Since the introduction of the third-generation Nova in 1968, the car’s year-to-year sales increased each year up to this point. With sales at a steady increase, why change anything? So, Chevrolet made no major design changes for 1970, and most people actually have a difficult time differentiating the 1969 from the 1970 versions. This year did see a taillight revision that created larger lenses with the backup-light lens moved to the middle of the lens assembly. The new egg crate-style grille is an easy way to tell the 1970 model apart from those of the previous two years. One of the car’s biggest assets was its low selling price, which started at $2,335.

Just like the previous year, Nova Super Sport sales continued to rise. The selling price of the base-model SS was less than $300 more than that of the base Nova. It’s no wonder the SS Nova attracted 19,558 buyers.

Under the hood of the 1970 Nova was a bevy of options. While the 90 horsepower 153 cubic-inch four cylinder was available, it was too underpowered, and not a popular choice. Once again, the six-cylinder engine options revolved around the 230 cubic-inch Turbo-Thrift engine delivering 140 horsepower and the 250 cubic-inch Turbo-Thrift engine that delivered an increase of power to 155 horsepower. Introduced in 1968, the 307 cubic-inch engine was still the non-SS base V8 offering, and got you a respectable 200 horsepower. Next on the small-block V8 list was the 350 cubic-inch engine. This engine came with multiple horsepower ratings, and in non-SS cars, delivered 250 or 255 horsepower, depending on whether the engine was equipped with a two- or four-barrel carburetor.

The LT1 350 cubic-inch engine found in the Yenko Nova.

When the 350 cubic-inch V8 was ordered in a Super Sport, it came with a four-barrel carburetor and an extra five horsepower, giving it 300. This was probably the result of the different air filter housing that was used.

On a sour note, it was the end of an era for Nova fans, as 1970 was the last year the 396 cubic-inch V8 was available in the Nova. The first big-block offered 350 horsepower, while the L78 version of the 396 cubic-inch engine, delivered 375 horsepower. The L78 actually displaced 402 cubic-inches this year, and sported a new intake manifold. While it still carried a Holley carburetor, the intake was reconfigured to clear the lower hood lines on other Chevrolet models.

The final year of the third-generation Nova was also the final year the 396 cubic-inch big-block was available in the car.

So now that you know what engines were available in the 1970 Nova, show us your cars. We want to see what Novas our readers are building, driving, and enjoying!