The 1988 Chevrolet Nova, the latest model year on record, is 166.5″ long, 64.6″ wide and 52.8″ tall on a 95.7″ wheelbase, and weighs 2,231 lb. At 13.9 ft it fits a standard garage and leaves 4.1 ft spare in an 18-foot street space.
Every Chevrolet Nova generation, measured
The biggest change came in 1975: the new car was 7.5″ longer and 485 lb heavier than the 1971–1974 one.
| Generation | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–1974 | 186.2″ | 71.3″ | 52.4″ | 109.1″ | 2,877 lb |
| 1975–1979 | 193.7″ | 70.9″ | 52.8″ | 109.1″ | 3,362 lb |
| 1986–1988 | 166.1″ | 64.2″ | 52.8″ | 95.7″ | 2,163 lb |
Nova year by year
| Model year | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Curb weight | Body styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 166.5″ | 64.6″ | 95.7″ | 2 | |
| 1987 | 166.5″ | 64.2″ | 95.7″ | 2 | |
| 1986 | 166.1″ | 64.2″ | 95.7″ | 2 | |
| 1979 | 193.7″ | 70.9″ | 109.1″ | 5 | |
| 1978 | 193.7″ | 70.9″ | 109.1″ | 5 | |
| 1977 | 193.7″ | 70.9″ | 109.1″ | 3 | |
| 1976 | 193.7″ | 70.9″ | 109.1″ | 2 | |
| 1975 | 193.7″ | 70.9″ | 109.1″ | 1 | |
| 1974 | 193.7″ | 71.3″ | 109.1″ | 3 | |
| 1973 | 191.3″ | 71.3″ | 109.1″ | 3 | |
| 1972 | 186.2″ | 71.3″ | 109.1″ | 2 | |
| 1971 | 186.2″ | 71.3″ | 109.1″ | 2 |
Will a Nova fit
| Space | Typical size | This car | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single garage | 20 ft deep | 13.9 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 13.9 ft | Fits comfortably |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 5.4 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
Against cars of the same length
Among the 518 cars within 10″ of its length, the Nova is lighter than 88% and narrower than 89%.
| Measure | This car | Typical of 518 cars within 10″ of its length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 64.6″ | 68.9″ | −4.3″ |
| Wheelbase | 95.7″ | 100″ | −4.3″ |
| Curb weight | 2,231 lb | 2,928 lb | −697 lb |
Nova against its rivals
Next to the BMW M3 and Cadillac Cimarron, the Nova is the shortest and the lightest of the three.
| Model | Model year | Length | Width | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Nova (this car) | 1988 | 166.5″ | 64.6″ | 2,231 lb |
| BMW M3 | 1989 | 171.3″ | 66.1″ | 2,866 lb |
| Cadillac Cimarron | 1986 | 172.8″ | 65″ | 2,575 lb |
Specs vary by trim. Yours decodes from the VIN.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 1988 Nova bigger than the 1987?
No. The 1988 and 1987 Nova are the same size, within half an inch and 22 lb of each other.
Which Nova years share the same body?
By our measurements the body changed in 1975 and 1986. Model years inside each range, such as 1986–1988, share the same dimensions; the boundaries are estimated from changes in size.
Which is bigger, the Nova or the BMW M3?
The 1989 BMW M3 is 4.8″ longer and 635 lb heavier than the 1988 Nova.
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