What is the Buick version of the Nova?
There isn’t a Buick-badged Nova. GM did not offer a North American Buick version of the Chevrolet Nova.
To understand why, it helps to look at how General Motors managed badge engineering across brands during the compact and subcompact era and which Buick models occupied a similar niche.
Context: GM badge engineering and the Nova family
During the 1960s through the 1980s, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick often shared platforms and mechanicals but carried distinct brand names. The Nova was Chevrolet’s compact (and later subcompact) model, while its closest siblings on other GM brands carried different names. There is no record of a Buick-branded Nova in North America.
For buyers and collectors seeking a Buick equivalent in size and market of the Nova, the closest contemporary is generally considered to be a Buick model from GM’s Monza/Sunbird family, rather than a direct Nova badge.
Closest Buick counterpart in the Nova-era small-car class
- Buick Skyhawk (1975–1980) — Buick’s entry in the GM Monza/Sunbird compact family; shared components with other GM subcompacts but did not carry the Nova name.
While the Skyhawk was the closest Buick option to a Nova-era small car, it is not a direct Buick Nova and exists within GM’s broader badge-engineering strategy rather than as a Nova replacement for Buick.
Broader context: regional variations and legacy
In some international markets, GM did badge-engineer Opel Kadets or other platforms under Buick or related brands, but none of these carried the Nova name in Buick branding for North America. The Nova remains a Chevrolet nameplate, with other GM brands offering their own nameplates for similar-sized cars rather than a Buick counterpart to the Nova.
What this means for enthusiasts and collectors
For those researching a Nova-era shopping list or hunting for a Buick that evokes the Nova’s size and era, the Skyhawk is the best-known link. However, no official Buick model duplicates the Nova badge or moniker.
Summary
There is no Buick version of the Nova. The closest Buick analogue to the Nova-era compact was the Buick Skyhawk, a badge variant within GM’s Monza/Sunbird family from the 1970s. General Motors blended platforms and names across brands, but a direct Buick Nova did not exist in North America.
Was Apollo a rebadged Nova?
After 1971, other GM divisions began rebadging the Nova as their new entry-level vehicle, such as the Pontiac Ventura II (once a trim option for full-size Pontiacs to 1970), Oldsmobile Omega and the Buick Apollo.
What is the Buick equivalent to the Chevy Nova?
The Buick versions of the Chevrolet Nova were the Buick Apollo (1973–1975) and the Buick Skylark (1976–1979). Both were built on the same platform as the Nova but had distinct styling, trim, and engine options.
You can watch this video to see a commercial for the 1974 Buick Apollo: 29sOsbornTramainYouTube · Mar 17, 2025
Buick Apollo (1973–1975)
- This was the first Buick model to be based on the Nova platform.
- It was a mild redesign of the Nova, featuring upgraded interiors, Buick-specific front-end styling, and a more upscale feel.
- Engine options included the standard Chevy 250 cu in inline-six or an optional Buick 350 cu in V8.
Buick Skylark (1976–1979)
- The Skylark replaced the Apollo as Buick's compact offering starting with the 1976 model year.
- It continued to be built on the same platform as the Nova and its siblings but with Buick's own branding and styling.
- For the 1978 model year, the front end of the US Buick Skylark was used on the Chevy Nova Concours in Mexico.
What is the oldsmobile version of the Nova?
The Omega
The Omega was one of three X-body Chevrolet Nova clones. It and the Buick Apollo were introduced in 1973; the Pontiac Ventura had been introduced in 1971.
What is a Buick Apollo?
The Buick Apollo is a compact car that was manufactured from 1973 to 1975 by General Motors for its Buick division. It was based on the GM X platform along with the Oldsmobile Omega, Chevrolet Nova, and the Pontiac Ventura. The car was named for the Greek god Apollo.
