Info on Police Novas?

I was wunderin' where to look for info on Police package Novas. I did a Google search and came up empty................

I'm just curious 'cause there's this Nova(I'm geussin 75-76) sitting by a garage near me with no engine/trans and it's got dual exhaust(well dual tailpipes anyway) but I don't see a rear sway bar hanging down.......

haven't looked inside to see if it's got a cop speedo or not...............


anyway would make a cool semi-resto project nad a good daily driver.........

http://people.smu.edu/acambre/nova/police.html :)

Here's some:http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Chevrolet+Nova+Police+package&btnG=Google+Search

Sometimes you just have to get the right combo with Google. ;)


Welcome to the site, JeffersonMo!



Dan (be fun to have one) :)

More:
page 1 (http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/76copo-2.jpg)
page 2 (http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/76copo-3.jpg)
page 3 (http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/76copo-4.jpg)
page 4 (http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/76copo-5.jpg)
page 5 (http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/76copo-6.jpg)

wow thanks for the help.................

excellent MT article too!

now I'm excited...........guess I'll have to take a closer look at this car

I am wondrin' how they fit B-body brakes inside 14" wheels tho........

The old magazine articles are riddled with errors. Don't take them as gospel.

If there is any info you are looking for send me an e-mail or p.m.

http://police.baytown.org/images/Cars/1977-Chev-Nova-Patrol.jpg

bbdon wrote..

The old magazine articles are riddled with errors. Don't take them as gospel

Be interested to hear in what the errors either in the specific article, or other 9C1 articles you may be aware of. Thanks!

I am in the process of making my 1978 SS (Clone) with the 9C1 options. Hopefully I will have everything on for the Nova Nationals in July.
I have found on various sites and this is what the package consists of:

Z-28 power steering gear box (Quick Ratio 2 1/2 to 3 turns) 129.99 from Autozone

Front & Rear Sway Bars Approx. 250.00 from Classic Industries
Catalog

Rear Brake Kit (11X2) 350.00 from Classic Industries
Catalog

120 Speedometer 250.00 Bob's Speedometer 800-593-9673
he will take your original speedo and rebuild
it to make it look like the 120 in the cop car.

Heavy Duty Radiator Can buy Anywhere

Heavy Duty Trans Cooler Can buy Anywhere

If I have missed something or anyone has any questions you can email me at
wrichards@wilbursmith.com

Always thought the 9C1s were sedans, but the price guide says Chevy offered a coupe. Did not know that. Does anyone know how many were made and what years they were offered?

Hi guys,

Here's some more 9C1 info I turned up using a Google search:

http://www.geocities.com/novaessess/ponova.htm

According to that brochure, the 9C1 package was available on both 4-door sedans as well as 2-door coupes (in 1976 anyway).

That brochure also states 14x7 wheels but doesn't mention anything special about the brakes. It just lists "Power front disc / rear drum brake system standard on V8 models" under the "Standard 1976 Nova Features".

This is what I found off of one of the websites.

Chevrolet used heaviest-duty Nova SS and Camaro Z28 suspension components and the brakes from the full-size Bel Air and Impala.

I have a print out at home w/ more information describing the brakes and will post that tomorrow from the other website I found.

The Nova 9C1 two door was made for the 1976, '77 and '78 year models. On the '78 model year, the following was standard with the SEO 9C1 option. (The term "COPO" was not used for the '78 model, it was used only on the 75-77 models. In '78 the term COPO was dropped and replaced with SEO which stands for Special Equipment Option)

1. Great Capacity Oil Filter
2. Engine Valve Train Durability Features (these were taken from the engines produced for the Checker cabs!)
3. Special Performance Suspension, including 14 x 7 wheels, special rear spring bushings, shock asorbers, springs and steering gear
4. Special Police service front and rear stabilizer bars
5. Front disc brakes with metallic impregnated linings
6. Front and rear seats trimmed in black or camel tan heavier gauge vinyl (4-door Sedan only)
7. Higher capacity cooling system with special temperature controlled fan and clutch
8. 61 amp Delcotron generator (alternator) 35-amp at idle
9. 4000 watt Delco Freedom battery
10. Sport steering wheel

