The current Chevrolet Nova is 166.1″ long, 64.2″ wide, on a 95.7″ wheelbase, weighing 2,163 lb. At 13.8 feet it fits a standard garage and fits a street parking space.
Every Chevrolet Nova generation, measured
One row per generation. Watch the weight column — that is where most of the change happens for the Chevrolet Nova, -714 lb of it since 1971, and it is the number that decides fuel use, tyre wear and how far the car takes to stop.
| Generation | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–1972 | 186.2″ | 71.3″ | 52.4″ | 109.1″ | 2,877 lb |
| 1973–1979 | 191.3″ | 71.3″ | 51.6″ | 109.1″ | 3,016 lb |
| 1986–1988 | 166.1″ | 64.2″ | 52.8″ | 95.7″ | 2,163 lb |
Nova year by year
Measured every model year, not just at generation changes — 12 years on record for the Chevrolet Nova. Small moves inside a generation are facelifts; the jumps are the 3 new platforms below.
| 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
The practical question behind every dimensions search, and for a 13.8-foot Chevrolet Nova it has a straight answer. A single-car garage in the US is typically 20 feet deep and a street parking space about 18, so the Nova clears the garage by 5.2 ft. We allow a foot of clearance in both — nobody parks to the millimetre.
| Space | Typical size | This car | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single garage | 20 ft deep | 13.8 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 13.8 ft | Fits comfortably |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 5.3 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
Against cars of the same length
Compared with 485 vehicles within ten inches of the same length — a fair proxy for «cars of this size», regardless of what the marketing calls them.
| Measure | This car | Typical car of this length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 64.2″ | 68.5″ | -4.3″ |
| Wheelbase | 95.7″ | 99.6″ | -3.9″ |
| Curb weight | 2,163 lb | 2,859 lb | -696 lb |
A longer wheelbase for the same overall length means shorter overhangs — usually more cabin space and a steadier ride. At 2,163 lb the Chevrolet Nova is 697 lb lighter than typical for its size, which generally shows up as fuel economy and stopping distance.
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How we measure
Dimensions come from NHTSA vPIC and Transport Canada vehicle records — manufacturer-declared figures, held in metric and converted to inches and pounds for display, 12 measured model years for the Chevrolet Nova between 1971 and 1988.
One row per generation, not per model year: manufacturers rarely change the body between facelifts, and the Chevrolet Nova fits into 3 rows instead of 12. Where a generation offered several body styles, the figures are the base measurements for that generation of the Chevrolet Nova.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Chevrolet Nova?
166.1″ (13′ 10″) in its current generation, 64.2″ wide and 52.8″ tall.
How much does a Chevrolet Nova weigh?
2,163 lb at the kerb.
Will a Nova fit in a garage?
At 13.8 feet it fits a standard 20-foot single garage with room to spare. A street parking space of 18 feet is comfortable.
Has the Nova got bigger over the years?
Not materially, by the generations we hold.
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