A nova is defined as a nuclear explosion of a white dwarf star. While nothing of this occurs when you drive a Chevrolet Nova, it did explode into the scene when it was released, making it the top model of the Chevy II vehicle line. Out of its five generations, the one that stands out the most is the 1968 version of the Nova. Let’s take a peek at what made this vehicle tick in terms of the different engines it had and the features that made it unique.

Under the hood: The 1968 Chevrolet Nova underwent a number of engine changes starting with the 2.51-liter, four-cylinder engine. This engine was offered until 1970 but was stopped due to lack of demand. The more popular engine choice for this car turned out to be the 4.1-liter, six-cylinder engine and the 5.03-liter V8 engine. The engines were paired up with a semi-automatic transmission dubbed the Torque-Drive, which was based on the Powerglide transmission. This became available for the four and six-cylinder engines. A two-speed Powerglide was also made available along with a three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic, which was used predominantly by V8 engines.

Special Features: Although the 1968 Chevrolet Nova underwent numerous engine changes, in terms of its features, only two things stand out. One was its front subframe assembly. This assembly had a separate subframe that contained the powertrain and front suspension. The second – although not as crucial as the first – involved a change in nameplate. The 1968 Chevrolet Nova was the last version to carry the Chevy II nameplate.

Muck like its galactic namesake, the 1968 Chevrolet Nova was able to make an impact upon its release. That’s why it’s no surprise that even today, some are still willing to be caught driving in one. I know I wouldn’t mind.

Sources: Wikipedia, Muscle Car Drive, How Stuff Works