What years did they make the Chevy Nova?
The Chevy Nova was produced from 1962 to 1979 in North America.
This article traces when the Nova was manufactured, how the model evolved across generations, and how regional use of the name varied over time.
Production timeline by generation
Below is a generation-by-generation breakdown of the Nova's production years.
- First generation (Chevy II / Nova): 1962–1965
- Second generation: 1966–1967
- Third generation: 1968–1974
- Fourth generation: 1975–1979
These ranges reflect the Nova’s primary production years in the United States and Canada, where the nameplate was most widely sold.
Regional notes
In some international markets, the Nova nameplate and related branding appeared on variants or under related models after 1979, but the core U.S./Canada-era production ended in 1979.
Summary
The Chevy Nova enjoyed a 17-year production run in North America, spanning four generations from 1962 to 1979, with later badge engineering and regional usage of the name in other markets. The classic Nova lifecycle is defined by those primary years and the distinctive design shifts across each generation.
