Introduced in 1971, the Rally Nova was a new offering for buyers who wanted the appearance of a muscle car, but without the hassles associated with owning a muscle car during this era of increased insurance premiums and fuel scarcity.
Many manufacturers were forced to lower the compression on their powerful motors from previous model years, due to new requirements for unleaded fuel and increased fuel efficiency, which drastically reduced horsepower and torque ratings. Rather than focus on performance, the Rally Nova was a loud statement that featured full racing stripes, Rally Nova stickers and badging, as well as Rally wheels. Overall, 7,700 Rally Novas were built during 1971.
Another popular Nova model for 1971 was the Super Sport. Although there were minimal changes to the styling between 1970 and 1971 (such as the removal of the front fender vents), the overall performance of the Super Sport also took a hit as Chevrolet had removed the optional big block 396 V8 from the Nova lineup.
Despite this change, Chevrolet still produced 7,015 Super Sport Novas during the 1971 model year. However, overall sales were down from the 19,558 Super Sports produced for 1970, likely a combination of the many factors at play during this transitional period of the American automotive industry.
1971 Nova Brochure
1971 Nova Model Options
Body Styles & Model Options:
- Coupe
- 4-Door Sedan
Engine Options:
- L22 – Turbo-Thrift 250 | 250ci | 145hp L6
- L14 – Turbo-Fire 307 | 307ci | 200hp V8
- L65 – Turbo-Fire 350 | 350ci | 245hp V8
- L48 – Turbo-Fire 350 | 350ci | 270hp V8
Available Transmissions:
- Powerglide
- 4-Speed Manual
- 3-Speed
- Torque-Drive
- Turbo Hydra-Matic
Production Numbers:
- Nova: 194,878
- 2-Door Coupe: 0
- 2-Door Convertible: 0
- 2-Door Hatchback: 0
- 2-Door Sedan: 143,235
- 4-Door Sedan: 51,643
- 4-Door Wagon: 0
- Super Sport: 7,015
Dimensions & Capacities:
- Length: 189.4 in / 15.78 ft
- Width: 72.4 in / 6.03 ft
- Height:
- 2-door Sedan: 52.5 in / 4.37 ft
- 4-Door Sedan: 53.9 in / 4.48 ft
- Wheelbase: 111 in / 9.25 ft
1971 Nova Engine Codes & Specs
Available Engine Specifications
|
Type |
Size |
Carb |
RPO |
Horsepower |
Torque |
Bore & Stroke (in.) |
Compression Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
L6 |
250ci |
1x1bbl |
L22 |
145 hp @ 4200 RPM |
235 lb-ft @ 1600 RPM |
3.875 x 3.53 | 8.5:1 |
|
V8 |
307ci |
1x2bbl |
L14 |
200 hp @ 4600 RPM |
300 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM |
3.875 x 3.25 | 8.5:1 |
|
V8 |
350ci |
1x2bbl |
L65 |
245 hp @ 4800 RPM |
350 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM |
4.000 x 3.48 | 8.5:1 |
|
V8 |
350ci |
1x4bbl |
L48 |
270 hp @ 4800 RPM |
360 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM |
4.000 x 3.48 | 8.5:1 |
6 Cylinder Engine Codes
| Code |
Size / Carb |
HP / RPO |
Transmission |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
250 |
||||
| CAA |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
145 hp L22 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
| CAB |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
145 hp L22 |
Powerglide or Torque Drive |
– |
| CCI |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
145 hp L22 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
| CCL |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
145 hp L22 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
8 Cylinder Engine Codes
| Code |
Size / Carb |
HP / RPO |
Transmission |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
307 |
||||
|
CCA |
307 cid 1x2bbl |
