Corvette Generations:
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 19631964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
The LS5 (above engine statistics) was joined by the LS6 (below) for 1971, both as the top horsepower big block options.
Left: The future had arrived in the form of lower compression ratios for 1971. Unleaded gasoline and its lower octane rating forced the move and an era was over, not to return. The change caused the horsepower ratings of the LS5 motor to go from 390 horsepower via a 10.25:1 compression ration (1970) to 365 horsepower and a 8.5:1 compression ratio. Most reports indicate the performance loss was negligible and gasoline purchasing was easier.
Corvette hardtops, which had been available starting in 1956 and continued for the C2 and C3 generations as long as convertibles were in the model lineup which was 1975. How they were sold is a bit different than what you might expect - you were given a choice of ordering your Corvette with either a hard top or a soft top - the price was the same. Should you want both you would order RPO C07 which was an extra $274.00 in 1971. Production quantity was 2,619 or 12%. Although it was possible to purchase a Corvette as hard top only - no ragtop - this was rarely done.
The C3 hardtops were available with vinyl covering RPO C08 for an additional $63.00. Why somebody would want to make their hardtop Corvette look like a convertible when it already was a convertible is beyond us, but 832 people (3.82%) went that route in 1971.
1971 was the last year for the fiber optic light monitoring system located behind the shifter.
Left: Famous Car and Driver "Bragging" magazine advertisement. Right: 1971 sales brochure cover.
1971 Corvette Stingray For Sale |
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Corvette Stingray
Price: $30,000 obo Exterior: Red Interior: Black Miles: 119,000 Location: Sacramento, CA Click Here for more info |
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"Unmolested" original w/all numbers matching, 454, new tires, factory rally rims, power steering & door locks, AM/FM/6CD changer, premium sound, luggage rack, car cover (more) |
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1971 Corvette convertible in Brands Hatch Green. Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit in Kent, England. 7,121 of the 1971 Corvettes were convertibles or 32.66% which was typical of C3 Corvettes from 1969 to 1975.
1971 Corvette: Official GM Photo.
1971 Corvette Options, Prices
| RPO | Description | Production | Price |
| Custom Interior Trim | 2,602 (11.94%) | $158.00 | |
| PU9 | White Letter Tires, F70x15, nylon | 12,449 (57.10%) | $42.00 |
| A31 | Power Windows | 6,192 (28.40%) | $79.00 |
| A85 | Custom Shoulder Belts (standard with coupe) | 677 (3.11%) | $42.00 |
| C07 | Auxiliary Hardtop (for convertible) | 2,619 (12.01%) | $274.00 |
| C08 | Vinyl Covering (for auxiliary hardtop) | 832 (3.82%) | $63.00 |
| C50 | Rear Window Defroster | 1,598 (7.33%) | $42.00 |
| C60 | Air Conditioning | 11,481 (52.66%) | $459.00 |
| J50 | Power Brakes | 13,558 (62.19%) | $47.00 |
| LS5 | 454 cu. in. 365hp Engine | 5,097 (23.38%) | $295.00 |
| LS6 | 454 cu. in. 425hp Engine | 188 (0.86%) | $1,221.00 |
| LT1 | 350 cu. in. 330hp Engine | 1,949 (8.94%) | $483.00 |
| M21 | 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio | 2,387 (10.95%) | n/a |
| M22 | 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio, heavy duty | 130 (0.60%) | $100.00 |
| M40 | Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission | 10,060 (46.14%) | n/a |
| N37 | Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column | 8,130 (37.29%) | $84.30 |
| N40 | Power Steering | 17,904 (82.12%) | $115.90 |
| P02 | Deluxe Wheel Covers | 3,007 (13.79%) | $63.00 |
| PT7 | White Stripe Tires, F70x15, nylon | 6,711 (30.78%) | $28.00 |
| PU9 | White Letter Tires, F70x15, nylon | 12,449 (57.10%) | $42.00 |
| T60 | Heavy Duty Battery (standard with LS5, LS6) | 1,455 (6.67%) | $15.80 |
| U69 | AM-FM Radio | 18,078 (82.92%) | $178.00 |
| U79 | AM-FM Radio, stereo | 3,431 (15.74%) | $283.00 |
| UA6 | Alarm System | 8,501 (38.99%) | $31.60 |
| ZQ1 | Optional Rear Axle Ratio | 2,395 (10.99%) | $13.00 |
| ZR1 | Special Purpose LT1 Engine Package | 8 (0.04%) | $1,010.00 |
| ZR2 | Special Purpose LS6 Engine Package | 12 (0.06%) | $1,747.00 |
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Total Production:
21,801
Notes: Base Corvette Coupe with 350 cu. in. 270 hp engine and wide ratio four speed manual transmission: $5,496.00. |
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Colors
| Code | Exterior | Quantity | Interior | Soft Top | Wheels |
| 905 | Nevada Silver | 1,177 (5.40%) | Black / Dark Blue / Dark | Black / White | Silver |
| 912 | Sunflower Yellow | 1,177 (5.40%) | Black / Dark Green / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
| 972 | Classic White | 1,875 (8.60%) | Black / Dark Blue / Dark Green / Red / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
| 973 | Mille Miglia Red | 2,180 (10.00%) | Black / Red | Black / White | Silver |
| 976 | Mulsanne Blue | 2,465 (11.31%) | Black / Dark Blue | Black / White | Silver |
| 979 | Bridgehampton Blue | 1,417 (6.50%) | Black / Dark Blue | Black / White | Silver |
| 983 | Brands Hatch Green | 3,445 (15.80%) | Black / Dark Green | Black / White | Silver |
| 987 | Ontario Orange | 2,269 (10.41%) | Black / Dark Green / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
| 988 | Steel Cities Gray | 1,591 (7.30%) | Black / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
| 989 | War Bonnet Yellow | 3,706 (17.00%) | Black / Dark Green / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
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Comments (3)
Look for presence of factory-type rear stabilizer bar only big blocks had these for the 1971.
I assume you do not have the body? The tachometer and oil pressure gauges are different on small / big block C3 Corvettes.
I recommend you look at the NCRS judging manual, they are a good source of info. Also the forums at NCRS.org can be helpful.
Regards,
Paul Pollock
WebCars! / Corvette Story Webmaster
http://web-cars.com
http://corvettestory.com
how can you tell a big block Chassis (no drive train) from a small block chassi on a 1971 corvette coupe/