1971 Chevrolet Camaro Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1971 Camaro Z28
1. GM Mandated Lower Compression Impacts Horsepower
2. Model Lineup & Trim Levels Retained
3. New High-back Bucket Seats with built-in Headrests Bow
4. 67-day strike at GM impacts Sales
5. Little Known Fact - Z28 Could Receive M40 3-Speeed Auto Trans
1971 Camaro – Little Change and HP is Down
There was hardly any change in the 1971 Camaro. The grille insert seemed to have a more vertical character, although the design elements remained basically unchanged. New options were Brown or Blue vinyl top coverings. Power disc brakes were standard. Horsepower was down, due to decreased compression ratios.
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Resources
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1971 Chevrolet Camaro – Body Paint Color Mix Codes
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1971 Chevrolet Camaro
| 11 Antique White | |
| 13 Nevada Silver | |
| 19 Tuxedo Black | |
| 24 Ascot Blue | |
| 26 Mulsanne Blue | |
| 42 Cottonwood Green | |
| 43 Lime Green | |
| 49 Antique Green | |
| 52 Sunflower Yellow | |
| 53 Placer Gold | |
| 61 Sandalwood | |
| 62 Burnt Orange | |
| 67 Classic Copper | |
| 75 Cranberry Red | |
| 78 Rosewood |
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1971 Chevrolet Camaro Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1971 Chevrolet Camaro
The 1971 Camaro received only minor appearance changes from its 1970 counterpart. Inside, new high-back Strato bucket seats with built-in headrests replaced the 1970-only low-back seats with adjustable headrests. The biggest changes came under the hood, due to an emissions-driven Federal mandate that all engines be designed to run on the future release of only lower-octane unleaded gasoline. This necessitated a reduction in compression ratios that at the time also reduced horsepower. The 250 I–6, the 307 CID V-8, as well as the two-barrel 350 CID V-8 were virtually unaffected as they were already low-compression regular-fuel engines from previous years.
The L48 350 CID V-8 went from 300 HP SAE gross down to 270 HP (210 SAE net) with its new 6.50:1 compression ratio, and the Z28 350 CID V-8 unique to the Z/28 package dropped from 360 HP SAE gross to 330 HP SAE gross (275 SAE net) due to a compression ratio decrease from 11.0:1 to 9.0:1. The 402 CID V-8 dropped from 350 to 300 HP SAE gross (260 HP SAE net) due to compression ratio drop from 10.25:1 to 8.5:1. The radical 375 HP 402 CID V-8 was dropped. Torque was down too.
Production and sales dropped due to a 67-day corporate-wide strike at GM that coincided with the introduction of the 1971 models in late September 1970. The declining interest in the pony car market fueled by skyrocketing insurance rates for high-performance cars also exacerbated the sales drop.
Rumors of the possible cancellation of the Camaro after 1972 began to surface and were nearly confirmed a year later when another worker’s strike hit the assembly plant at Norwood, Ohio, which was the only plant building Camaros and Firebirds. Obviously none of this boded well for the Camaro.
NOTE: Camaro models above the base model were still differentiated by RPO packages. See the list in Models Offered – below.
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Factoids
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The Z28 350 CID V-8 suffered a significant power drop due to the GM-mandated compression ratio reductions anticipating the move to unleaded lower octane fuels. The compression ratio drop went from 11.0:1 to 9.0:1 (the highest allowed was supposed to be 8.5:1, but the engine received a “waiver”). Thirty advertised HP was lost – it may have been more.
One of the great responses to the safety mandated headrests in U.S. vehicles were the “high-backed” bucket seats. They were no only safer, but they held the occupants in lace more securely and were more comfortable.
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Facts – Models Offered
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New options were Brown or Blue vinyl top coverings. Power disc brakes were standard. So was side marker lights, reflectors, defroster, washers and dual speed wipers, inside day /nite mirror, outside rear view mirror, all-vinyl interior, bucket seats, rear bucket style seat cushions, front disc brakes, steel side guard rails, three-speed manual transmission with floor shift, cigarette lighter, carpeting, Astro-Ventilation and either the 250 CID I-6 or 307 CID V-8. Size E78 x 14 tires were standard equipment.
