1971 · Pontiac · United States
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix: Boat-Tail Styling and the End of the Manual
Boat-tail styling, lower compression, and the manual transmission gone by March: 116 of 58,325 had one.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own dek states that 1971 brought boat-tail styling, lower compression, and the manual transmission gone by March, with 116 of 58,325 having one. This record's own overview repeats that the Grand Prix got single headlamps and a boat-tail rear, that compression fell to 8.4:1 for regular fuel, that the standard 400 was rated 300 hp gross and the SJ's 455 325 hp gross, and that Turbo Hydra-Matic became standard equipment in March 1971 as the manual transmissions were dropped; it also states the compiled table records 58,325 Grand Prix, 116 with Synchromesh and 58,208 with Hydramatic, and that the listed price rose from $4,314 at the fall 1970 introduction to $4,557 after March.1,2
This record's own production section carries six rows for the year: the 58,325 total, 116 Synchromesh cars, 58,208 Hydramatic cars, 157 Hurst SSJ conversions, 4,884 Grand Prix SJ, and 52 four-speed Grand Prix built on the 400 only. This record's own production notes flag that the Synchromesh and Hydramatic rows add to 58,324, one short of the printed 58,325 total, an unexplained discrepancy that this record's own text shows both figures for rather than silently correcting, and that the SJ and four-speed counts come from a single 2026 secondary article stating no basis for either number. This record's own keyFacts section separately restates the 58,325 total, the 116-manual/58,208-automatic split, and the SSJ's own 157 count.2,1,3
This record's own engines section lists two entries: the standard 400 four-barrel at 300 hp and 400 lb-ft gross, and the SJ's 455 four-barrel at 325 hp and 455 lb-ft gross, automatic only. This record's own conflicts section flags a dispute over the 400's torque figure, 400 lb-ft in the fact sheet against 461 lb-ft in MuscleCarClub.com's own engine table, with this record's own treatment note stating the factory AMA specifications linked from the fact sheet should settle it. This record's own transmissions section carries a three-speed Synchromesh standard until March 1971 (production 116, undifferentiated between three- and four-speed by the note), an optional four-speed manual at $226 later eliminated, and a Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 optional at $226, standard with the 455 and standard on all cars from March 1971 (production 58,208).1,4,2
This record's own options section itemizes the SJ option itself at $195, a hood-mounted tachometer at $63, a Rally gauge cluster with tachometer at $84, automatic air conditioning at $521, a Cordova top at $142, a 60/40 bench seat with six-way power adjustment at $79, automatic level control at $79, bumper guards at $16, capacitor ignition at $104, cornering lights at $37, cruise control at $68, door edge guards at $6, an electric clock at $18, a glare-proof tilt mirror at $4, a remote outside mirror at $12, power brakes at $42, power bucket seats at $79, power steering at $105, power windows at $104, an AM/FM stereo radio at $239, a push-button AM radio at $89, a push-button AM/FM radio at $151, Rally II wheels at $63, a rear window defogger at $41, a remote deck lid release at $14, a Ride and Handling package at $9, a Safeguard speedometer at $16, tinted glass at $51, a tinted windshield at $36, an under-hood utility lamp at $7, a visor vanity mirror at $4, and wire wheel discs at $58.1
This record's own interiors section describes a no-charge choice of notchback bench or bucket seats, with a console standard on buckets, new cloth and vinyl trim patterns, the leather option discontinued for the year, carpeted lower door panels, safety armrests with ash trays, loop-pile carpet, foam seat padding, pedal trim plates, a custom cushion steering wheel, Castilian leather-appearance dash trim, upper-level ventilation, and courtesy and glove-box lamps.1