The following were options that were required to be ordered on the '78 9C1

1.RPO LG3, LM1, or SEO IB4,(RPO stands for Regular Production Option)
LG3 was the 5.0 2bbl 305 cu.in V8
LM1 was the 5.7 4bbl 350 cu.in V8 ("high altitude" and California only)
IB4 was the 5.7 4bbl 350 cu.in V8 ("low altitude" Federal law)

2. RPO MX1 three speed auto tranny
3. RPO N41 power steering
4. RPO J50 power brakes
5. SEO 5EK or 5FF (special police service tires)
6. SEO 6C1 heavy service front bench or SEO 6B9 heavy service front buckets
7. SEO 7Z9 Special Police Speedo in 2MPH increments, 120 max. reading, and certified.

There were a host of other available equipment options that could be ordered, from air conditioning, to a windshield antenna. (not listed here due to space)

The following were additional SEO options
6A3 Rubber floor mats
6A4 Single key locking
6A5 sound insulation
6B2 rear door handles inoperative
6B4 spare tire relocation
6B7 hole in roof panel
6C2 heavy duty rear seat
6C3 rear armrests
6C7 extra dome lamp
6C8 antenna cable
6C9 radio conduit
6E2 fleet keyed alike
6E5 roof wiring
6F5 roof reinforcement
6F9 rear compartment ashtray
6H5 electric trunk opener
6L4 R.H side mirror
6L6 cigarette lighter
6Z1 two piece speedo cable
7P4 engine block heater
7W8 Unity spotlight model 225
7W9 R.H and L.H Unity Spotlight model 225
7X4 luggage compartment light
7Y1 underhood lamp
7Y6 door jamb switches inoperative
7Z4 voltmeter,oil pressure, water temp gauges
7Z7 dash mounted radio speaker
8B2 antifrees- 52% ethylene glycol
9A3 speedo gear change
SAB heavy duty rear seat delete-sedan only, recommended for undercover work

Source for this information is the 1978 Chevrolet Police Vehicle Fleet brochure...

Does anyone know if GM had a special VIN for the 9C1's or how (other than options) to identify a 9C1? Did GM reveal how many were produced for each model year? Would be interesting to find a coupe.....

There is really no way to postively identify a 9C1 via a VIN number only. One could order a Nova sedan or coupe with the engine options noted in my previous post, and that code would have been a part of the VIN. There are no single unique 9C1 VIN codes. A better clue would be to look on the trim tag on the firewall, as the heavy duty vinly seat options, and color, (black or tan) were coded on that tag. The best way to identify a 9C1 is to look for the specific options unique to the 9C1, and indications of police use, i.e. 120 MPH speedo, holes in roof for a lightbar, radio antenna holes, push bumper holes, and of course, build sheets, personal knowledge of the owner, paint schemes, etc. Personally, I can only think of perhaps a dozen or less confirmed, known, 9C1 Novas that have been restored. I'm sure there are more, but, sadly, most of them are long gone. As far as sales figures, from 1974 through 1978, there were about 13,800 9C1 Nova models sold. (Yes, in 1974 when the vehicle was first introduced 11 '74 models were sold to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, and three '74 models were sold to Fountain Valley PD.) I don't think I have the breakdown on sedans vs coupes. It took me nearly a long to find mine, so they are out there!

Novajay wrote...

Always thought the 9C1s were sedans, but the price guide says Chevy offered a coupe. Did not know that. Does anyone know how many were made and what years they were offered?


Just today, I spoke with a good friend who worked for Chevrolet and was very involved with the 9C1 Nova. He told me he could not remember even ever seeing a 9C1 Nova coupe, nor could he remember any orders for one. This is not to say none were ever produced; just that if any were made, they were quite few in number, and there was no significant demand for them. So, I guess if you find one, you have a very rare 4th Generation indeed!

