When we talk about our favorite muscle cars, the Chevrolet Nova is definitely part of the discussion. Its design makes it more subtle-looking than the Camaro, but it still packs the same punch. With an optional big-block engine available from 1968 through 1970, it was a real performer, while looking the part of a pseudo-sleeper.

As with most cars during a successful sales run, Chevrolet followed the adage, don’t fix what isn’t broken, and kept the 1968 through 1972 Nova relatively unchanged, especially in 1971 and 1972. That makes it somewhat difficult to identify a specific car as a 1968, 1969, or 1972. To help clear the air, we are going to give you a little insight into some of the ways you can tell the difference.

If the third-gen Nova you are looking at has Chevy II emblems, it’s a 1968 version. In 1969, the Chevy II moniker was deleted, and the side marker light lenses became amber-colored. This was also the first year the ignition switch was part of the steering column, and fender “gills” were installed on the 1969 (and 1970) Novas. The 1970 Nova differs from the previous years in two distinctive ways: it has a different taillight configuration and side marker light style.

The biggest change in 1970 was at the rear of the car where the reverse light was moved to the center of an enlarged taillight lens. Previous years saw the reverse lens next to the taillight lens. The 1971 and 1972 Nova both lack the fender “grills,” making them easy to pick out from the rest, but not from each other. Chevrolet did not make any significant changes from 1971 to 1972 and the only real way to quickly tell them apart is by a rare option called a skyroof, which is a folding fabric piece that works the same way as a modern sunroof.

It can be hard to keep track, so here is a quick reference guide to help straighten things out:

• 1968 was the last year to include Chevy II emblems. The car does not have the fender gills, and the side marker lights are clear/white with an attached engine size distinction.
• 1969 has no Chevy II emblems, but still has the reverse lights next to the taillights, and the engine size is still next to the side marker lights, which are now amber.
• 1970 does not have an engine designation next to the side marker lights (it was relocated above the side light), the fender gills are still present, and the reverse lights are inside of the taillight lens.
• 1971 saw the engine designation above the side marker light, and the fenders do not have the gills.
• 1972 is almost identical to 1971 except for the optional skyroof.

Most of the 1968 through 1972 Novas included the same mechanical features, but the big-block was only available in 1968, 1969, and 1970.

With all of the subtle differences and changes that occurred during each year, it’s tough for us to catch all of them. Comment below and tell us how you differentiate the third-generation Nova. Not only that but tell us about your Nova if you have one. The Nova is a cool car, be proud, and share it with us!