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1963 Chevrolet II Nova Series 400

Although many believed that bigger is better, the early 1960s marked an industry-wide shift towards small and compact vehicles. Ford, Chrysler, and GM all added smaller cars to their lineup in 1960. Buyers displayed their approval by buying more than 880,000 examples of the Ford Falcon, Chrysler Valiant, and Chevy Corvair. Another model was added to the mix in 1962, and in many ways, it was similar to the Ford Falcon. But it was not from Ford, it was from GM, dubbed the Chevy II, and was a low-cost, low-tech, and well-built vehicle. The following year, a new nameplate was added, the Nova SS. For an additional cost of $161, buyers received spinner hubcaps, special trim and instrumentation, bucket seats, and a deluxe steering wheel.

The 1963 Chevy II/Nova was available in three trim levels, the 100, 300, and Nova 400, plus a new Super Sport (SS) option available only on the Nova 400 Sport models. Body styles included a 2- and 4-door sedan, a station wagon, and a Convertible (only available on the Nova 400).

Standard equipment included 6.00 x 13 black tubeless tires, a heater, a defroster, electric windshield wipers, front foam cushions, and a cigarette lighter. The base engine was a four-cylinder, overhead-valve unit, which had a 153.3 cubic-inch displacement size and offered 90 horsepower. A six-cylinder unit was available, having a displacement size of 194.4 cubic inches, and offered 120 horsepower.

The base level was the 100 series. Next came the 300 which had bodyside moldings, and window reveals. The Nova added wheel discs and rocker sill moldings, along with an identification script located on the rear fenders.

1963 Chevrolet II Nova Series 400 photo
Hardtop Sport Coupe
Chassis #: 302110145206
Buyers who selected the 'Super Sport' option received 'SS' badges on the rear fenders and the right-hand side of the deck lid. They had special finned wheel covers, wider bodyside moldings, and aluminized rear panels.

The Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova
The Chevrolet Chevy II was produced from 1962 through 1968, with the Nova representing the top-of-the-line variant. After 1968, the Chevy II nameplate was dropped and in its place was the 'Nova' name which would remain in continuous production through 1979. After a brief hiatus, the name returned in 1985 and continued through 1988. The Chevy II / Nova compact/subcompact vehicle would receive five major styling updates and built in several different body styles, including a two-door sedan, hardtop (Sport Coupe), convertible, sedan, station wagon, and hatchback.

The styling theme introduced in 1962 would continue through 1965, incorporating minor revisions annually. The three trim levels included the 100, 300, and 400 Series, with a fourth - the 200 - introduced but discontinued almost immediately. Five body styles were offered, including the two- and four-door sedan, hardtop, convertible, and station wagon.

1963 Chevrolet II Nova Series 400 photo
Hardtop Sport Coupe
Chassis #: 302110145206
The second generation of Chevy II styling arrived in 1966 with design inspiration sourced from the Super Nova concept car and continued in 1967. A full redesign arrived in 1968 on a longer 111-inch wheelbase (gaining an inch), with the station wagon and hardtop sport coupe no longer part of the body style list. This design theme would continue through 1974. The fifth and final generation of the Nova arrived in 1985 and used front-wheel drive and a 95.7-inch wheelbase.

Throughout its existence, the Chevy II / Nova was well-received as a simple, utilitarian, conventional automobile.


by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2016

Related Reading : Chevrolet Nova History

. The design was to fall between Chevrolets compact and full-size vehicles. Also known as the Chevy II, the vehicle was to be an economical vehicle with power coming from either a four or six-cylinder engine. When the Nova was introduced on the 29th of September in 1961, the vehicle could be purchased with a 153 cubic-inch four-cylinder or 194 cubic-inch six-cylinder engines. Production had begun....
Continue Reading >>

Related Reading : Chevrolet Nova History

Advertised as not to small, not too big, not too expensive, the Chevy Nova was produced for over two decades and earned its way proudly into the American drivers heart and was a personal favorite for law enforcement officers in 48 states at one time. Debuting in 1961 as a 1962 model, the popular Nova was launched as the top model in the Chevy II lineup through 1968. A compact car, the Nova gave....
Continue Reading >>

1963 Chevrolet II Nova Series 400 Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1963 II Nova Series 400
$2,500-$20,666
1963 Chevrolet II Nova Series 400 Price Range: $2,200 - $2,500

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1963 Chevrolet Models

Nova First generation

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
110.00 in.
4 cyl., 153.00 CID., 90.00hp
6 cyl., 194.40 CID., 120.00hp
6 cyl., 194.40 CID., 120.00hp
6 cyl., 230.00 CID., 140.00hp
$2,200 - $2,500
376,000
110.00 in.
4 cyl., 153.30 CID., 90.00hp
6 cyl., 194.40 CID., 120.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 360.00hp
$2,100 - $2,600
191,691
110.00 in.
4 cyl., 153.00 CID., 90.00hp
6 cyl., 194.40 CID., 120.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 195.00hp
$2,000 - $2,500

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