You’re at a red light. To your left, a big-block Chevelle is rumbling, shaking the pavement with 396 cubic inches of aggressive posturing. You’re sitting in a 67 Nova Super Sport. It’s smaller. It’s narrower. It looks like something a grocery clerk might drive if he had a taste for bucket seats. Then the light turns green.
By the time that Chevelle hooks up its heavy rear end, you’re two car lengths ahead.
That was the magic of the 1967 Chevy II Nova SS. It wasn't just a "compact" car with a trim package. It was a giant-killer. Honestly, it remains one of the most misunderstood muscle cars of the era because most people think muscle has to be massive. The 67 Nova Super Sport proved that power-to-weight ratio is the only math that actually matters on the street.
The Secret of the 118 VIN
If you are looking at one of these cars today, you've gotta check the pillar. People clone these things constantly. Back in '67, Chevrolet made it easy to spot a real-deal SS because they gave it a unique model identification in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Look for the "118" prefix.
The first digit (1) is Chevrolet. The second and third (18) designate the Nova SS V8 series. If you see "117," you’re looking at a Super Sport that originally came with a six-cylinder. Yep, you could actually get a "Super Sport" with a 194 or 250 cubic inch straight-six. Kind of takes the "sport" out of it, right? But the collectors want those 118 cars.
They only built about 10,069 Super Sports in 1967. Compared to the massive production numbers of the Camaro or the Impala, that’s a drop in the bucket. It makes finding a clean, unmolested 67 Nova Super Sport a bit of a nightmare in 2026.
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What Really Happened to the L79?
This is the part where most "experts" start arguing. In 1966, the Nova SS was a beast because of the L79 engine option—a 327 cubic inch small block pushing 350 horsepower. It was legendary.
Then came 1967.
Chevrolet was launching the Camaro. They didn't want their economy-car-turned-hot-rod stealing sales from the brand-new pony car. So, they basically scrubbed the L79 from the official 1967 brochures. For a long time, people thought the L79 Nova was a one-year-only deal.
The truth? A handful of 1967 Novas actually left the factory with the L79. We're talking maybe 6 or 7 cars—some sources like HowStuffWorks and old Super Chevy archives suggest a tiny production run before the plug was officially pulled. Most 1967 SS buyers had to "settle" for the L30 327, which produced 275 horsepower.
Don't let that number fool you. 275 hp in a car that weighs less than 3,000 pounds is still a riot. It's punchy. It's reliable. And unlike the big-block cars, a 67 Nova Super Sport actually knows how to turn a corner without the front tires screaming in agony.
Subtle Styling, Serious Speed
Visually, the '67 was the refined sibling of the '66. The grille got a makeover, losing the vertical bars for a cleaner cross-hatch look. The "Chevy II SS" badges were replaced by "Nova SS" emblems. It was a transition year—the last of the small, boxy, sharp-edged Novas before the 1968 redesign turned it into a mini-Chevelle with a fastback roofline.
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Inside, you got the "Strata" bucket seats. They were textured vinyl, kind of sticky in the summer, but they looked the part. You had a center console with a floor shifter, assuming you didn't keep the standard column-mounted three-speed.
Wait. A three-speed manual on the column in a Super Sport?
Yeah, it happened. Most buyers were smart enough to check the box for the Muncie four-speed or at least the two-speed Powerglide, but the base specs were surprisingly humble.
Performance Specs at a Glance
- Weight: Roughly 2,700 - 2,850 lbs (depending on the iron under the hood).
- Wheelbase: 110 inches.
- Top Engine (Official): 327 V8, 275 hp (L30).
- Brakes: Standard drums, but 1967 brought the dual-reservoir master cylinder for safety, and you could finally opt for front discs.
The "No Va" Myth That Won't Die
I have to bring this up because every time you go to a car show, someone mentions it. You've heard the story: Chevrolet couldn't sell the Nova in Mexico because "No va" means "it doesn't go" in Spanish.
It's total nonsense.
The car sold just fine in Mexico. In fact, it was produced there. People in Spanish-speaking countries aren't stupid; they know a "Nova" is a star. It’s like saying Americans wouldn't buy a "Notable" furniture set because it says "No table."
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The 67 Nova Super Sport didn't fail anywhere. It was a victim of internal GM politics. It was too fast for its own good, and the Camaro needed the spotlight.
Buying a 67 Nova Super Sport in Today's Market
If you're looking to put one in your garage, be prepared for some sticker shock. Prices have climbed steadily. As of early 2026, a "Number 3" condition (driver quality) Nova SS with a 327 is hovering around $30,000 to $35,000. If you want a concours-level restoration with matching numbers and a four-speed, you’re looking at $60,000 or more.
Watch out for the "re-creations."
Because the Nova's parts are so interchangeable, people love to take a base 100-series sedan, chop it up, and slap SS badges on it. Check the cowl tag. Check the hidden VINs. If the price seems too good to be true for an "all-original" 118-code car, it usually is.
How to Verify Your Find
- The VIN: Again, 118377W... (The '7' is the year 1967, 'W' is Willow Run assembly).
- The Trim: Look for the blacked-out rear deck lid strip. Only the SS got that.
- The Console: Real SS cars had the brushed chrome console.
- The Rear End: Most V8 SS cars came with the 10-bolt rear, but if someone swapped in a 12-bolt, they were serious about drag racing.
The 67 Nova Super Sport is the quintessential "sleeper." It doesn't have the giant hood scoops of a GTO or the stripes of a Z/28. It's just a clean, sharp-edged coupe that happens to weigh as much as a modern Miata but packs a small-block V8.
If you want a car that feels mechanical, loud, and slightly dangerous in all the right ways, this is it. It’s not about tech. It’s about a carb, a distributor, and a heavy left foot.
Next Steps for Potential Buyers:
- Join the National Nova Garden State or Steve’s Nova Site forums. These guys have forgotten more about bolt-on date codes than most mechanics will ever know.
- Get a copy of the Nova Resource decoding guides before you go to look at a car with cash in hand.
- Inspect the "rear wheel wells" and "trunk pan" for rust; these cars were notorious for rot in those specific areas due to the unibody design.
The 1967 Nova SS isn't just a car; it's a reminder of a time when Chevy built things simple, light, and fast. It doesn't need to apologize for being small. It just needs a straight stretch of road and a driver who isn't afraid of a little wheel spin.