First Generation | 1962–1965

In response to the success of the conventional Ford Falcon outselling the rear-engine Chevrolet Corvair in 1960, Chevrolet developed a more traditional compact car that would eventually become the Chevy II. The Chevy II, introduced in 1962, featured semi-unibody construction with a bolt-on front section joined to a unitized cabin and rear trunk section. It was available in various configurations, including two- and four-door sedans, convertibles, and four-door station wagons. The 1962 Chevy II came in three series and five body styles, with the sporty Nova 400 convertible being particularly popular.

Initially, the Chevy II offered inline-four and straight-six engines, both with overhead valves. There was no official V8 engine option during the first two years of production, despite a myth suggesting the availability of dealer-installed V8 engines. However, enthusiasts often swapped small-block V8 engines into their Chevy IIs. The Nova option was introduced in 1963, featuring a convertible body style and a two-door hardtop that was temporarily removed from the lineup for the 1964 models but reintroduced later in the model year.

By 1964, the introduction of the Chevelle impacted Chevy II sales, prompting the addition of a factory V8 option, a 195 hp 283 cu in engine, alongside a new 230 cu in straight-six. The 1965 models received updated styling, with a full-width grille, relocated parking lights, and restyled tail lights and backup lights. The Nova Super Sport came solely as a Sport Coupe, with production dropping to 9,100 units. The 1965 Chevy II is notable as the year it transformed into a muscle car, with the availability of a 327 cu in V8 engine producing up to 300 hp. Despite these enhancements, the Chevy II faced competition from the Chevelle Malibu SS and experienced a decline in sales compared to the previous year.