The '68 Nova was completely restyled and shared many of the same mechanics and powertrain as the Camaro.
1968 Chevrolet Nova
The Nova was completely restyled for 1968 and also dropped the Chevy II name. Redesigned on a new 111-inch wheelbase chassis, and offered in just 2 and 4 coupes and sedans as the station wagon and two door hardtop were discontinued. The new 1968 Nova was redesigned alongside the Chevrolet Camaro and shared many of the mechanics and powertrains. For '68 the Nova offered much more power with a 350 V8 with 295 hp and the mighty Chevrolet 396 V8 big block. The powerhouse 375 hp 396 was capable of running a 13.85 second 1/4 mile at 104 mph. The 396 V8 with 375 hp had an 11:1 compression ratio, a big Holley four-barrel carb on an aluminum intake manifold, free-breathing heads, and solid lifters. Few muscle cars could match the light weight Nova when packed with the power plant 396. The SS package added SS badges, a black-accented grille and tail and simulated hood air intakes. The SS was listed as an option package from 1968 on, instead of a separate trim level like before.
1968 Chevrolet Nova Specifications
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Chevy II Nova Series 11 - Four-Cyl
11
69
4 Dr Sedan
$2,229
2,790 lbs
1,270
11
27
2 Dr Coupe
$2,199
2,760 lbs
Chevy II Nova Series 13 - Six-Cyl
13
69
4 Dr Sedan
$2,291
2,890 lbs
146,300
13
27
2 Dr Coupe
$2,261
2,860 lbs
Chevy II Nova Series 14 - V-8
14
69
4 Dr Sedan
$2,396
Not Available
53,400
14
27
2 Dr Coupe
$2,367
Not Available
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Width
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
Chevy II Nova
111 in
190 in
73 in
59 in
58.9 in
7.35 x 14
VIN Numbers
Serial Numbers were stamped on a plate on the left front door hinge
pillar (center pillar on Corvair). The Fisher Body number plate on the
right-hand side of the cowl gives additional information such as the body
style number, the production sequence number, the trim (upholstery) number
code and the paint number code. Also the serial number was on the top
of the dash, left side, visible thru windshield.
First Symbol - Manufacturer
1 = Chevrolet
Second & Third Symbol - Series
01 = Corvair 500 six-cylinder
33 = Chevelle 300 Deluxe/Std. El Camino/Custom Nomad six-cylinder
05 = Corvair Monza six-cylinder
34 = Chevelle 300 Deluxe/Std. El Camino/Custom Nomad V-8
07 = Corvair Corsa six-cylinder
35 = Chevelle Malibu/Custom El Camino six-cylinder
11 = Chevy II four-cylinder
36 = Chevelle Malibu/Custom El Camino V-8
R12 = Corvir Forward Control six-cylinder
37 = Chevelle Concours six-cylinder
13 = Chevy II Nova six-cylinder
38 = Chevelle Concours/Super Sport/El Camino SS V-8
14 = Chevy II Nova V-8
53 = Biscayne six-cylinder
15 = Chevy II Nova exc. Super Sport six-cylinder
54 = Biscayne V-8
16 = Chevy II Nova exc. Super Sport V-8
55 = Bel Air six cylinder
17 = Chevy II Nova Super Sport
56 = Bel Air V-8
18 = Chevy II Nova Super Sport
63 = Impala six-cylinder
23 = Camaro six-cylinder
64 = Impala V-8
24 = Camaro V-8
66 = Caprice
25 = Deluxe Camaro
67 = Impala Super Sport six-cylinder
26 = Deluxe Camaro
68 = Impala Super Sport V-8
31 = Chevelle 300/Std. Nomad six-cylinder
94 = Corvette
32 = Chevelle 300/Std. Nomad V-8
Fourth & Fifth Symbol
- Body Style
11 = two-door sedan
39 = four-door hardtop or sport sedan
15 = two-door station wagon 6p
45 = four-door station wagon 9p
17 = two-door hardtop
47 = two-door hardtop
27 = two-door sedan
67 = convertible
35 = four-door station wagon 6p
69 = four-door sedan
37 = two-door hardtop or sport coupe
87 = two-door hardtop
Sixth Symbol - Last Digit Of The Model Year
8 = 1968
Seventh Symbol - Assembly Plant
(A) Atlanta, Georgia
(P) Pontiac, Michigan
(B) Baltimore, Maryland
(R) Arlington, Texas
(C) Southgate, California
(S) St. Louis, Missouri
(D) Doraville, Wisconsin
(T) Tarrytown, New York
(F) Flint, Michigan
(U) Lordstown, Ohio
(G) Framingham, Massachusetts
(W) Willow Run, Michigan
(J) Janesville, Wisconsin
(Y) Wilmington, Delaware
(K) Kansas City, Missouri
(Z) Fremont, California
(L) Los Angeles, California
(1) Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
(N) Norwood, Ohio
(2) St. Therese, Quebec, Canada
Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence
Started at 100001
1968 Chevrolet Nova Engine Options
Location Of Engine Code: 6-Cyl-- Stamped on a pad behind the distributor on right side of block. 8-Cyl-- Stamped on the block in front of the right hand cylinder head.
