1971 Corvette

The 1971 Corvette was almost identical to the 1970 model
The major changes involved a new resin process that was to improve the body and a different interior
The engine compression ratios were lowered to allow lower octane fuel
Standard equipment included the following
- All-vinyl upholstery
- carpeting
- center console
- dual exhaust
- electric clock
- four-wheel disc brakes with warning light
- heavy-duty battery
- outside rearview mirror
- tachometer
- tinted glass
- wheel trim rings
Ten colors were available
- Brands Hatch Green
- Bridgehampton Blue
- Classic White
- Mille Miglia Red
- Mulsanne Blue
- Nevada Silver
- Ontario Orange
- Steel Cities Gray
- Sunflower Yellow
- War Bonnet Yellow
All convertibles came with a choice of Black or White soft tops
Interior colors were Black, Dark Blue, Dark Green, Red, and Saddle

VIN Numbers

The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 194671S100001 to 194671S21801
Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 194371S100001 to 194671S21801

1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 11	Carburetion & transmission	Code	Engine	Compression	transmission	Carburetor	Extras
		CJL	350-cid 270-hp V-8	8.9:1	manual	four-barrel
		CGT	350-cid 270-hp V-8	8.5:1	THM-400 automatic	four-barrel
		CJK	350-cid 270-hp V-8	8.5:1	THM-400 automatic	four-barrel
		CGZ	350-cid 330-hp V-8	9.0:1	manual	four-barrel
		CGK	350-cid 330-hp V-8	9.0:1	THM-400 automatic	four-barrel
		CPH	454-cid 365-hp V-8	8.5:1	manual	four-barrel
		CPJ	454-cid 365-hp V-8	8.5:1	THM-400 automatic	four-barrel
		CPW	454-cid 425-hp V-8	9.0:1	manual	four-barrel
		CPX	454-cid 425-hp V-8	9.0:1	THM-400 automatic	four-barrel

Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number
The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
The Fisher Body Style Number 71-19467 identifies a Corvette Stingray convertible
The Fisher Body Style Number 71-19437 identifies a Corvette Stingray coupe
The body number is the production serial number of the body.
The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
The ten 1971 Corvette exterior colors were:
- 905 = Nevada Silver
- 912 = Sunflower Yellow
- 972 = Classic White
- 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
Upholstery Codes

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
194	37	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$5536	3153 lb	14,680
194	67	2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger	$5299	3167 lb	7,121

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine (RPO L48)	Optional Engine (RPO LS5)	Optional Engine (RPO LS6)	Optional Engine (RPO LT1)
Type	V-8, Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	350 cid	454 cid	454 cid	350 cid
Bore & Stroke	4.00 x 3.48"	4.251 x 4.00"	4.251 x 4.00"	4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio	8.5:1	8.5:1	8.5:1	9.0:1
Brake horsepower	270 @ 4800	365 @ 4800	425 @ 5600	330 @ 5600
Torque	360 lb-ft @ 3200	465 lb-ft @ 3200	475 lb-ft @ 4000	360 @ 4000
Main bearing	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic			Solid valve lifters
Camshaft		high-performance camshaft	High-performance camshaft	High-performance camshaft
Fuel supply	Rochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel Model 4MV	Rochester 750CFM Quadra-Jet four-barrel	Holley 800CFM four-barrel	Holley four-barrel on aluminum intake manifold

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

Feature	Convertible	Coupe
Wheelbase	98 inches (2.489 m)	98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length	182.5 inches (4.636 m)	182.5 inches (4.636 m)
Overall width	69.0 inches (1.753 m)	69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height		47.4 inches (1.204 m)
Front tread	58.7 inches (1.491 m)	58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread	59.4 inches (1.509 m)	59.4 inches (1.509 m)
Tires	F70-15	F70-15
Frame	Full-length welded-steel ladder type with five cross members. Steel box sections, welded.
Front suspension	Independent, unequal-length A-arms, coil springs; tubular shocks and stabilizer bar
Rear suspension	Independent, trailing arms, toe links, transverse chromium-carbon steel leaf spring, tube shocks, and anti-roll bar
Steering	Saginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle
Rear axle type	Sprung differential, Hypoid gear
Brakes	Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist
Swept area	11.75" front and back
Total swept area	461 sq. in.
Wheels	8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc
Standard rear axle ratio	3.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio	2.73:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

RPO	Custom interior trim	$158
RPO A31	Electric power windows	$79
RPO A85	Custom shoulder belts	$42
RPO C07	Auxiliary hardtop for convertible	$274
RPO C08	Vinyl cover for auxiliary hardtop	$63
RPO C50	Rear window defroster	$42
RPO C60	Air conditioning	$459
RPO G81	Positraction rear axle, all ratios	$13
RPO J50	Power brakes	$47
RPO LS5	454-cid 365-hp V-8	$295
RPO LS6	454-cid 425-hp V-8	$1221
RPO LT1	350-cid 330-hp V-8	$483
RPO ZR1	350-cid 330-hp V-8	$1010
RPO ZR2	454-cid 425-hp V-8	$1747
RPO M21	Four-speed close-ratio manual transmission	n/c
RPO M22	Heavy-duty close-ratio four-speed manual transmission	$100
RPO M40	Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission	n/c
RPO N37	Tilt-telescopic steering wheel	$84.30
RPO N40	Power steering	$115.90
RPO P02	Custom Wheel covers	$63
RPO PT7	F70 x 15, white stripe tires	$28
RPO PU9	F70 x 15, raised-white-letter tires	$42
RPO T60	Heavy-duty battery	$15.80
RPO U69	AM-FM radio	$178
RPO U79	Stereo radio	$283

ZR1 OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

1949 buyers selected the LT1 engine option and eight ZR1 Corvettes had the LT1 engine
About 33 % of 1971 Corvettes had tilt steering wheels
53.9 % had four-speed manual transmissions
28.4 % had power windows
52.7 % had air conditioning
82.1 % had power steering
A 1971 Corvette with the L48 engine could do 0-to-60 mph in 7.1 seconds and go from 0-to-100 mph in 19.8 seconds and do the standing-start quarter mile in 15.5 seconds at 90.36 mph
A 1971 Corvette with the LS6 engine and 3.36:1 rear axle was tested by Car and Driver in June 1971. It could do 0-to-60 mph in 5.3 seconds, 0-to-80 mph in 8.5 seconds, and 0-to-100 mph in 12.7 seconds
A 1971 Corvette with the LT1 engine, M-21 transmission, and 3.70:1 rear axle was also tested by Car and Driver in June 1971 and it could do 0-to-60 mph in 6.0 seconds, and 0-to-100 mph in 14.5 seconds. It also did the quarter mile in 14.57 seconds at 100.55 mph and its speed was 137 mph.

1971 CORVETTE