This record's own specifications section gives a 118.0-inch wheelbase, 212.9-inch overall length, 76.4-inch overall width, 62.0-inch front track, and 60.0-inch rear track, with a shipping weight of 3,838 pounds at introduction rising to 3,863 pounds after March, tracking the same mid-year change this record's own overview and production sections already describe. This record's own specifications section also gives G78-14 blackwall tires on seven-inch safety rims standard with G70 x 14 optional, transmission ratios of 2.42/1.58/1.00 three-speed, 2.52/1.88/1.46/1.00 four-speed and 2.48/1.48/1.00 Turbo Hydra-Matic, rear axle ratios of 3.23:1 for the 400 four-speed and 3.07:1 for the 455 automatic, the compression drop to 8.4:1 this record's own text states was down from 10.25:1 the prior model year, and standard equipment of variable-ratio power steering, power front disc brakes, Deluxe wheel covers, concealed wipers, and dual exhausts with the 400.1,2
This record's own identification section gives the Grand Prix as series 276, body 27657, sourced to the same production table that carries the year's transmission split and mid-year price change. This record's own performance section is empty for the year, leaving no period road test on record for the 1971 Grand Prix, despite the depth of production, pricing and option detail this record's own sections otherwise carry.2
Fact sheet · 1971 · United States
The numbers
1971 Pontiac Grand Prix and SJ — Boat-tail styling, lower compression, and the manual transmission gone by March: 116 of 58,325 had one.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix 2-door sport coupe2,1,4 Grand Prix · 2-door sport coupe · not stated by source Standard Catalog lineage. | 58,325 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix with Synchromesh manual2 Grand Prix · 2-door sport coupe · manual (Synchromesh) · not stated by source The note gives 116 + 58,208 = 58,324, one fewer than the total; the discrepancy is unexplained. | 116 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Grand Prix with Hydramatic2 Grand Prix · 2-door sport coupe · Turbo Hydra-Matic · not stated by source | 58,208 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Grand Prix with four-speed manual3 Grand Prix (Model J; 400 only) · 2-door sport coupe · 400 4-bbl · four-speed manual (Muncie) · not stated by source Single secondary source; basis not stated. A subset of the 116 Synchromesh cars in the compiled table, the rest of which were three-speeds. | 52 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurst SSJ conversions1 Grand Prix SJ (Hurst SSJ) · 2-door sport coupe · not stated by source Dealer-channel Hurst conversion; count as given by the fact sheet without a stated basis. | 157 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Grand Prix SJ3 Grand Prix SJ · 2-door sport coupe · 455 4-bbl · Turbo Hydra-Matic · not stated by source Single secondary source; basis not stated. A subset of the total. | 4,884 | built, model-year | Reported |
The transmission rows are subsets of the total; the SSJ row is a subset and is not a factory body count.
The compiled table's transmission split (116 Synchromesh + 58,208 Hydra-Matic) adds to 58,324, one fewer than its 58,325 total; both figures are shown as printed.
The SJ and four-speed rows come from one 2026 secondary article that states no basis.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix 2-door sport coupe, at introduction2 | $4,314 | factory price as compiled, 1970-09 (fall 1970 introduction) |
| Grand Prix 2-door sport coupe, after automatic became standard2 | $4,557 | factory price as compiled, 1971-03 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 4-bbl1 400 cu in · Rochester 4-barrel, 8.4:1 | 300 hp @ 4,800, 400 lb-ft @ 3,600 (SAE gross) | standard | Not yet sourced |
| 455 4-bbl1 455 cu in · Rochester 4-barrel, 8.4:1 | 325 hp @ 4,400, 455 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | SJ; automatic only | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Three-speed manual (Synchromesh)1,2 | standard until March 1971 | 1162 Reported |
| Four-speed manual1 | optional, $226, later eliminated | Not yet sourced |
| Turbo Hydra-Matic 4001,2 | optional $226, standard with 455, standard on all from March 1971 | 58,2082 Reported |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SJ option1 | $195 | Not yet sourced |
|
Hood-mounted tachometer1 | $63 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally gauge cluster with tachometer1 | $84 | Not yet sourced |
|
Automatic air conditioning1 | $521 | Not yet sourced |
|
Cordova top1 | $142 | Not yet sourced |
|
60/40 bench seat with 6-way power adjustment1 | $79 | Not yet sourced |
