Despite Lost Horsepower the 1971 Corvette Revitalizes Slumping Sales
The 1971 Corvette would prove to be much what the 70s brought in the way of Vettes. The machine would be more balanced then the previous year’s model but because of increasing federal regulations on fuel economy and emissions control, the model would also prove to be a bit tamer. Unfortunately for the engineers at GM this would become commonplace for some years to come.
The 1971 Corvette had a decrease in compression ratio and the base model small black only ran on a very timid 8:5:1 compression and saw a decline in power to a paltry 270 bhp. The once mighty LT1 small block was also stripped of much of its power for 1971 and only put out 330 bhp as opposed to the 370 bhp it was used to. Like the base model engine, it was a decrease in compression that was responsible for the loss of ponies. This unfortunate scenario also bled into the big blocks and the LS5 saw an output of 365 bhp and the all new LS6 with an aluminum head put out 425 bhp.
While these numbers are impressive no matter when you look at them the loss of power was noticeable enough at the time and led to many upset enthusiasts. Still, the hands of the engineers were tied and they eked out all the power they could. Though it seemed no one may have wanted it, but the fact remained that the end of an era had occurred. The day of the un-supervised and unrestricted muscle car engine was gone and this left GM to make the best of their situation.
To try to fight the Federal regulators, GM came up with a couple of special packages for the 1971 Corvette. These packages included:
- ZR1: This was available with the LT1 and featured a special racing package that included solid lifters for the small block. Other notable improvements were a heavy duty four-speed transmission, upgraded suspension, power brakes, and an aluminum radiator. While the package was indeed nice, it was also costly and saw little of the 1971 Corvettes so equipped.
- ZR2: This was basically the ZR1 package with the LS6 424 V-8. While the installation of the ZR1 only totaled 176, total installation for the ZR2 package was a scant 12.
While the options of both packages were indeed performance boosting the added cost combined with the fact that the packages could not come with such power options as power windows and power locks because it was a performance package, probably hurt the 1971 Corvette rather than help it.
Still for all the virtually non-existent changes that came with the 1971 Corvette, sales were quite spectacular. Thanks to a full year of production and a healthy supply, the 1971 Corvette saw 21,801 units move for the model year which was a welcomed rebound from the dismal sales in 1970. As the decade would press on Federal Regulations would as well, but the Shark Generation of the Vette would prove to be a stubborn one and the Vette would continue to hold its own; even if it wasn’t as much as the big brass at GM wanted.
Tags: 1971 Corvette, horsepower, LS6
