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

I.D. 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
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11Chevrolet Division
    29body series: Corvette
    34type of engine: V-8
    4 & 567convertible
    37coupe
    611971
    7SAssembled in St. Louis, MO
    8 to 13100001 to 128566production sequence
  • Engine serial number
    1 to 70001001sequential production number
    8F or TFlint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
    9 to 11Carburetion & transmission CodeEngineCompressiontransmissionCarburetorExtras
    CJL350-cid 270-hp V-88.9:1manualfour-barrel 
    CGT350-cid 270-hp V-88.5:1THM-400 automaticfour-barrel 
    CJK350-cid 270-hp V-88.5:1THM-400 automaticfour-barrel 
    CGZ350-cid 330-hp V-89.0:1manualfour-barrel 
    CGK350-cid 330-hp V-89.0:1THM-400 automaticfour-barrel 
    CPH454-cid 365-hp V-88.5:1manualfour-barrel 
    CPJ454-cid 365-hp V-88.5:1THM-400 automaticfour-barrel 
    CPW454-cid 425-hp V-89.0:1manualfour-barrel 
    CPX454-cid 425-hp V-89.0:1THM-400 automaticfour-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
    ColorVinyl UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    Black400403
    Brown414 
    Dark Blue412 
    Dark Green423 
    Red407 
    Saddle417420

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
19437
2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger		$55363153 lb14,680
19467
2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger		$52993167 lb7,121

ENGINE

FeatureStandard Engine (RPO L48)Optional Engine (RPO LS5)Optional Engine (RPO LS6)Optional Engine (RPO LT1)
TypeV-8, Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement350 cid454 cid454 cid350 cid
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.48"4.251 x 4.00"4.251 x 4.00"4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio8.5:18.5:18.5:19.0:1
Brake horsepower270 @ 4800365 @ 4800425 @ 5600330 @ 5600
Torque360 lb-ft @ 3200465 lb-ft @ 3200475 lb-ft @ 4000360 @ 4000
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulicSolid valve lifters
Camshaft high-performance camshaftHigh-performance camshaftHigh-performance camshaft
Fuel supplyRochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel Model 4MVRochester 750CFM Quadra-Jet four-barrelHolley 800CFM four-barrelHolley four-barrel on aluminum intake manifold

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission: four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter Automatic Transmission: Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter (optional) Optional Manual Transmission: Heavy duty, close ratio, four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter

CHASSIS

FeatureConvertibleCoupe
Wheelbase98 inches (2.489 m)98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length182.5 inches (4.636 m)182.5 inches (4.636 m)
Overall width69.0 inches (1.753 m)69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height 47.4 inches (1.204 m)
Front tread58.7 inches (1.491 m)58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread59.4 inches (1.509 m)59.4 inches (1.509 m)
TiresF70-15F70-15
FrameFull-length welded-steel ladder type with five cross members. Steel box sections, welded.
Front suspensionIndependent, unequal-length A-arms, coil springs; tubular shocks and stabilizer bar
Rear suspensionIndependent, trailing arms, toe links, transverse chromium-carbon steel leaf spring, tube shocks, and anti-roll bar
SteeringSaginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle
Rear axle typeSprung differential, Hypoid gear
BrakesHydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist
Swept area11.75" front and back
Total swept area461 sq. in.
Wheels8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc
Standard rear axle ratio3.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio2.73:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

RPOCustom interior trim$158
RPO A31Electric power windows$79
RPO A85Custom shoulder belts$42
RPO C07Auxiliary hardtop for convertible$274
RPO C08Vinyl cover for auxiliary hardtop$63
RPO C50Rear window defroster$42
RPO C60Air conditioning$459
RPO G81Positraction rear axle, all ratios$13
RPO J50Power brakes$47
RPO LS5454-cid 365-hp V-8$295
RPO LS6454-cid 425-hp V-8$1221
RPO LT1350-cid 330-hp V-8$483
RPO ZR1350-cid 330-hp V-8$1010
RPO ZR2454-cid 425-hp V-8$1747
RPO M21Four-speed close-ratio manual transmissionn/c
RPO M22Heavy-duty close-ratio four-speed manual transmission$100
RPO M40Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmissionn/c
RPO N37Tilt-telescopic steering wheel$84.30
RPO N40Power steering$115.90
RPO P02Custom Wheel covers$63
RPO PT7F70 x 15, white stripe tires$28
RPO PU9F70 x 15, raised-white-letter tires$42
RPO T60Heavy-duty battery$15.80
RPO U69AM-FM radio$178
RPO U79Stereo radio$283

ZR1 OPTIONS

The letter "Z" meant it was part of Chevrolet's "special items" group
It included the following:
  • LT1 engine
  • M22 heavy-duty four-speed manual transmission
  • J50/J56 dual-pin brakes with heavy-duty front pads and power assist
F41 suspension consisting of the following:
  • special 89 lb/in ride rate front springs
  • 121 lb/in ride rate rear springs
  • matching shock absorbers
  • a 0.75-inch front stabilizer bar

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 PHOTOS


1971 Corvette

1971 Corvette

1971 Corvette

1971 Corvette

1971 Corvette

1971 Corvette

1971 Corvette

LITERATURE & LINKS




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