Chevy II/Nova Trivia
>> The Norwood, OH assembly plant only built the Chevy II/Nova from 1962 through 1966 and 1970.
>> The Willow Run, MI assembly plant built the Chevy II/Nova from 1962 through 1972.
>> The first true high-performance Chev II/Nova was, arguably, 1965 with the RPO L74 engine displacing 327 cubic inches with a horsepower rating of 300 hp. The 1966 model year bumped the 327 engine up to 350 hp with the RPO L79 engine. The L79 engine was offered in 1967 but was limited to only 9 known and documented units according to an L79 Nova guru, 7 Nova SS sport coupes and two Nova sport coupes. The last year for the L79 in a Chevy II/Nova would be 1968 where the horsepower was rated at 325 hp and gone were the aluminum intake and Holley carburetor - those being replaced with a cast iron intake and Quadrajet.
>> It's rumored the L79 horsepower rating was lowered due to the introduction of the Mark IV 396 Turbo Jet engine with ratings of 350 hp and 375 hp engine being offered. GM didn't want the small block L79 with the same horsepower rating as the L34 396 cid engine. Again, it's only a rumor but the same thing happened with the Chevelle and its SS 396 series. The L79 was dropped in the Chevelle series in 1966 with the introduction of the SS 396 and its base 325 hp engine. The L79 was picked up again in 1967 and 1968 Chevelles but with a horsepower rating of 325 - the same as the base L35 396 engine.
