1971 Corvette Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1971 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
1971 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
1. Sholder Belts Standard in Coupe Optional in Convertible
2. 454 CID LS6 V-8 Arrives
3. Amber Turn Signals Only Visual Change
4. Custom Interior Trim Still an Option
5. LT1 350 CID V-8 Returns with Reduced HP
1971 Corvette – Toning Down the Engines
The 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Remained very much the same as the previous year, however the LS6 454 CID V-8 arrived, albeit with reduced compression. The LS 5 454 CID V-8 and the LT1 350 CID V-8 also returned. The L46 350 HP engine was retired. This would be the only year for the LS6 and the RS2 special handling package for the 454 LS6.
1971 Corvette Resources
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1971 Corvette Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes
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1971 Corvette
| 10 Classic White | |
| 905 Nevada Silver | |
| 912 Sunflower Yellow | |
| 973 Mille Miglia Red | |
| 976 Mulsanne Blue | |
| 979 Bridgehampton Blue | |
| 983 Brands Hatch Green | |
| 987 Ontario Orange | |
| 988 Steel Cities Gray | |
| 989 War Bonnet Yellow |
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1971 Corvette Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1971 Corvette Facts
The 1971 cars were virtually identical in appearance to the 1970 cars inside and out. One thing that was changed was the parking light lenses, most have amber lenses, although some early production models have clear. The resin process used to form body parts was also updated to increase quality.
This would be the final year for the fiber optics light monitoring system, the headlight washer system, and the M22 heavy duty 4-speed manual transmission. Air conditioning was installed on 11,481 of the cars – nearly 53 percent. Engines were de-tuned with reduced compression ratios to tolerate lower octane fuel. The 350 CID V-8 versions were the base engine, now at 270 HP, and the LT1, now rated at 330 HP. The LS5 454 CID V-8 was available with 365 HP and for 1971 only, the LS6 454 CID was available – with aluminum heads and 425 HP – it could be ordered with automatic transmission. The ZR1 option was carried over for LT1 equipped cars, and a ZR2 option, for this year only, provided a similar performance equipment package for LS6 cars, but restricted transmission to a 4-speed manual.
Rare options were the ZR1 engine package (8), the ZR2 engine package (12), the LS6 425 HP engine (188), and the 4 Speed Manual, Close Ratio, Heavy Duty Transmission (130). A rare safety option, shoulder belts in convertibles, with only 677 installed, though the belts were standard in Coupes.
1971 Corvette Factoids
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- LS6 454 CID V-8 Arrives
- LT1 350 CID V-8 Down to 330 HP
- Walnut Custom Trim Returns
- Only Visible External Change was Amber Front Turn Signals
- Shoulder Seat Belts Standard in Coupe & Optional in Convertible
For 1971, the 454 CID V-8 was now offered, however the LS7 was retired from the specifications sheets. Both the LS-5 & LS 6 were available, but lowered compression Hurt HP. The LS 5 was now rated at 365 HP and the LS6 version was reduced to 425 HP. The LS6 still used the radical mechanical camshaft of 316/302 duration and a 800 CFM Holley carburetor on a high rise manifold. The LS6 was also available with automatic transmission.
The LT 1 350 CID V-8 now delivered 330 HP due to a new 9.00:1 compression ratio. It still used a mechanical camshaft and featured a forged steel crankshaft and 4-bolt main bearing caps. It included the same mechanical long duration high-lift camshaft with 317/346 duration, a low-restriction exhaust system, an aluminum intake manifold, and a Holley 4-barrel carburetor.
The Custom Leather/Walnut interior trim package returned, and 2,602 buyers went for it.
The parking light at the outer part of the grille were now amber. Otherwise, the car was visually the same as the 1970 model.
Shoulder style seat belts were standard in the Coupe, but optional in the convertible (that we now know would have been more appropriate due to rollover safety issues). At $42.00, they were not expensive, but only 677 buyers opted for them, about 9% of Convertible owners.
1971 Corvette Facts – Models Offered
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For 1971 egg-crate grills with matching front fender side vents and larger squared front directional lamps were retained Interiors were mildly redesigned with new seats and the deluxe interior option combined wood-grain wood accents and higher-spec carpeting with leather seat surfaces.
Body Style 19437 – Coupe – Base Price $5,496, Production 14,680.
For 1971 egg-crate grills with matching front fender side vents and larger squared front directional lamps were retained Interiors were mildly redesigned with new seats and the deluxe interior option combined wood-grain wood accents and higher-spec carpeting with leather seat surfaces.
Body Style 19467 – Convertible – Base Price $5,259 – Production 7,121.
1971 Corvette Facts – Engines
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270 HP V-8 Standard. 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: 270 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 360 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve Lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 280 degrees, Exhaust: 288 degrees, Overlap 58 degrees. Lift: Intake: 0.3900″, Exhaust: 0.4100″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel (manual transmission) 7040213; (automatic transmission) 7040212.
330 HP V-8 Option LT1. Four-Speed Manual Transmission Only. 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 degrees, Exhaust: 346 degrees, Overlap 96 degrees. Lift: (Intake) 0.4586″; (Exhaust) 0.4850″.
Carburetor: Holley 780 CFM 4-barrel 3989014.
NOTE: Not available with automatic transmission.
