1971 Pontiac Firebird Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455
1. All Except Trans Am Get Fender Exhaust Grille
2. Firebird Convertible Axed For Good
3. Rear Seat Center Console Makes True 4-Seater
4. 455 H.O. Replaces Ram Air 400
5. "Honeycomb" Wheel New Option
1971 – Horsepower is Down, Production is Up
There were only minor styling changes for 1971 Firebirds. High back bucket seats were used, new wheel covers appeared on all models, except the Trans Am. All models except the Trans Am featured simulated chrome louvers behind the front wheel cut outs.
1971 Pontiac Firebird Resources
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1971 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:
1971 Pontiac Firebird
| 10 Starlight Black | |
| 40 Mayfair Maize | |
| 50 Cameo Ivory | |
| 51 Liberty Blue | |
| 52 Matador Red | |
| 53 Warwick Blue | |
| 55 Crystal Turquoise | |
| 57 Midnight Green | |
| 59 Limelight Green | |
| 61 Expresso Brown | |
| 63 Champagne | |
| 65 Antique Gold | |
| 67 Burgundy | |
| 69 Palladium Silver | |
| 72 Carousel Red | |
| 73 Verdoro Green | |
| 76 Goldenrod Yellow | |
| 87 Windward Blue |
Collector Car Insurers
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1971 Pontiac Firebird Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1971 Pontiac Firebird
The 1971 Firebird had a few minor changes only. Across all models, except the Trans Am, a one-year-only exhaust grille-vent was placed on the rear center of the front fender. The interior options also changed to the newer style tall bucket seats in the deluxe interior, and the previous year’s seats with headrest were no longer available. The rear seat console was still an option, and Honeycomb wheels became available for all Firebirds.
The Formula model now became the “Formula” 350, 400 and 455, depending on the CID of the engine fitted. All were equipped similarly with performance and handling options. They were all merely considered an option package on the Formula model line.
Engine selection for 1971 now included the 455 CID V-8, available with the L75 325 HP version and the LS5 335 HP HO version. The Ram Air 400 engines were retired, due to the impact of lowered performance because of mandated lower compression ratios. Both the 455 and 455 HO were available as engine options for the Firebird Formula, but the Trans Am received the 455 HO as standard equipment. The base Firebird was limited to the 250 CID I-6 and the 350 CID 2-barrel 250 HP V-8. The Esprit & Formula 350 received the 2-barrel 350. A 400 CID 2-barrel carburetor, 265 HP V-8 was optional in Esprit line only.
1971 Pontiac Firebird – Factoids
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The New Corporate mandated reduced compression ratios impacted all Pontiacs. For the Firebird, the Ram Air 400 engines were gone, replaced by the 455 CID Unit, in standard and H.O. guise. HP was down, but torque was up – from 430 to 455 & 480.
Continuing the 1970 lineup, the Firebird came in 4 distinct models, Base, Esprit Formula 400 and Trans Am. Each with distinct interior and exterior trim – and engine choices as well. See the complete information on the models in the 1971 Pontiac Firebird Brochure HERE.
1971 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Models Offered
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Base Firebird Series 22387 – Standard equipment on the base Firebird included vinyl bucket seats, wood-grained dash, Deluxe steering wheel, Endura front bumper, bright grille moldings, standard hub caps, narrow rocker panel moldings, front disc brakes and E78-14 tires. Base engine was the 145 horsepower 250 cubic inch Six, with the 350 CID 250 HP V-8 optional.
Esprit Series 22487 – Esprit models included custom trim features with knit vinyl upholstery, custom cushion steering wheel, trunk mat, bright roof drip moldings and wheel opening moldings, concealed wipers, twin body-colored outside mirrors, wheel trim rings and dual horns. Power was supplied by a 250 HP 350 CID V-8, now with 8.0:1 compression. Optional was a 400 CID 2-barrel 265 HP V-8.
Formula 350 Series 22687 – As a spin off the Formula 400, the Formula 350 was equipped as a Formula 400/455 with some minor changes, with the most notable the 350 CID 250 HP V-8. The Formula 350 included vinyl bucket seats, custom cushion steering wheel, flame chestnut wood grain appearance dash panel, right and left body-colored outside mirrors, Endura rubber front bumper, fiberglass hood with simulated twin air scoops, black textured grille insert, bright grille moldings, dual horns, front disc brakes, handling package, dual exhausts with chrome extensions and a heavy-duty three-speed manual transmission. Also featured were standard hub caps, F70-14 blackwall tires and “Formula” with 350 CID identification numbering.
Formula 400/455 Series 22687 – Standard equipment on Formula Firebird models included vinyl bucket seats, custom cushion steering wheel, flame chestnut wood grain appearance dash panel, right and left body-colored outside mirrors, with left-hand mirror remote control, Endura rubber front bumper, fiberglass hood with simulated twin air scoops, black textured grille insert, bright grille moldings, dual horns, front disc brakes, handling package, dual exhausts with chrome extensions and a heavy-duty three-speed manual transmission. Also featured were standard hub caps, F70-14 blackwall tires and “Formula” with CID identification numbering. Engine choices were the four-barrel 400 CID V-8 or the four-barrel 455 cubic inch V-8.