RPO Z22 – Rally Sport equipment included special black-finished grille with rubber-tipped vertical center bar and resilient body-color grille frame, independent front left and right-hand bumpers, license plate bracket below right bumper, parking lights with bright accents mounted on grille panel, Hide-Away wipers, bright roof drip, window and hood panel moldings, body-color insert on door handles, RS emblem on steering wheel, RS front fender nameplates and bright accented taillights and backup lamps RS emblems were deleted when Camaro SS or Z/28 package was ordered.
RPO Z27 – The Camaro SS package included dual exhausts, power brakes, left-hand remote-control sport mirror, special ornamentation and hood insulation, F70-14 tires (white-lettered), 14 x 7 inch wheels, black-finished grille, Hide-Away wipers and the 270 horsepower 350 CID V-8 with bright engine accents.
RPO Z28 – Included in the package was the 330 horsepower 350 CID V-8 with bright engine trim, remote-control left-hand outside rear-view mirror, special instrumentation, power brakes, 3.73:1 ratio Positraction rear axle, heavy-duty cooling, dual exhausts, black accented grille,” Z/28″ front fender emblems, rear bumper guards, sport suspension, rear deck spoiler with “Z/28” decal, special paint stripes on hood and rear deck (choice of either black or white stripes, except when vinyl top roof with black or white paint finish was ordered, heavy-duty front and rear springs, 15 x 7 inch wheels with chrome lug nuts, special center hub caps with trim rings and F60-15 bias-belted white-letter tires.
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Facts – RPO List
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- RPO Z22 – Camaro Rally Sport appearance package, includes black painted grille and resilient body-color grille frame, independent left and right front bumpers, license plate bracket mounted below right front bumper, parking lights with bright accents molded on front panel, Hide-A-Way wipers, bright window, hood panel and body sill moldings, body-colored door handle inserts, “RS” emblems, nameplate, F78-14 tires required.
- RPO Z27 – Camaro Super Sport package included 270 horsepower 350 CID V-8, bright engine accents, heavy duty battery, power brakes, special ornamentation, Front and Rear Spoilers, hood insulation, F70-14 white letter tires, 14-7 wheels, black-painted grille, Hide-A-Way wipers with black arms and “SS” emblems.
- RPO Z28 – Camaro Z28 Special Performance Package, includes special 330 horsepower 350 CID V-8 with bright engine accents, heavy-duty radiator, dual exhausts, black painted grille, “Z28” emblems, special performance suspension, heavy-duty front and rear springs, 15 x 7 inch wheels, special center caps and trim rings, hood insulation, F60-l58 white-lettered tires, rear deck spoiler and special paint stripes on hood and deck.
NOTE: A complete breakdown of all items found in the RPOs (they differ when certain RPOs are combined) can be found in the Chevrolet Camaro Factory Information Kit, Starting Page 53 HERE
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Facts – Engines
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- 250 CID I-6 145 HP
- 307 CID V-8 200 HP
- 350 CID V-8 245 HP
- 350 CID V-8 270 HP
- 350 CID V-8 Z28 330 HP
- 402 CID V8 300 HP
250 CID Six-cylinder. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Seven main bearings.
Displacement: 250 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.530 inches.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 145 @ 4200 RPM.
Torque: 230 @1600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Timing: Intake 244°, Exhaust: 244°. Valve Lift: Intake 0.3880″, Exhaust 0.3880″.
Carburetor: Rochester one-barrel: (manual transmission) 7041017; (automatic transmission) 7041014.
NOTE: The 230 CID I-6 was no longer offered in the line.
307 CID V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 307 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.25 inches.
Compression ratio: 8.50:1.