Personally, I can only think of perhaps a dozen or less confirmed, known, 9C1 Novas that have been restored. I'm sure there are more, but, sadly, most of them are long gone.

Probably most of them became movie props where they were propelled thru the air, wrecked, blown up by bombs/gasoline, etc......just look at the old Plymouth Furys and Dodge Monacos....they were big time cop cars, then they became stunt cars destroyed in the movies, now they're nearly extinct.

What about the '63 Police Novas? Does anyone have any pics or info. on what they where equipped with? And what would be the difference between these RPO codes BO1(25 built)and ZO4(28 built)?
http://novaresource.org/rpo1.htm

Thanks, Marvin

Suggest you get a copy of the book, Chevrolet Police Cars
by Edwin J. Sanow. They usually can be found at Amazon. Has a lot of info on the 62, 63, 64, Chevy II Police Package. In the book the reference to B01 is that it is a "Police Package Body Equipment" option, and the Z04 is a "Police Package Chassis Equipment" option. These codes were first used in 1963. Nothing more on what specifics those options came with that I could find on a quick search in the book.

Novajay wrote...



Just today, I spoke with a good friend who worked for Chevrolet and was very involved with the 9C1 Nova. He told me he could not remember even ever seeing a 9C1 Nova coupe, nor could he remember any orders for one. This is not to say none were ever produced; just that if any were made, they were quite few in number, and there was no significant demand for them. So, I guess if you find one, you have a very rare 4th Generation indeed!

No, they were produced. I worked in the dealership when these came out. When I bought my Nova the dealer told me I couldn't buy the 9C1 package unless I was an authorized Police agency. I have a picture somewhere of the first run of 9C1 Novas parked in a football stadium. I haven't been able to find it.
The option was also available on Pontiac Ventura's. Those are probably the rarest police "Nova's"

Suggest you get a copy of the book, Chevrolet Police Cars
by Edwin J. Sanow. They usually can be found at Amazon. Has a lot of info on the 62, 63, 64, Chevy II Police Package. In the book the reference to B01 is that it is a "Police Package Body Equipment" option, and the Z04 is a "Police Package Chassis Equipment" option. These codes were first used in 1963. Nothing more on what specifics those options came with that I could find on a quick search in the book.


Thanks for the info.

Paul wrote..

No, they were produced. I worked in the dealership when these came out. When I bought my Nova the dealer told me I couldn't buy the 9C1 package unless I was an authorized Police agency. I have a picture somewhere of the first run of 9C1 Novas parked in a football stadium. I haven't been able to find it.
The option was also available on Pontiac Ventura's. Those are probably the rarest police "Nova's

Paul to clarify..

I did not write that 9C1 Novas were not produced. I am a current owner of one! I was writing about 9C1 two door models, not 4 door models. I also indicated that some two doors were probably made, but not many and my source who worked for Chevrolet, and was more involved in the Nova 9C1 than any dealer ever would have been stands by what he said that he can not remember seeing one nor does he remember any orders for two door models. As a Police Officer in California, I got the chance to drive the Nova and the Pontiac (it's a Phoenix not a Ventura by the way) on patrol, and hands down, the Nova was my favorite! I have the photo you refer to in the football stadium (it's in Florida) and they are all sedans. For the record, two door 9C1 Nova models could be ordered in 1976, 1977, and 1978, but not in 1975, (the first full year of production).

The magazine article that I posted shows a Nova 9C1 coupe. Also, there was an article in NNN's Nova News about a different 9C1 Nova coupe, so we know for sure that there were at least a few made. If I remember correctly, the coupe in the article was driven by a Librarian when it was new. Probably ordered at the same time as the city's police fleet for that year.

Wayne Bushey of National Nostalgic Nova owns a actual 78 police car. Articles were done in Nova Times on how it was restored. I would try talking to him about some of those details. There is a book that I bought on Chevrolet police cars and it stated to the efffect that the Nova police car was faster than the production Corvette (If I am not mistaken).

