The 1967 Chevy II Nova Super Sport stands as a key moment in American muscle car history, representing the final evolution of the compact Nova platform before it grew into a larger intermediate-sized vehicle. For enthusiasts and collectors, this model year is often cited as the "sweet spot"—a perfect blend of aggressive styling, potent engine options, and a lightweight chassis that delivered genuine performance without the bulk of its bigger brothers like the Chevelle or Impala. Understanding the nuances of this specific model requires a look at its design philosophy, the powertrain combinations that defined its reputation, and the subtle details that separate a true SS from a well-executed clone.
The Context: A Compact Car Goes to War
By 1967, the muscle car wars were in full swing. Think about it: introduced in 1962 as an economical family hauler, the Nova underwent a significant redesign for the 1966 model year, adopting a sharper, more angular "Coke bottle" profile that hinted at performance potential. Because of that, chevrolet’s answer in the compact segment was the Chevy II Nova. Ford had the Mustang, Plymouth had the Barracuda, and AMC had the Rambler Rogue. The 1967 model year refined this design further, but more importantly, it solidified the Super Sport (SS) package as a legitimate performance contender rather than just an appearance package.
This was the last year for the first-generation Nova body style (often referred to as the Generation II, 1966–1967). It rode on a 111-inch wheelbase and utilized a unitized body construction with a front subframe—a design that kept weight down but allowed for relatively easy engine swaps, a trait that would cement the Nova’s legend in drag racing circles for decades to come.
Styling and Visual Identification
Visually, the 1967 Nova SS is distinguished by its clean, purposeful lines. Now, unlike the 1966 model, the '67 received a new grille featuring a heavier, horizontal center bar flanked by rectangular parking lights, giving the nose a wider, more planted stance. The rear panel was also revised, incorporating rectangular taillights that replaced the round units of the previous year, integrated into a body-colored panel (or blacked-out on SS models) that spanned the width of the car.
Key SS Exterior Cues:
- Blacked-Out Grille: The SS featured a unique grille with a blacked-out center section and "Chevy II" script, distinct from the bright argent silver of base models.
- SS Badging: "Super Sport" emblems adorned the front fenders, the grille center bar, the rear panel, and the steering wheel hub.
- Wheel Covers: Standard equipment included specific simulated mag-style wheel covers (often called "spinners" or "turbine" caps) with a black center and red "SS" logo, though Rally wheels were a popular option.
- Body Side Moldings: A bright lower body side molding ran the length of the car, terminating in a distinctive point at the rear quarter panel.
The interior received upgrades befitting the performance image. Bucket seats were standard, separated by a full-length center console housing the shifter (for both automatic and four-speed manual transmissions). The instrumentation was upgraded to include a 120-mph speedometer, a tachometer (mounted on the console for four-speeds or in the dash for automatics), and gauges for temperature, oil pressure, and amperage—replacing the warning lights found in lesser Novas.
The Heart of the Beast: Powertrain Options
What truly separates the 1967 Nova SS from its siblings is what resided under the hood. While the base Nova lineup relied on the 153-cubic-inch four-cylinder or the 194/230-cubic-inch inline-six cylinders, the SS package demanded V8 power It's one of those things that adds up. But it adds up..
The 283 and 327 Small-Blocks: The Volume Sellers
The entry-level V8 for the SS was the 283 cubic-inch (4.6L) Turbo-Fire V8, rated at 195 horsepower (gross) with a two-barrel carburetor. It was a reliable, torquey engine, but it wasn't the one that built the legend.
Stepping up, the 327 cubic-inch (5.Think about it: 4L) V8 was available in two states of tune:
- L30 (275 hp): Equipped with a four-barrel carburetor and a milder cam, this was the "civilized" performance option, offering strong mid-range torque for street driving. * L79 (350 hp): This is the engine that defines the 1967 Nova SS for purists. The L79 327 was a high-revving masterpiece. It featured a high-lift solid-lifter camshaft, high-compression (11.0:1) pistons, forged steel crankshaft, specific "double-hump" camel-back cylinder heads (casting #461 or #462), a high-rise aluminum intake manifold, and a Holley 4-barrel carburetor (List 3810). Now, it required a close-ratio Muncie M20 or M21 four-speed manual transmission (the M22 "Rock Crusher" was not officially available in the Nova for '67, though the M21 was the standard heavy-duty close-ratio box). This combination turned the 3,000-lb compact into a legitimate 14-second quarter-mile car right off the showroom floor—a staggering figure for 1967.
The Legendary L78 396 Big Block
Midway through the 1967 model year (around January 1967), Chevrolet dropped a bombshell: the L78 396 cubic-inch (6.5L) Big Block V8 rated at 375 horsepower. This was the same engine found in the Chevelle SS396 and Corvette. Installing the massive Mark IV block into the Nova’s tight engine bay required specific modifications, including a unique hood with a functional "power bulge" clearance indent (often called the "SS396 hood" or "cowl induction" style, though it was primarily for rocker arm clearance), heavy-duty front springs, a 12-bolt positraction rear axle, and a mandatory Muncie M21 close-ratio four-speed (no automatic was offered with the 396) The details matter here..
Only 620 L78-equipped Novas were built in 1967, making them exceedingly rare and highly valuable today. These cars were stripped-down racers; options like air conditioning and power steering were often deleted to save weight and clear the big block. A 1967 Nova SS 396 is widely considered the "Holy Grail" of the first-generation Novas.
Chassis, Suspension, and Braking
The SS package wasn't just about straight-line speed. In real terms, chevrolet engineers knew the compact unibody chassis needed reinforcement to handle the torque of the V8s. Which means every SS came standard with:
- Heavy-Duty Suspension: Stiffer coil springs, larger diameter front sway bar, and specific shock absorbers calibrated for the V8 weight and performance intent. Day to day, * Power Front Disc Brakes: This was a significant advantage. Even so, while many competitors still relied on four-wheel drums, the Nova SS featured standard power-assisted front disc brakes (Kelsey-Hayes four-piston calipers), providing superior stopping power and fade resistance. * Positraction Rear Axle: A limited-slip differential was optional on small-block cars but standard on the L78 396.
Short version: it depends. Long version — keep reading.
