Class of '71 · Chevrolet Chevelle · 1970–1972 body · second generation
1971Chevrolet Chevelle
Single headlamps, round tail lamps in the bumper and lower compression for low-lead fuel: the SS became one package for any optional V8, and no source shows an LS6 Chevelle sold.
The year in brief
The 1971 kept the 1970 body with a new front and rear: single headlamps, a grille split by a bar with the bow tie, parking lamps wrapped around the fender corners, and round tail lamps set into the bumper.34
GM had every division design its engines for low-lead fuel, so compression dropped to 8.5:1 on all but the LS6, and Chevrolet printed net as well as gross horsepower.23
The SS was now one package, Z15 at $357.05, for a V8 Malibu sport coupe or convertible with any optional engine, from the 245-hp 350 to the 365-hp LS5. Of 19,293 SS Chevelles, El Caminos included, 9,502 had the 454.125
At midyear came the Heavy Chevy (YF3), a $142.20 appearance package for the V8 Chevelle sport coupe with stripes, decals and a domed hood. Over-Drive counts 6,727.123
The story of the year
The LS6 that never came
Chevrolet's price schedule of March 1971 still listed a 425-hp LS6 with 9.0:1 compression and solid lifters for the SS. Consumer Guide says it was never released for sale, and Wikipedia that no official record shows a 1971 Chevelle built with one.235
The hydraulic-lifter LS5 took its place, at 365 gross hp five more than in 1970, but with less torque. Only LS5 cars carried «SS 454» badges; every other SS just said «SS».5one source
How to spot a 1971
What tells it apart from a 1970.
Round tail lamps in the bumper
Parking lamps in the fenders
Two-lens parking lamps that wrap around the front fender corners, amber above and white below.4one source
A bow tie on the grille bar
A bright bar splits the grille, with a bow tie in the middle on Malibus and an SS emblem on SS cars.3one source
Production1one source
345,449 cars, by body.
Every trim line
| Body | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Station wagon | Nomad | 9,329 |
| Greenbrier | 8,257 | |
| Concours | 16,992 | |
| Concours Estate | 7,721 | |
| All station wagons | 42,299 | |
| 2-door sport coupe | Chevelle | 23,807 |
| Malibu | 196,190 | |
| All 2-door sport coupes | 219,997 | |
| 4-door sedan | Chevelle | 15,663 |
| Malibu | 41,626 | |
| All 4-door sedans | 57,289 | |
| 4-door sport sedan | Malibu | 20,775 |
| All 4-door sport sedans | 20,775 | |
| Convertible | Malibu | 5,089 |
| All convertibles | 5,089 | |
| Total | 345,449 | |
Over-Drive's table, with the Oshawa-built cars for U.S. dealers counted in. Without the El Camino (41,606, our sum) and the Monte Carlo the rows add to 345,449 (our sum); Over-Drive's total with the El Camino is 387,025. Its Chevelle sport coupe line prints 6,660 sixes and 23,777 in all, but its cells add to 6,690 and 23,807 (our sums: 5,764 plus 926 Canadian-built sixes). As for 1970, we add the cells; Over-Drive's 387,025 uses its printed line. By the last serial numbers the plants built 540,176 Chevelles and Monte Carlos. One source only. The Greenbrier, Concours and Concours Estate rows add the two- and three-seat wagons together (our sums).
Engines23
7 engines. The code is Chevrolet's regular production option (RPO) code from GM's own lists; standard engines have none. Until 1971 the VIN tells only six from V8.
Gross ratings from Chevrolet's price schedule of 1 March 1971; every engine now ran 8.5:1 except the LS6 at 9.0:1. GM still listed the LS6, but it was not built for sale (see the ruling). Wikipedia gives the net figures, for example 285 net hp for the LS5.
Price when new25
Base retail prices in 1971 dollars, before options.
Suggested retail prices from Chevrolet's price schedule of 1 March 1971. The SS package (Z15) added $357.05, the Heavy Chevy (YF3) $142.20; Consumer Guide also gives $357. The sport sedan and the convertible came only with a V8.
Colors24
15 factory colors. 14 of the 15 color names are confirmed by a second source24; the swatches are approximate screen colors, not paint matches.
Antique White11
Nevada Silver13
Tuxedo Black19
Ascot Blue24
Mulsanne Blue26
Cottonwood Green42
Lime Green43
Antique Green49
Sunflower Yellow52
Placer Gold53
Sandalwood61
Burnt Orange62
Classic Copper67
Cranberry Red75
Rosewood Metallic78
GM's sheet of September 1970: fifteen colors, the same fifteen codes and names as Over-Drive's list (which shortens 78 to «Rosewood»), and six two-tones with Antique White. No source we have counts cars per color.