Firebird Trans Am SERIES 22887 – Standard equipment on Trans Am models included vinyl bucket seats, Rally gauges with clock and tachometer, Endura front bumper, Formula steering wheel, twin body-color outside mirrors with left-hand remote control, special cast “honeycomb” wheels, functional front fender air extractors, rear deck lid spoiler. black textured grille insert, bright grille moldings, front and rear wheel opening air spoilers, concealed wipers, “Trans Am” identification, performance dual exhausts with extensions, special air cleaner with rear-facing cold air intake on hood controlled by throttle, power flex cooling fan, power steering, Safe-T-Track differential, handling package, dual horns, power front disc brakes/rear drums, and F60-15 white letter tires. The 455 CID H.O. engine with 335 HP was standard, as was a heavy-duty three-speed manual gear box with floor shifter.
1971 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Engines
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- 155 HP 250 CID I-6
- 250 HP 350 CID V-8 AMT
- 250 HP 350 CID V-8 SMT
- 265 HP 400 CID V-8 AMT
- 300 HP 400 CID V-8
- 325 HP 455 CID V-8
- 335 HP 455 CID HO V-8
- 335 HP 455 CID HO RA V-8
250 CID I-6 – All Transmissions. Overhead valves, Cast iron block. Seven main bearings.
Displacement: 250 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.525 inches.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 145 @ 4200 RPM.
Torque: 230 @ 1600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 244°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap 33.5°, Lift 0.388″.
Carburetor: Rochester one-barrel model (manual transmission) 7041017; (automatic transmission) 7041014.
350 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – Automatic Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.75″
Compression ratio: 8.0:1.
Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 350 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 273°, Exhaust 282°, Overlap 55°, Lift: (intake) 0.410″; (exhaust) 0.414″.
Carburetor: Rochester 2-barrel 7041062.
350 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – Manual Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.75″
Compression ratio: 8.0:1.
Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 350 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 269°, Exhaust 277°, Overlap 51°, Lift: (intake) 0.377″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester 2-barrel 7041171.
400 CID 2-Barrel L65 V-8 – Automatic Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 8.8:1.
Horsepower: 265 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 400 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 269°, Exhaust 277°, Overlap 51°, Lift (intake) 0.377″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester two-barrel (automatic transmission) 7041060.
400 CID 4-Barrel L78 V-8 – All Transmissions. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 8.2:1.
Horsepower: 300 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 400 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift (intake) 0.410″; (exhaust) 0.414″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel (manual transmission) 7041263; (automatic transmission) 7041264.
455 CID 4-Barrel L75 455 CID V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 455 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.1251″ x 4.210″.
Compression ratio: 8.2:1.
Horsepower: 325 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 455 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift (intake) 0.410″; (exhaust) 0.414″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel (automatic transmission) 7041262.
455 CID 4-Barrel LS5 HO V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 455 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.1251″ x 4.210″.
Compression ratio: 8.2:1.
Horsepower: 335 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 480 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft duration: Intake 288°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 63°, Lift (intake) 0.410″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel (manual transmission) 7041267; (automatic transmission) 7041268.
455 CID 4-Barrel LS5 HO Ram Air V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 455 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.1251″ x 4.210″.
Compression ratio: 8.2:1.
Horsepower: 335 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 480 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft duration: Intake 288°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 63°, Lift (intake) 0.410″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel (manual transmission) 7041273; (automatic transmission) 7041270.
1971 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Chassis Features
-
- Wheelbase: 108.0 inches.
- Overall length: 191.6 inches.
- Overall width: 73.4 inches.
- Overall height: 50.4 inches.
- Front track: I-6: 61.3 inches; V-8: 61.6 inches; Trans Am: 61.7 inches.
- Rear track: I-6: 60.0 inches; V-8: 60.3 inches; Trans Am: 60.4 inches.
- Standard tires: Base and Esprit: F78 x 14; 400: F70 x 14; Trans Am: F60 x 15 (NOTE: 15 x 7 JJ rim mandatory with F60 x 15 tires).
- Optional tires: Base & Esprit: F70 x 14; Formula 400/455: F60 x 15.
1971 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Powertrain Information
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- I-6 1st – 2.85:1, 2nd – 1.68:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.95:1 (Column shift standard, floor shift optional).
- 350 CID V-8: 1st – 2.54:1, 2nd – 1.50:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.63:1 (Floor Shift Only).
- 400 CID V-8: 1st – 2.42:1, 2nd – 1.58:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.41:1 (Optional 350 V-8).
- Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- I-6: 1st – 2.85:1, 2nd – 2.02:1, 3rd – 1.35:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.85:1.
