The third-generation Chevrolet Nova is a common site at any vintage car show, car meet or ‘Cars and Coffee’ event. The vehicle’s small stature, various available V8 engines and strong aftermarket support make it a great choice for any car enthusiast looking to get themselves into a quick and relatively inexpensive muscle car, so not surprisingly, the car has a large following and many diehard fans.
Digital automotive rendering artist Oscar V recently used his talents to envision what a modern-day recreation of the iconic third-gen Chevrolet Nova might look like if General Motors were to put the muscly little compact car back into production. He used the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE as a starting off point, modifying the vehicle’s front fascia to accommodate a rectangular black mesh grille, a pair of circular headlamps with square-shaped housings and a large lower grille intake that is similar to the Camaro ZL1‘s.
Out back, Oscar’s modern-day Chevrolet Nova recreation features a pair of rectangular taillamps, which appear quite similar to the third-gen Nova’s taillamps, along with a vintage-look matte black spoiler and a pair of neatly integrated dual exhaust tips. He also got rid of the rear decklid to make way for a Nova-style rear window that sits flush with the trunk. Additionally, the rear fender covers the upper part of the rear wheel, another subtle reference to the third-gen Nova.
The side of the vehicle was likely the most difficult to recreate. The artist adjusted the Camaro’s window shape to appear more like the Nova’s, applying a similar rear window shape and beltline. The A-pillar also takes on a completely different shape, sitting more upright than the sixth-gen Camaro’s A-pillar. The windshield also sits more upright than the current Camaro’s windshield, which is raked backward to give it a sportier and more streamlined appearance.
While this rendering looks a bit awkward, in our opinion, we think Oscar is onto something – especially with the front and rear fascias. We don’t think GM would ever actually bring the Nova back, as it would overlap with the Camaro (a car that already sells in relatively small numbers) but it’s cool to see what such a model might look like, nonetheless.
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Comments
GM certainly has made uglier cars than this, but GM would never even consider this… I do wish someone made a legitimate 2 door 4 seater though, a Grand Prix, or Cutlass Supreme, possibly Riviera or Eldorado…. not a single mfr makes one…
S class coupe, 8 Series BMW. They’re out there, but not in the same class this would be.
I actually like this design for a new nova it looks like a retro 69 a few miner adjustments would be nice to the over all scheme but I would buy one .
I like the concept, but the wheel arches not being the same shape looks a bit odd.
This would actually be fun in my opinion. Every few years do a short run of a classic nameplate and then when it’s done it’s done. Like with the GTO and SSR.
What would be the point?. Nova was the 60s-70s equivalent of an Cruze, not a dedicated muscle car like GTO, Road-Runner, etc. Yes there’s the 396 and 350 SS models but it was THE small Chevy.
IMO If bought back it would be CT4 based or similar sized rwd sedan and sedan hatch only (want a coupe?, get the Camaro) because it’s up against Civic and Corolla. Engines can range from a economic 1.6 to a mighty 5.3 SS model.
As for the rendering, it doesn’t look good.
Remember you’re just a Guestt…
Had a 1970 Nova 2 door. Very simple and reliable. Was a nice size, too. Compared to Dart and Maverick was much better vehicle in those days. It looked better than this rendering! This rendering looks like a melted Camaro.
it s so nice to dream away.. well in my dream, GM built it also a 4 dr version, with the 2.7 l4 turbo as a base engine, the 5.3 mid range engine and 6.2 ss and than the 3.0 inline 6 diesel engine. i own a 77 nova, i built a 6.5 diesel in it, 18 years ago. greatings from the netherlands.
That’s a little overkill as it’s an economy car, but perfect engine line up for an rwd Impala replacement.
People need to remember that General Motors CEO Mary Barra is part of the Me Too group-think which means the 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette is the last all new vehicle to come out as everything else will be electric and it is highly unlikely that anyone will be building a Dodge Challenger look-alike EV.
An unholy union of a 5th gen Camaro and an Opel kadett… No, I don’t think they will build it.
Gosh – I hope not!
I actually prefer the first body style Chevy 2/Nova. A little smaller, boxier, cleaner and meaner looking.. When it comes to the fastback/bubble top look I think it looked better on the larger 68-72 Chevelle’s. Nice rendering though!
The way the car looks now; I would say no. Do not produce that car as it is. One of problems American car manufacturers made, and continue to make is their styling is too redundant. I believe that is reason why Plymouth, Mercury, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile does not exists anymore. The Camaro and the Firebird were basically the same car. The Cuda and Challenger the same car, the Mustang and Cougar the same car. Yes they tweeked a few things front and back, but in reality they were the same car. I would hope that G.M., Chevrolet would change the taillights of the C8. Fore it and the Camaro looks too much alike.
Would love to see a rendering of the 1966-67 nova super sport too. Much nicer body
Am I the only one who sees early 70’s Opel?
Front and rear lights with the first C230 Mercedes 2 dr hatch rear wheel arches. If they could make a retro Nova that actually looks like a Nova and just swap bodies on to the current Camaro underpinnings then sales number for that car would certainly be higher than the Camaro for a few years just based on nostalgia. They’ve done just about as much as they can with the retro Camaro and this would open up a whole new box of tricks!
Although a crude design, Chevy would never make it look like that. It resembles the original. Look how they massacred the Chevy Blazer.
Curiosity piqued! But as JDN revealed about GM in an interview, ‘…There are no pet projects…’
The GM of today headed by Barra is basically a big ol’ Yawn Snore entity when it comes to making compelling vehicles. The C8 Corvette making it to market was a feat unto itself. Hopefully they’ll keep tinkering with the Camaro otherwise it’s a goner soon.
The front 3/4 view is a bit funky as it looks too bulbous in the rear. It might be the artist not using the right perspective angle so it looks as though there’s need for some type of body contouring or character lines aft of the rear wheel well and thick C-Pillar.
That’s not a true Nova it’s a refitted Camaro! That is not your best work, GM….come on that’s why we are paying you big bucks? You’re fired!
From the A-Pillar back, this would not be a bad replacement for the Camaro aside from the rear wheel wells having to be opened up and the front clip having to be redone. I think one of the reasons why the Challenger is so successful in its old age is that it looks American, and adults over 30 can actually be comfortable in it.
This looks like a mixture of a 2004 Mustang and a late model Challenger. Not bad looking, but not a Nova
I want that note new Chevy Nova that thing is badd a**