Welcome back to Hobby Car Corvettes, as we continue our C3 Vette Rundown Series. Two weeks ago, we discussed the delayed, but ultimately successful launch of the 1970 C3 Corvette. If you missed the posts for all years prior to 1971, we do recommend checking those out! Short, sweet, and to the point, our series aims to give a brief but pertinent history of the lifespan of the third generation Corvette, from start to end. Cruising right along, let’s see what changes 1971 Corvette brought to the masses!

 

1971 blue convertible Corvette Hobby Car Corvettes private collection

1971 blue convertible Corvette Hobby Car Corvettes private collection

 

WHY SO FEW CHANGES?

 

Right out the gate, the biggest “change” for the 1971 Vette, was very little change at all. Instead of facelifting this and modifying that, it was agreed that the shortened production of the 1970 C3, was deserving of a longer run. It was the United Auto Worker’s labor dispute that led to this decision. This specific event had caused the 69’ Vette lifespan to be prolonged, and the 70’ Vette launch to be delayed, shortening the lifespan.

 

Instead of making grand aesthetic changes to inspire “ooos” and “ahhhs” from the general public, the year of the 71’ Vette was the year of modifying engines to meet federal regulations.

 

Aside from the engine mods, there are few changes to note. The fuel filler door was made easier to open, and added was a transmission selector quadrant that illuminated during nighttime operation. The 1971 Vette was also the last model to feature the fiber-optics light monitoring system, the headlight washer system, and the M22 heavy duty 4-speed manual gearbox.

 

1971 Bridgehampton Blue Corvette for sale

1971 Bridgehampton Blue Corvette for sale

 

POSITIVE CHANGE FOR THE WORKERS

 

Because Chevrolet ultimately decided to leave the 1971 practically unaltered, the plant workers in St. Louis were able to breathe a sigh of relief and focus more on quality, rather than quantity. Workers were motivated to enhance the quality of the car they were proud to make. While most car companies across the country were churning out mass quantities of basic vehicles, Corvette plant workers felt proud to work on such a highly-regarded and recognized sports car.

 

Vince Shanks, the plant manager of the St. Louis Corvette Manufacturing Plant, was quoted as saying “When you ask a guy where he works in St. Louis, he’ll tell you ‘Corvette’ rather than ‘Chevrolet.’  Every Corvette he sees on the road is one he’s worked on. That’s quite an incentive.”

 

RESPONSE TO REGULATIONS

 

Chevrolet’s decision to leave the 1971 unaltered, worked out for the better in another regard. The year 1971 ushered in new federal regulations, requiring internal changes to meet new standards. Engineers were able to focus solely on the changes necessary to bring all Corvette’s up to code.

 

The president of GM, Edward Cole, had mandated that all 1971 GM cars would be capable of running on fuel with a Research Octane Number no higher than 91 Octane. To tolerate the lower octane fuel, engines were detuned with reduced compression ratios. The small blocks available were the 350 ci (5.7 L) base engine, which dropped to 270 hp (201 kW), and the high performance LT-1, now listed at 330 hp (246 kW). The LS5 454 ci (7.4 L) motor was carried over and produced 365 hp (272 kW).

 

Offered in 1971 only was the LS6 454 cu in (7.4 L) big-block featuring aluminum heads and delivering 425 hp (317 kW), highest of the 1970-72 series, and could be ordered with an automatic transmission.

 

DID YOU KNOW:  

 

The 1971 Corvette production specs called for the use of amber parking light lenses. However, most 1971 Corvettes came equipped with clear lenses and amber bulbs, which was carried over 1970.

 

The 1971 Corvette included an optional custom interior trim package which included leather seat trim, wood-grain accents, and lower carpet trim on interior door panels, wood grain accents on the console and special cut-pile carpeting.

 

A ZR2 package like ZR1, but with a 460hp (also listed as 465hp), 454 ci was planned and advertised for 1970, but not released until 1971. Suffix was to be CZL for manual, CZN for automatic.

 

A SMOOTH YEAR 

 

Although 1971 was not a year of big, flashy changes, it was a year of necessary changes. It was also a positive year for the plant workers at Corvette in St. Louis. So 1971 won’t be remembered as a phenomenal year, but the third generation Corvettes wouldn’t be what they are without it.

 

Join us again in two weeks, to see what 1972 has in store. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to us at Hobby Car Corvettes, located in Martinsburg, PA, if you have any questions or interest in owning your very own C3 Corvette. Turn your dreams of owning your very own C3 Chevrolet Corvette, into plans!

