1969 Nova Available Rear Axle Ratios

Nova Research Project · #1 01-22-2012, 08:45 AM

Hello All,

I was updating Chevynova.org with some information I have found in my stash but had not really read.

I think this might shed some light on 1969 Nova Available Rear Axle Ratios.

This picks up where the COPO 9511 thread left off. I will include some my previous posts to make this a one stop reference. I will amend it to include the latest information.

I think I have found consistent repeatable facts are what will make support this information.

Supporting Documents:

1. The 1969 Nova Order form. On the Back of one would be the Available RPO axle options.

2. The Salesman Order and Price Guide. Specifically the Vehicle Price Schedule. This is from the catalog not the pocket price guide. This document has the limitations associated with the RPOs. Including what axle ratio was available (or not) with certain engine / transmissions combinations. It also included the associated ordering procedures.

These prices guides were updated at least quarterly. As things may have changed, it would be good to reference as many versions as possible.

3. Vehicle Price Schedules included the Power Teams charts. In conjunction with the price schedule the salesman would use the Power Teams to see what transmission and axle ratio was available.

I found have hard copies of these the Advance Release and Third MailingVehicle Price Schedules including the Power Team charts.

Here are links to the information pulled from the charts:

1969 NOVA POWER TEAMS (Standard and Optional Engines) Advance Release June 1, 1968
1969 NOVA POWER TEAMS (Standard and Optional Engines) 3rd Release April 1, 1969

I have not added the one included in the GM Archives doc. It had one copy of the Vehicle Price Schedule which did include the L78. The Power teams looks to be a carry over of 1968 as it did not list the 396.

These charts do support the listed RPO Axle codes and the associated broadcast and order codes:

1969 Nova....Broadcast Code
RPO...Ratio..Standard..G80 (Posi)
G76...3.36...BC*.......BD*
G92...3.08...PA*.......PE*
G94...3.31...BM........BS
G96...3.55...BN+.......BT+
G97...2.73...BI*/BP*...BQ*/PX*
GT1...2.56...BA*/PB*..BB*/PC*
H01...3.07...BL#.......BR#
None..3.73...BO........BU
None..4.10..............BV
None..4.56..............BW
None..4.88..............BX
* 10 Bolt
+ Standard for L78 Manual
# Standard for L78 Auto

The above is from published Chevy documents. The 1969 Nova Specifications did include the 3.73, 4.10, 4.56, and the 4.88. I expect they were submitted with the AMA Specifications. They were just not shown on the October 15, 1968 version of the AMA as the L78 was not listed.

The copy of the GM Archives 1969 Nova Model Specs may not be the final versions. But they do offer a few clues. But only a few as there is limited coverage of the 396.

So at least at the beginning of the 1969 model year these were available in a 1969 Nova but only the L48. However, as I do not have the 1st and second mailing of the power teams yet, there is no way to know if this was amended for the L78 and L34. I see no reason why they would not be offered on all SS cars.

1969 Nova....Broadcast Code
RPO...Ratio..Standard..G80 (Posi)
None..3.73...BO........BU
None..4.10..............BV
None..4.56..............BW
None..4.88..............BX

How there were ordered as follows:

The salesman would refer to the back of the order form, the Power Teams Chart, and price list. Then enter the non-standard axle ratio on the Special Ratio line and the ZQ9 Performance Ratio box checked. Of course it would have to meet the rules in the Vehicle Price Schedule and power Teams Chart. Which means the G80 would also be ticked as 4.10, 4.56 & 4.88 available as Positraction only.

Where would the axles ratios show up in the paperwork:

The non-standard axle ratio would be listed on the Window Sticker. Either under the order code G84 or possibly as ZQ6.

Axle code would not be listed on the Fisher Body sheet. However, the Engine code could be for L48, L34, and L78 in 1969. There was a COPO box on the Fisher Body broadcast sheet. However this section was also overflow for standard RPOs. Having a number there would not necessarily mean the car was a COPO.

Another document that would show the axle code would be the GM Chassis Broadcast sheet. Line 6 Box 236. I have only ever seen one for 1969. While I have seen about a dozen for 1970.

And finally the POP would show the broadcast code.

So it looks like that 4.10, 4.56, and 4.88 axle ratios were available in the beginning of the 1969 Model year. We have already established they were available in the 1968 Model Year.

What do you think?

Greg

**JRSully** · #2 01-22-2012, 02:03 PM

Greg, FWIW, the 69 L78 Nova that I sold had a BW 12 bolt in it, assembly date and cast code right on for the April 69 vehilcle build date. No POP or other docs to verify for sure though

**Salvatore** · #3 01-22-2012, 03:25 PM

Great info Greg. I remember Bill Jenkins telling me that you could get virtually anything from Chevy in the old days as long as you knew how to order it. I was asking him about a 1959 ElCamino with fuel injection at the time. Most salesman in those days did not care to order or know how to order this stuff. Good work!

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.