1966 Nova Parts and Restoration Information

In 1966 Chevrolet introduced the 2nd generation of the Nova. The 2nd generation Chevy Nova was restyled more towards the Super Sports appeal.

The Super Sport was still only available as a sports coupe and was offered by Chevrolet as the top-of-the-line model. The 194 cubic inch engine was standard in the base models, but any engine could be added in as an extra option. Visually the 1966 Nova sported wide rocker panels and a bright aluminum deck lid cover.

Two new versions of the 327 cubic inch engine were also offered and provided increased power between 275 horsepower and 350 horsepower. The new Nova Super Sport was available with the “eco-friendly” six cylinders, but clearly, the hot dealer option was the L79 version of the 327. Rated at 350 horsepower the motor featured, forged high-compression pistons, a performance-profile camshaft, big-valve heads, and an aluminum intake mounting four-barrel Holley carburetor.

Chrome engine accents finished off the L79 package, including the valve covers, oil filler and cap, and the unique dual opposing-snorkel air cleaner. From the factory, the L79 was rated for a 15-second quarter at about 95 mph, but with the right tune set up could turn 13-seconds with ease.

Out of the 172,485 Chevy II’s sold during 1966, the Nova Super Sport accounted for 20,986 units, and out of the 20,986 Nova Super Sports, only 3,547 Super Sport Novas were equipped with the L79 option from the factory.

1966 Chevy 2 Nova OEM Brochure

1966 Nova Model Options:


Body Style & Model Options:

  • 4-Door Wagon
  • Hardtop Coupe
  • 4-Door Sedan
  • Super Sport


Engine Options:

  • Super-Thrift 153 | 153ci | 90hp I4
  • Hi-Thrift 194 | 194ci | 120hp L6
  • L26 – Turbo-Thrift 230 | 230ci | 140hp L6
  • L32 – Turbo-Thrift 283 | 283ci | 195hp V8
  • L77 – Turbo-Thrift 283 | 283ci | 220hp V8
  • L30 – Turbo-Thrift 327 | 327ci | 275hp V8
  • L79 – Turbo-Thrift 327 | 327ci | 350hp V8


Available Transmissions:

  • Powerglide
  • 4-Speed Manual
  • 3-Speed Manual


Production Numbers:

  • Chevy II/ Nova: 172,485
    • 2-Door Coupe: N/A
    • 2-Door Convertible: N/A
    • 2-Door Sedan: N/A
    • 4-Door Sedan: N/A
    • 4-Door Wagon: 51,585
    • Super Sport’s: 20,986


Dimensions & Capacities:

  • Length:
    • 2 & 4-Door Sedan: 183.0 in / 15.25 ft
    • 2-Door Coupe & Super Sport: 183.0 in / 15.25 ft
    • Wagon: 187.4 in / 15.61 ft
  • Width: 71.3 in / 5.91 ft
  • Height:
    • 2 & 4-Door Sedan: 55 in / 4.58 ft
    • 2-Door Coupe: 52.8 in / 4.4 ft
    • 2-Door Super Sport: 53.8 in / 4.48 ft
    • Wagon: 55 in / 4.58 ft
  • Wheelbase: 110 in / 9.16 ft

 

1966 Chevy 2 Nova Accessories

1966 Nova Engine Codes & Specs

Available Engine Specifications

Type

Size

Carb

RPO

Horsepower

Torque

Bore & Stroke (in)

