1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Model J
1. Front Fascia Has Single Headlight Versus Dual
2. Leather Interior Gone
3. Rear Fascia & Trunk Emulates "Boattail" Look
4. Bench and Bucket Seats Available
5. Horsepower Drops with Lower Compression
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix – Setting a Standard
There was a slight redesign for 1971 – single headlights instead of dual and the rear trunk/fascia was designed to emulate a “boat tail” look. Engine HP was down due to GM mandated 8.5:1 or less compression ratio so as to run on regular fuel. Production dropped, mostly due to a GM-wide strike.
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Resources
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1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
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1971 Pontiac Grand Prix
| 11 Cameo White | |
| 13 Nordic Silver | |
| 16 Bluestone Gray | |
| 19 Starlight Black | |
| 24 Adriatic Blue | |
| 26 Lucerne Blue | |
| 29 Regency Blue | |
| 39 Aquarius Green | |
| 42 Limekist Green | |
| 43 Tropical Lime | |
| 49 Laurentian Green | |
| 53 Quezal Gold | |
| 55 Baja Gold | |
| 59 Aztec Gold | |
| 61 Sandalwood | |
| 62 Canyon Copper | |
| 66 Bronzini Gold | |
| 67 Castilian Bronze | |
| 75 Cardinal Red | |
| 78 Rosewood |
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1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1971 Pontiac Grand Prix
For 1971 a new integrated front fascia with single headlights replaced the dual lights of the 1969-70 model. At the rear, a new slanted boat tail-style rear trunk/fascia was seen with taillights built into the bumper, but much wider. Interior revisions were new trim patterns of cloth and vinyl upholstery for both the bench and bucket seats, however the leather interior option was discontinued. Variable-ratio power steering was made standard equipment.
Engine choices included the standard 400 CID V-8 with four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts, now rated at 300 HP and the optional four-barrel 455 CID V-8 rated at 325 HP. Both engines had significantly lower compression ratios at 8.4:1 for 1971 compared to 10.25:1 for 1970. This was a GM-mandated requirement for engines to run on regular gasoline.
Transmission offerings initially were carried over from previous years, including the standard three-speed or the optional four-speed manual, or the Turbo Hydra-Matic. However, at mid-year, the Turbo Hydra-Matic became standard equipment, and the manual shifters were dropped.
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Factoids
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- Engine HP Down Due to Decreased Compression
- Single Head Lamps Replace Dual Units
- Rear Gets "Boat Tail" Look
- Leather Interior No Longer Available
The Grand Prix engine offerings were reduced to two, and the compression ratios were reduced from 10.25:1 down to 8.4:1. This was a GM mandated change to ensure the engines could operate on regular grade gasoline. The 2-barrel 400 CID V-8 was dropped and the HP of the remaining engines fell as follows: 400 CID from 350 to 300 HP; the 455 CID from 370 to 325 HP. Next year, the engines would be re-rated to SAE Net HP, further dropping advertised HP.
The front fascia showed a small but dramatic change when the dual headlights were replaced by larger single units. Many felt that this change negatively impacted the car’s look.
At the rear, the trunk and fascia were redesigned to give a “boat tail” look and the taillights were increased in width. The more formal design did add to the luxury feel of the car.
The leather interior option, available in 1969 and 1970, was discontinued this year.
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Facts – Models Offered
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Model 27657: The Grand Prix now had single headlamps, a bumper that ran across the grille and a semi-boattail rear fascia. Model designations were placed on the left-hand front panel, as well as the roof pillars and the right-hand edge of the deck lid. A choice of notch back bench or bucket seats was available – at no charge. Standard interior equipment included carpeted lower door panels, safety arm rests with ash trays, loop-pile carpets, foam seat padding, pedal bright metal trim plates, custom cushion steering wheel, Castilian leather appearance dash trim, upper level ventilation, courtesy and glove box lamps, and center console on cars with bucket seats.
Outside, there were concealed wipers, bright metal wheel opening, roof drip, belt reveal and hood rear edge moldings, and Deluxe wheel covers. Power steering, power front disc brakes, 7-inch wide safety wheel rims, G78-14 blackwall tires were also standard.
The “SJ” option package was $195 extra. A limited-edition Hurst SSJ Grand Prix was available but provided as an add-on to a standard Grand Prix. (SJ striping precluded this choice).
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Facts – Hurst SSJ
NOTE – While not a part of Pontiac factory production, the SSJ is notable for Hurst’s attempt to personalize the then popular Grand Prix. The Grand Prix SSJ was produced by Hurst Performance Research Corporation, a subsidiary of Hurst Performance, Inc. To order a SSJ, one would first order a Model J Grand Prix from a Pontiac dealer, specifying Cameo White or Starlight Black as the exterior color. Then one had to complete a Hurst order form to specify the SSJ conversion. The completed Grand Prix would then be shipped to Hurst for the SSJ conversion before being sent back to the selling dealer for delivery.
