1971 Camaro Specifications
1971 was the year the car insurance industry brought an end to the original ‘muscle car’ era. In an effort to comply with federal regulations requiring leaded fuel to be phased out, General Motors lowered compression ratios of all engines to a maximum of 9.0:1.
Not only did this actually cut horsepower (compared to an 11.0:1 compression ratio engine), but General Motors also began rating their engines in SAE NET horsepower. In 1971, engines were rated in both SAE NET & Gross HP.
While essentially a carry-over from the previous year, the 1971 Camaro had several notable changes. These changes included a new 3 piece rear spoiler, optional ABS plastic front spoiler, high back seats adapted from the Vega, and minor changes to the emblems. Little changes in the appearance of the 1971 Chevy Camaro separated it from the previous year, but under the hood, the Camaro was a much tamer vehicle.
New insurance laws and the woes of a faltering economy along with fears of oil shortages led General Motors and all U.S.-based car manufacturers to downgrade horsepower in favor of better gas mileage and mainly to comply with new federal laws. 1971 was considered by many car enthusiasts to be a very disappointing year.
1971 Camaro Brochure
1971 Camaro Model Options
1971 Camaro Production:
- 11,178 6-cyl
- 103,452 V8
- 114,630 total
Dealer Introduction: 9/29/70
Vehicle Identification Example: 123871N500001
- First digit is GM Division: 1 = Chevrolet
- Digits 2&3 are model series: 23 = 6-cyl, 24 = 8-cyl Camaro
- Digits 4&5 are body type: 87 = 2dr. coupe
- Sixth digit is model year: 1 = 1971
- The seventh digit is N for Norwood assembly, L for Van Nuys.
- The last six digits increased one with each car built at each plant
Dimensions:
- Length: 188.0″
- Height: 50.5″
- Width: 74.4″
- Wheelbase: 108.0″
Curb Weight:
- 12387: 3,186 lbs.
- 12487: 3,310 lbs.
1971 VIN Ending By Month (Norwood):
- Aug – 505384
- Sep – 513327
- Oct – n/a (strike)
- Nov – n/a (strike)
- Dec – n/a (strike)
- Jan – 525983
- Feb – 542888
- Mar – 558615
- Apr – 570194
- May – 581213
- Jun – 593741
- Jul – 520889
1971 VIN Ending By Month ( Van Nuys):
- Aug – 501727
- Sep – 503052
- Oct – n/a (strike)
- Nov – n/a (strike)
- Dec – 505416
- Jan – 508544
- Feb – 510841
- Mar – 513969
- Apr – 516618
- May – 518440
- Jun – 520553
- Jul – n/a
1971 Camaro Model Option Breakouts
Z21 Style Trim
Includes bright roof drip, window, and hood panel moldings plus bright accented parking lights, taillights, and backup lights. (Included with Rally Sport option).
Z22 Rally Sport
Includes special black-painted grille with special rubber-tipped vertical center bar and resilient body-color grille frame; Independent LH and RH front bumpers replacing full-width bumper; license plate bracket mounted below RH bumper; parking lights with bright accents mounted on grille panel; Hide-a-Way windshield wipers with black-chrome finished arms and articulated left-hand blade; bright roof drip, window, and hood panel moldings; RS emblem on the steering wheel; Rally Sport front fender nameplates; bright accented taillights and back-up lights. (RS emblems deleted with SS or Z28 option).
Click here for information on how to verify a Rally Sport
Z23 Accent Group Interior
Includes additional instrument cluster lighting, wood-grained accents on the instrument cluster, and steering wheel (included in custom interior option).
Z27 Super Sport
Includes 270-hp Turbo-Fire 350 engine and bright accents; dual exhaust; power brakes, special ornamentation; special hood insulation; LH remote control sport mirror; F70-14 bias belted ply white lettered tires, 14″ x 7″ wheels; black painted grille; hide-a-way windshield wipers with black chrome finished arms and articulated left hand blade; SS emblems on steering wheel, fenders and grille (exp. when combined with RS), available with V8 only, available with 4-speed manual or automatic transmission only, the optional engine is LS3 245 hp 396). 396 engine came with black painted rear panel & required RPO F41.
Total SS Production:
- L48/350 cid = 6,844
- LS3/402 cid = 1,533d
Carburetor Part Number
Distributor Part Numbers
Z28 Special Performance Package
The short one-piece rear spoiler was replaced with a 3 piece spoiler (former COPO 9796 used in 1970) in the early part of the model year. Special instrumentation and driver-side adjustable sport mirror standard.
Total Z28 Production:
- 4,862
1971 Z28 Carburetor (780 cfm Holley)
Engine:
The compression ratio was lowered from 11:1 to 9:1, resulting in 30 less horsepower and 20 fewer ft./lb. of torque. GM also began rating all engines in SAE net instead of gross horsepower. Solid-lifter cam with lift (0.458) and duration (317/I 346/E) identical to 1970. Stronger engine mounts and larger fuel filter added.
Click here to see the specific LT-1 Engine Components.
Transmission & Clutch:
Mandatory choice of Muncie 4-speeds & 11-inch clutch. Hurst Shifter. Special 2400-RPM-stall torque converter Turbo Hydra-Matic optional. (Identical to 1970.)
Rear Axle:
GM 10 bolt, 3.73:1 positraction ratio standard. 4.10 available (ZQ9)
12 bolt no longer offered, heavy-duty u-joints included with the Z28 package.
Brakes:
11-inch, vented, cast-iron front discs with vacuum assist standard. Rear 9.5-inch drums. (identical to 1970)
Front Suspension:
Z28 anti-roll bar 1.0-inch diameter instead of standard 0.6875-inch unit. (identical to 1970)
Rear Suspension:
RPO F-41 special suspension standard, including 5-leaf rear springs, 125 lb./in. spring rate, staggered heavy-duty shocks, link-type rear stabilizer bar (unchanged from 1970).
Steering:
The 22.5:1 unassisted gear became standard with variable-ratio power steering now at 15.5-11.8:1 for all Camaros. Not quite as fast as 1970.
Wheels & Tires:
15 x 7 steel wheels painted dull grey with bright lug nuts, center caps with blue bow-tie and trim rings,
Wheel Code: AU, Part #: 3983045, Center cap part #: 3989479, Trim Ring part #: 3984524.
F60-15 fiberglass-belted white letter tires standard. (unchanged from & identical to 1970)
Z87 Custom Interior
Includes deluxe seat (with cloth or vinyl seats) and sidewall trim; cloth seats; glove compartment light and additional instrument cluster lighting; wood grained accents on the instrument cluster, steering wheel, and door trim panels; luggage compartment mat plus special engine compartment, hood, and interior insulation.
1971 Camaro Engine Codes & Specs
Available Engine Specifications
6-Cylinder Engine Codes
8-Cylinder Engine Codes
Engine Code Example: V0328CGP
(350 330hp Assembled in Flint assembly plant on March 28)
1971 Camaro Transmission Codes
1971 Camaro 3 & 4 Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
1971 Camaro Powerglide & Turbo Hydramatic Ratios
1971 Camaro Rear Axle Codes
1971+ Rear Axle Code example: CB G 112 1 E
(CB = Ratio, G = Plant, 112 = 112th day of year, 1 = shift, E = Positraction Source)
Click here for further rear axle decoding information
1971 Camaro Factory Options
Regular Production Option (RPO)
1971 Camaro Cowl Tag Info
1971 Camaro Example Cowl Tag & Breakdown
The Cowl Trim Tag, located on the cowl area identifies significant information about your car.
Click here for further cowl tag decoding information
