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, 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. Small moves inside a generation are facelifts; the jumps are new platforms.
| 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. A single-car garage in the US is typically 20 feet deep; a street parking space is about 18. 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. Lighter than typical for its size generally means better fuel economy and shorter stopping distances.
Specs vary by trim. Yours decodes from the VIN.
- Exact build, engine and factory options for one VIN
- The original window sticker as it left the factory
- What that specific configuration is worth today
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
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.
One row per generation, not per model year: manufacturers rarely change the body between facelifts, and a table of forty near-identical rows helps nobody. Where a generation offered several body styles, the figures are the base measurements for that generation.
Related tools
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.