Performance Review: Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 396 V8 3spd Manual - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Chevy II Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 396 V8 3spd Manual is the 3 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1969. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8.This particular Chevrolet Chevy II has a 6489cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Chevy II shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Chevy II's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1520 kgs (3351 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 396 V8 3spd Manual in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Chevy II shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 6489cc 16V V8 engine produces 355 bhp (264 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 415 lb-ft (562.6 Nm) @ 3400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (429 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Chevrolet Chevy II you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Fisker Tramonto 5.4 V8 (258.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Chevy II.

The Chevrolet Chevy II has a Power to weight ratio of 233.5 bhp per ton and 273.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 Chevy II competing with the 2005 Fisker Tramonto 5.4 V8 (258.5 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ 400 (258.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Chevrolet Chevy II generating around 273.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD (297.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale (297.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 396 V8 3spd Manual as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 396 V8 3spd Manual is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Chevy II and the 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Chevy II on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.27 secs @ 103.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 (13.21 secs), the 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK - Hawkeye (13.21 secs), and the 2019 Toyota Supra GR 3.0 Turbo (13.21 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1969 version of the Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 396 V8 3spd Manual has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 Chevy II equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1969 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 396 V8 3spd Manual then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1969 Chevy II Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison