What cars did Chevrolet make in 1962?

Chevrolet’s 1962 U.S. passenger-car lineup consisted of the full-size Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala; the all-new compact Chevy II/Nova; the rear-engined Corvair range; and the Corvette sports car. Together, these covered everything from entry-level sedans and wagons to turbocharged compacts and a high-performance roadster.

The full-size lineup: Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala

Chevy’s bread-and-butter for 1962 remained its full-size B-body cars, sold in three trim levels—Biscayne (base), Bel Air (mid-level), and Impala (top)—with a broad mix of sedans, hardtops, wagons, and convertibles. These cars could be equipped with everything from an economical inline-six to muscular V8s, including the famed 409.

• Biscayne — Value-focused full-size model offered primarily as 2-door and 4-door sedans, plus station wagons. Popular with fleets and buyers prioritizing simplicity and price.
• Bel Air — Mid-trim with additional features and finishes. Available as 2-door and 4-door sedans, station wagons, and the Bel Air Sport Coupe (a “bubbletop” hardtop prized by racers and enthusiasts in 1962).
• Impala — Top-trim full-size line with 2-door Sport Coupe, 4-door hardtop (Sport Sedan), convertibles, and station wagons. The Impala Super Sport (SS) was an option package on the Impala, adding distinctive trim and performance hardware; power choices ranged from small-block V8s up to the 409 V8 for serious performance.

Together, these full-size Chevrolets delivered Chevy’s signature mix of space, style, and performance, with broad powertrain choices—inline-six, small-block V8s, and the headline 409 V8—cementing their status on Main Street and at the drag strip alike.

Chevy II/Nova: the new compact

Introduced for 1962, the Chevy II was Chevrolet’s straightforward, front-engine compact designed to compete with Falcon and others. Sold in three series—100 (base), 200 (mid), and Nova 400 (top)—it emphasized conventional engineering, everyday practicality, and low weight.

• Nova 400 (top series) — Offered as 2-door and 4-door sedans, a stylish 2-door hardtop (Sport Coupe), a 4-door station wagon, and a convertible (exclusive to the Nova 400 for 1962). Power came from a 153-cu-in four or a 194-cu-in inline-six.
• 200 series — 2-door and 4-door sedans and a 4-door wagon, with similar engine choices and fewer standard amenities.
• 100 series — The price-leader with basic trim, primarily in sedan form, built for budget-conscious buyers and fleets.

In its debut year, the Chevy II/Nova brought Chevy a simple, roomy compact with four- and six-cylinder power; V8 options would follow later in the decade, but not in 1962.

Corvair: rear-engined innovation

Chevy’s air-cooled, rear-engined Corvair continued in 1962 with notable additions, including the first Corvair convertibles and the high-performance Monza Spyder turbo option. Station wagons, branded Lakewood in 1961, continued into the early part of the 1962 model year before being withdrawn.

• Corvair 500 and 700 — Entry and mid-trim models in 2-door and 4-door configurations, focusing on value and comfort within the unique rear-engine layout.
• Corvair Monza — The popular upmarket version, offered as a Club Coupe, 4-door sedan, and (new for 1962) convertible. Late in the model year, the Monza Spyder package arrived, featuring a turbocharged 145-cu-in flat-six rated at 150 hp (available on the coupe and convertible).
• Corvair wagons — Built only in the early portion of the 1962 model year; after their discontinuation, Corvair production focused on coupes, sedans, and convertibles.

With fresh convertibles and the groundbreaking turbocharged Spyder, the 1962 Corvair lineup blended engineering daring with broader appeal, even as wagon production wound down.

Corvette: last year of the first generation

Chevy’s icon, the Corvette, closed out its first generation (C1) in 1962 with significant mechanical upgrades and a cleaner look. It remained a two-seat roadster with an optional removable hardtop.

• 1962 Corvette — Offered exclusively as a convertible; introduced the 327-cu-in small-block V8 in several tunes, including a high-performance fuel-injected version. It was the final year for the solid-axle C1 and a transition to the landmark Sting Ray that would follow in 1963.

The 1962 Corvette balanced classic C1 style with newfound power and refinement, setting the stage for the independent-suspension Sting Ray era.

Notes on trucks and vans

This answer focuses on passenger cars. In 1962, Chevrolet also sold trucks and vans (including the Corvair-based Greenbrier Sportswagon and pickups), but these were marketed as commercial/light-duty vehicles rather than passenger cars.

Key 1962 developments at a glance

Several debuts and changes made 1962 a pivotal year across Chevrolet’s car range.

• Chevy II/Nova launched as a new conventional compact line (100, 200, Nova 400), including a Nova 400 convertible.
• Corvair added convertibles and introduced the Monza Spyder turbocharged performance package; Corvair wagons were phased out early in the model year.
• Full-size lineup continued to broaden performance options, with Impala SS equipment widely available and the 409 V8 anchoring the muscle image.
• Corvette (C1) entered its final year with a new 327 V8 range and cleaner styling, paving the way for the 1963 Sting Ray.

Taken together, these moves expanded Chevrolet’s reach—from economy compacts to high-performance icons—while refining existing nameplates.

Summary

In 1962, Chevrolet’s passenger-car catalog stretched from the full-size Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala (including the SS option) to the new Chevy II/Nova compact line, the innovative Corvair (now with a turbocharged Spyder and fresh convertibles), and the last-of-the-line C1 Corvette. It was a year of both breadth and momentum, with new models and performance milestones that shaped Chevy’s trajectory for the rest of the decade.

What was the coolest car in 1962?

The Coolest American Cars of 1962

• Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder. An early example of mass-market turbocharging, the ultimate version of Chevy’s rear-engine compact seemed quite exotic in 1962, especially for a Detroit product.
• Chevrolet Corvette.
• Ford Fairlane.

What cars did Chevy make in 1963?

Select a 1963 Chevrolet Model

• 1963 Bel Air.
• 1963 Biscayne.
• 1963 C10.
• 1963 C20.
• 1963 C30.
• 1963 Chevy II 100.
• 1963 Chevy II 300.
• 1963 Chevy II Nova.

What models did Chevy make in 1962?

Select a 1962 Chevrolet Model

• 1962 Bel Air.
• 1962 Biscayne.
• 1962 C10.
• 1962 C20.
• 1962 C30.
• 1962 Chevy II 100.
• 1962 Chevy II 300.
• 1962 Chevy II Nova.

What cars did Chevy make in 1961?

Explore 1961 Chevrolet Models

• 1961 Bel Air.
• 1961 Bel Air Parkwood.
• 1961 Biscayne.
• 1961 Biscayne Brookwood.
• 1961 Biscayne Deluxe.
• 1961 C10.
• 1961 C20.
• 1961 C30.