Letter Code
Engine
Horsepower
Torque
Transmission
Carburetor
BA
6-230
140
220
3-Speed Manual
1 BC
BB
6-230
140
220
3-Speed Manual
1 BC
BC
6-230
140
220
3-Speed Manual
1 BC
BD
6-230
140
220
3-Speed Manual
1 BC
BF
6-230
140
220
Powerglide
1 BC
BH
6-230
140
220
Powerglide
1 BC
CM
6-250
155
235
3-Speed Manual
1 BC
CN
6-250
155
235
3-Speed Manual
1 BC
CQ
6-250
155
235
Powerglide
1 BC
CR
6-250
155
235
Powerglide
1 BC
MB
8-307
200
300
3-Speed Manual
2 BC
MC
8-307
200
300
4-Speed Manual
2 BC
MD
8-307
200
300
Powerglide
2 BC
MK
8-327 *
275
355
3 & 4-Speed Manual
4 BC
ML
8-327 *
275
355
3 & 4-Speed Manual
4 BC
MM
8-327 *
275
355
Powerglide
4 BC
MN
8-350
295
380
Powerglide
4 BC
MQ
8-396 #
375
415
3 & 4-Speed Manual
4 BC
MR
8-396 *
350
415
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
4 BC
MS
8-350
295
380
3 & 4-Speed Manual
4 BC
MU
8-350
295
380
Powerglide
4 BC
MX
8-396 *
350
415
3 & 4-Speed Manual
4 BC
Notes:
# Special High Performance
* High Perfomance
1968 Chevrolet Nova Options
Description
Description
All Season Air Conditioning
Power Disc Brakes
Rear Positraction Rear Axle
Power Steering
Console w/ Floor Mounted Shifter
Vinyl Roof
Electric Clock
Sport-Styled Steering Wheel
Heavy-Duty Clutch
Stereo Tape System
250-cid/155-hp 6-Cyl
Powerglide Transmission
327-cid/275-hp V-8
3-Speed Manual Transmission
327-cid/325-hp V-8
4-Speed Manual Transmission (close-ratio)
350-cid/295-hp V-8
4-Speed Manual Transmission (wide-ratio)
396-cid/350-hp V-8
Simulated Wire Wheel Covers
396-cid/375-hp V-8
Mag-Style Wheel Covers
Dual Exhaust
Mag-Spoke Wheel Covers
Tinted Windows (all glass)
Custom Exterior Group
Tinted Windshield
Exterior Decor Package
Special Instrumentation
Nova SS Option
Left-Hand Outside Remote Control Mirror
Special Interior Package
Power Drum Brakes
Transmission Codes
Transmission
Location
Powerglide (Corvair)
On top of the case in the rear at 11 o'clock.
Powerglide Passenger (exc. Corvair)
Immediately behind right hand machining lug with the bottom of the
sticker parallel to mold flash.
