1972 Nova Parts and Restoration Information

The 1972 Nova was almost identical to its predecessor and only received minor changes to the trim. The boxy design of the Novas that came before it were exchanged for a more fluid, muscular design, and the “new” Nova was an instant hit.

The factory-installed big-block Nova had its last chance in 1970 and was replaced with small-block power for 1972. Despite the changes in engine size, the popularity of the Nova Super Sport didn’t dwindle as it did the year prior. The demand for Nova Super Sports gained momentum in 1972 as a total of 12,309 were built compared to 7,015 in 1971.

Rally and Super Sport options were carried over and midway through the year a sunroof option known as the “Ventura II Folding Sunroof”  became available on the two door Chevy Nova and was installed on 6,822 Novas in 1972. The Torque Drive transmission was dropped from the list of options, and all horsepower ratings were now written as SAE net.


1972 Chevy Nova OEM Brochure


1972 Nova Model Options

 
Body Style & Model Options:
  • Coupe
  • 4-Door Sedan
 
Engine Options:
  • L22 – Turbo-Thrift 250 | 250ci | 110hp L6
  • L14 – Turbo-Fire 307 | 307ci | 130hp V8
  • L65 – Turbo-Fire 350 | 350ci | 165hp V8
  • L48 – Turbo-Fire 350 | 350ci | 200hp V8
 
Available Transmission:
  • Powerglide
  • 4-Speed Manual
  • 3-Speed
  • Turbo Hydra-Matic
 
Production Numbers:
  • Nova: 349,733
    • 2-Door Coupe: 0
    • 2-Door Convertible: 0
    • 2-Door Hatchback: 0
    • 2-Door Sedan: 260,215
    • 4-Door Sedan: 89,518
    • 4-Door Wagon: 0
    • Super Sport: 12,309
 
Dimensions & Capacities:
  • Length: 189.4 in / 15.78 ft
  • Width: 72.4 in / 6.03 ft
  • Height:
    • 2-Door Sedan: 52.5 in / 4.37 ft
    • 4-Door Sedan: 53.8 in / 4.48 ft
  • Wheelbase: 111 in / 9.25 ft

 

1972 Nova Engine Codes & Specs

Available Engine Specifications

Type

Size

Carb

RPO

Horsepower*

Torque*

Bore & Stroke (in.)

Compression Ratio

L6

250ci

1x1bbl

L22

110 hp @ 3800 RPM

185 lb-ft @ 1600 RPM

3.875 x 3.53 8.5:1

V8

307ci

1x2bbl

L14

130 hp @ 4000 RPM

230 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM

3.875 x 3.25 8.5:1

V8

350ci

1x2bbl

L65

165 hp @ 4000 RPM

280 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM

4.000 x 3.48 8.5:1

V8

350ci

1x4bbl

L48

200 hp @ 4400 RPM

300 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM

4.000 x 3.48 8.5:1

* Net horsepower and torque figures are introduced

1972 Nova 6 Cylinder Engine Codes
Code

Size / Carb

HP / RPO

Transmission

Notes

250

       
CAL

250 cid 1x1bbl

110 hp L22

3-Speed Manual

Taxi Equipment

CBA

250 cid 1x1bbl

110 hp L22

3-Speed Manual

NB2 California Emissions

CBG

250 cid 1x1bbl

110 hp L22

3-Speed Manual

CBJ

250 cid 1x1bbl

110 hp L22

Powerglide

CBK

250 cid 1x1bbl

110 hp L22

Powerglide

Taxi Equipment

CDL

250 cid 1x1bbl

110 hp L22

Powerglide

A.I.R.

CDM

250 cid 1x1bbl

110 hp L22

3-Speed Manual

A.I.R.

