The 1974 Nova was the final year for the third generation Chevy X-Body. It featured minor changes such as larger parking lights, a new bowtie grille emblem, and new larger bumpers that help in minor impacts.
The SS option was slightly revised with new stripes now on the hood and trunk. The tail light panel was no longer painted black but the window frames and sport mirrors were. The Powerglide transmission was also replaced by a lighter weight version of the 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 350. The 307 cubic inch engine was also dropped as an option which left only the Turbo-Fire 350 as the V8 option.
In celebration of the upcoming bicentennial, Chevrolet created the Spirit of America Nova (RPO-Z51). This one-year option included special red, white, and blue trim, stripes, and interior. There were roughly 390,537 Novas built in 1974 and only 14,463 Spirit of America Novas were ever built.
1974 Chevy Nova OEM Brochure
1974 Nova Information
Body Style & Model Options:
- Coupe
- 4-Door Sedan
- Hatchback Coupe
- Hatchback Custom
- Coupe Custom
- 4-Door Sedan Custom
Engine Options:
- L22 – Turbo-Thrift 250 | 250ci | 100hp L6
- L65 – Turbo-Fire 350 | 350ci | 145hp V8
- LM1 – Turbo-Fire 350 | 350ci | 160hp V8
- L48 – Turbo-Fire 350 | 350ci | 185hp V8
Available Transmission:
- 4-Speed Manual
- 3-Speed
- Turbo Hydra-Matic
Production Numbers:
- Nova: 390,537
- 2-Door Coupe: 0
- 2-Door Convertible: 0
- 2-Door Hatchback: 80,633
- 2-Door Sedan: 210,984
- 4-Door Sedan: 98,920
- 4-Door Wagon: 0
- Super Sport: 21,419
Dimensions & Capacities:
- Length: 196.7 in / 16.39 ft
- Width: 72.4 in / 6.03 ft
- Height:
- 2-door Sedan: 52.5 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
1974 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 @ 1800 RPM |
3.875 x 3.53 | 8.25:1 |
|
V8 |
350ci |
1x2bbl |
L65 |
145 hp @ 3800 RPM |
250 lb-ft @ 2200 RPM |
4.000 x 3.48 | 8.5:1 |
|
V8 |
350ci |
1x4bbl |
LM1 |
160 hp @ 3800 RPM |
250 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM |
4.000 x 3.48 | 8.5:1 |
|
V8 |
350ci |
1x4bbl |
L48 |
185 hp @ 4000 RPM |
270 lb-ft @ 2600 RPM |
4.000 x 3.48 | 8.5:1 |
1974 Nova 6 Cylinder Engine Codes
| Code |
Size / Carb |
HP / RPO |
Transmission |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCK |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
100 hp L22 |
TH350 |
– |
| CCR |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
100 hp L22 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
| CCW |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
100 hp L22 |
TH350 |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CCX |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
100 hp L22 |
TH350 |
– |
| CJA |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
100 hp L22 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
| CJB |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
100 hp L22 |
TH350 |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CJC |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
100 hp L22 |
TH350 |
– |
1974 Nova 8 Cylinder Engine Codes
| Code |
Size / Carb |
HP / RPO |
Transmission |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CKB |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
185 hp L48 |
4-Speed Manual |
– |
| CKD |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
160 hp LM1 |
TH350 |
– |
| CKH |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
160 hp LM1 |
3-Speed Manual |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CKU |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
185 hp L48 |
TH350 |
– |
| CMA |
350 cid 1x2bbl |
145 hp L65 |
TH350 |
– |
| CMC |
350 cid 1x2bbl |
145 hp L65 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
Click here for further engine decoding information
1974 Nova Transmission Codes
|
Code |
Description |
Engines |
Assembly Plant |
|---|---|---|---|
|
TM |
3-Speed |
L6, V8 |
S = Muncie |
|
WC |
4-Speed |
V8 |
P = Muncie |
|
TT |
TH350 |
L6 |
B = Cleveland |
|
TH |
TH350 |
V8 |
Y = Toledo |
Click here for further transmission decoding information
1974 Nova Rear Axle Codes
| Code | Axle Ratio |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
| JA |
2.73:1 |
Open |
| JB |
3.08:1 |
Open |
| JC |
3.42:1 |
Open |
| JM |
2.73:1 |
Positraction |
| JN |
3.08:1 |
Positraction |
| JP |
3.42:1 |
Positraction |
Click here for further rear axle decoding information
1974 Nova Factory Options
Regular Production Option (RPO)
| RPO | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AK1 | Deluxe belts & harness front | 28,701 |
| A01 | Tinted Glass – all windows | 200,223 |
| A02 | Tinted Glass – windshield only | 7,632 |
| A51 | Front bucket seat – Strato type | 27,923 |
| BS1 | Quiet sound group | 21,152 |
| B2H | Interim equipment change | 37,741 |