Turbo-Fire 454 V-8 (RPO LS5). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 454 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.250 x 4.00 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 365 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 5465 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: (Includes ramps) Intake: 350 degrees, Exhaust: 352 degrees, Overlap 118 degrees. Lift: Intake: 0.4614″; Exhaust: 0.4800″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel (manual transmission) 7041205; (automatic transmission) 7041204.
454 V-8 (RPO LS6). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings, 4-bolt caps.
Displacement: 454 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.250 x 4.00 inches.
Cylinder Heads: Aluminum.
Compression ratio: 9.0:1.
Horsepower: 425 @ 5600 RPM.
Torque: 475 @ 4000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 316 degrees, Exhaust: 302 degrees, Overlap 80 degrees. Lift: Intake: 0.5197″; Exhaust: 0.5197″.
Carburetor: Holley 4 barrel (manual transmission) #3986195; (automatic transmission) #3986196.
1971 Corvette Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 98.00 inches.
- Overall length: 182.50 inches.
- Overall width: 69.00 inches.
- Overall height: Coupe 47.80 inches; Convertible 47.90 inches.
- Front tread: 58.70 inches.
- Rear tread: 59.40 inches.
- Tires: F70 x 15 – tubeless.
1971 Corvette Facts – Powertrains
- Transmission Ratios
- 370 & 330 HP Four-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.52:1, Second: 1.88:1, Third 1.46:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.59:1.
- 330, 365 & 425 HP Four-Speed Close Ratio Manual Transmission – First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.64:1, Third 1.28:1, Fourth: 1.00:1, Reverse: 2.26:1.
- 330, 365 & 425 HP HP M22 HD Four-Speed Close Ratio Manual Transmission – First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.64:1, Third 1.28:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.26:1.
- All – Three-Speed Turbo Hydra-matic Transmission – 1st 2.48:1, 2nd: 1.48:1, 3rd: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.08:1.
- Rear Axle Ratios
Manual Transmissions –
– 270 HP 4-speed Manual: 3.36:1; Optional: 3.08:1.
– 330 HP Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.70:1, Optional 4.11:1.
– 330 HP Wide Ratio Four-speed: 3.55:1, Optional 3.36:1, 3.70:1.
– 330 HP Close Ratio HD Four-speed: 3.36:1, Optional 3.08:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.
– 365 HP Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.36:1; Optional 3.08:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1.
– 365 HP Wide Ratio Four-speed: 3.08:1; Optional 3.36:1.
– 425 HP Close Ratio HD Four-speed: 3.36:1:; Optional 3.08:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.
– 425 HP Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.36:1; Optional 3.08:1, 3.55:1.
Three Speed Automatic Transmissions –
– 270 HP: 3.08:1; Optional: 3.36:1.
– 330 HP: Not Available.
– 365 HP: 3.08:1; Optional 2.73:1, 3.36:1 w/AC: 3.08:1 Only.
– 425 HP: 3.08:1; Optional 2.73:1, 3.36:1.
NOTE 1: Optional available Dealer Installed rear axle gear ratios: 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.
1971 Corvette Facts – Powertrain Options
Engines:
-
- 350 cubic inch 270 horsepower four-barrel carburetor engine – Standard.
- LT1 350 cubic inch 330 horsepower V-8 engine ($483.00).
- LS5 454 cubic inch 365 horsepower V-8 engine ($295.00).
- LS6 454 cubic inch 425 horsepower V-8 engine ($1,221).
Other:
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- 3-speed automatic transmission (Standard/Choice).
- 4-speed close ratio M-21 manual transmission (Standard/Choice) NOTE: not available w/base engine.
- 4-speed wide ratio M-20 manual transmission (Standard/Choice).
- 4-speed close ratio M-22 Heavy Duty manual floor shift transmission ($100.00).
- ZR1 Special Handling Package for LT1 ($1.010.00). Contains: heavy-duty brakes, dost-ratio four-speed manual transmission, special front stabilizer bar, special springs and shock absorbers, transistorized ignition system.
- ZR2 Special Handling Package for LS6 ($1.747.00). Contains: heavy-duty brakes, dost-ratio four-speed manual transmission, special front stabilizer bar, special springs and shock absorbers, transistorized ignition system.
- Positive Traction Rear Axle ($48.00).
- Optional Gear Ratios ($13.00).
1971 Corvette Facts – Significant Options
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- Air Conditioning ($459.00).
- Alarm System ($31.60).
- Auxiliary Hardtop, Convertible Only ($274.00).
- Custom Interior Trim ($158.00).
- Custom Shoulder Belts standard with coupe ($42.00).
- Deluxe Wheel Covers ($63.00).
- Heavy Duty Battery, standard with LS5/LS6 ($15.80).
- Power Brakes ($47.00).
- Power Steering ($115.90).
- Power Windows ($79.00).
- Radio, AM/FM ($178.00).
- Radio, AM/FM Stereo ($283.00).
- Rear Window Defroster ($42.00).
- Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column ($84.30).
- Vinyl Covering for Aux. Hardtop ($63.00).
- White Letter Tires F70 x 15 ($42.00).
- White Line Tires F70 x 15 ($28.00).
1971 Corvette Downloads and Images
1971 Corvette Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1971 Corvette AMA Specifications Sheets
1971 Corvette Factory Specifications Sheets
1971 Corvette Facts – Related Images
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1971 Corvette Convertible
The 1971 Corvette Convertible was little changed from 1970. 7,121 were delivered.
1971 Corvette Coupe
The 1971 Corvette Coupe was virtually unchanged from the 1970 model with just some interior restyling. 14,680 were sold.