![]() ![]() Nova sales were good, but not like the Chevette or Cavalier. The combo sounded weird buy worked in this case. Dash consoles/control centers were an odd blend of 80’s Japanese ergonomics and big button GM components. Regardless of what model you chose, all Nova came with cloth bucket seats. ![]() Many were as expensive as the slightly larger Cavalier. Traditional Chevy buyers were not quick to bite at first because at around $8,000, the Nova was more expensive than the Corolla (older car buyers’ still saw value in the Chevrolet brand during the 80’s). Oddly, the potentially sportiest looking version, the 5-door hatchback only came in base and CL versions. ![]() Later three models (base, CL and Twin-Cam) with anywhere from four to six options groups depending on model. With only two models seven option groups, ordering a Nova was simple if not a bit pricey. Thanks to either tariff fees or a general disconnect from the rest of GM, Nova’s were not optioned and priced like most Chevrolet. As if it did not know how to market the car, Nova ads mentioned the old Nova of the 70’s but did not emphasize its performance (or lack of refinement). The Nova (and the Sprint) represented a new breed of small Japanese front wheel drive car that was slowly sweeping the Big Three’s market share away. Chevy dealers already were selling the smaller Sprint and homegrown Chevette and Cavalier. A five door hatchback was introduced with the national roll out in 1985. The carburetted engine was managed by a five speed manual or choice between 3 and 4 speed automatic transmissions. There was one model initially, a four door sedan with a 74 hp 1.6 L four-cylinder engine. The Nova would eventually replace it and be sold nationwide before changing its name to Prizm in GM new captive import division called GEO in 1989. A similar type of car built by Suzuki called the Sprint was being sold in other parts of the country. Chevrolet oddly sold the new Nova in the Midwestern United States first as if to test the waters for a small Japanese-like car with an iconic name attached to it. Eventually the factory would produce the GEO Prizm for GM. The Freemont, California factory would churn out Corollas and Chevrolet badged clones called Nova on the storied AE82 platform. The solution came in the form of collaboration with Toyota called NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc). GM tried its best to compete with its new J cars, but they were not quite what many Americans (people on the coasts) really had in mind. The smaller car market which the old Nova represented was changing rapidly. ![]()
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