In 1976, Chevrolet introduced a luxury version of the Nova compact and rebadged it as the Concours, but the alias was dropped after just two seasons.
When is a Chevy Nova not a Chevy Nova? This sure looks like a Nova, and it shares all the same exterior sheet metal, mechanical hardware, and specifications. But Chevrolet preferred for you to regard its new offering for 1976 not as a humble Nova. No, here was the Chevrolet Concours, a bona fide member of the hot new “luxury compact” category of the late ’70s. But the rebranding effort was never more than half-hearted at best.
For its 1976 rebirth as the Concours, the Nova LN (Luxury Nova), previously the compact’s top trim level, was given a more expensive-looking grille, tail lamps, and wheel covers. And there were badges on the fenders and horn pad that proclaimed “Concours.” The vehicle identification number’s second character on a Concours was not X (Nova) but Y, indicating a stand-alone model.
1976 Concours Sedan
But in the corner of both the grille and instrument panel, there was a small Nova emblem, and here and there were tiny simulated cloisonnes with the initials NC—Nova Concours, we presume. But in the Concours’ print advertising, the Nova name is nowhere to be found. What was this Chevy? Concours, or fancy Nova? It was as though Chevrolet couldn’t quite make up its mind.
1977 Concours Sedan
For ’77, the Nova emblems were eliminated and the Concours received more exterior bright metal: a slab of chrome across the top of a new grille and thick wheel opening moldings. Available interiors seemed a little classier, too. The Concours was now treated to its own separate catalog brochure, where in the previous year it shared the bill with the Nova. “French in origin, the term ‘concours’ has come to mean a showing of classic and very special cars,” the agency writers helpfully noted.
1977 Concours Sedan
We could talk about the Concours’ mechanical features, but they are absolutely identical to those of the Nova: General Motors X-body unit/subframe platform with a 111-inch wheelbase. Engine choices included the old reliable 250 CID inline six and two small-block V8s, 305 CID and 350 CID, with a maximum of 165 hp (bumped to 170 hp in ’77.) Body styles were same as the Nova, too: two-door coupe, four-door sedan, three-door hatchback. Base prices ranged from $4,066 to $4,274, but with the full complement of extra-cost luxury options, the sticker could edge into $6,000 territory.
What did the Concours do for Chevrolet volume? Ultimately, not much. Sales and production of the division’s X-body cars sailed along as before, regardless of their badges. For 1978, the Concours was dropped and the highest trim level available was the Nova Custom, with similar features and options.
1976 Concours Sedan 
Maybe a half-hearted effort, but at least we didn’t have to put up with insultingly stupid ads where the overjoyed middle-aged NYC woman was gleeful because the meter maid mistook her Ford and called it a Cadillac. Which was the total net worth of the Ford Granada.
And, interior wise, the Concours was a really nice compact car.
As you surmised, the Concours was Chevy’s knee jerk response to the Granada.
Hey, if I were looking for a ’77 X-body, the Concours would be at the top of the list.
Can’t disagree with you on that statement. Back in the day (I was driving a Monza 2+2 at the time) I really liked the Nova/Concours restyle at the time, definitely felt it to be completely superior to the Granada if only because of it’s subtlety, and if I had been looking for a “dad’s car” it would have been my first choice.
Interesting that they gave this humdrum sedan a “Y” designation. From the C4 on, it was reserved for the Corvette.
One of the most rock solid offerings from GM,which was dumped to make way for the Citation.
I owned a ‘77 Nova- don’t get me started on what an abysmal piece of junk it was. I don’t want to remember all the things that were wrong or went wrong on that car. Too bad- it was nicely styled.
Could it be that the Concours was more a knee-jerk response to the Pontiac Phoenix (the renamed, upgraded Ventura in 1977-78)? The 1975 Nova LN may have indirectly spawned the Phoenix, but the mid-’70s Nova had a major identiy crisis. The 1975 ad campaign even admitted: “Nova’s always been good. Now it’s beautiful.” The ’73-’74 facelift of the original ’68 body left a bit to be desired…
The Phoenix didn’t show up until midyear. The Concours was a straight rebrand of the ’75 Nova LN.
I agree on the facelift, especially the revised rear side window profile on the 4-door which closely resembled the just-superceded A bodies. The ’75 Hofmeister kink was a big improvement.
My girlfriend at the time was in the market for a new car, having just graduated college and starting a new job at GM in finance. We looked at all sorts of cars, but she ended up buying a new 1977 Concours four door sedan, 350 four barrel, buckets and console, white with red (‘firethorn”) guts in a subdued cloth material IIRC. It was a dealer stock (i.e. dealer inventory) car but equipped exactly as I would have ordered it except that it was missing the optional gauge package. Really sharp car, fun to drive, perfect for a young and upcoming businesswoman. She kept it for six years, eventually replacing it with a new Celebrity four door/four banger, in my view a huge letdown from the Concours.