The 1964 Chevrolet Nova SS was small, simple and easy to underestimate. That was exactly what made it interesting.
When Chevrolet introduced the Chevy II for 1962, the car was designed primarily to give buyers a compact alternative to increasingly large American automobiles. By 1964, however, Chevrolet had begun pushing the little car in a very different direction. The Nova SS brought sportier styling, bucket seats and, most importantly, access to V8 power.
It wasn’t yet the legendary high-horsepower Nova that collectors would later chase. But the 1964 model helped establish a formula that would become a major part of Chevrolet’s performance history.
Here are 10 details that make the 1964 Chevrolet Nova SS worth a closer look.
1. The Nova SS Was Born From the Chevy II
One of the easiest details to miss is that “Nova” wasn’t originally the standalone model name many people remember.
Chevrolet launched the Chevy II for 1962, with the Nova serving as the upscale series within that compact lineup. The Nova name gradually became more prominent, eventually becoming the name most enthusiasts associate with the car.
The SS package added a much sportier personality to what had started life as a practical compact.
2. 1964 Was a Turning Point for V8 Power
The biggest mechanical story surrounding the 1964 car was Chevrolet’s decision to put a small-block V8 into the Chevy II.
The available 283-cubic-inch Turbo-Fire V8 produced 195 horsepower in its standard form. Chevrolet also offered a more powerful 220-hp version during the model year.
That might not sound extraordinary today, but it was a significant development for a lightweight compact in the early 1960s. Suddenly, the Nova could offer the kind of performance that wasn’t expected from an economy-oriented car.
3. The SS Wasn’t Simply a Nova With a V8
A factory Nova SS was about more than engine size.
The Super Sport package gave the car a distinct interior and exterior identity. Bucket seats, a floor console, special badging and additional sporty trim helped separate the SS from an ordinary Nova.
That’s particularly important when shopping for one today. A regular Nova fitted with a V8 may be an entertaining classic, but that doesn’t automatically make it a genuine SS.
4. Chevrolet Offered a Four-Speed
Performance-minded buyers weren’t limited to an automatic transmission.
A four-speed manual was available, giving drivers a more engaging way to use the V8’s power. A three-speed manual was also offered, while Chevrolet’s Powerglide automatic provided an easier option for buyers who preferred two-pedal driving.
Today, the transmission can be one of the details that makes a surviving car especially interesting to collectors.
5. The 1964 Model Was a Short-Lived SS Chapter
The history of the 1964 SS is slightly unusual because Chevrolet’s compact lineup was being reshaped at the time.
The company initially removed the Nova Sport Coupe and convertible from the 1964 lineup before bringing the Sport Coupe and SS package back during the model year. Chevrolet was balancing its compact Chevy II against the newly introduced Chevelle, which occupied an important position in the company’s expanding intermediate-car range.
That makes the 1964 SS something of a transition model.
6. There Was No Factory Nova SS Convertible for 1964
Collectors sometimes encounter confusion over early Nova convertibles.
Chevrolet had offered a convertible previously, including with the Nova SS package in 1963. For 1964, however, the convertible was gone.
The 1964 Nova SS was therefore tied to the two-door Sport Coupe body style. A supposed factory 1964 SS convertible deserves particularly careful scrutiny.
7. The 327 Hadn’t Arrived Yet
This is one of the most important details when examining an early Nova.
The famous 327-cubic-inch small-block was not part of the 1964 Nova’s factory engine lineup. That changed for 1965, when Chevrolet added 327 engines producing up to 300 horsepower.
So when someone describes a 1964 Nova SS as a factory 327 car, buyers should stop and verify the claim.
A modern engine swap can make a 1964 Nova extremely quick, but it doesn’t change what Chevrolet originally installed.
8. It Was Still a Proper Compact
The Nova’s dimensions help explain why the V8 option mattered.
The first-generation Chevy II used a 110-inch wheelbase and had a relatively compact overall footprint compared with Chevrolet’s larger passenger cars. The car was designed around simplicity and efficient packaging rather than the massive dimensions that characterized many American cars of the era.
Putting a small-block V8 into that package created a combination enthusiasts could exploit.
It’s an early example of the compact-performance recipe that would become increasingly popular as the 1960s progressed.
9. Originality Is a Big Deal Today
A 1964 Nova SS can be deceptively difficult to authenticate by appearance alone.
Decades of modifications mean that engines, transmissions, interiors and exterior components have often been changed. A car can look exactly like an SS without having started life as one.
The VIN and body information are therefore important pieces of the puzzle. Buyers should also examine the car’s trim, interior, drivetrain and any surviving documentation.
For a collector, knowing what the car was when it left Chevrolet can be just as important as knowing what it looks like today.
10. The 1964 SS Set the Stage for What Came Next
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the 1964 Nova SS is what happened after it.
The following year’s Nova received substantially more performance potential, including the 327 V8. Over time, the model developed into one of Chevrolet’s best-known compact performance cars.
The 1964 therefore sits at an important point in the timeline. It wasn’t the ultimate muscle Nova, but it demonstrated that Chevrolet could successfully combine a compact body with V8 power and sporty equipment.
That basic idea would become increasingly important throughout the decade.
What Does a 1964 Chevrolet Nova SS Cost Today?
There isn’t one meaningful price for every 1964 Nova SS.
Values can differ substantially depending on whether the car is an untouched survivor, a correctly restored example, a modified street car or a project. Engine configuration, transmission, body condition, originality and documentation can all affect what buyers are willing to pay.
Rust deserves particular attention. Mechanical components can often be repaired or replaced, but serious corrosion and poor previous bodywork can turn an apparently affordable classic into an expensive project.
That’s why the cheapest Nova SS isn’t necessarily the best deal.
What Should Buyers Look For?
Anyone considering a 1964 Chevrolet Nova SS should begin with authenticity rather than horsepower.
Verify the vehicle identification information and determine whether the car’s body and equipment correspond with a genuine SS. Then inspect the usual weak points of an older vehicle, including floors, frame areas, body panels, suspension mounting points and previous collision repairs.
The engine should also be identified rather than assumed to be original. A 283, later 327 or another small-block can all be perfectly reasonable choices for a classic Nova, but they tell different stories about the car.
Documentation can make that story much easier to understand.
Why the 1964 Chevrolet Nova SS Still Gets Attention
The 1964 Chevrolet Nova SS doesn’t have the outrageous specifications of some later muscle cars, and that’s part of its appeal.
It captures an interesting moment in Chevrolet history when compact cars were beginning to evolve from practical transportation into genuine performance machines. The combination of a small body, available V8 power and SS equipment gave enthusiasts something they couldn’t simply get from an ordinary economy car.
For today’s buyer, the smartest approach is to look beyond the badge. A structurally solid, properly documented Nova with authentic SS credentials is far more interesting than a questionable car wearing expensive-looking trim.
The 1964 Chevrolet Nova SS was an early chapter in a much bigger story. For collectors and enthusiasts, that history is exactly what makes this compact Chevrolet worth remembering.