What was the Buick version of the Nova?
The Buick version of the Nova was a compact car produced by General Motors in the 1960s and 1970s. It was essentially a rebadged version of the Chevrolet Nova, sharing the same underlying platform and design. While the Nova was Chevrolet's offering in the compact car market, Buick also produced its own variant to cater to a different customer base.
Origins and Positioning
The Buick version of the Nova was introduced in 1962 as the Buick Special Deluxe. It was positioned as a more upscale and luxurious alternative to the Chevrolet Nova, targeting buyers who wanted a compact car with a bit more refinement and premium features.
Key Differences from the Chevrolet Nova
- Distinctive Buick styling cues, such as the signature Buick grille and unique exterior trim
- More premium interior materials and appointments, including higher-quality upholstery and additional convenience features
- Slightly more powerful engine options, often with a focus on smoothness and refinement over outright performance
- Slightly higher price point compared to the Chevrolet Nova, reflecting the more upscale positioning
Despite these differences, the Buick version of the Nova shared the same underlying platform, chassis, and many mechanical components with its Chevrolet counterpart. This allowed General Motors to leverage economies of scale and streamline production, while still offering a more premium compact car option under the Buick brand.
Popularity and Discontinuation
The Buick version of the Nova, known as the Buick Special and later the Buick Apollo, was moderately successful during its production run. However, it never quite matched the sales volumes of the Chevrolet Nova, which remained the more popular and well-known compact car offering.
The Buick version of the Nova was eventually discontinued in the late 1970s, as Buick shifted its focus to larger, more luxurious models. The Nova itself was also discontinued in the early 1980s, as General Motors moved away from the compact car segment and towards a more diverse lineup of mid-size and full-size vehicles.
What was the Buick Electra nickname?
deuce and a quarter
The Electra 225 nameplate was a nod to the car's overall length of over 225 in (5,715 mm), earning it the street name "deuce and a quarter."
What Buick looks like a Nova?
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.
What was Pontiac's version of the Nova?
Ventura
From 1971, the Ventura nameplate was used on Pontiac's version of the Chevrolet Nova until it was replaced by the front wheel drive Pontiac Phoenix.
What was the Buick version of the Nova called?
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.
Is the Buick Apollo the same as the Nova?
The Apollo, all too obviously, was a mildly disguised Chevrolet Nova with an upgraded interior, a facelift, and a few more standard features. The name, we may assume, was suggested to the product planners by the NASA Apollo program in which 12 Americans walked on the moon between 1969 and 1972.
What was Ford's version of the Nova?
Ford Falcon
The Ford Falcon - ESPECIALLY a '63 Sprint edition which was basically the '64 1/2 Mustang that would be introduced the next year.
What is the Oldsmobile version of the Corvette?
Oldsmobile F-88
The Oldsmobile F-88 was a dream car created by Oldsmobile in 1954, with initial sketches made by Bill Lange. It used the chassis of the Chevrolet Corvette and shared its 102 in (2,600 mm) wheelbase. Like the Corvette, and the Pontiac Bonneville Special, the F-88's body was fiberglass.
What is the other name for the Buick Allure?
The first-generation LaCrosse replaced the Century and Regal in North America beginning for model year 2005 as a five- or six-passenger, four-door, front-wheel-drive, V6-powered sedan using GM's mid-size W platform—and marketed in Canada as the Buick Allure.
What is the oldsmobile version of the nova?
Oldsmobile Omega
The Oldsmobile Omega is a compact car manufactured and marketed from 1973 to 1984 by Oldsmobile, as the brand's most affordable, entry level vehicle — across three distinct generations. The first two generations of the Omega used rear-wheel-drive configuration, as a badge engineered variant of the Chevrolet Nova.
What is the Buick equivalent to the Nova?
Fourth generation (1975–1979)
| Chevrolet Nova Fourth generation | |
|---|---|
| Body style | 2-door coupe 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | X-body |
| Related | Buick Apollo Buick Skylark Oldsmobile Omega Pontiac Phoenix |
