1971 Corvette
The 1971 Corvette would develop
into a more balanced -- though tamer -- performer as the Seventies wore on and the engineers came to grips
with the flurry of federal regulations before them. Due to a decrease in compression ratio for 1971, the 1971 Corvettes's base
small-block engine ran on mild 8:5:1 compression and was down to 270 bhp at
4,800 rpm. To this end, the potent LT1 small block withered to 9.0:1 and dropped from 370 bhp to 330 bhp. These respective compression
numbers also applied to a brace of 454s. The LS5 came in with 365 bhp at 4800
rpm, and a new aluminum-head big-block called LS6 boasted 425 bhp at 5,600 rpm.
Clearly, 1971 Corvette engines weren't weak. If they seemed so at the time, it
was only in relation to the prodigious power outputs enthusiasts had grown used
to in the previously unregulated era of muscle cars.
The 1971 Corvette was retuned to run on low-lead fuel.
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The ZR1 option available exclusively with the LT1 is
significant for engineering, though not many saw production. It was a special
racing package that included the solid-lifter small-block engine, heavy-duty
four-speed transmission, power brakes, aluminum radiator, and a revised
suspension with special springs, shocks, stabilizer bar, and spindle-strut
shafts. Since it was competition equipment, the ZR1 could not be ordered with
power windows, power steering, air conditioning, a rear-window defogger, wheel
covers, or a radio.
But the ZR1 package was quite expensive, and few Corvettes were so equipped.
A similar ZR2 package was listed for the big LS6 engine and
was just as rare. Per GM policy, 1971 Corvette engines were detuned to run on low-lead fuel -- save the LS6 454, which belatedly bowed with 425 bhp on premium gas. Installations totaled just 188, including a mere 12 cars with a $1,747 ZR2 package, basically the ZR1 with the big-block V-8. This would be the only year for both the LS6 engine and the associated ZR2 equipment.
The 1971 Corvette offered a custom trim package for $158.
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Otherwise, Corvette again marked time for '71. Styling and
equipment changes were virtually nonexistent, and no real tampering was called
for. Prices bumped up a bit to $5,259 and $5,496 for the convertible and coupe,
respectively. With supplies healthy again after the UAW strike, sales made a
satisfying recovery, moving up to 21,801 units for the model year. The coupe
had taken a slight lead over the convertible in 1969, perhaps reflecting the
T-top model's greater all-weather versatility.
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
- Corvette Specifications: Get key
specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production
totals.
- Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
- Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
- Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.
1971 Corvette Specifications
Due to stricter emissions requirements, the 1971 Corvette was retuned to run on low-lead fuel. Though it resulted in a tamer ride, other improvements made the 1971 a joy to drive. Here are the specifications for the 1971 Corvette:
A 1971 Corvette with a 330 hp, 4-speed manual
transmission could go 0-60 in 6 seconds.
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Vehicle Specifications
| Convertible
| Coupe
|
Wheelbase, inches
| 98.0
| 98.0
|
Length, inches
| 182.5
| 182.5
|
Width, inches
| 69.0
| 69.0
|
Track, inches
| front: 58.7 rear: 59.4
| front: 58.7 rear: 59.4
|
Height, inches
| 47.9
| 47.9
|
Curb weight, pounds
| 3,593
| 3,593
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Mechanical Specifications (2-door convertible/coupe)
Suspension
front: Independent; upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, lateral leaf springs, struts, U-joint halfshafts, trailing arms, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers
Wheels/Tires
8x15
Brakes
front: 11.75-inch disc
rear: 11.75-inch disc
Transmission
3-speed Hydra-Matic
4-speed manual
Standard axle ratio
3.36:1
Engine Specifications
| Type | ohv V-8
| ohv V-8
| ohv V-8
| ohv V-8
|
Displacement, liters/cu inch
| 5.7/350
| 5.7/350
| 7.4/454
| 7.4/454
|
Bore × stroke, inches
| 4.00 x 3.48 | 4.00 x 3.48 | 4.25 x 4.00 | 4.25 x 4.00 |
Fuel Management
| 1 x 4-bbl.
| 1 x 4-bbl. | 1 x 4-bbl. | 1 x 4-bbl. |
Horsepower @ rpm
| 270 @ 4,800 | 330 @ 5,600 | 365 @ 4,800 | 425 @ 5,600 |
Torque @ rpm, pound-foot
| 360 @ 3,200 | 360 @ 3,600 | 465 @ 3,400 | 475 @ 4,000 |
Published Performance Numbers
Acceleration
| 270 hp, 4-sp man.
| 330 hp, 4-sp man.
|
0-60 mph, sec
| 7.1
| 6.0
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0-100 mph, sec
| 19.8
| 14.5
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1/4-mile, sec @ mph
| 15.55 @ 90.4
| 14.57 @ 100.6 |
(Source: Car and Driver)
Vehicle Production and Base Prices
Car Type
| Production
| Price
|
2-door convertible
| 7,121
| $5,259.00
|
2-door coupe
| 14,680 | 5,496.00 |
Options and Production
Option
| Production
| Price
|
Custom Interior Trim
| 2,602
| $158.00
|
| Power Windows | 6,192
| 79.00
|
Custom Shoulder Belts (std w/coupe)
| 677
| 42.00 |
Auxiliary Hardtop
| 2,619
| 274.00
|
Vinyl Covering
| 832
| 63.00
|
Rear Window Defroster
| 1,598
| 42.00
|
Air Conditioning
| 11,481
| 459.00
|
Optional Rear Axle Ratio
| 2,395
| 13.00
|
Power Brakes
| 13,558
| 47.00
|
365 hp Engine
| 5,097
| 295.00
|
| 425 hp Engine | 188
| 1,221.00
|
330 hp Engine
| 1,949
| 483.00
|
4-speed Manual Transmission, close ratio
| 2,387
| 0.00
|
4-speed Manual Transmission, close ratio, heavy duty
| 130
| 100.00
|
Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission
| 10,060
| 0.00
|
Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column
| 8,130
| 84.30
|
Power Steering
| 17,904
| 115.90
|
Deluxe Wheel Covers
| 3,007
| 63.00
|
White Stripe Tires, F70 x 15 nylon
| 6,711
| 28.00
|
| White Letter Tires, F70 x 15 nylon | 12,449
| 42.00
|
Heavy Duty Battery (std w/LS5, LS6)
| 1,455
| 15.80
|
Alarm System
| 8,501
| 31.60
|
| AM/FM Radio | 18,078
| 178.00
|
AM/FM Radio, stereo
| 3,431
| 283.00
|
Special Purpose LT1 Engine Package
| 8
| 1,010.00
|
| Special Purpose LS6 Engine Package | 12
| 1,747.00
|
Color Choices and Production
Color Choice
| Production | Color Choice
| Production
|
Nevada Silver
| 1,177
| Sunflower Yellow
| 1,177
|
Classic White
| 1,875
| Mille Miglia Red
| 2,180
|
Mulsanne Blue
| 2,465
| Bridgehampton Blue
| 1,417
|
Brands Hatch Green
| 3,445
| Ontario Orange
| 2,269
|
Steel Cities Gray
| 1,591
| War Bonnet Yellow
| 3,706
|
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
- Corvette Specifications: Get key
specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production
totals.
- Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
- Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
- Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.
