For the 1975 model year, the Nova was redesigned with a body that had more sharply creased lines to match the formal look that was in vogue in Seventies Detroit. It retained the 111" wheelbase and unibody-plus-front-subframe construction of the previous 3rd Generation Novas, and in fact carried over the rear axle and suspension of the older car. Up front, however, disc brakes were now standard equipment.
Available as a coupe, sedan, or a hatchback coupe it was a hit, and the brochures for the 1976 Nova lineup were prominently "Dedicated to the three million Novas before it."
Mechanically, the '76 model year was largely unchanged and could mostly be differentiated by a different pattern to the grille.
The Malaise Era was in full swing for 1976, and the engine choices were either a base 250 cubic inch inline six rated at 105 SAE net horsepower or one of two V-8s: the new-for-'67 two-barrel LG3 305, making 140 horsepower, or an LM1 350 V-8, which had an 8.5:1 compression ratio for compatibility with regular fuel and therefore put out 165 horses.
The standard transmission was a floor-shifted 3-speed manual, with an optional TurboHydramatic. If you ordered the 350 V-8, it unlocked the availability of a 4-on-the-floor. Either V-8 meant mandatory power brakes.
The stunningly well preserved Mahogany 1976 Nova hatchback in the photo was snapped with an iPhone 6s in April of 2017.
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