what makes the Nova Rally so special?

[lior_baruch]

Hi all,

I bought my 79 Nova Rally without knowing much about the differences between a Nova and a Nova rally. I was looking for a 2 4th Gen door Nova... (only 5-6 2 door Nova's left where I am - Israel) I bought the first one I saw, and I got lucky, finding a second hand Nova Rally with low mileage, all original.

Excluding the emblems and side stripes, what makes the Rally special, compared to the other Nova's? I've noticed that most people that look for a 2 door 4th Gen. Nova, are looking for a Rally... why why why? :geek:

Thanks,

Lior.

[==sYc==>]

The Rally was just the sport model of the Nova. The SS package was last used on the Nova in 1976. It was replaced by the Nova Rally for 1977-79. So the 1977-79 Rally was basically an SS with a different name. However, after 1972, the SS and Rally weren't much more than stripes and emblems.

[jade76]

lior_baruch Hi all,

...Excluding the emblems and side stripes, what makes the Rally special, compared to the other Nova's? I've noticed that most people that look for a 2 door 4th Gen. Nova, are looking for a Rally... why why why?

Thanks,
Lior.

Besides, the emblems and stripes, the only difference would be that the Rally option included the F-40 suspension which is a sport suspension package and larger 1" front sway bar, or the F-41 which is the same F-40 with a rear sway added.

Also more likely to have the larger 8.5" rearend between 76-79. 75 was the last production year that the 8.5 was a standard factory option. Between 76-79 it had to be custom ordered from the factory when purchased. Being an SS/Rally doesn't guarantee that, just made it more likely with the sport package. Any Nova could be ordered with it.

[StoveBolt]

Also more likely to have the larger 8.5" rearend between 76-79. 75 was the last production year that the 8.5 was a standard factory option. Between 76-79 it had to be custom ordered from the factory when purchased.

All 77-79 V8s had the 8.5.. in 76 only the 350s

from steve's site.. http://www.novaresource.org/axle.htm

1976
Engine Transmission Standard
Ratio Ring Gear
Size
250 L6 3-speed 2.73 7.50"
TH200 2.73 7.50"
305 V8 3-speed 2.73 7.50"
TH200 2.73 7.50"
350 V8 4-speed 3.08 8.50"
TH350 2.73 8.50"

1977
Engine Transmission Standard
Ratio Ring Gear
Size
250 L6 3-speed 2.73 7.50"
TH350 2.73 7.50"
305 V8 3-speed 2.73 8.50"
TH200 2.56 8.50"
350 V8 4-speed 3.08 8.50"
TH350 2.56 8.50"

1978
Engine Transmission Standard
Ratio Ring Gear
Size
250 L6 3-speed 2.73 7.50"
TH350 2.73 7.50"
305 V8 4-speed 3.08 8.50"
TH350 2.41 8.50"
350 V8 TH350 2.41 8.50"

1979
Engine Transmission Standard
Ratio Ring Gear
Size
250 L6 3-speed 2.56 7.50"
TH350 2.56 7.50"
305 V8 4-speed 3.08 8.50"
TH350 2.41 8.50"
350 V8 TH350 2.41 8.50"

[jade76]

StoveBolt Quote:
Originally Posted by jade76
Also more likely to have the larger 8.5" rearend between 76-79. 75 was the last production year that the 8.5 was a standard factory option. Between 76-79 it had to be custom ordered from the factory when purchased.


All 77-79 V8s had the 8.5.. in 76 only the 350s


That's interesting, I guess I missed that. I guess that explains that my 76 SS must've been a 305 and not a 350 as I originally thought since it only had a 7.5", and also why my 78 Rally had 8.5" with a factory 305.

[Green Dragon]

All 77-79 V8s had the 8.5.. in 76 only the 350s


This has also been debated before, and seems to be another ' plant to plant' difference or ?

personally, I have NEVER seen a 7.5 in any Nova except my 79 originally a 6 cyl auto, and a few 321 V6 cars in boneyards.

my 77 Rally ( 305,TH200 ) is an 8.5

my 76 Medalist ( 305, TH350 ) is also an 8.5

my 78 Phoenix ( 305, TH350, 29K original miles,orignal shocks,etc ) is an 8.5, 3.08 posi

we parted out a 76 2 door, 6 cyl, 3 speed on floor, bucket seats, 3.08 posi 8.5" ( sold the
rear for 150 bucks )

All three 75's we had were 8.5, which agrees with the change coming in 76.