Powerglide
All models stamped on the right side of transmission oil pan.
Turbo Hydra-Matic
Right hand vertical surface of transmission case
3-Speed
Corvair and fully synchronized Passenger (exc. Warner Gear) transmissions
stamped on square boss on left side below and rear of cover
4-Speed
Passenger models (exc. Corvair) stamped on right side of case ahead
of the extension.
4-Speed (Corvair)
Stamped on boss on lower left side of case just below side cover.
Plant and Type Designation Prefix
Plant
Transmission Type
N
Muncie
4-Speed
W
Warner Gear
3 and 4-Speed
P
Muncie
4-Speed
R
Saginaw
4-Speed
S
Saginaw
3-Speed
M
Muncie
3-Speed, Overdrive*
C
Cleveland
Powerglide
T
Toledo
Powerglide
CA
Hydra-Matic
3-Speed, Automatic Turbo Hydra-Matic
D
Saginaw
Overdrive
K
McKinnon
3-Speed
E
McKinnon
Powerglide
O
Saginaw
Overdrive
X
Cleveland
Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
B
Cleveland
Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
Y
Toledo
Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
A
Cleveland
2-Speed, Manual Powerglide
*Overdrive distinguished from 3-Speed by physical appearance only. The
above transmissions (exc. Warner Gear) will carry a production code number
such as: C1116N (C = Cleveland Powerglide, 11 = November, 16 = 16th, N
= Night Shift). The Warner Gear transmissions will carry a production
code number such as: WG1031 (W = Warner Gear 4-Spd., G = July, 10 = 10th,
7 = 1967, 1 = First Shift).
Axle Codes
Location Of Axle Codes: Stamped on differential carrier (along with date of manufacture) or on the axle tube near carrier.
Codes - Non-Locking
Codes - Locking
Ratio
Inspection Cover
BA, PB
BB, PC
2.56
10 Bolt
BC
BD
3.36
10 Bolt
BI, BP
BQ, PX
2.73
12 Bolt
BL
BR
3.07
12 Bolt
BM
BS
3.31
12 Bolt
BN, PK, PL
BT, PH
3.55
12 Bolt
BO
BU
3.73
12 Bolt
BV
4.10
12 Bolt
BW
4.56
12 Bolt
BX
4.88
12 Bolt
PA
PE
3.08
10 Bolt
Manufacturer Identity
B - Buick
C - Chevrolet Buffalo
O - Oldsmobile
K - GM of Canada, St. Catharines
P - Pontiac
M - GM of Canada
G - Chevrolet Gear & Axle
Paint Codes - Exterior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
A - Tuxedo Black
Lucite® Code - 88L
Dulux® Code - 93-005
L - Teal Blue (metallic)
Lucite® Code - 4893L
Dulux® Code - 4893D
C - Ermine White
Lucite® Code - 4024L
Dulux® Code - 93-37774
NOTES: The first letter of a two-letter paint code identifies the body
color. The second letter identifies the roof color. (For example,
the combination RA on a Chevrolet would indicate the body finished
in Matador Red and the roof area in Tuxedo Black.) General Motors
paint code plate for all models except Corvair and Corvette is located
under the hood at the top of the firewall on the left or right of
the upper shroud. Corvair paint code plate is on the left cross-rail
in the engine compartment. Corvette paint code plate is on the instrument
panel brace, below the glove compartment.
Paint Codes - Interior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Medium Gold (metallic) (semi-gloss)
Lucite® Code - 9478L
Medium Gray/Green (metallic) (semi-gloss)
Lucite® Code - 9483L
NOTE: Unpolished LUCITE® will generally produce a gloss comparable
to original interior semi-gloss finishes. If lower gloss is required,
use 1/2 oz. DuPont #4528 flattening compound to a pint of unreduced
color.
Note: Information, Specifications, Resources & Photos found in the Research Library should only be used as general guidelines. OldRide LLC makes no warranty as to the authenticity and accuracy of the information contained hereon.
