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The 1971 Corvette
The 1971 Chevrolet Corvette is one of the least changed from the previous year.
This was the aftermath of the labor problems during '69 and '70. The biggest changes
are in the motor to reduce the octane requirements from previous years as mandated
by GM. This took higher priority than any cosmetic changes. One thing that was changed
was the parking light lenses, most 71's have amber lenses although some early production
models have clear. The resin process used to form body parts was also updated to
increase quality. This was the last year for the M22 "Rock Crusher" heavy duty transmission.
It was named the "Rock Crusher" because of the sounds it made when shifting. Still
no black Vettes' this year on the standard order sheet.
Production Options and Build Statistics
Total 1971 Corvettes Built - 21,801
Total 1971 Convertibles - 7,121
Total 1971 Coupes - 14,680
| Serial Numbers |
|---|
| Convertible | 194671S100001 - 194671S121801 | | Coupe | mbers: 194671S100001 - 194671S121801 |
Coupe Serial numbers: 194371S100001 - 194671S121801 The "Vehicle Identification Number" (also VIN or serial number) is stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Serial Number Decoder
| Position | Character | Description |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | Chevrolet Division | | 2 | 9 | Body Series: Corvette | | 3 | 4 | Engine: V-8 | | 4 & 5 | 67 | Convertible | | 4 & 5 | 37 | Coupe | | 6 | 1 | 1971 | | 7 | S | Assembled in St. Louis, MO | | 8 to 13 | 100001 to 121801 | Production Sequence |
Engine Serial Number Decoder
1971 Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block after the engine number
| Position | Value | Description |
|---|
| 1 to 7 | 0001001 | Sequential Production Number | | | | | | | 8 | F or T | Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY | | | | | | | 9 to 11 | CJL | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 270-hp V-8 | 8.9:1 | manual | four-barrel | | | 9 to 11 | CGT | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 270-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | THM-400 automatic | four-barrel | | | 9 to 11 | CJK | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 270-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | THM-400 automatic | four-barrel | | | 9 to 11 | CGZ | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 330-hp V-8 | 9.0:1 | Manual | Four-barrel | | | 9 to 11 | CGK | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 330-hp V-8 | 9.0:1 | THM-400 Automatic | Four-barrel | | | 9 to 11 | CPH | Carburetion & Transmission | 454-cid 365-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | Manual | Four-barrel | | | 9 to 11 | CPJ | Carburetion & Transmission | 454-cid 365-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | THM-400 Automatic | Four-barrel | | | 9 to 11 | CPW | Carburetion & Transmission | 454-cid 425-hp V-8 | 9.0:1 | Manual | Four-barrel | | | 9 to 11 | CPX | Carburetion & Transmission | 454-cid 425-hp V-8 | 9.0:1 | THM-400 Automatic | Four-barrel | |
The body number plate is located on the engine side of the cowl. The Fisher Body Style Number identifies the model of Corvette. 71-19467 - Corvette Sting Ray convertible 71-19437 - Corvette Sting Ray coupe The body number is the serial number of the body. The trim number represents the color of the interior, the paint color is the exterior paint color.