- V-8 Wide Ratio: 1st – 2.52:1, 2nd – 1.88:1, 3rd – 1.46:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.59:1.
- V-8 Close Ratio: 1st – 2.20:1, 2nd – 1.64:1, 3rd – 1.28:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.27:1 (Special Order on 350 & 400 V-8, Standard on 455 V-8).
- Automatic Transmission Ratios
- I-6 & 350 CID V-8 2-Speed: Low – 1.76:1, High – 1:1, Reverse – 1.76:1.
- I-6 & 350 CID V-8 M-38: 1st – 2.52:1, 2nd – 1.52:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 1.92:1.
- 400 & 455 CID V-8: 1st – 2.48:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.08:1.
- Rear Gear Ratios
- I-6: Manual transmission: 3..08:1 (A/C not Available).
- I-6: Automatic transmission: 3.08:1 (A/C not Available).
- 350 CID V-8: Manual transmission: 3.42:1.
- 350 CID V-8: Automatic transmission: 2.73:1; Optional 3.08:1.
- 400 CID 2-barrel V-8: Automatic transmission only: 2.73:1; Optional 3.08:1.
- 400 CID V-8: 3-speed Manual transmission: 3.42:1; Optional 3.73:1.
- 400 CID V-8: 4-speed Manual transmission: 3.73:1.
- 455 CID L-75 V-8: Automatic transmission: 3.08:1; Optional 3.42:1.
- 455 CID LS5 V-8: Manual transmission: 3.42:1; with A/C not available – Optional: 3.73:1.
- 455 CID LS5 V-8: Automatic transmission: 3.08:1; with A/C not available – Optional: 3.42:1.
1971 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Powertrain Options
-
- Firebird base – Three-speed manual transmission – column shift – standard.
- Firebird base – 145 HP I-6 engine standard.
- Two-speed automatic transmission optional on all I-6 and 350 CID V-8 Firebirds.
- Turbo 350 three-speed automatic transmission optional on all I-6 and 350 CID V-8 Firebirds.
- Turbo 400 three-speed automatic transmission optional on all 400 & 455 CID V-8s.
- Four-speed manual transmission optional on V-8 Firebirds.
- 250 HP 350 CID V-8 available on Firebird base, standard on Esprit models & part of Formula 350 package.
- 265 HP 400 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird Esprit.
- 300 HP 400 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird Formula 400 model.
- 325 HP L75 455 CID V-8 standard on the Firebird Formula 455.
- 335 HP LS5 455 CID V-8 optional on Formula 455 and standard on the Trans Am. (NOTE: this engine was also available in Ram Air configuration with different carburetors, but otherwise unchanged).
1971 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Accessories
- Prices where known
-
- Air conditioning ($408).
- All tinted glass ($38).
- Automatic transmission with 350 cubic inch V-8.
- Automatic transmission with I-6.
- Carpets.
- Cordova top ($75).
- Cruise control ($63).
- Deluxe steering wheel with ring.
- Electric clock.
- Firebird base floor shift.
- Firebird Formula rear deck spoiler ($33).
- Firebird front seat console ($60).
- Firebird rear console ($26).
- Formula air inlet hood ($84).
- Formula steering wheel ($42).
- Mirrors, body-colored with left-hand remote control ($26).
- Parking brake signal.
- Power antenna.
- Power brakes ($47).
- Power steering.
- Radio, push button.
- Radio, push button – AM/FM.
- Rally Gage cluster with tachometer and clock ($95).
- Rally II wheels ($90).
- Remote control outside mirror.
- Ride & Handling package.
- Safe-T-Track positive traction rear.
- Tape player and stereo cassette, requires radio ($134).
- Tilt steering wheel, power steering required ($45).
- Tinted windshield ($31).
- Two-speed wipers and washers.
- Wheel discs, simulated wire ($84).
- Wheels, Honeycomb ($126).
- White wall tires.
1971 Pontiac Firebird Downloads and Images
1971 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1971 Pontiac Full Line Deluxe Brochure
1971 Pontiac Full Line Regular Brochure
1971 Pontiac Performance Brochure
1971 Pontiac Firebird Brochure – Canadian Release
1971 Pontiac Firebird Print Ads
1971 Pontiac Firebird AMA Specifications Sheets
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1971 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the Pontiac Firebird will appear below
1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
The 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was the top line Firebird in 1971. It was a total performance package, receiving the 455 CID H.O. V-8 standard. 2,116 were made.
1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula
The 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula came in three flavors, Formula 350, Formula 400, and Formula 455, all denoting their engine size. All received a special handling package and the twin-scoop hood. 7,802 were produced.
1971 Pontiac Firebird Esprit
The 1971 Pontiac Firebird Esprit was an upscale version of the Base model with a more luxury-oriented interior. 20,185 found buyers
1971 Pontiac Firebird Base
The 1971 Pontiac Firebird Base was the entry level Firebird and the only model to receive the I-6 powerplant. 23,021 were delivered, with 2,975 equipped with the I-6.