| B30 | Floor covering | 9,959 |
| B37 | Floor mats | 75,701 |
| B80 | Roof drip rails | 24,455 |
| B84 | Body side molding | 117,597 |
| B93 | Door edge guards | 80,282 |
| CB1 | Vinyl roof – touring | 29,679 |
| C08 | Exterior soft trim roof cover | 29,567 |
| C50 | Rear window defroster | 49,337 |
| C60 | Air Conditioning – deluxe | 123,370 |
| C80 | Front door jam switch | 21,152 |
| D33 | Outside mirror – remote control | 42,149 |
| D35 | Sport mirrors | 17,782 |
| D55 | Front compartment floor console | 34,512 |
| D88 | Super sport stripes | 21,419 |
| F40 | Special heavy duty front & rear suspension | 15,422 |
| F41 | Special performance front & rear suspension | 891 |
| G95 | Rear axle – ratio (Economy) | 214 |
| JL2 | Disc brakes front | 97,517 |
| J50 | Vacuum power brake equipment | 17,832 |
| K05 | Engine block heater | 6,614 |
| K77 | 55 amp delcotron generator | 112,752 |
| LM1 | V8 engine – 350 regular fuel | 14,800 |
| L22 | L6 engine – 250 | 171,116 |
| L48 | V8 engine – 350 | 14,597 |
| L65 | V8 engine – 350 2-bbl | 189,705 |
| L90 | L6 engine – 250 low compression | 314 |
| M11 | 3-speed Floor shift transmission control | 13,708 |
| M15 | 3-speed manual transmission | 44,322 |
| M20 | 4-speed manual transmission | 4,667 |
| M38 | 3-speed automatic transmission – TH350 | 341,547 |
| M40 | 3-speed automatic transmission – TH400 | 1 |
| N33 | Comfortilt steering wheel | 5,755 |
| N41 | Variable ratio power steering | 334,894 |
| N65 | Spacesaver spare tire | 467 |
| P01 | Wheel trim cover | 184,994 |
| P06 | Wheel trim ring | 1,887 |
| QDW | FR78-14/B steel belt radial tires – white stripe | 9,221 |
| QEB | E70-14/B white letter tires | 10,816 |
| QEE | E78-14 white stripe tires | 280,630 |
| QEH | E78-14/B bias belt tires – white stripe | 6,950 |
| UA1 | Heavy duty battery | 15,533 |
| U05 | Dual horn | 14,042 |
| U17 | Front compartment console instrument cluster | 5,475 |
| U35 | Electric clock | 16,554 |
| U37 | Cigarette lighter | 21,152 |
| U58 | AM/FM stereo radio | 1,389 |
| U63 | Radio – AM push button | 327,369 |
| U69 | Radio – AM/FM push button | 15,295 |
| U76 | Windshield antenna | 2,200 |
| U80 | Auxiliary speaker | 30,047 |
| VE5 | Deluxe bumpers | 6,504 |
| V01 | Heavy duty radiator | 36,373 |
| V32 | Rear bumper guard equipment | 9,710 |
| ZJ4 | Trailering towing package | 807 |
| ZJ5 | Exterior decor package | 138,287 |
| ZJ7 | Special wheel, hub cap and trim ring (Rally wheel) | 51,255 |
| ZJ9 | Auxiliary lighting group | 13,136 |
| Z26 | Super Sport | 21,419 |
| Z51 | Spirit of America package | 14,463 |
| Z54 | Interior decor/quiet group | 21,152 |
| 751 | Interior trim – black vinyl | 12,910 |
| 753 | Interior trim – black vinyl | 5,687 |
| 757 | Interior trim – dark green vinyl | 5,742 |
1974 Nova Cowl Tag Info
1974 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
74 = 1974 |
1 = Chevrolet |
XX = Nova |
17 = 2-Door Hatchback |
K = Kansas City, MO |
Starts at 100001 |
|
XY = Nova Custom |
27 = 2-Door Sedan |
L = Van Nuys, CA |
|||
|
69 = 4-Door Sedan |
W = Willow Run, MI |
Line 2: Trim and Paint
|
Interior Trim |
Seat Type |
Exterior Paint (Lower/Upper) |
|---|---|---|
|
750 = Black & White Check Cloth Bench |
A51 = Bucket Seats |
11 = Antique White |
|
751 = Black Cloth Bench |
A52 = Bench Seat |
26 = Bright Blue Metallic |
|
752 = Black Sport Cloth Bench or Buckets |
29 = Midnight Blue Metallic |
|
|
754 = Black Perforated Vinyl Bench or Buckets |
36 = Bright Aqua Metallic |
|
|
755 = Medium Green & Black Sport Cloth Bench |
40 = Lime Yellow |
|
|
756 = Medium Green & Black Check Cloth Bench |
46 = Bright Green Metallic |
|
|
757 = Medium Green Cloth Bench |
49 = Dark Green Metallic |
|
|
759 = Medium Green Perforated Vinyl Buckets |
50 = Cream Beige |
|
|
764 = Light Neutral & Black Check Cloth Bench |
51 = Bright Yellow |
|
|
766 = Light Neutral Perforated Vinyl Bench or Buckets |
53 = Light Gold Metallic |
|
|
771 = Midnight Blue Cloth Bench |
55 = Sandstone |
|
|
774 = White Buckets – Spirit of America |
59 = Golden Brown Metallic |
|
|
825 = Black Perforated Vinyl Bench or Buckets |
64 = Silver Metallic |
|
|
826 = Midnight Blue Perforated Vinyl Bench |
66 = Bronze Metallic |
|
|
827 = Medium Saddle Perforated Vinyl Bench or Buckets |
74 = Dark Red Metallic |
|
|
828 = Medium Green Perforated Vinyl Bench or Buckets |
75 = Medium Red |
|
|
829 = Light Neutral Perforated Vinyl Bench or Buckets |
A = White Vinyl Roof |
|
|
B = Black Vinyl Roof |
||
|
D = Blue Vinyl Roof |
||
|
E = Cream Beige Vinyl Roof |
||
|
F = Brown Vinyl Roof |
||
|
G = Green Vinyl Roof |
||
|
H = Maroon Vinyl Roof |
||
|
L = Russet Vinyl Roof |
||
|
R = Saddle Vinyl Roof |
||
|
W = Silver 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.
