl Roof |
|
|
771 = Neutral Perforated Vinyl Buckets (Custom) |
B = Black Vinyl Roof |
|
|
772 = Blue Cloth Bench (Standard) |
D = Blue Vinyl Roof |
|
|
F = Chamois Vinyl Roof |
||
|
G = Green Vinyl Roof |
||
|
H = Maroon Vinyl Roof |
||
|
T = Neutral Vinyl Roof |
Line 3: Build Month and Week
|
Month |
Week |
|---|---|
|
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.
