• 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

  Position	Character	Description
  1	1	Chevrolet Division
  2	9	body series: Corvette
  3	4	type of engine: V-8
  4 & 5	67	convertible
  	37	coupe
  6	1	1971
  7	S	Assembled in St. Louis, MO
  8 to 13	100001 to 128566	production sequence

• Engine serial number

  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

  Color	Vinyl Upholstery	Leather Upholstery
  Black	400	403
  Brown	414
  Dark Blue	412
  Dark Green	423
  Red	407
  Saddle	417	420

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

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

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 recirulating 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 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 Click here for Corvette books Books on other automobiles Dictionary of over 15,000 Automotive Terms Cadillac History Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook a@motorera.com 1963-67 overview 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 June 18, 1999