Compression Ratio

L4

153ci

1x1bbl

-

90 hp @ 4000 RPM

152 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM

3.875 x 3.25

8.5:1

L6

194ci

1x1bbl

-

120 hp @ 4400 RPM

177 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM

3.563 x 3.25

8.5:1

L6

230ci

1x1bbl

L26

140 hp @ 4400 RPM

220 lb-ft @ 1600 RPM

3.875 x 3.25

8.5:1

V8

283ci

1x2bbl

L32

195 hp @ 4800 RPM

285 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM

3.875 x 3.00

9.25:1

V8

283ci

1x4bbl

L77

220 hp @ 4800 RPM

295 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM

3.875 x 3.00

9.25:1

V8

327ci

1x4bbl

L30

275 hp @ 4800 RPM

355 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM

4.001 x 3.25

10.5:1

V8

327ci

1x4bbl

L79

350 hp @ 5800 RPM

360 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM

4.001 x 3.25

10.5.1

1966 Chevy 2 Nova - 4 Cylinder Engine Codes
Code

Size / Carb

HP / RPO

Transmission

Notes

153

OA

153 cid 1x1bbl

90 hp

3-Speed Manual

-

OC

153 cid 1x1bbl

90 hp

3-Speed Manual

Heavy Duty Clutch

OG

153 cid 1x1bbl

90 hp

-

-

OH

153 cid 1x1bbl

90 hp

Powerglide

-

OJ

153 cid 1x1bbl

90 hp

-

-

1966 Chevy 2 Nova - 6 Cylinder Engine Codes
Code

Size / Carb

HP / RPO

Transmission

Notes

194

OK

194 cid 1x1bbl

120 hp

3-Speed Manual

-

OM

194 cid 1x1bbl

120 hp

3-Speed Manual

Heavy Duty Clutch

ON

194 cid 1x1bbl

120 hp

3-Speed Manual

Heavy Duty Clutch

OQ

194 cid 1x1bbl

120 hp

-

-

OR

194 cid 1x1bbl

120 hp

Powerglide

-

OS

194 cid 1x1bbl

120 hp

Powerglide

A.I.R. & Taxi Equipment

OT

194 cid 1x1bbl

120 hp

-

-

ZV

194 cid 1x1bbl

120 hp

-

-

ZW

194 cid 1x1bbl

120 hp

-

-

ZX

194 cid 1x1bbl

120 hp

Powerglide

A.I.R.

ZY

194 cid 1x1bbl

120 hp

3-Speed Manual

A.I.R.

230

PC

230 cid 1x1bbl

140 hp L26

3-Speed Manual

A.I.R.

PI

230 cid 1x1bbl

140 hp L26

Powerglide

A.I.R.

PV

230 cid 1x1bbl

140 hp L26

3-Speed Manual

-

PX

230 cid 1x1bbl

140 hp L26

Powerglide

-

1966 Chevy 2 Nova - 8 Cylinder Engine Codes
Code

Size / Carb

HP / RPO

Transmission

Notes

283

PB

283 cid 1x4bbl

220 hp L77

Powerglide

Air Conditioning

PD

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

3-Speed Manual

-

PE

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

3-Speed Manual

A.I.R.

PF

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

3-Speed Manual

Air Conditioning

PG

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

3-Speed Manual

Air Conditioning & A.I.R.

PK

283 cid 1x4bbl

220 hp L77

Powerglide

-

PL

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

4-Speed Manual

-

PM

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

4-Speed Manual

Air Conditioning

PN

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

Powerglide

-

PP

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

Powerglide

Air Conditioning

PQ

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

4-Speed Manual

A.I.R.

PS

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

4-Speed Manual

Air Conditioning & A.I.R.

PO

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

Powerglide

Air Conditioning & A.I.R.

PU

283 cid 1x2bbl

195 hp L32

Powerglide

A.I.R.

QA

283 cid 1x4bbl

220 hp L77

Manual

-

QB

283 cid 1x4bbl

220 hp L77

Manual

Air Conditioning

QC

283 cid 1x4bbl

220 hp L77

Manual

A.I.R.

QD

283 cid 1x4bbl

220 hp L77

Powerglide

A.I.R.

QE

283 cid 1x4bbl

220 hp L77

Powerglide

Air Conditioning & A.I.R.

QF

283 cid 1x4bbl

220 hp L77

Manual

Air Conditioning & A.I.R.

327

ZA

327 cid 1x4bbl

275 hp L30

Manual

-

ZB

327 cid 1x4bbl

275 hp L30

Manual

A.I.R.

ZC

327 cid 1x4bbl

275 hp L30

Manual

Air Conditioning & A.I.R.

ZD

327 cid 1x4bbl

275 hp L30

Powerglide

A.I.R.