The ’71 SSJ Package
The SSJ process consisted of painting Hurst Fire Frost Gold metallic accents on the hood, roof, doors and deck lid and outlining them with hand-painted pinstripes. An electrically operated sunroof was installed, a black or white landau-style half-top was applied, the wheels were painted Fire Frost Gold metallic, and die-cast SSJ emblems were added to the front fenders, deck lid and console. Published production numbers for the SSJ are 157 for ’71. While the ’70 SSJ could be ordered on the Model J or Model SJ, the ’71-’72 SSJ models were based only on the Model J because the new factory striping on the Model SJ conflicted with that of the SSJ package.
The Brochure may be found HERE.
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Facts – Engines
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Grand Prix Model J 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: 8.4:1.
Horsepower: 300 @ 4800.
Torque: 400 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft duration: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift: Intake 0.410″, Exhaust 0.4013″.
Carburetor: Rochester 4-barrel Model (manual transmission) 7041263; (automatic transmission) 7041264.
Grand Prix Model SJ V-8 455 V-8 – Automatic Transmission Only: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 455 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.1251″ x 4.210″.
Compression ratio: 8.4:1
Horsepower: 325 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 455 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft duration: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift: Intake 0.410″ Exhaust 0.414″.
Carburetor: 4-barrel Rochester 7041262.
1971 Pontiac Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 118.0 inches.
- Overall length: 212.9 inches.
- Overall width: 76.4 inches.
- Overall height: 52.0 inches.
- Front track: 62.0 inches.
- Rear track: 60.0 inches.
- Standard tires: G78 x 14. Optional tire: G70 x 14.
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Facts – Power Trains
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 2.42:1, 2nd – 1.58:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.41:1. Synchromesh all forward gears.
- All: 1st – 2.42:1, 2nd – 1.58:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.41:1. Synchromesh all forward gears.
- Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- Standard: 1st – 2.52:1, 2nd – 1.88:1, 3rd – 1.46:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.59:1.
- Hydra-Matic Transmission Ratios
- Three Speed M40 Hydra-Matic: 1st – 2.48:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.08:1.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- 400 CID 300 HP Engine – AMT: 3.08:1; Optional 3.23:1.
- 400 CID 300 HP Engine – 3-Speed SMT 3.23:1.
- 400 CID 300 HP Engine – 4-Speed SMT 3.23:1.
- 455 CID 325 HP Engine – AMT 3.07:1.
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Facts – Power Train Options
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- 400 CID 300 HP V-8 – Three-speed manual transmission was standard.
- 400 CID 300 HP V-8 – Three-speed Hydra-Matic transmission was optional.
- 400 CID 300 HP V-8 – Four-speed manual transmission with floor shift was optional.
- 455 CID 325 HP V-8 – Three-speed Hydra-Matic transmission was standard, no manual transmissions offered.
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Facts – Significant Options
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- 3-speed manual transmission (standard).
- 4-speed manual transmission ($226). NOTE: Later eliminated.
- 60/40 Bench seat with 6-way power adjustments ($79).
- Automatic air-conditioning ($521).
- Automatic level control ($79).
- Bumper guards ($16).
- Capacitor ignition ($104-115).
- Cordova top ($142).
- Cornering lights ($37).
- Cruise control ($68).
- Door edge guards ($6).
- Electric clock ($18).
- Front disc brakes (standard).
- Hood mounted tachometer ($63).
- Mirror, rear view glare proof tilt ($4).
- Mirror, remote control outside rear view ($12).
- Power brakes ($42).
- Power bucket seats ($79).
- Power steering ($105).
- Power windows ($104).
- Radio, AM/FM Stereo ($239).
- Radio, push button AM ($89).
- Radio, push button, AM/FM ($151).
- Rally gauge cluster with tachometer ($84).
- Rally II wheels ($63).
- Rear window defogger ($41).
- Remote control deck lid release ($14).
- Ride & Handling package ($9).
- Safeguard speedometer ($16).
- SJ option ($195).
- Tinted glass ($51).
- Tinted windshield ($36).
- Turbo-400 Hydramatic ($226) Standard with 455 CID V-8.
- Under hood utility lamp ($7).
- Visor vanity mirror ($4).
- Wire wheel discs ($58).
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Downloads and Images
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1971 Pontiac Full Size Car Deluxe Brochure
1971 Pontiac Full Size Car Regular Brochure
1971 Pontiac Performance Brochure
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Print Ads
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix AMA Specifications Sheets
SEEKING: 1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Magazine Road Tests! Got One? Click HERE
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Facts – Related Images
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1971 Pontiac Grand Prix
The 1971 Pontiac Grand Prix was distinguished from its previous brethren by its single headlights. Only 58,325 were produced, due to a lengthy strike against all of GM that year.
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Rear View
This 1971 Pontiac Grand Prix Rear View highlights the new trunk and rear fascia that was designed to give a 1930s “boat tail” look and move the car more toward a luxury segment.