I have the 9C1 build-up article somewhere. From what I remember, it was a really good resto. He also had the drag Nova (not a real 9C1) which was for DARE.

I have the 9C1 build-up article somewhere. From what I remember, it was a really good resto. He also had the drag Nova (not a real 9C1) which was for DARE.

Yes, the one they Barbequed out in California :-(

And which was built from my ALL TIME FAVORITE Nova, said " Pink & Blue Grocery getter " .

If I'd joined NNN a year earlier when that car was for sale... oh well....

Anyone got a reasonably priced 77-8 Custom / Concours 4 door ? lol ...

~ AL

Well, thought I'd let y'all know about this for those of you looking to restore those police nova's. Ebay Item #: 4642272733. The seller say's they're parting it out, but so far has only listed the fan shroud. You may be able to contact him for the whole car before it goes to pieces. I hate to see something that rare get parted out.

Someone try to save it, please!!! :eek:

I would myself, but I've already got 3 4th Gens, 2 of which haven't even started restoring yet. I wouldn't mind another one, but don't have the money right now or a place to put it.

Sent him a message. We'll see if he replies.

EDIT: Someone asked and he confirmed a 100 mph speedo. I thought they were 0-120.

I have doubts about this car being a real 9C1. The seller does have excellent feedback, and may just think it is from information he has or what he believes to be true. On the speedo, yes it should be 120, however, I know of at least one 9C1 ordered by a fire department for a chiefs car, that had that item deleted. The best way to tell would be to see photos of the whole car and interior.

update from the seller.. He now says it is a 75, not a 77. The VIN he supplied me comes back to a 75 350 2BBL sedan. So, that with the 100 mph speedo, would tell me it is NOT a legit original 9C1. I don't know why he said in the auction it was a 77 he was parting out.. Anyway, here is the VIN he sent me. 1X69H51106134 I also asked for photos of the interior, and none were sent back.

Haven't received a reply just yet. (He was 'sposed to send one to my home email.) Checked last night and haven't received photos yet.

Ok, I'm home now and just checked the email.

"hope this helps
I was tolled this is not a cop car but it is a 75 with 350
engine.there is rust thrugh both qutars an all door an fender rear
lower
will take 475 for the hole car motor needs refreshed the trany works
an motor runs
Check us out at http://www.redbankauto.com"

Well, it was worth a try! :rolleyes: I didn't look into it much myself, just happened to see it while searching. Maybe next time! lol

Just to let you all know, I recently purchased a 12 page brochure specifically on the police nova, and I will be listing the pages on my site once I receive it. I should have it posted by next week.

I'm not sure exactly what all information it contains since I've never actually seen one before, but I'm sure it has some information that will be helpful.

Here's the direct link - Gen4 Tech: Catalogs/Brochures (http://www.gen4novas.com/cat.asp?catid=460)

Tony

Refer to page 1 of this topic on option codes and description for the 9C1 Nova..

I used to have a subscription to a bi-weekly automotive newspaper called "Wheelspin News" back in the 1970s. Unfortunately the stuff all got turfed out when I got married (I found out later). In one issue they tested a '76 Police Nova 4-door sedan with a 350 4-barrel. That car had h.d. black vinyl bucket seats, a 4-spoke wheel, a special emissions package that eliminated the catalytic converter (unleaded gas was still in short supply in some localities back then). It had F41, Positraction, a special speedometer, plus the car had blackwall 70-series pursuit radials, and full wheel covers (like a detective car).
A family friend used to work for that now-defunct publication. He would often bring test cars out to the house and we'd put them through the paces. Unfortunately I didn't get to see the Nova, just a bunch of other seventies stuff like V8 Mustang IIs (plus the 2nd BMW 633 coupe in Canada).

I'm sure I have an old 1975 Mechanics Illustrated with a Tom McCall road test of a black & white 9C1 Nova. Those old Tom McCall tests were more entertainment than actual hard data.