Reading the VIN12
A 1971 VIN has 13 characters. Type one in, and the decoder reads it against the code tables on this page.
134691B1000012one source · GM's own example from its 1971 serial-number page, an illustration rather than a known car: The first Chevelle of any series built at Baltimore, in GM's example a V8 Chevelle four-door sedan (13469); GM's text says Lakewood, but its own code B and plant list say Baltimore.
The code table
| Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chevrolet |
| 3 | Chevelle |
| 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 8 | Series; an odd digit is a six, an even one a V8 |
| 36 · 37 · 39 · 46 · 57 · 67 · 69 · 80 | Body: 4-door wagon, two seats · 2-door sport coupe (hardtop) · 4-door sport sedan (hardtop) · 4-door wagon, three seats · Monte Carlo coupe · Convertible · 4-door sedan · El Camino pickup |
| 1 | Model year (1971) |
| B · K · L · R · 1 | Plant: Baltimore · Leeds (Kansas City) · Van Nuys · Arlington · Oshawa |
| 100001 → | Unit number, from 100,001 at each plant regardless of series |
Where to find it: Stamped on a plate on the top left of the instrument panel.2one source
Questions about the 1971
How many 1971 Chevrolet Chevelles were made?
Chevrolet built 345,449 for the 1971 model year: 42,299 station wagons, 219,997 2-door sport coupes, 57,289 4-door sedans, 20,775 4-door sport sedans, 5,089 convertibles.1one source
How can you tell a 1971 Chevelle from a 1970?
Four signs, each explained under «How to spot» on this page: single headlamps; round tail lamps in the bumper; parking lamps in the fenders; a bow tie on the grille bar.34
What engines did the 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle have?
Seven engines, from the 250 cu in inline-six to the 454 cu in V8. The engine table on this page gives every code and rating, and the rulings cover the disputed ones.23
How much did a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle cost new?
Base retail prices, before options: Chevelle 4-door sedan, six $2,677; Chevelle sport coupe, six $2,712; Chevelle 4-door sedan, V8 $2,773; Chevelle sport coupe, V8 $2,807; Malibu 4-door sedan, six $2,851; Malibu sport coupe, six $2,885; Malibu 4-door sedan, V8 $2,947; Malibu sport coupe, V8 $2,980; Malibu sport sedan, V8 $3,052; Malibu convertible, V8 $3,260.25
What colors did the 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle come in?
General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) lists 15 factory colors.24
Where is the VIN on a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle?
Stamped on a plate on the top left of the instrument panel.2one source
Where the sources disagree
Every conflict we found for 1971, and how we settled it. All rulings.
Settled
The 1971 LS6
Our ruling: Listed but not released for sale. GM still listed the LS6 in its engine list revised January 1971 and its price schedule of 1 March 1971, although Wikipedia says it was dropped early in the model year. Consumer Guide says it was never released for public sale, and Wikipedia that no official record shows a 1971 Chevelle built with one. None of our sources shows a car built or sold. Over-Drive lists it without comment.
What each source says (4)
- Listed at 425 hp in Chevrolet's price schedule of 1 March 1971, and in its engine list revised January 1971 (codes CPZ and CPY)2one source
- Never released for public sale5one source
- Dropped early in the model year; no official record of any built3one source
- Listed among the engines at 425 hp4one source
Sources
- Chevelle production, 1968–1972 (five tables) Over-Drive Magazine · read 2026-10-11
- 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-11
- Chevrolet Chevelle Wikipedia · read 2026-10-11
- 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Fact Sheet Over-Drive Magazine · read 2026-10-11
- 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 HowStuffWorks (Consumer Guide Automotive) · read 2026-10-11
Keep going
Three more years.
1969Chevrolet ChevelleA facelift with a chrome bar across the grille, the SS 396 turned into an option package, and 323 Chevelles with a 427 by special order.454,100 built1970Chevrolet ChevelleNew sheet metal and the 454: the SS 454 with the 450-hp LS6, the 402 still badged SS 396, and almost 302,000 Malibu sport coupes, Canadian-built cars for U.S. dealers included.440,262 built
1972Chevrolet ChevelleThe last of the second generation: net horsepower only, no LS6, and a VIN that names the engine.393,695 builtSee the whole second generation.
Dimensions, production year by year and every ruling, 1968–1972.