|
Automatic level control1 | $79 | Not yet sourced |
|
Bumper guards1 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
|
Capacitor ignition1 | $104 | Not yet sourced |
|
Cornering lights1 | $37 | Not yet sourced |
|
Cruise control1 | $68 | Not yet sourced |
|
Door edge guards1 | $6 | Not yet sourced |
|
Electric clock1 | $18 | Not yet sourced |
|
Mirror, rear view glare-proof tilt1 | $4 | Not yet sourced |
|
Mirror, remote control outside rear view1 | $12 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power brakes1 | $42 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power bucket seats1 | $79 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering1 | $105 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power windows1 | $104 | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio, AM/FM stereo1 | $239 | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio, push-button AM1 | $89 | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio, push-button AM/FM1 | $151 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally II wheels1 | $63 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rear window defogger1 | $41 | Not yet sourced |
|
Remote control deck lid release1 | $14 | Not yet sourced |
|
Ride and Handling package1 | $9 | Not yet sourced |
|
Safeguard speedometer1 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted glass1 | $51 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted windshield1 | $36 | Not yet sourced |
|
Under-hood utility lamp1 | $7 | Not yet sourced |
|
Visor vanity mirror1 | $4 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wire wheel discs1 | $58 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
11 |
Cameo White1 | Not yet sourced |
13 |
Nordic Silver1 | Not yet sourced |
16 |
Bluestone Gray1 | Not yet sourced |
19 |
Starlight Black1 | Not yet sourced |
24 |
Adriatic Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
26 |
Lucerne Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
29 |
Regency Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
39 |
Aquarius Green1 | Not yet sourced |
42 |
Limekist Green1 | Not yet sourced |
43 |
Tropical Lime1 | Not yet sourced |
49 |
Laurentian Green1 | Not yet sourced |
53 |
Quezal Gold1 | Not yet sourced |
55 |
Baja Gold1 | Not yet sourced |
59 |
Aztec Gold1 | Not yet sourced |
61 |
Sandalwood1 | Not yet sourced |
62 |
Canyon Copper1 | Not yet sourced |
66 |
Bronzini Gold1 | Not yet sourced |
67 |
Castilian Bronze1 | Not yet sourced |
75 |
Cardinal Red1 | Not yet sourced |
78 |
Rosewood1 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
|
Choice of notchback bench or bucket seats at no charge (console with buckets); new cloth and vinyl trim patterns for both; leather option discontinued. Carpeted lower door panels, safety armrests with ash trays, loop-pile carpet, foam seat padding, pedal trim plates, custom cushion steering wheel, Castilian leather-appearance dash trim, upper-level ventilation, courtesy and glove-box lamps.1 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase1,2 | 118 in | Grand Prix |
| Overall length1 | 212.9 in | Grand Prix |
| Shipping weight2 | 3,838 lb | Grand Prix at introduction |
| Shipping weight2 | 3,863 lb | Grand Prix after March 1971 |
| Overall width1 | 76.4 in | Grand Prix |
| Front track1 | 62 in | Grand Prix |
| Rear track1 | 60 in | Grand Prix |
| Tires and wheels1 | G78-14 blackwall on 7-inch-wide safety rims standard; G70 x 14 optional | Grand Prix |
| Transmission ratios1 | 3-speed 2.42/1.58/1.00; 4-speed 2.52/1.88/1.46/1.00; M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic 2.48/1.48/1.00 :1 | Grand Prix |
| Rear axle ratios1 | 400 300 hp four-speed 3.23; 455 325 hp automatic 3.07 :1 | Grand Prix |
| Compression ratio1 | 8.4 :1 | 400 and 455 (down from 10.25:1 in 1970, for regular fuel) |
| Standard equipment1 | Power steering (variable ratio), power front disc brakes, Deluxe wheel covers, concealed wipers, dual exhausts with the 400 | Grand Prix |
Identification
- Series and body
- Series 276, body 27657.2
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1971 Pontiac VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1971
- AMC AMX The AMX name moves onto the redesigned Javelin as its top model. It is a derivative badge, not a continuation of the two-seater. 2,054 were built, all with the 360 or 401.
