1987 Chevrolet Nova

The 1987 Chevrolet Nova 4-door Sedan, part of the 1987 Chevrolet Nova line.
The 1987 Chevrolet Nova was lauded for a
smooth ride and quite engine.

The 1987 Chevrolet Nova saw only minor changes after it's introduction a year earlier as a near-twin to the front-wheel-drive Toyota Corolla.

Wider taillights, body-colored bumpers, and new aluminum wheels for the CL options package made up the primary visual changes. Meanwhile, a rear-window defogger was added to the list of standard equipment.

The 1987 Chevrolet Nova continued in two body styles, a four-door sedan and five-door hatchback. The four-door proved by far the more popular -- by about three to one.

Nova's only engine was again a 74-horsepower 1.6-liter four designed by Toyota, mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic.

As before, Novas were built at the NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.) GM/Toyota joint venture plant in Fremont, California.

Though Corollas were priced slightly below competing Novas, Chevy's version of the car could often be bought for less because slow sales encouraged dealers to discount prices.

"Slow sales," however, meant slow by Chevy standards, for the Nova sold about as well as the Corolla. Aside from some minor interior and exterior trim differences, the cars were much the same, though Novas had a slightly softer suspension that favored ride over handling.

1987 Chevrolet Nova Facts

Model
 Weight range (lbs.)
 Price range (new)
 Number built
Nova
 2,206-2,253
 $8,258-$8,510
150,006

The 1987 Chevrolet 5-door Hatchback, part of the 1987 Chevrolet Nova line.
The 1987 Chevrolet Nova hatchback proved
less-popular than the Nova sedan.

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