1968 Chevrolet Nova

1968 to 1974 · Sedan

The third-generation Nova represents Chevrolet's most collectible iteration of their compact muscle car, built on the versatile X-body platform shared with the Camaro. What makes these Novas special isn't the base inline-six, but their potential for transformation. The real stars are the SS models, particularly the 1968-70 versions packing the L78 396/375hp big-block or the rare L89 aluminum-head variant. Only 5,262 SS Novas were built in 1968, making them significantly rarer than their Chevelle SS counterparts. The clean, understated styling by GM's design team aged beautifully, while the robust chassis could handle serious power. Today's collectors prize original SS examples, especially four-speeds with documentation, though well-executed restorations of base models with period-correct upgrades remain popular. The Nova's affordability compared to Camaros and Chevelles has driven strong appreciation, particularly for genuine SS cars with matching numbers.