Feature Image: May 2023. 1972 Chevrolet Nova SS. 7.82mb 80%. Author’s photograph.

Building a better way to see the U.S.A. was Chevy’s 1972 advertising tag line. Nova’s ad tag line in 1972: How to see less of you mechanic and more of America.

In 1972 there were labor strikes in GM assembly plants that severely impacted production of popular brands (Camaro; Pontiac Firebird) and delayed other model redesigns and rollout plans into 1973. New government regulations on car manufacturers also adversely impacted production schedules. The Chevrolet Nova was assembled in the same plant as Camaro that sat idle for six months. Both cars were saved that year because of enterprising Chevrolet executives who moved their production to other plants. Despite these challenges, Chevrolet became America’s best-selling car brand again in 1972 and Nova sales in particular were excellent.

The Chevrolet Nova was produced in four generations from 1962 to 1979 and in a fifth generation from 1985 to 1988. It was the top trim level for the new Chevy II compact whose inception was to counter the popular 1960 Ford Falcon. The SS package was introduced by Chevrolet for 1963. By 1969 Chevy dropped the Chevy II nameplate and Nova become the nameplate throughout the 1970’s. The car’s growing engine capacities in the mid 1960’s was cut off by Chevrolet for what would be their premier muscle car, the Chevy Camaro, in 1967. With the Chevy II/Nova third generation beginning in 1968 Chevrolet introduced an all-new compact with contemporary semi-fastback styling that continued to 1974. It was with this generation that the car was simply called “Nova.” As a muscle car, Nova’s history ended in 1973 when the SS package was limited to appearance options and a jacked-up heavy-duty suspension although the car could be combined with a 175-horsepower 350. In 1972 major standard equipment for the Nova included cloth and vinyl bench seat, deluxe steering wheel. hub caps, front-door vent windows, bright moldings on the windshield and rear window, manual drum brakes, vinyl-coated rubber floor tires and E78-14 wide whitewall tires. The Base MRSP on the 2- Door Coupe was $2,351 ($18,169.52 in 2025 dollars). The 4-Door Sedan was $2,379 ($18,385.91 in 2025 dollars). Starting in mid-1971 the Rally Nova option was introduced that was basically an appearance option though it included heavy duty front and rear suspension (RPO-F40) which could be mono-leaf or multi-leaf in the rear.

SOURCE:
https://cokertire.com/tires/e78-14-coker-classic-2-3-8-whitewall-tire.html?srsltid=AfmBOopDvzpu_2cdKTJYosN-5STf4twvFZE5PXmIzNGnWjXnK5P8ZXM2 – retrieved Aug. 30, 2025.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Chevy_II_/_Nova – retrieved August 8, 2022.
J. “Kelly” Flory, Jr., American Cars, 1966 to 1972, McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 485-486; 490.

This explanatory article may be periodically updated.