Horsepower: 200 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 300 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Timing: Intake 280°, Exhaust 288°, Overlap 58°. Valve Lift: (intake) 0.3900″; (exhaust) 0.4100″.
Carburetor: Rochester 2GV two barrel: (manual transmission) 7041101; (automatic Transmission) 7041110.
245 HP 350 CID V-8. (L65) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.48 inches.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 245@ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 350 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Timing: Intake: 280°, Exhaust: 288°, Overlap 58°. Lift: (intake) 0.3900″, (exhaust) 0.4100″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-jet 4-barrel – (manual transmission) 7041113; (automatic transmission) 7041114.
270 HP 350 CID V-8. (L48) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.48 inches.
Compression ratio: 8.50:1.
Horsepower: 270 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 360 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Timing: Intake: 280°, Exhaust: 288°, Overlap 58°. Lift: (intake) 0.3900″, (exhaust) 0.4100″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-jet 4-barrel – (manual transmission) 7041203; (automatic transmission) 7041202.
330 HP 350 CID Z28 V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.48 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.0:1.
Horsepower: 330 @ 5600 RPM.
Torque: 360 @ 4000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft Timing: Intake: 317°, Exhaust: 346, Overlap 96°. Lift: (intake) 0.4586″, (exhaust) 0.4850″.
Carburetor: Holley 4-barrel – (manual transmission) 3989021; (automatic transmission) 3989022.
Turbo-Jet 402 CID V-8 (LS3). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 402 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.126 x 3.76 inches.
Compression ratio: 8.50:1.
Horsepower: 300 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 400 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft Timing: Intake: 286°, Exhaust: 286°, Overlap: 59°. Lift: Intake 0.3983″, Exhaust 0.4300″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-jet – manual transmission #7041201; automatic transmission: #7041200.
NOTE: Chevrolet still named this engine, when in Camaro as “396”.
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 108 inches.
- Overall length: 188.0 inches.
- Front tread: 61.3 inches.
- Rear tread: 60.0 inches.
- Overall width: 74.4 inches.
- Overall height: Coupe Only 49.1 inches.
- Tires: I-6 – 307 CID: E78 x 14; 350 CID 245 & 270 HP F78 x 14; SS 396 F70 x 14; Z28 F60 x 15;
- NOTE: F70 x 14 Optional where lesser tire fitted.
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Facts – Powertrains
- Powerglide Transmission Ratios
- I-6 & 307 CID V-8: 1st – 1.82:1, 2nd – 1:1, Reverse – 1.82:1
- Turbo Hydramatic 350 Transmission Ratios
- 307 & 350 CID 245-270 HP V-8: 1st – 2.52:1, 2nd – 1.52:1, 3rd 1.00:1 Reverse – 1.93:1
- Turbo Hydramatic 400 Transmission Ratios
- 350 CID 330 HP 402 CID V-8: 1st – 2.48:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd 1.00:1 Reverse – 2.08:1
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- I-6 & 307 CID V-8: 1st – 2.85:1, 2nd – 1.68:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.95:1
- Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- 350 CID 245 HP V-8: 1st – 2.54:1, 2nd – 1.80:1, 3rd – 1.32:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.54:1
- 350 CID 270 HP V-8: 1st – 2.52:1, 2nd – 1.88:1, 3rd – 1.46:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.59:1
- 350 330 HP & 402 CID V-8 Close Ratio: 1st – 2.20:1, 2nd – 1.64:1, 3rd – 1.27:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.26:1
- 350 330 HP & 402 CID V-8 Wide Ratio: 1st – 2.52:1, 2nd – 1.88:1, 3rd – 1.46:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.59:1
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- I-6 & 307 V-8 CID: 3-Speed SMT & Powerglide – 3.08:1
- 307 CID V-8 3-Speed Automatic 2.73:1
- 350 CID 245 HP V-8:4-Speed SMT – 3.08:1; 3-Speed Automatic 2.73:1; Optional – 3.42:1
- 350 CID V-8 270 HP: 4-Speed SMT – 3.42:1, 3-Speed Automatic – 3.08:1
- 350 CID V-8 330 HP: All Transmissions – 3.73:1, Optional – 4.10:1
- 402 CID V-8 300 HP: All Transmissions – 3.42:1.