ZE

327 cid 1x4bbl

275 hp L30

Manual

Air Conditioning

ZF

327 cid 1x4bbl

275 hp L30

Powerglide

Air Conditioning

ZG

327 cid 1x4bbl

350 hp L79

Manual

A.I.R. - Special High Performance

ZH

327 cid 1x4bbl

350 hp L79

Manual

Air Conditioning & A.I.R. SHP

ZI

327 cid 1x4bbl

350 hp L79

Manual

Special High Performance

ZJ

327 cid 1x4bbl

350 hp L79

Manual

Air Conditioning, Special High Performance

ZK

327 cid 1x4bbl

275 hp L30

Powerglide

-

ZM

327 cid 1x4bbl

275 hp L30

Powerglide

Air Conditioning

1966 Nova Rear Axle Codes

Code

Axle Ratio

Notes

BA

3.08:1

Open, 10-bolt

BC

3.36:1

Open, 10-bolt

BE

3.08:1

Positraction, 10-bolt

BF

3.36:1

Positraction, 10-bolt

BG

3.55:1

Positraction, 10-bolt

BH

3.55:1

Open

BJ

3.08:1

Open, 10-bolt, (Metallic Brakes)

BK

3.08:1

Positraction, 10-bolt, (Metallic Brakes)

BL

3.36:1

Open, 10-bolt, (Metallic Brakes)

BM

3.36:1

Positraction, 10-bolt, (Metallic Brakes)

BN

3.55:1

Open, 10-bolt, (Metallic Brakes)

BO

3.55:1

Positraction, (Metallic Brakes)

BQ

3.31:1

Open, 12-bolt, (327 Special High Performance)

BR

3.07:1

Positraction, 12-bolt

BS

3.31:1

Positraction, 12-bolt

BT

3.07:1

Open, 12-bolt, (Metallic Brakes)

BU

3.07:1

Positraction, 12-bolt, (Metallic Brakes)

BV

3.31:1

Open, 12-bolt, (Metallic Brakes)

BW

3.31:1

Positraction, 12-bolt, (Metallic Brakes)

FI

3.55:1

Open, 12-bolt, (Close Ratio 4 Speed)

FJ

3.55:1

Open, 12-bolt, (Metallic Brakes)

FK

3.55:1

Positraction, 12-bolt, (Metallic Brakes)

FL

3.55:1

Positraction, 12-bolt

FM

3.73:1

Open

FN

3.73:1

Open, (Metallic Brakes)

FO

3.73:1

Positraction, (Metallic Brakes)

FP

3.73:1

Positraction

FQ

3.07:1

Open, 12-bolt, (327 Special High Performance)

1966 Nova Factory Options

Regular Production Option (RPO)

RPO #OptionUnits
A01Tinted Glass – All Windows11,536
A02Tinted Glass – Windshield59,905
A20 Seat Belts – Custom144
A33Tail Gate Window – Electric Control5,820
A37Seat Belt29,357
A49Seat Belts – Custom Deluxe w/ Retractors21,409
A66Divided Second Seat35
B02Taxicab Equipment156
B70Instrument Panel Pad49,033
C14Two-Speed Windshield Wiper & Washer1,087
C48Less Heater Equipment5,860
C60Air Conditioning – Cool Pack7,056
D10Arm Rest Equipment1,131
F40Special Front & Rear Suspension Equip5,363
G76Rear Axle – 3.36 Ratio1,610
G80Rear Axle – Positraction7,786
G96Rear Axle – 3.55 Ratio395
J50Power Brakes4,508
J65Metallic Brake Facing332
K02Fan Drive Equipment75
K24Closed Engine Positive Ventilation16,991
K77A/C Generator – 55 Amp122
K79A/C Generator – 42 Amp720
K81A/C Generator – 62 Amp101
L32Engine – V8 28325,083
L61Engine – L6 230 – Hi Performance13,090
M01Heavy Duty Clutch1,135
M20Four Speed Transmission3,566
M35Powerglide Transmission121,263
N40Power Steering23,151
P01Wheel Trim Cover54,731
P02Simulated Wire Wheel Trim Cover2,444
P506.013-4 Pr Tires – Whitewall4,154
P536.513-4 Pr Tires – Whitewall49,896
P547.013-4 Pr Tires-Whitewall1,258
P676.514-4 Pr Tires – Whitewall34,666
T60Heavy Duty Battery4,344
U60Radio – Manual28,604
U63Radio-Push-Button50,433
V01Heavy Duty Radiator7,511
V20Front Grille Guard Equipment5,413
V32Rear Bumper Guard Equipment3,867
V55Luggage Carrier Equipment5,351
Z01Comfort & Convenience Equipment77,839
Z02Push Button Radio & Auxiliary Speaker4,429
Z13Comfort & Convenience Equip – Type “B”2,432

