The 1978 Chevy Nova Rally Sport was a dressed-up version of what was built as an economy car. It came equipped with a choice of engines: a 250 cubic-inch inline six cylinder, a 305 cubic-inch Small Block V8, or a 350 cubic-inch Small Block V8. RPO Z26 Rally Sport trim got you black finished headlamp bezels with bright perimeter molding, special chrome plated, diamond pattern grille with specific horizontal parking lamps, Nova Rally badge on the grille and front fenders, triple-band stripe on lower body and over wheel openings, and body color painted 14-inch tall, six inch-wide Rally wheels.
Our featured 1978 Chevy Nova Rally Sport is nowhere near original, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When new, it was paint code 77 Carmine red. At some point during its life, it was treated to a quality refinish in Light Yellow, a color that was not available on the Chevy Nova in 1978. All of the Rally Sport trim features have been retained, and the finished product looks as if it could have left the factory that way. Chrome bumpers have either survived incredibly well or have been re-plated. The 14-inch Rally wheels have been replaced by 15-inchers wearing short caps and wrapped in raised-white letter BFGoodrich rubber. Almost all of the stainless brightwork has been blacked out, but looks correct with the rest of the Rally Sport package. The rear wheels are wider than the fronts, giving the Chevy Nova an aggressive, muscular stance.
This Chevy Nova can back up that strong appearance, too. Gone is the 145-horsepower 305 it was born with, replaced by a far more powerful 454 cubic-inch Big Block. The Rat motor is fed by a four-barrel carb and Edelbrock intake manifold. It is dressed up with a set of Chevy branded chrome valve covers and chrome air cleaner cover. Spent gasses leave through a set of performance headers, and there is a set of electrically-actuated exhaust dumps to let your neighbors know this beast is on the streets.
The black vinyl interior of this Chevy Nova is all business, with the factory steering wheel and AM Radio still in place. There are some auxiliary gauges to help keep an eye on the Big Block’s vitals, and a Hurst shifter to stir the gears on the four-speed manual. The only luxury is an aftermarket, black vinyl-wrapped armrest/console.
This Chevy Nova “sleeper” is being offered by Garage Kept Motors for just $24,900.
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If Barra was running GM back in this time era the 110 HP 250 straight 6 would be the std and only engine choice, even on this RS.
Shut up, Joe
Actually the guys running GM back then had put GM on the road to bankruptcy and put them through the major struggles that led to the bail out.
They failed miserably even building some cool cars.
Nah that was Roger Rabbit Smith soon to be followed by Mrs Barra
I agree, GM is a leaner company under Barra. If she was one of those "listen to my Virginia and my bad ideas" type CEOs then she has to go but I see no major mistakes that costs her job. Even under a hard Republican administration she got things done.
I hated the look of these Novas when they were new (I was 18 in '78). But now that most new cars have no character I'm appreciating their looks, especially one with a BB.
Had a nova as a teenager , great car
I also had a Nova 1970 for a first car. Great car easy to work on when needed to. But I always liked how the 78 model looked. This is when cars had style of there own. Not like todays cookie cutter cars.
Not a Nova fan but at least they provided cheap RWD performance back in the day. This is what is missing today and not cheap to make anymore outside trucks.
I was a Chevelle Monte Guy. The full frame was much better for performance applications.
But I did always wanted to take a mid 70’s Seville and put a Trans Am suspicion and steering on it.
Me personally I like GM to offer a CT4 based Nova, talk about a compact Chevy people want.
Not that it matters as this car is sold, but there was no Rally Sport or RS package on '78 Nova's. This car has the "RALLY" exterior trim package which was available on base cars and Nova Custom in coupe and hatchback models. A 350/4bbl. was available in these cars which a bit more power than the 305/2 bbl. and in '78 nothing had big power comparable to today.
The RPOZ26 package, which formerly equated to "Super Sport", continued through 1979 as the "Rally". I bought a '77 model new, with the Rally options, F-41, Sport Gauges, 350, auto, A/C . . . and kept it 23 years.
I bought a brand new 78 Nova Rally with custom package in 78. Biggest engine in 78 was the 305 (really wanted the 350 but only in the 77s)
My brother ordered a '78 Nova back in the day. Black with saddle interior. 4-speed manual. Think it was a Custom? Nicer grille and tail lights than base model. Guess that was the last year of that style?
I had that exact car, even with the custom rear lights, bought brand new. Miss that car, and would buy it back without hesitation today. I still have many nice pics, especially like the one with the Cragars s/s and Mickey Thompson 50s. Any chance your brothers car is still around ??
I remember when I was little in the 80s youd see these Novas everywhere. In the northeast, they rotted away quick as is still the case. Big block and a 4 speed. Perfect