- AMC Hornet SC/360 AMC's one-year compact muscle car pitched as an insurance-friendly alternative. AMC reportedly planned 10,000, but 784 were built.
- AMC Javelin A new, flared-fender Javelin, with the AMX name as its top model. Javelin won AMC the 1971 Trans-Am manufacturers' championship.
- AMC Matador Machine The Rebel Machine's unadvertised successor, a 'Machine Go' option package for the Matador hardtop. Production is unknown; published guesses run from 43 to 68.
- Buick Riviera The boattail Riviera: 455 rated 315 gross / 255 net, GS 330 / 265; 3,175 of 33,810 were GS.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX Compression fell to 8.5:1, the GS 350 and GS 455 were merged into one GS series of 9,170 cars, and the GSX became an appearance package on any GS.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS A single RPO Z15 SS package now spanned small- and big-block V8s; 9,502 of 19,293 SS cars carried the LS5 454, and Chevrolet began printing net ratings beside gross.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova SS limited to the L48 350 per the source; Rally Nova (RPO YF1) offered. Enthusiast-compiled production: 194,878 cars; Super Sport 7,015.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS A single RPO Z15 SS package on the Malibu/Custom El Camino; the El Camino share of 19,293 SS cars is not separately published.
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS The last SS 454 year: RPO Z20 on 1,919 of 128,600 Monte Carlos.
- Dodge Challenger Challenger's second year lost the SE, the R/T convertible, and the T/A; a new pillared coupe joined the hardtop and convertible, and production fell to roughly a third of 1970's.
- Dodge Charger A new, shorter third-generation body absorbed the Coronet two-doors and the Super Bee; it was the last year for the R/T and for a factory Hemi Charger.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The end of the line for Coronet performance: the two-door Coronets were replaced by the Charger, taking the Super Bee with them.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon Dodge's version of the Duster fastback arrived as the Demon, and the Demon 340 became the performance Dart: 10,098 built, plus 85 Canadian Swinger 340 Specials.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The Grabber became its own model with a dual-scoop hood, and the 210 hp 302 V8 arrived; Classic Industries counts 38,963 Grabbers.
- Ford Ranchero GT The second Torino-based Ranchero year; reference counts give 3,632 GTs, while Barn Finds rounds the GT figure to about 3,900 of 24,946 Rancheros.
- Ford Thunderbird The last fifth-generation year kept the 360-hp 429 as standard; production fell to 36,055.
- Ford Torino A carryover year for the 1970 body; the Torino Cobra now came standard with a 351 four-barrel and offered the 429 Cobra Jet-R, but only 3,054 Cobras were built.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The final Cyclone year: production fell to a few thousand across Cyclone, Cyclone GT and Cyclone Spoiler.
- Mercury Cougar A larger second-generation Cougar, new body codes, and the one-year 429 Cobra Jet option, fitted to 448 cars.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds Compression fell to 8.5:1 for regular fuel, the W-31 was dropped, the sports coupe was gone, and 4-4-2 production fell to 7,589.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Four headlamps and a new grille marked the second E-body year; the Hemi and 440 Six Barrel stayed on the 'Cuda order form, but Barracuda-line production fell to about a third of 1970's.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The Duster 340's second year brought a new grille, a Thermo-Quad 340 rated 275 gross and 235 net hp, and a $2,703 list price, while output fell to about 12,900.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite On the redesigned 1971 Satellite body the GTX fell to 2,942 cars, only 30 of them with the Hemi.
- Plymouth Road Runner Redesigned on the new Satellite body as a hardtop only, the Road Runner fell to 14,218 cars, and a 340 joined the 383, 440, and Hemi.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The 455 HO year: the Trans Am's biggest engine, 2,116 cars, and a Formula line split across three V-8s.
- Pontiac GTO Lower compression, dual gross and net ratings, the 455 HO as the top engine, and production down to 10,532.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The Tempest name gives way to T-37; the GT-37 option carries on and the 455 HO is available in two-door LeMans models.