- Posi-traction optional for all V-8 equipped vehicles where axle allowed.
NOTE: Optional, dealer installed gear ratios ranged from 2.73:1 to 4.88:1 depending on axle manufacturer. See 1971 AMA Specifications Sheets in HERE for complete information.
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Facts – Powertrain Options
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- 3-speed manual transmission, standard.
- 4-speed heavy-duty (M22) manual transmission with ($232.35)
- 4-speed manual transmission, close-ratio ($205.95)
- 4-speed manual transmission, wide-ratio ($205.95)
- Dual exhausts ($30.55).
- Floor-mounted shift lever for 3-speed manual transmission, as optional equipment ($10.55).
- Heavy-duty clutch ($47.50).
- Posi-Traction axle ($42.15).
- Powerglide automatic transmission with V-8 ($174.25); with I-6 ($163.70).
- RPO LS3/300 horsepower 402 CID V-8 with RPO Z27 ($152.75).
- RPO L65/245 horsepower 350 CID Turbo-Fire V-8 ($68.50).
- RPO L48/270 horsepower 350 CID Turbo-Fire V-8 ($108.35)
- RPO Z28 Package, includes the 330 horsepower 350 CID V-8. Part of full Z28 package not – available otherwise.
- Turbo Hydra-Matic (M38 type), ($190.10); in all, with 200, 245 and 270 horsepower 350 CID V-8 ($200.65)
- Turbo Hydra-Matic (M40 type) with Z28 and LS3 402 CID V-8 horsepower V-8 only ($221.80).
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Facts – Significant Options
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- Air conditioning
- AM push button radio
- AM/FM push button radio
- AM/FM radio with FM stereo
- Console
- Comfortron air conditioning
- Comfort-Tilt steering wheel
- Electro-Clear rear defroster
- Fingertip windshield wiper control
- Power door locks
- Power front disc brakes ($64.25-$65.65).
- Power steering
- Power Strato Bucket seat
- Rear deck lid spoiler, on Camaro, standard with Z28 package
- Special instrumentation included tachometer, ammeter and temperature gauges,
- Standard rear defroster
- Stereo tape system
- Tinted glass
- Vigilante light monitoring system
- Vinyl roof
- Wheel covers , base Camaro
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Downloads and Images
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Facts – Related Document Downloads
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Brochure
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Print Advertisements
1971 Chevrolet Camaro AMA Specifications Sheets
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Factory Information Kit
SEEKING: Back in the Day 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Magazine Road Tests! Got One? Click HERE
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Facts – Related Images
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
The 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was little changed from 1970 except for minor styling tweaks and the inclusion of high-backed bucket seats. Of note was the reduction in HP to 330 due to mandated lower compression ratio. 4,862 were produced.
1971 Chevrolet Camaro – SS Trim
The 1971 Chevrolet Camaro in SS Trim included 350 CID V-8, dual exhausts, power brakes, special SS ornamentation, F70-14 tires, 14 x 7 inch wheels; black-finished grille, and rear spoiler. 8,377 were delivered.
1971 Chevrolet Camaro – RS Trim
1971 Chevrolet Camaro in RS Trim featured, among a host of other elements: special black-finished grille, independent front left and right- hand bumpers, Hide-Away wipers, body-color insert on door handles, “RS” emblem on steering wheel, and bright accented taillights and backup lamps. 18,404 were produced.
1971 Chevrolet Camaro Base
The 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Base was the bread and butter Camaro, accounting for a bulk of the 114,646 sales. It could be optioned with almost all the engine packages, excluding the Z28 330 HP V-8, only available on the that RPO package.