 

 

SPECS

 

MODEL 1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
GENERATION C3
BODY STYLE Two-door convertible/coupe, front engine, rear wheel drive
MANUFACTURING LOCATION St. Louis, Missouri
EXTERIOR

COLORS

Classic White, Monza Red, Marlboro Maroon, Mulsanne Blue, Bridgehampton Blue, Donnybrooke Green, Daytona Yellow, Cortez Silver, Ontario Orange, Laguna Gray
INTERIOR

COLORS

Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Saddle, Red
CONSTRUCTION Uniconstruction: fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, backboned by a steel cage outlining the passenger compartment. Principal members – underbody, front and rear end assemblies, dash panel and hinge pillars are bonded, riveted, or bolted together and to each other. Hood is plastic with bonded plastic reinforcement. Coupe: two removable roof panels and removable rear window. Frame: all welded, full length, ladder construction with 5 crossmembers. Side Rails and intermediate crossmembers box section; front crossmember box girder section. Eight body-mounting points.
VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN) 194371S100001 – 194371S121801
ENGINE SUFFIX CGT: 350 CUBIC INCH, 270 HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS

CGY: 350 CUBIC INCH, 330 HP, MANUAL TRANS

CGZ: 350 CUBIC INCH, 330 HP, MANUAL TRANS

CJK: 350 CUBIC INCH, 270 HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS

CJL: 350 CUBIC INCH, 270 HP, MANUAL TRANS

CPH: 454 CUBIC INCH, 365 HP, MANUAL TRANS

CPJ: 454 CUBIC INCH, 365 HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS

CPW: 454 CUBIC INCH, 425 HP, MANUAL TRANS, ALUMINUM HEADS

CPX: 350 CUBIC INCH, 425 HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS, ALUMINUM HEADS

ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER 3970010, 350 CUBIC INCH, 270 HP, 330HP

3963512, 454 CUBIC INCH, 365 HP, 425HP

HEAD NUMBER 3946074, 454 CUBIC INCH, 425HP

3973487, 350 CUBIC INCH, 270HP, 330HP

3993820, 454 CUBIC INCH, 365HP

3994026, 454 CUBIC INCH, 425HP

CARBURETOR NUMBERS OCHESTER Q-jet #7041204: 454 CUBIC INCH, 365HP, AUTOTRANS

ROCHESTER Q-jet #7041205: 454 CUBIC INCH, 365HP, MANUAL TRANS

ROCHESTER Q-jet #7041212: 350 CUBIC INCH, 270HP, AUTO TRANS

ROCHESTER Q-jet #7041213: 350 CUBIC INCH, 270HP, MANUAL TRANS

HOLLEY R4489A #3989021: 350 CUBIC INCH, 330HP, MANUAL TRANS

HOLLEY R4555A #3986195: 454 CUBIC INCH, 425HP, MANUAL TRANS

DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER 1112038: 350 CUBIC INCH, 330HP, TRANSISITOR IGNITION

1112050: 350 CUBIC INCH, 270HP

1112051: 454 CUBIC INCH, 365HP,

1112053: 454 CUBIC INCH, 425HP, TRANSISTOR IGNITION

1112076: 454 CUBIC INCH, 425HP, TRANSISTOR IGNITION

ALTERNATOR NUMBER 1100543: 454 CUBIC INCH, 365HP, 425HP

1100950: 350 CUBIC INCH 270HP, 330HP

1100544: ALL WITH AIR CONDITIONING

AXLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AA: 3.55:1 RATIO

AB: 3.70:1 RATIO

AC: 4.11:1 RATIO

AD: 4.56:1 RATIO

AW: 3.08:1 RATIO

AX: 3.36:1 RATIO

LR: 3.36:1 RATIO

PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE AUG., 1970: 101212, JAN. 1971: 108230, MAY, 1971: 118223, SEP.. 1970: 102226, FEB. 1971: 110886, JUN., 1971: 120686, NOV., 1970: 102675, MAR. 1971: 113626, JULY, 1971: 121801, DEC., 1970: 105269, APR. 1971: 115983

 

Options Codes, Production, & Pricing

 

CODES DESCRIPTION QUANTITY RETAIL PRICE
19467 Base Corvette Sport Coupe 14,680 $5,496.00
19467 Base Corvette Convertible 7,121 $5,259.00
Custom Interior Trim 2,602 $158.00
A31 Power Windows 6,192 $79.00
A85 Custom Shoulder Belts (std with coupe) 677 $42.00
C07 Auxiliary Hardtop (for convertible) 2,619 $274.00
C08 Vinyl Covering (for auxiliary hardtop) 832 $63.00
C50 Rear Window Defroster 1,598 $42.00
C60 Air Conditioning 11,481 $459.00
ZQ1 Optional Rear Axle Ratio 2,395 $13.00
J50 Power Brakes 13,558 $47.00
LS5 454ci, 390hp Engine 5,097 $295.00
LS6 454ci, 425hp Engine 188 $1,221.00
LT1 350ci, 330hp Engine 1,949 $483.00
M21 4-Speed Manual Transmission, Close-Ratio 2,387 $0.00
M22 4-Speed Manual Transmission, Close Ratio Heavy Duty 130 $100.00
M40 Turbo-Hydro-matic Automatic

Transmission

10,060 $0.00
N37 Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column 8,130 $84.30
N40 Power Steering 17,904 $115.90
PO2 Deluxe Wheel Cover 3,007 $63.00
PT7 White Stripe Tires, F70x15 nylon 3,007 $63.00
PU9 White Letter Tires, F70x15 nylon 6,711 $28.00
T6o Heavy Duty Battery (std with LS5) 12,449 $42.00
UA6 Alarm System 1,455 $15.80
U69 AM-FM Radio 8,501 $31.60
U79 AM-FM Radio, Stereo 18,078 $178.00
ZR1 Special Purpose LT1 Engine Package 8 $1.010.00
ZR2 Special Purpose LS6 Engine Package 12 $1,747.00

 

We currently have the following 1971 corvettes for sale: