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1968 Chevrolet Nova SS 396 L78
The 1968 Nova SS 396 L78 is treated here as a factory Chevrolet Nova coupe built through the Super Sport pathway, not as a dealer conversion or later special edition. The source-backed trim path is RPO Z26 Super Sport on the Nova coupe body, with the L78 396-cubic-inch four-barrel big-block listed among the 1968 SS powertrain choices. NovaResource's engine-code table identifies the 1968 MQ application as a 396cid, 375hp manual-transmission engine, while its axle table lists L78 manual cars with a 3.55:1 rear axle and 8.875-inch ring gear.
The safest public description is therefore narrow: a 1968 Nova coupe with Super Sport equipment and the L78 396/375-hp four-barrel engine, paired with manual transmission choices. The SS equipment record includes black grille and rear-panel treatment, special hood ornaments, SS badging, under-hood insulation, deluxe steering wheel with SS hub emblem, red-stripe E70-14 tires on 14x6 rims, F40 heavy-duty suspension, optional F41 sport suspension, and finned front brake drums. Paint and trim are tag-driven details: the period Chevrolet color table lists codes such as Grotto Blue, Fathom Blue, Matador Red, Tuxedo Black, and Butternut Yellow, while individual cars still need cowl-tag confirmation.
Production evidence is less factory-direct. NovaResource compiles 667 1968 Novas with the 375-hp 396 L78 and 901 total 396-powered cars, but labels its production pages as compiled from many sources. Those figures are retained as reported evidence rather than factory-certified totals. Authenticity should rest on original paperwork and drivetrain stamp evidence: NovaResource warns that the engine block partial VIN and application code are central evidence, and that without original engine evidence or paperwork, confirmation of a 1968 SS is limited.