What makes a Nova a super sport?
A Nova earns the Super Sport designation when it was built with Chevrolet’s factory SS option, a package that bundles performance hardware and distinctive styling. The exact contents varied by year, but the core idea is a factory-backed blend of power, handling, and sport-inspired visuals rather than a purely cosmetic upgrade.
Understanding the Super Sport designation
The Super Sport (SS) badge on a Nova signals that Chevrolet offered a performance-oriented package for that model year. It was not a single fixed set of features; rather, it combined available high-performance powertrains with handling upgrades and unique styling cues to create a more aggressive, rally-ready look and feel.
Typical features of a Nova SS
Below are the elements commonly associated with the factory SS package across different years. Variants and exact specifications could change by model year, but these features were frequently part of the SS package or denote an SS-trimmed Nova.
- Engine upgrades: more powerful V8 options than base Nova engines, with performance-oriented carburetion and exhaust tuning.
- Transmission choices: a choice of manual or automatic transmissions geared toward performance driving, including four-speed manuals on many SS cars.
- Suspension and brakes: stiffer springs, upgraded front stabilizer bar, and other dampening/braking enhancements for improved handling and stopping power.
- Exterior styling: distinctive SS badges on grille/fenders, exclusive stripes or paint cues, and sometimes a special grille or hood treatment.
- Interior amenities: bucket seats, a center console, and instrument clusters with tachometers or other performance-oriented gauges.
- Wheels and tires: upgraded wheel designs and performance tires or wider tires to complement the handling upgrades.
- Special options: features such as a cowl-induction hood or other cosmetic performance cues were sometimes bundled with the SS package depending on year.
Because Chevrolet sometimes offered the SS as a package that could be added to various trims, some early Nova SS cars were more cosmetic than mechanical; verify the actual build with documentation to confirm true performance equipment.
Authenticating a Nova SS
If you’re evaluating a Nova for authenticity or shopping for one, use the following steps to confirm the SS package was truly factory-installed rather than a later conversion. The goal is to match what the factory offered for that specific year.
- Check the option codes and build sheet from the original factory documentation for the SS package designation and associated options.
- Inspect the engine bay for the correct high-performance V8 option advertised for that year and model, including any period-correct induction and exhaust treatments.
- Look for SS badges and distinctive exterior cues (badges, stripes, grille treatment) that align with the year of the car and the SS package offerings.
- Examine the interior for bucket seats, a console, and a tachometer or upgraded gauge cluster that were commonly included in SS cars.
- Verify the VIN and any published documentation against known production records or build sheets to confirm factory origin of the SS package.
Because reproductions and after-market modifications are common, it’s wise to consult a Nova specialist or obtain a verified build sheet or certificate to confirm authenticity.
Generational notes
1963–1968: the original era
During these early years, the Nova SS established the template for factory performance trimmings on the Chevy II/Nova line. Buyers could opt for more potent V8 power, along with the hallmark SS styling cues, to differentiate their car from base models. The SS designation became a hallmark of sport-oriented trim and live-axle performance handling that appealed to enthusiasts seeking a factory-backed performance package.
1969–1974: late-era styling and shift in offerings
As the model evolved with a more modern body and updated mechanics, the SS badge continued to signal a performance-focused option package on some Nova variants. These years reflected broader shifts in the American muscle era, including changes in engine choices and emissions requirements, which subtly influenced how the SS package was configured and marketed. Enthusiasts today often prize late-year SS cars for their unique balance of classic styling and era-specific performance gear.
What to know if you're researching or collecting
Collectors and historians emphasize the importance of documentation. The presence of the SS badge alone isn’t always proof of a factory SS car; build sheets, VIN decoding, and original option codes are critical for confirming authenticity. Reproduction decals or post-production upgrades are common in the market, so cross-checking multiple sources helps establish a car’s true provenance.
Summary
The Nova earns the Super Sport designation when Chevrolet offered and installed the factory SS option, combining upgraded engines and handling with distinctive styling and interior cues. The exact mix of features varied by year, so authenticity relies on verifiable documentation in addition to visual cues. Whether you chase a pristine original or a well-documented survivor, understanding the SS package helps illuminate why these cars remain a focal point for Nova enthusiasts and collectors.
What does SS stand for on a Nova?
SS, or Super Sport is synonymous with performance. However, SS didn't always mean that. Let's take a look back at the history of the Super Sport name and see how it all came about and turned into the performance cars we know today.
What makes a Chevy a Super Sport?
Both historically and today, the Super Sport package has typically included high-performance tires, heavy-duty suspension, and increased power, along with a variety of other performance and appearance upgrades.
What makes a Chevy Nova an SS?
As the Super Sport version of the Nova, it featured sporty details like SS badging, a unique grille, and bucket seats with a floor shifter. Under the hood, it offered powerful engine options, including the potent 327- cubic-inch V8 producing up to 350 horsepower.
What was the fastest Chevy Nova?
Larry Larson's 1966 Nova: 2300hp. Awarded the title of the fastest Unlimited Class street car in America by Hot Rod magazine two years in a row, Larry Larson's '66 Nova can reach 209.1 mph in 6.95 seconds.