CSD

250 cid 1x1bbl

110 hp L22

Powerglide

NB2 California Emissions

1972 Nova 8 Cylinder Engine Codes
Code

Size / Carb

HP / RPO

Transmission

Notes

307

       
CAR

307 cid 1x2bbl

130 hp L14

Manual

NB2 California Emissions

CAY

307 cid 1x2bbl

130 hp L14

Manual

NB2 California Emissions

CAZ

307 cid 1x2bbl

130 hp L14

Powerglide

NB2 California Emissions

CKG

307 cid 1x2bbl

130 hp L14

3-Speed Manual

CMA

307 cid 1x2bbl

130 hp L14

TH350

NB2 California Emissions

CTK

307 cid 1x2bbl

130 hp L14

TH350

350

       
CDA

350 cid 1x2bbl

165 hp L65

Manual

CDD

350 cid 1x4bbl

200 hp L48

TH350

NB2 California Emissions

CDG

350 cid 1x4bbl

200 hp L48

Manual

NB2 California Emissions

CKA

350 cid 1x2bbl

165 hp L65

3-Speed Manual

CKB

350 cid 1x2bbl

165 hp L65

TH350

CKD

350 cid 1x4bbl

200 hp L48

TH350

CKH

350 cid 1x2bbl

165 hp L65

Powerglide

CKK

350 cid 1x4bbl

200 hp L48

4-Speed Manual

CMD

350 cid 1x2bbl

165 hp L65

TH350

NB2 California Emissions

CRK

350 cid 1x4bbl

200 hp L48

TH350

A.I.R.

CRL

350 cid 1x4bbl

200 hp L48

Manual

A.I.R.

CTL

350 cid 1x2bbl

165 hp L65

TH350

Click here for further engine decoding information

1972 Nova Transmission Codes

Code

Description

Engines

Assembly Plant

R3

3-Speed

L6, V8

S = Muncie

WC

4-Speed

V8

P = Muncie

RB

Powerglide

L6

C = Cleveland

RK

Powerglide

V8

C = Cleveland

SB

TH350

V8

B = Cleveland | Y = Toledo

Click here for further transmission decoding information

1972 Nova Rear Axle Codes

Code Axle Ratio

Notes

GT

3.36:1

Open

JB

2.73:1

Open

JC

3.08:1

Open

JE

3.42:1

Open

JI

3.08:1

Open

JK

3.42:1

Open

JN

2.73:1

Positraction

JQ

3.08:1

Positraction

JS

3.42:1

Positraction

JW

3.08:1

Positraction

JY

3.42:1

Positraction

PW

2.73:1

Open

PX

2.73:1

Positraction

Click here for further rear axle decoding information

1972 Nova Factory Options

Regular Production Option (RPO)

RPO Description Units
AK1 Deluxe belts & harness front 23,379
A01 Tinted Glass – all windows 181,353
A02 Tinted Glass – windshield only 869
A51 Front bucket seat – Strato type 24,607
B37 Floor mats 42,143
B84 Body side molding 130,890
B90 Door and window frame molding 44,799
B93 Door edge guards 77,429
C08 Exterior soft trim roof cover 62,411
C50 Rear window defroster 18,657
C60 Air Conditioning – deluxe 117,273
D33 Outside mirror – remote control 36,155
D55 Front compartment floor console 16,311
F40 Special heavy duty front & rear suspension 43,682
F41 Special performance front & rear suspension 3,456
G80 Rear axle – Positraction 13,767
JL2 Disc brakes front 42,974
J50 Vacuum power brake equipment 70,283
L22 L6 engine – 250 139,769
L48 V8 engine – 350 12,309
L65 V8 engine – 350 2-bbl 68,252
M11 3-speed Floor shift transmission control 29,974
M15 3-speed manual transmission 51,140
M20 4-speed manual transmission 5,840
M35 Powerglide transmission 140,912
M38 3-speed automatic transmission – TH350 151,841
NK2 Deluxe steering wheel 1,310
NK4 Sport steering wheel 11,231
N40 Power steering 300,265
PK8 E78-14/B tires – whitewall 259,013
PL3 E78-14/B tires – whitewalls – 2X2 39,833
PM2 E70-14 belted white letter 14,320
P01 Wheel trim cover 161,702
P02 Deluxe wheel trim cover 704
P06 Wheel trim ring 39,245
T60 Heavy duty battery 12,460
U17 Front compartment console instrument cluster 4,130
U35 Electric clock 15,649
U63 Radio – AM push button 301,744
U69 Radio – AM/FM push button 12,183
U76 Windshield antenna 396,206
U80 Auxiliary speaker 33,843
V01 Heavy duty radiator 12,866
V30 Front & rear bumper guards 17,881
WV1 White skyroof 1,050
WV2 Black skyroof 3,075
WV4 Blue skyroof 164
WV5 Pewter skyroof 202
WV7 Covert skyroof 1,424
WV9 Tan skyroof 353
YD1 Axle for trailering 524
YF1 Rally package 33,319
YF5 California assembly line emission test 30,261
YH8 Green skyroof 554
ZJ1 Custom interior package 48,554
ZJ2 Custom exterior package 13,136
ZJ3 Interior convenience package 53,587
ZJ5 Exterior decor package 94,432
ZJ7 Special wheel, hub cap and trim ring (Rally wheel) 54,568
ZJ9 Auxiliary lighting group 13,634
Z26 Super Sport 12,309
751 Interior trim – black vinyl 76,338
753 Interior trim – black vinyl 19,481
760 Interior trim – dark green vinyl 31,182
763 Interior trim – vinyl 56,939
764 Interior trim – vinyl 12,626
956 Color combination two-tone 6,301

