How much did a Nova cost in 1970?
In 1970, a Chevrolet Nova commonly listed for about $2,500 to $3,100, depending on trim and options.
Chevy offered several Nova variants in 1970—including base two-door sedans, Custom models, and the sporty Nova SS—so pricing varied with body style, engine choice, and optional equipment.
Pricing snapshot by trim
Prices varied by trim and options; here is a rough snapshot for the 1970 model year.
Base, mid-range, and performance variants
- Base Nova (two-door sedan): about $2,550–$2,650
- Nova Custom (mid-range): about $2,900–$3,100
- Nova SS (sporty): about $3,200–$3,500
These figures reflect sticker prices at Chevrolet dealerships in 1970 before taxes, destination charges, or dealer-installed options.
What affected the price in 1970
Several factors shaped what a buyer paid for a Nova in 1970, from the engine and drivetrain to body style and optional equipment.
- Trim level and body style (two-door sedan, hardtop, or sportier variants)
- Engine choice (inline-six vs. V8) and transmission (manual vs. automatic)
- Optional equipment (air conditioning, radio, power features)
- Market conditions and competition from rivals like the Ford Maverick and Plymouth Duster
- Regional pricing differences and dealer discounts
In practice, the final price a buyer paid depended on all of these factors and the negotiating at the dealership.
Inflation-adjusted view
When translated into today’s dollars using CPI inflation, the 1970 Nova prices would roughly appear as follows: base models around the low $20,000s, mid-range around the mid-$20,000s, and top trims in the high $20,000s to around $30,000.
Summary
The 1970 Chevrolet Nova offered a range of prices from roughly $2,550 to $3,500 depending on trim and options. When adjusted for inflation, those prices translate to approximately the low to mid $20,000s today for base and mid-range models, with the higher-end Nova SS climbing toward the upper $20,000s to around $30,000 in today's dollars. The final sale price typically depended on engine choice, body style, and optional features, as well as regional dealer pricing.
