Chevrolet Nova · 1968–1972

Nova VIN decoder

Type the VIN of a third-generation Nova. The decoder reads it against the code tables on our year pages, and every table is sourced below.

Decode a VIN

Try an example

What the 13 characters mean, 1968–1971

PositionMeaningExample (1970)
1–3Series: 111 = Nova, 4-cylinder, 113 = Nova, 6-cylinder, 114 = Nova, V8113
4–5Body: 27 = 2-door coupe, 69 = 4-door sedan69
6Model year: 0 = 19700
7Plant: W = Willow RunW
8–13Unit number, from 100,001 in 1970100001

Example: GM's own example from the 1970 kit: the first car built at Willow Run, here a six-cylinder sedan (model 11369); the unit number counts every series together.4one source

What the 13 characters mean, 1972

PositionMeaningExample (1972)
1Make: 1 = Chevrolet1
2Series: X = Chevy NovaX
3–4Body: 27 = 2-door coupe, 69 = 4-door sedan27
5Engine: D = 250 six, 110 hp, F = 307 V8, 130 hp, H = 350 V8, 165 hp, K = 350 V8, 200 hpD
6Model year: 2 = 19722
7Plant: W = Willow Run–Chevrolet, L = Van Nuys–GMADW
8–13Unit number, from 100,001 in 1972100025

Example: GM's own example from the 1972 kit: the 25th Chevrolet built at Willow Run, if it were a Nova coupe with the 250 six.7one source

The code tables, year by year

Each table is the one on the year page, with its sources.

1968 · position 6 is 8 · 9 engines
PositionMeaning
111 · 113 · 114Series: 111 4-cylinder · 113 6-cylinder · 114 V8
27 · 69Body: 27 2-door coupe · 69 4-door sedan
8Model year (1968)
WAssembly plant: Willow Run (GM shows «only basic designations»)
200001 →Unit number, counted at each plant for all series together
OptionEngineRated
Std.153 cu in four90 hp
Std.230 cu in six140 hp
L22250 cu in six155 hp
Std.307 cu in V8, 2-barrel200 hp
L30327 cu in V8275 hp
L79327 cu in V8325 hp
L48350 cu in V8, 4-barrel (Nova SS)295 hp
L34396 cu in V8 (Nova SS)350 hp
L78396 cu in V8 (Nova SS)375 hp

Where to find it: Stamped on a plate attached to the top left of the instrument panel.1one source Sources for the codes1one source. The 1968 page →

1969 · position 6 is 9 · 9 engines
PositionMeaning
111 · 113 · 114Series: 111 4-cylinder · 113 6-cylinder · 114 V8
27 · 69Body: 27 2-door coupe · 69 4-door sedan
9Model year (1969)
WAssembly plant: Willow Run (GM shows «only basic designations»)
300001 →Unit number, counted at each plant for all series together
OptionEngineRated
Std.153 cu in four90 hp
Std.230 cu in six140 hp
L22250 cu in six155 hp
Std.307 cu in V8, 2-barrel200 hp
L65350 cu in V8, 2-barrel250 hp
LM1350 cu in V8, 4-barrel255 hp
L48350 cu in V8, 4-barrel (Nova SS)300 hp
Z26/L34396 cu in V8 (Nova SS)350 hp
Z26/L78396 cu in V8 (Nova SS)375 hp

Where to find it: Stamped on a plate attached to the top left of the instrument panel.2one source Sources for the codes23. The 1969 page →

1970 · position 6 is 0 · 8 engines
PositionMeaning
111 · 113 · 114Series: 111 4-cylinder · 113 6-cylinder · 114 V8
27 · 69Body: 27 2-door coupe · 69 4-door sedan
0Model year (1970)
WAssembly plant: Willow Run (GM shows «only basic designations»)
100001 →Unit number, counted at each plant for all series together
OptionEngineRated
Std.153 cu in four90 hp
Std.230 cu in six140 hp
L22250 cu in six155 hp
Std.307 cu in V8, 2-barrel200 hp
L65350 cu in V8, 2-barrel250 hp
L48350 cu in V8, 4-barrel (Nova SS)300 hp
Z26/L34396 (402) cu in V8 (Nova SS)350 hp
Z26/L78396 (402) cu in V8 (Nova SS)375 hp

Where to find it: Stamped on a plate attached to the top left of the instrument panel.4one source Sources for the codes345. The 1970 page →

1971 · position 6 is 1 · 4 engines
PositionMeaning
113 · 114Series: 113 6-cylinder · 114 V8
27 · 69Body: 27 2-door coupe · 69 4-door sedan
1Model year (1971)
WAssembly plant: Willow Run (GM shows «only basic designations»)
100001 →Unit number, counted at each plant for all series together
OptionEngineRated
Std.250 cu in six145 hp
Std.307 cu in V8, 2-barrel200 hp
L65350 cu in V8, 2-barrel245 hp
L48350 cu in V8, 4-barrel (Nova SS)270 hp

Where to find it: Stamped on a plate attached to the top left of the instrument panel.6one source Sources for the codes36. The 1971 page →

1972 · position 6 is 2 · 4 engines
PositionMeaning
1Make: Chevrolet
XCar line and series: Chevy Nova
27 · 69Body: 27 2-door coupe · 69 4-door sedan
D · F · H · KEngine: D 250 six (110 hp) · F 307 V8 (130 hp) · H 350 V8 (165 hp) · K 350 V8 (200 hp)
2Model year (1972)
W · LAssembly plant: W Willow Run–Chevrolet · L Van Nuys–GMAD
100001 →Sequential number
OptionEngineRated
D250 cu in six110 hp net
F307 cu in V8130 or 140 hp net (open ruling)
H (L65)350 cu in V8, 2-barrel165 hp net
K (L48)350 cu in V8, 4-barrel (Nova SS)200 or 210 hp net (open ruling)

Where to find it: Stamped on a plate attached to the top left of the instrument panel.7one source Sources for the codes357. The 1972 page →

Sources

  1. 1968 Chevrolet Chevy II – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-12
  2. 1969 Chevrolet Chevy Nova – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-12
  3. «New Novas, Old Themes 1968–1976» (Chapter Ten of a book on Chevrolet Super Sports), reprinted in GM's Nova kits Book chapter reprinted by GM Heritage · read 2026-10-12
  4. 1970 Chevrolet Chevy Nova – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-12
  5. Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova Wikipedia · read 2026-10-12
  6. 1971 Chevrolet Chevy Nova – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-12
  7. 1972 Chevrolet Nova – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-12