No fender hash marks
The simulated fender louvers of 1970 are gone, by the reprinted book chapter.4one source
Class of '71 · Chevrolet Nova · 1968–1972 body · third generation
1971Chevrolet Nova
The 396 was gone, the 250 six became the base engine, the SS was a 270-hp 350, and the Rally Nova arrived late in the year.
The year in brief
The four-cylinder and the 230 six were gone; the 250 six was the standard engine, and the SS now had a 350 instead of the 396.3one source
The Nova SS (option Z26, with the L48 350) was for the V8 coupe with a four-speed or an automatic, at $327.55 over the V8 coupe's $2,471.2one source
The Rally Nova, with special upper body stripes, a blacked-out grille, decals and Rally wheels, arrived late in 1971 by the reprinted book chapter (mid-1971 by Wikipedia, which adds heavy-duty suspension); the chapter counts 7,700 that year.34
The story of the year
SS sales fell by more than 12,000
«Nova SS production declined by more than 12,000 cars from 1970», by the reprinted book chapter, which counts 7,016 Novas with the SS badge; Old Cars calls the 1971 «the second rarest edition» with 7,015, and Nova Resource has 7,015 in its SS column and 7,016 for the L48, so the count is an open ruling.145
The SS 350 ran on regular fuel and was 210 hp in the new SAE net rating, by the chapter.4one source
How to spot a 1971
What tells it apart from a 1970.
Larger backup lamps
Slightly larger backup-lamp inserts centered in the taillight lenses.4one source
New colors
Thirteen of GM's fifteen 1971 colors are new names (our count; the reprinted chapter says eleven).246
Production1one source
194,878 cars, by body.
Every trim line
| Body | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 2-door coupe | Nova | 143,235 |
| All 2-door coupes | 143,235 | |
| 4-door sedan | Nova | 51,643 |
| All 4-door sedans | 51,643 | |
| Total | 194,878 | |
Nova Resource's rows; one source. Nova Resource marks the rows behind these totals as including Canada's Acadian; whether the totals do is not clear.
Engines24
4 engines. Chevrolet's regular production option number from GM's own lists; «Std.» is a standard engine. In 1972 the code is the VIN's engine letter.
Gross ratings from GM's 1971 price schedule; the reprinted book chapter gives the SS 350 as 210 hp net.
Price when new2one source
Base retail prices in 1971 dollars, before options.
Manufacturer's suggested retail prices from GM's 1971 price schedule.
Colors2one source
15 factory colors. The color names come from one source2one source; 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 list of solid exterior colors with paint codes for the 1971 Nova; the two-tones are left out. No source we have gives the number of cars per color, so the counts are empty.
Reading the VIN2one source
A 1971 VIN has 13 characters. Type one in, and the decoder reads it against the code tables on this page.
113691W1000012one source · GM's own example from the 1971 kit: the first car built at Willow Run, here a six-cylinder sedan (model 11369); the unit number counts every series together.
The code table
| Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 113 · 114 | Series: 113 6-cylinder · 114 V8 |
| 27 · 69 | Body: 27 2-door coupe · 69 4-door sedan |
| 1 | Model year (1971) |
| W | Assembly plant: Willow Run (GM shows «only basic designations») |
| 100001 → | Unit number, counted at each plant for all series together |
Where to find it: Stamped on a plate attached to the top left of the instrument panel.2one source
Questions about the 1971
How many 1971 Chevrolet Novas were made?
194,878 by the count we use: 143,235 2-door coupes, 51,643 4-door sedans. The sources disagree on the total; the ruling on this page explains which figure we show and why.1sources disagree
How can you tell a 1971 Nova from a 1970?
Three signs, each explained under «How to spot» on this page: no fender hash marks; larger backup lamps; new colors.246
What engines did the 1971 Chevrolet Nova have?
Four engines, from the 250 cu in six to the 350 cu in V8. The engine table on this page gives every code and rating, and the rulings cover the disputed ones.24
How much did a 1971 Chevrolet Nova cost new?
Base retail prices, before options: Coupe, six $2,376; Sedan, six $2,405; Coupe, V8 $2,471; Sedan, V8 $2,501; Nova SS (Z26) +$327.55.2one source
What colors did the 1971 Chevrolet Nova come in?
General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) lists 15 factory colors.2one source
Where is the VIN on a 1971 Chevrolet Nova?
Stamped on a plate attached to 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.
Open
1971 Nova SS production
Our ruling: Unresolved: one car apart. The reprinted book chapter says 7,016 and Old Cars 7,015. Nova Resource has both: 7,015 in its SS column and 7,016 for the L48, which includes Acadians, so the chapter's figure may be the engine count (a guess, not measured).
What each source says (3)
- 7,0164one source
- 7,015, «the second rarest edition»5one source
- 7,015 in the SS column; 7,016 with the 270-hp L481one source
Sources
- Nova Production Numbers Nova Resource (novaresource.org) · read 2026-10-12
- 1971 Chevrolet Chevy Nova – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-12
- Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova Wikipedia · read 2026-10-12
- «New Novas, Old Themes 1968–1976» (Chapter Ten of a book on Chevrolet Super Sports), reprinted in GM's Nova kits Book chapter reprinted by GM Heritage · read 2026-10-12
- «1968-'71 Chevrolet Nova SS», Old Cars News & Marketplace, June 6, 1991, reprinted in GM's Nova kits Old Cars News & Marketplace (reprinted by GM Heritage) · read 2026-10-12
- 1970 Chevrolet Chevy Nova – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-12
Keep going
Three more years.
1969Chevrolet NovaThe Chevy II name went, the Nova kept the 1968 body, and the SS got 300 hp and front disc brakes as standard.251,849 built (disputed)1970Chevrolet NovaA new grille, wider side-marker and taillight lenses, combined tail and backup lights, and the last year of the 396 in the SS.307,280 built (disputed)
1972Chevrolet NovaMinor trim changes, net ratings, a VIN with an engine letter, the Rally Nova's big year and, from mid-year, the Sky Roof.349,733 builtSee the whole third generation.
Dimensions, production year by year and every ruling, 1968–1972.