200 hp L14 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
|
CCC |
307 cid 1x2bbl |
200 hp L14 |
Powerglide |
– |
|
350 |
||||
|
CGA |
350 cid 1x2bbl |
245 hp L65 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
|
CGB |
350 cid 1x2bbl |
245 hp L65 |
Powerglide |
– |
|
CGC |
350 cid 1x2bbl |
245 hp L65 |
TH350 |
– |
|
CGK |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
270 hp L48 |
Manual |
– |
|
CGL |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
270 hp L48 |
TH350 |
– |
|
CJD |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
270 hp L48 |
TH350 |
– |
|
CJG |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
270 hp L48 |
4-Speed Manual |
– |
Click here for further engine decoding information
1971 Nova Transmission Codes
|
Code |
Description |
Engines |
Assembly Plants |
|---|---|---|---|
|
R3 |
3-Speed |
L6, V8 |
S = Muncie |
|
WT |
4-Speed |
V8 |
P = Muncie |
|
TL |
Torque Drive |
L6 |
A = Cleveland |
|
TH |
Powerglide |
L6 |
C = Cleveland | E = McKinnon |
|
TJ |
Powerglide |
V8 |
C = Cleveland | E = McKinnon |
|
HW |
TH350 |
V8 |
B = Cleveland | Y = Toledo |
Click here for further transmission decoding information
1971 Nova Rear Axle Ratio Codes
| Code | Axle Ratio |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BL |
3.07:1 |
Open 12-bolt |
| BM |
3.31:1 |
Open 12-bolt |
| BR |
3.07:1 |
Positraction 12-bolt |
| BS |
3.31:1 |
Positraction 12-bolt |
| PI |
2.56:1 |
Open 10-bolt |
| PJ |
2.56:1 |
Positraction 10-bolt |
| PO |
3.08:1 |
Open 10-bolt |
| PR |
3.08:1 |
Positraction 10-bolt |
| GJ |
2.56:1 |
Open 10-bolt |
| GK |
2.56:1 |
Positraction 10-bolt |
| GR |
3.08:1 |
Open 10-bolt |
| GS |
3.08:1 |
Positraction 10-bolt |
| GT |
3.36:1 |
Open 10-bolt |
| GW |
3.36:1 |
Positraction 10-bolt |
Click here for further rear axle decoding information
1971 Nova Factory Options
Regular Production Option (RPO)
| RPO | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AK1 | Deluxe belts & harness front | 13,617 |
| AS4 | Rear seat shoulder harness – deluxe | 65 |
| A01 | Tinted Glass – all windows | 84,513 |
| A51 | Front bucket seat – Strato type | 6,399 |
| B37 | Floor mats | 18,623 |
| B84 | Body side molding | 60,249 |
| B90 | Door and window frame molding | 22,386 |
| B93 | Door edge guards | 41,429 |
| C08 | Exterior soft trim roof cover | 37,555 |
| C50 | Rear window defroster | 9,456 |
| C60 | Air Conditioning – deluxe | 49,257 |
| D33 | Outside mirror – remote control | 11,279 |
| D34 | Vanity visor mirror | 2,907 |
| D55 | Front compartment floor console | 6,493 |
| F40 | Special heavy duty front & rear suspension | 15,238 |
| F41 | Special performance front & rear suspension | 1,370 |
| G80 | Rear axle – Positraction | 9,117 |
| JL2 | Disc brakes front | 15,988 |
| J50 | Vacuum power brake equipment | 25,656 |
| L22 | L6 engine – 250 | 96,756 |
| L48 | V8 engine – 350 | 7,016 |
| L65 | V8 engine – 350 2-bbl | 18,273 |
| MB1 | Torque-drive transmission | 2,993 |
| M11 | 3-speed Floor shift transmission control | 16,998 |
| M15 | 3-speed manual transmission | 31,676 |
| M20 | 4-speed manual transmission | 3,950 |
| M35 | Powerglide transmission | 126,921 |
| M38 | 3-speed automatic transmission – TH350 | 71,810 |
| NK2 | Deluxe steering wheel | 485 |
| NK4 | Sport steering wheel | 2,603 |
| N40 | Power steering | 150,002 |
| PK8 | E78-14/B tires – whitewall | 112,333 |
| PL1 | E70-14-4 PR tires – B/B white stripe | 7,498 |
| PL3 | E78-14/B tires – whitewalls – 2X2 | 53,568 |
| P01 | Wheel trim cover | 93,065 |
