What engine came in the 1962 Chevy Nova?
The 1962 Chevy Nova offered three engine choices: a 153 cubic inch inline-six, a 194 cubic inch inline-six, and a 283 cubic inch small-block V8.
When Chevrolet introduced the Chevy II in 1962, it built the Nova lineup around practical, compact packaging with options to suit different buyer needs. The engine lineup reflected a balance between economy and performance, with two inline-sixes serving as the bread-and-butter choices and a V8 available for those seeking more power. Below is a breakdown of the available powerplants and how buyers could equip their Nova that first year.
Engine options in the 1962 Nova
Inline-six options
Chevrolet offered two inline-six configurations for the 1962 Nova, providing a range of efficiency and smooth performance for buyers who wanted economical daily transportation or a modestly peppy commute.
- 153 cubic inch inline-six
- 194 cubic inch inline-six
These inline-sixes were commonly paired with manual transmissions or, in some setups, the Powerglide automatic, offering straightforward, reliable performance suitable for daily driving.
V8 option
For buyers desiring higher performance, a small-block V8 was available in the 1962 Nova, expanding the model’s appeal beyond basic transportation into a more spirited driving experience.
- 283 cubic inch small-block V8
The V8 option typically appeared on higher-trim packages or with certain option combinations, giving the Nova a noticeable boost in acceleration and overall power relative to the inline-sixes.
Summary
In its 1962 debut year, the Chevrolet Nova offered a versatile engine lineup: two inline-six options (153 cu in and 194 cu in) for economical, reliable driving, plus a 283 cu in V8 for buyers seeking stronger performance. The choice of engine largely depended on the model configuration and desired balance between efficiency and power, reflecting the Nova’s role as a practical but adaptable compact car in the early 1960s.