1966 Nova Cowl Tag Information

1966 Nova Example Cowl Tag & Breakdown
1966 Nova

The Cowl Trim Tag, located on the cowl area identifies significant information about your car. 

Click here for further cowl tag decoding information

Line 1: Build Month and Week, Interior Sheetmetal Color

Month

Week

Sheetmetal Color

01 = January

A = First Week

B = Blue

02 = February

B = Second Week

D = Red

03 = March

C = Third Week

E = Black

04 = April

D = Fourth Week

F = Fawn

05 = May

E = Fifth Week

R = Bright Blue

06 = June

T = Turquoise

07 = July

08 = August

09 = September

10 = October

11 = November

12 = December

Line 2: Year, GM Division, Model & Body, Assembly Plant, Sequence Number

Year

GM Division

Model Series

Body Code

Assembly Plant

Sequence Number

66 = 1966

1 = Chevrolet

11 = Chevy II 100, L4

11 = 2-Door Sedan

NOR = Norwood, OH

Starts at 100001

13 = Chevy II 100, L6

35 = 4-Door Wagon

OSH = Oshawa, ON, Canada

14 = Chevy II 100, V8

37 = 2-Door Coupe

WRN = Willow Run, MI

15 = Chevy II 400, Nova, L6

69 = 4-Door Sedan

16 = Chevy II 400, Nova, V8

17 = Chevy II Nova SS, L6

18 = Chevy II Nova SS, V8

Line 3: Trim and Paint

Interior Trim

Exterior Paint (Lower/Upper)

714 = Medium Fawn Standard

A = Tuxedo Black

715 = Medium Fawn Deluxe

C = Ermine White

716 = Light Fawn Standard

D = Mist Blue

717 = Light Fawn Deluxe

E = Danube Blue

718 = Light Fawn Buckets

F = Marina Blue

733 = Blue Standard

H = Willow Green

734 = Blue Deluxe

K = Artesian Turquoise

735 = Blue Standard

L = Tropic Turquoise

736 = Blue Deluxe

M = Aztec Bronze

737 = Blue Buckets

N = Madeira Maroon

752 = Red Standard

R = Regal Red

753 = Red Deluxe

T = Sandalwood Tan

754 = Red Standard

V = Cameo Beige

755 = Red Deluxe

W = Chateau Slate

756 = Red Buckets

Y = Lemonwood Yellow

765 = Black Buckets

1 = Parchment Vinyl Roof

779 = Turquoise Standard

2 = Black Vinyl Roof

780 = Turquoise Deluxe

781 = Turquoise Buckets

Line 4: Selected Options

1st Group

2nd Group

3rd Group

4th Group

5th Group

E = A01 Tinted Glass (all)

H = C48 Heater Delete

B = C50 Rear Window Defogger

F = Z01/Z13 Comfort and Convenience Package

L = Seat Belts

G = A33 Power Tailgate (wagon)

K = C60 Air Conditioning

C = B70 Padded Dash

O = Exterior Chrome Passenger Mirror

W = A02 Tinted Windshield

L = 4-Speed Transmission

D = Special Lighting Group

W = Passenger Side Exterior Mirror

M = M35 Powerglide Transmission

Z = J65 Metallic Brakes

Y = A49 Deluxe Seat Belts

P = U63 Push Button Radio

Z = Shoulder Belts

R = U80 Rear Seat Speaker

S = U73 Rear Antenna

Additional 1966 Nova Links:

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