1972 Nova Cowl Tag Information

1972 Nova Example Cowl Tag & Breakdown

1972 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: Year, GM Division, Model & Body, Assembly Plant, Sequence Number

Year

GM Division

Model Series

Body Code

Assembly Plant

Sequence Number

72 = 1972

1 = Chevrolet

13 = Nova, L6

27 = 2-Door Sedan

LOS = Van Nuys, CA

Starts at 100001

   

14 = Nova, V8

69 = 4-Door Sedan

NOR = Norwood, OH

 
       

WRN = Willow Run, MI

 

Line 2: Trim and Paint

Interior Trim

Seat Type

Exterior Paint (Lower/Upper)

750 = Black Cloth Bench (Standard)

A51 = Bucket Seats

11 = Antique White

751 = Black Vinyl Bench or Buckets (Standard)

A52 = Bench Seat

14 = Pewter Silver

752 = Black Cloth Bench (Custom)

 

24 = Ascot Blue

753 = Black Vinyl Bench or Buckets (Custom)

 

26 = Mulsanne Blue

754 = Black Vinyl Buckets

 

36 = Spring Green

756 = Dark Blue Cloth Bench (Standard)

 

43 = Gulf Green

757 = Dark Blue Vinyl Bench (Custom)

 

48 = Sequoia Green

759 = Dark Green Cloth Bench (Standard)

 

50 = Covert Tan

760 = Dark Green Vinyl Bench (Standard)

 

53 = Placer Gold

761 = Dark Green Cloth Bench (Custom)

 

56 = Cream Yellow

763 = Light Covert Vinyl Bench (Standard)

 

57 = Golden Brown

764 = Light Covert Vinyl Bench (Custom)

 

63 = Mohave Gold

765 = Light Covert Cloth Bench (Standard)

 

65 = Orange Flame

766 = Medium Tan Vinyl Buckets

 

68 = Midnight Bronze

767 = White Vinyl Buckets

 

75 = Cranberry Red

   

A = White Vinyl Roof

   

B = Black Vinyl Roof

   

D = Medium Blue Vinyl Roof

   

G = Medium Green Vinyl Roof

   

T = Light Covert Tan Vinyl Roof

Line 3: Build Month and Week

Month

Week

01 = January

A = First Week

02 = February

B = Second Week

03 = March

C = Third Week

04 = April

D = Fourth Week

05 = May

E = Fifth Week

06 = June

 

07 = July

 

08 = August

 

09 = September

 

10 = October

 

11 = November

 

12 = December

 

Disclaimer
The numbers have been compiled from many sources to make these pages as correct as possible. There is no guarantee that the numbers are complete or accurate, therefore, we cannot accept any liability or responsibility for damages incurred from the use of this information.

Additional 1972 Nova Links:

 

Customer Cars

1972 Nova


Shop For 1972 Nova Parts


Request Nova Catalog


1972 Nova Resources

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