| P02 | Deluxe wheel trim cover | 705 |
| P06 | Wheel trim ring | 21,331 |
| T60 | Heavy duty battery | 7,666 |
| U17 | Front compartment console instrument cluster | 1,680 |
| U35 | Electric clock | 7,216 |
| U63 | Radio – AM push button | 218,290 |
| U69 | Radio – AM/FM push button | 4,133 |
| U76 | Windshield antenna | 228,390 |
| U80 | Auxiliary speaker | 12,490 |
| V01 | Heavy duty radiator | 5,782 |
| V30 | Front & rear bumper guards | 5,845 |
| YD1 | Axle for trailering | 235 |
| YF1 | Rally package | 7,700 |
| ZJ1 | Custom interior package | 14,243 |
| ZJ2 | Custom exterior package | 9,527 |
| ZJ3 | Interior convenience package | 37,374 |
| ZJ5 | Exterior decor package | 68,801 |
| ZJ7 | Special wheel, hub cap and trim ring (Rally wheel) | 27,211 |
| ZJ9 | Auxiliary lighting group | 5,613 |
| Z26 | Super Sport | 7,015 |
| 751 | Interior trim – black vinyl | 33,207 |
| 753 | Interior trim – black vinyl | 4,915 |
| 757 | Interior trim – dark green vinyl | 16,006 |
| 760 | Interior trim – dark green vinyl | 18,987 |
| 763 | Interior trim – vinyl | 28,500 |
| 764 | Interior trim – vinyl | 3,345 |
| 956 | Color combination two-tone | 3,362 |
| 960 | Color combination two-tone | 2,210 |
| 968 | Color combination two-tone | 1,778 |
| 969 | Color combination two-tone | 2,325 |
| 971 | Color combination two-tone | 1,140 |
| 977 | Color combination two-tone | 2,104 |
1971 Nova Cowl Tag Information
1971 Nova 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
Line 1: Year, GM Division, Model & Body, Assembly Plant, Sequence Number
|
Year |
GM Division |
Model Series |
Body Code |
Assembly Plant |
Sequence Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
71 = 1971 |
1 = Chevrolet |
13 = Nova, L6 |
27 = 2-Door Sedan |
WRN = Willow Run, MI |
Starts at 100001 |
|
14 = Nova, V8 |
69 = 4-Door Sedan |
Line 2: Trim and Paint
|
Interior Trim |
Exterior Paint (Lower/Upper) |
|---|---|
|
750 = Black Cloth Bench (Standard) |
11 = Antique White |
|
751 = Black Vinyl Bench (Standard) |
13 = Nevada Silver |
|
752 = Black Cloth Bench (Custom) |
19 = Tuxedo Black |
|
753 = Black Vinyl Bench (Custom) |
24 = Ascot Blue |
|
754 = Black Vinyl Buckets |
26 = Mulsanne Blue |
|
756 = Dark Blue Cloth Bench (Standard) |
42 = Cottonwood Green |
|
757 = Dark Blue Vinyl Bench (Standard) |
43 = Lime Green |
|
759 = Dark Jade Cloth Bench (Standard) |
49 = Antique Green |
|
760 = Dark Jade Vinyl Bench (Standard) |
52 = Sunflower Yellow |
|
761 = Dark Jade Cloth Bench (Custom) |
53 = Placer Gold |
|
763 = Light Sandalwood Vinyl Bench (Standard) |
61 = Sandalwood |
|
764 = Light Sandalwood Vinyl Bench (Custom) |
62 = Burnt Orange |
|
767 = Dark Saddle Vinyl Buckets |
67 = Classic Copper |
|
75 = Cranberry Red |
|
|
78 = Rosewood Metallic |
|
|
A = White Vinyl Roof |
|
|
B = Black Vinyl Roof |
|
|
C = Dark Blue Vinyl Roof |
|
|
F = Dark Brown Vinyl Roof |
|
|
G = Dark Green Vinyl Roof |
Line 3: Build Month and Week
|
Month |
Week |
|---|---|
|
01 = January |
A = First Week |
|
02 = February |
B = Second Week |
|
03 = March |
C = Third Week |
|
04 = April |
D = Fourth Week |
|
05 = May |
E = Fifth Week |
|
06 =June |
|
|
07 = July |
|
|
08 = August |
|
|
09 = September |
|
|
10 = October |
|
|
11 = November |
|
|
12 = December |
Disclaimer
The numbers have been compiled from many sources to make these pages as correct as possible. There is no guarantee that the numbers are complete or accurate, therefore, we cannot accept any liability or responsibility for damages incurred from the use of this information.