Maybe it's just NY, because I see all these posts about 4th gens with 7.5 and upgrading to 8.5 and I've always seen the 8.5 as normal.....

just my observations - but strong proof tot he 'book is not always right' scenerio . lol

[Green Dragon]

That's interesting, I guess I missed that. I guess that explains that my 76 SS must've been a 305 and not a 350 as I originally thought since it only had a 7.5", and also why my 78 Rally had 8.5" with a factory 305.

Tony, the VIN should tell you the engine as original - I;ve never seen a 7.5 in a 350 car, but you never know - hate to admit it we may, but our beloved 4th gen cars were built in the worst era of quality control in GM history....

~ AL

[jade76]

Yep, verified my VIN (1X27L6W213104), it definitely had a 350, but originally had a stock 7.5 rearend. The car is also a true SS with no additonal options other than P/S, It came with manual brakes, no A/C and no side stripes. I upgraded it to an 8.5 myself and added power brakes. No telling, maybe they didn't have any 8.5's on the assembly line that day. lol.

Something else got me curious now that I just realized. I thought last 6 digits on first line of cowl were supposed to match up with last 6 of VIN or is that just with the engine code?

ST76 1XX27 W 191394 BDY
TR. 71M A52 036 36 PNT
05B 1. R.1. 0518

[==sYc==>]

Something else got me curious now that I just realized. I thought last 6 digits on first line of cowl were supposed to match up with last 6 of VIN or is that just with the engine code?
I thought you were the expert. Why don't you look it up in your friends book? Oh, yeah, you forgot which book it was.

No, the VIN and cowl tag aren't the same number.

[69NovaSS]

Something else got me curious now that I just realized. I thought last 6 digits on first line of cowl were supposed to match up with last 6 of VIN or is that just with the engine code?

They will NEVER match. The last 6 in the VIN is the production sequence number for the whole car at the GM assembly plant while the number on the cowl is the Body sequence number at the fisher plant for the body shell only.;)

[Green Dragon]

(Tony) Yep, verified my VIN (1X27L6W213104), it definitely had a 350, but originally had a stock 7.5 rearend. The car is also a true SS with no additonal options other than P/S, It came with manual brakes, no A/C and no side stripes. I upgraded it to an 8.5 myself and added power brakes. No telling, maybe they didn't have any 8.5's on the assembly line that day. lol.

... definately odd, sounds like an assembly line shortage or error.

Do you have a build sheet for that car ? , that would show the axle code, so you could match it up - any chance the rear was replaced sometime ? ( very possible for a true SS car to have been abused :p

<>Something else got me curious now that I just realized. I thought last 6 digits on first line of cowl were supposed to match up with last 6 of VIN or is that just with the engine code?

... as far as I know the cowl numbers never match the vin - the cowl was fisher sequence numbers, vin was assembly line sequence numbers.
both should be similar ( ie: low production number on both, or late, etc ), but not likely to match .
and yes, some engines got the vin stamped on them, our 73 SS has the vin, not sure about the 77 Rally. ( and the 78 Phoneix had a warranty replacement engine, even with under 29K miles, something about 78's having bad cams and were recalled, my dad had a 78 van that GM paid to have the motor redone,too, but my Phoenix has a complete 305 Goodwrench motor in it, odd..... )


ST76 1XX27 W 191394 BDY
TR. 71M A52 036 36 PNT
05B 1. R.1. 0518

..... also noting the A52 brnch seat code, definately of interest how many SS / Rally cars had bench seats, it just seems 'not right' ( my Rally's a bench,too ).

Will get some cowl tag info when I can get pics ( and I have a few build sheets to scan ) .

~ AL

[69NovaSS]

..... also noting the A52 brnch seat code, definately of interest how many SS / Rally cars had bench seats, it just seems 'not right' ( my Rally's a bench,too )

Not sure about 4th gen cars but in the 3rd gen cars an SS could have any interior....standard or custom bench seat interiors or the bucket seat interior...There was not an SS only interior so to speak...I would suspect the same will hold true for 4th gens too:)