Production Options
| RPO | Description | Cost | Total |
|---|
| Prod. | % |
|---|
| 19437 | Base Coupe | $5,496.00 | 14,680 | 67.3% | | 19467 | Base Convertible | $5,259.00 | 7,121 | 32.7% | | N/A | Custom Interior Trim | $158.00 | 2,602 | 11.9% | | A31 | Power Windows | $79.00 | 6,191 | 28.4% | | A85 | Custom Shoulder Belts (std. w/ coupe) | $42.00 | 677 | 3.1% | | C07 | Auxiliary Hardtop (Convert.) | $274.00 | 2,619 | 12.0% | | C08 | Vinyl Covering for Aux. Hardtop | $63.00 | 832 | 3.8% | | C50 | Rear Window Defroster | $42.00 | 1,598 | 7.3% | | C60 | Air Conditioning | $459.00 | 11,481 | 52.7% | | N/A | Optional Rear Axle | $13.00 | 2,395 | 11.0% | | J50 | Power Brakes | $47.00 | 13,558 | 62.2% | | LS5 | 454ci, 365hp Engine | $295.00 | 5,097 | 23.4% | | LS6 | 454ci, 425hp Engine | $1,221.00 | 188 | 0.9% | | LT1 | 350ci, 330hp Engine | $483.00 | 1,949 | 8.9% | | M21 | 4 Speed Manual, Close Ratio Transmission | $0.00 | 2,387 | 10.9% | | M22 | 4 Speed Manual, Close Ratio, Heavy Duty Transmission (Rock Crusher) | $100.00 | 130 | 0.6% | | M40 | Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission | $0.00 | 10,060 | 46.1% | | N37 | Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column | $84.30 | 8,130 | 37.3% | | N40 | Power Steering | $115.90 | 17,904 | 82.1% | | P02 | Deluxe Wheel Cover | $63.00 | 3,007 | 13.8% | | PT7 | White Line Tires F70 x 15 | $28.00 | 6,711 | 30.8% | | PU9 | White Letter Tires F70 x 15 | $42.00 | 12,449 | 57.1% | | T60 | Heavy Duty Battery (std. w/ LS5) | $15.80 | 1,455 | 6.7% | | UA6 | Alarm System | $31.60 | 8,501 | 39.0% | | U69 | AM/FM Radio | $178.00 | 18,078 | 82.9% | | U79 | AM/FM Radio Stereo | $283.00 | 3,431 | 15.7% | | ZR1 | Special Purpose LT1 Engine Package | $1,010.00 | 8 | 0.0% | | ZR2 | Special Purpose LS6 Engine Package | $1,747.00 | 12 | 0.1% |
Color Options for 1971
Interior options for exterior colors are suggested by Chevrolet. Any combination could be ordered. | RPO | Color | Cost | Soft Top Color | Interior Color | Total |
|---|
| Prod. | % |
|---|
| 905 | Nevada Silver | $0.00 | B/W | B-DB-DG-R | N/A | N/A | | 912 | Sunflower Yellow | $0.00 | B/W | B-DG-S | N/A | N/A | | 972 | Classic White | $0.00 | B/W | B-DB-DG-R-S | N/A | N/A | | 973 | Mille Miglia Red | $0.00 | B/W | B-R | N/A | N/A | | 976 | Mulsanne Blue | $0.00 | B/W | B-DB | N/A | N/A | | 979 | Bridgehampton Blue | $0.00 | B/W | B-DB | N/A | N/A | | 983 | Brands Hatch Green | $0.00 | B/W | B-DG | N/A | N/A | | 987 | Ontario Orange | $0.00 | B/W | B-DG-S | N/A | N/A | | 988 | Steel Cities Gray | $0.00 | B/W | B-S | N/A | N/A | | 989 | War Bonnet Yellow | $0.00 | B/W | B-DG-S | N/A | N/A |
Color Codes: B=Black, DB=Dark Blue, DG=Dark Green, L=Leather, R=Red, S=Saddle, V=Vinyl, W=White
Interior Colors
| RPO | Color | Cost | Total |
|---|
| Prod. | % |
|---|
| 400 | Black Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 403 | Black Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 414 | Brown Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 412 | Dark Blue Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 423 | Dark Green Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 407 | Red Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 417 | Saddle Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 420 | Saddle Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
1971 Corvette Specifications
Mechanical Dimensions
| 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. | 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 | 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 | 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 | Saginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle | | Rear axle type | Sprung differential, Hypoid gear | Sprung differential, Hypoid gear | | Brakes | Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist | Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist | | Swept area | 11.75" front and back | 11.75" front and back | | Total swept area | 461 sq. in. | 461 sq. in. | | Wheels | 8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc | 8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc | | Standard rear axle ratio | 3.36:1 | 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 | 2.73:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1 |
Engine Specifications
| Feature | Base Engine RPO L48 | RPO LS5 | RPO LS6 | RPO LT1 |
|---|
| Type | V-8, Overhead Valve | V-8, Overhead Valve | V-8, Overhead Valve | V-8, Overhead Valve | | Block | Cast Iron | Cast Iron | Cast Iron | Cast Iron | | 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 | five | five | five | | Valve lifters | hydraulic | hydraulic | 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 |
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