Contributed by Russ Muller Photography
American Graffiti asked, “Where were you in ’62?” Last month, my question was “where were you in ’79?” This month I ask, where were you in 1971? Things were starting to change in the automotive world by 1971. Insurance companies were making it difficult and expensive to insure high-horsepower factory hot rods, and the newly established EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) began to impose mandatory emission level regulations. These regulations led to the auto makers detuning their engines and offering lower-performance engines in many vehicles, either by reducing compression or displacement (or both). All was not bad, however, in 1971. Solid performance vehicles could still be ordered from any of the Big 4. AMC was still offering formidable options at the time, and a ’71 Hornet SC360 was capable of 14-second ¼ mile times. So, just for fun, here’s a quick look at two performance cars and one personal luxury car from 1971…
Chevy Nova SS:
The Super Sport package was added to the Nova option sheet in 1963 and included special badges and trim, and later, optional engines. By 1971, the 396 cubic inch V-8 was no longer available in the Nova SS. The top performance engine available was the 4-barrel 350. Reduced compression (which helped to enable the 
use of reduced-lead/unleaded fuel) and the change in horsepower rating from SAE gross to SAE net made the 270-horsepower rating look tame, but the Nova was still capable of mid-7 second 0-60 mph runs, and 15-second ¼ mile times. There was 7,015 Nova SS made in 1971, and this example belongs to my friend Alan. It came with a 350 Turbo Hydra-matic transmission, and a 12 bolt, 3.31:1 posi rear. It has the Custom Interior option, with woodgrain trim on the doors, as well as the optional floor shifter with console and gauges. It was originally Burnt Orange with a sandalwood vinyl interior, and came with air conditioning, power steering and optional power front disk brakes. It now has a 383 cubic inch stroker engine under the aftermarket cowl hood.
Plymouth Road Runner:
1971 saw the Chrysler B-body platform get a major styling update, with a much more aerodynamic “fuselage” style that proved to be a winner on the NASCAR circuit. Much like GM, Chrysler offered a detuned, low-compression engine choice. This allowed the Road Runner to be insured without the premium that 
insurance companies were charging for muscle cars. The base 383 cubic-inch V-8 was rated at 300 horsepower. Backed by a TorqueFlite automatic transmission and 8 ¾ rear with 3.23:1 rear axle, 0-60 runs were in the 7.5 second range, and ¼ mile times were in the mid 15-second range. 14,218 Road Runners were made in 1971, and this beautiful example belongs to my friends Curt and Trish. It features the base drivetrain, power steering, power front disk brakes and air conditioning. The InViolet exterior has been repainted once, and the black bench seat interior is original and shows well.
Pontiac Grand Prix:
The term ‘personal luxury car’ was coined in the 1950’s and the Ford Thunderbird was really the first mass-market example of one. GM developed several personal luxury cars in the ‘60’s. At Pontiac, John DeLorean designed the third-generation Grand Prix, taking it from a full-sized car with declining sale to a mid-
size personal luxury car. It was a sales success. Engine choices for 1971 were either the 400 cubic inch V-8 or the 455, both low compression and designed for reduced-lead/unleaded fuel just like the Chevrolet engines. This example, my 1971 Model J features the optional 455, rated at 325 horsepower. It’s backed by a 400 Turbo Hydra-matic transmission and a 12 bolt, 3.07:1 rear axle. Performance was comparable to both the Nova and the Road Runner, with 0-60 mph performance in the 7.5 second range, and mid 15 second ¼ mile times. This example now has just over 65,000 miles, and has power steering, power front disk brakes, air conditioning and power windows. It is one of 58.325 Grand Prix produced in 1971. The Tropical Lime paint is still mostly original, and the car features a white interior and white vinyl top.
That is a quick look at a few cars from 1971. Some say 1970 was the last year for the muscle car, but I think 1971 and 1972 were the last gasps of a dying muscle car era and still offered solid performance if you checked the right option boxes. By 1973, things had changed enough that the muscle car was effectively dead. Thankfully, as technology evolved, performance cars began to reappear in the 1980’s and have been getting better and better ever since…
