Chevrolet Nova

Model background

Chevrolet introduced the Chevy II in the early sixties as a compact, straightforward alternative to the larger cars in the range, and the Nova sat at the top of that family. The 1966 model year carried the second-generation body — flatter flanks, a squared-off roofline, and simple brightwork rather than heavy ornament.

Because so many were built and driven, the Nova became one of the definitive ordinary American cars of its decade. That familiarity is exactly why it works so well as a period vehicle: audiences read it instantly as mid-sixties America, without the car announcing wealth or status.

Design and character

The proportions are compact and upright, with generous glass and a low beltline. In the restomod specification this car carries, the factory-correct chrome and glass are preserved while the chassis underneath is lowered and modernised, giving a planted stance without altering the period silhouette.

Inside, the saddle tan retrim, wood-rim wheel, Dolphin gauges, bucket seats and floor shifter keep the cabin warm and photogenic in close-up.

Historical significance

The Chevy II Nova matters less for rarity than for reach. It was built in very large numbers and sold as everyday transport, which is why it appears in period photography, family albums and street scenes of the era more often than any exotic of the same years.

For a production, that ubiquity is the point. A Nova establishes the mid-sixties without drawing attention to itself, and it can plausibly belong to almost any character in an American story of that decade.

Why productions choose it

Directors and photographers tend to reach for this car when a scene needs a period anchor rather than a hero vehicle: parked at a kerb, pulling away from a diner, or sitting in the background of a dialogue scene.

Its simple sheet metal and wide glass also make it a practical car to work around — easy to light, easy to shoot through, and forgiving on tight city locations.

On camera

Notes for directors, DPs and photographers planning to put this car in frame.

• Reads as authentic mid-sixties American streetscape in wide shots and background dressing.
• Resale red over saddle tan gives strong separation against grey city backdrops.
• Modernised chassis means it stays reliable across long shoot days and repeated takes.

Booking this car

This Chevrolet is currently marked available. Send the dates, location and type of production and we will confirm the schedule with the owner and return a bespoke quote; rates are quoted on request. Delivery within New York City and a 25-mile radius is handled by a professional driver, and longer transport can be arranged. Rentals are confirmed for production houses with commercial insurance in place.

Read how rentals work, browse the rest of the fleet, check the frequently asked questions, or go straight to the inquiry form.