1971 FIREBIRD

⇦ 1970
CHASSIS
ENGINE
HISTORY
ID
LITERATURE
OPTIONS
PHOTOS
1972 ⇨

Introduction

Four models of the Firebird were available:

Base Firebird, series 223
Firebird Esprit, series 224
Firebird Formula, series 226
Trans Am, series 228

BASE FIREBIRD

High-back seats
New wheel covers
Simulated louvers behind the front wheel cutouts.
Vinyl bucket seats
Woodgrain dash
Deluxe steering wheel
Endura front bumper
Bright grille moldings
Narrow rocker panel moldings
Front disc brakes
E78-14 tires
145-hp 250-cid Six engine

FIREBIRD ESPRIT

Custom trim features
Knit vinyl upholstery
Custom cushion steering wheel
Trunk mat
Bright roof drip moldings
Wheel opening moldings
Concealed wipers
Twin body-colored outside mirrors
Wheel trim rings
Dual horns
Engine
- Two-barrel carburetor
- 350-cid V-8
- 8.0:1 compression
- 250 hp @ 4400 rpm
Floor-mounted three-speed manual transmission

FIREBIRD FORMULA

Vinyl bucket seats
Custom cushion steering wheel
Flame chestnut woodgrain appearance dash panel
Right and left body-colored outside mirrors
Left outside mirror remote controlled
Endura rubber front bumper
Fiberglass hood with simulated twin air scoops
Black-textured grille insert
Bright grille moldings
Dual horns
Front disc brakes
Handling package
Dual exhausts with chrome extensions
Heavy-duty three-speed manual transmission
F70-14 black sidewall tires
Formula 350 or 400 or 455 identification numbering
Three engine choices
- Two-barrel 350-cid V-8
- Four-barrel 400-cid V-8
- Four-barrel 455-cid V-8

TRANS AM

Vinyl bucket seats
Rally gauges (with clock and tachometer)
Endura front bumper
Formula steering wheel
Twin outside mirrors (body-colored)
Remote control left outside mirror
Special honeycomb wheels
Functional front fender air extractors
Rear deck-lid spoiler
Black textured grille insert
Bright grille moldings
Front and rear wheel opening air spoilers
Concealed wipers
Trans Am identification markings
Performance dual exhausts with extensions
Special air cleaner with rear-facing cold air intake on hood controlled by throttle
Power flex cooling fan
Power steering
Safe-T-Track differential
Handling package
Dual horns
Power brakes with discs in front and drums at rear
F60-15 white lettered tires
RPO LS5 engine
- 455 HO engine
- Four-barrel carburetor
- 8.4:1 compression
- 335 hp @ 4800 rpm
Heavy-duty three-speed manual transmission with floor shifter

I.D. NUMBERS

VIN Location		Left front door post
Position	Character	Description
1	2	General Motors: Pontiac Division
2 & 3	23	body series: Firebird
4 & 5	67	convertible
4 & 5	37	hardtop
6	1	1971
7	V	Assembled in Lordstown, Ohio
8 to 13	100001 and up	production sequence

IDENTIFICATION

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
223	22387	2-door Hardtop Base Firebird	4	$3047	3164	23,021
224	22487	2-door Hardtop Esprit	4	$3416	3423	20,185
226	22687	2-door Hardtop Formula	4	$3445	3473	7,802
228	22887	2-door Hardtop Trans Am	4	$4594	3578	2,116

ENGINE

FEATURE	Base 6	Sprint 6	Tempest 8	GTO 8	HO 8
Configuration	Inline	Inline	Vee	Vee	Vee
Cylinders	Six	Six	8	8	8
Valves	Overhead	Overhead	Overhead	Overhead	Overhead
Camshaft	Overhead	Overhead	Pushrod	Pushrod	Pushrod
Block	Cast Iron	Cast Iron	Cast Iron	Cast Iron	Cast Iron
Displacement	250 cid	250 cid	350 cid	350 cid	400 cid
Bore & Stroke	3.875"x3.531"	3.875"x3.531"	3.875"x3.75"	3.875"x3.75"	4.125"x3.746"
Compression Ratio	10.5:1	10.5:1	9.2:1	10.5:1	10.75:1
Brake HP	175 @ 4800 rpm	215 @ 4800 rpm	265 @ 4600 rpm	320 @ 5100 rpm	330 @ 4800 rpm
Main bearings				5	5
Valve Lifters	Hydraulic	Hydraulic	Hydraulic	Hydraulic	Hydraulic
Carburetor	Rochester one-barrel	Rochester four-barrel	Rochester model 7028071 two-barrel	Rochesterfour-barrel	Rochester four-barrel

TRANSMISSION

Two-speed automatic	$195
Heavy-duty three-speed manual with floor shift	$84

CHASSIS

Wheelbase	Overall length	Front tread	Rear tread
108 in.	191.6 in.	60 in.	60 in.

FIREBIRD RPO PACKAGES

Firebird 350 Package	Three-speed manual transmission with coumn shift F70 x 14 tires 350-cid V-8 with 9.2:1 compression Rochester two-barrel carburetor 265 hp @ 4600 rpm Price: $106 over the base model
Firebird 350 Package	Three-speed manual transmission with column shift Dual exhausts H.O. side stripes Heavy-duty battery Four F70 x 14 tires 350-cid V8 with 10.5:1 compression Rochesteer four-barrel carburetor 320 hp @ 5100 rpm $181 over the base model
Firebird 400 Package	Three-speed manual transmission with floor shift Chrome air cleaner Chrome rocker covers chrome oil cap Sports type springs and shock absorbers Heavy-duty battery Dual exhausts Hood emblem and dual scoop hood F70 x 14 red line or white sidewall tires "ower Flex" variable pitch cooling fan 400-cid V8 with 10.75:1 compression Rochester four-barrel carburetor 330 hp @ 4800 rpm $351 over the base model when included with the 3-speed manual transmission $435 over the base model when included with the four-speed manual transmission
Firebird Ram Air 400 Package	Three-speed manual transmission with floor shift Chrome air cleaner Chrome rocker covers chrome oil cap De-clutching fan Sports type springs and shock absorbers Heavy-duty battery Dual exhausts Hood emblem and dual functional scoop hood F70 x 14 red line or white sidewall tires "Power Flex" variable pitch cooling fan 400-cid V8 with 10.75:1 compression Rochester four-barrel carburetor 335 hp @ 5000 rpm $616 over the base model

OPTIONS

Custom air conditioner	$360
Custom carpets	$19
Console	$51 - $68
Cruise control	$53
Front disc brakes	$63
Auxiliary gauge cluster	$32
Rally gauge cluster	$51
Rally gauge cluster with tachometer	$84
Tinted windows	$35
Tinted windshield	$26
Right reclining bucket seat head restraint	$84
Dual horns	$4
Four-way power seat	$70
Power brakes	$42
Power steering	$69
Left four-way power bucket seat	$70
AM/FM radio	$134
Rally stripes except 350 H.O.	$15
Safeguard speedometer	$16
Adjustable front and rear shokes	$42
Hood mounted tachometer	$63
Cordova top	$84 - $95
Wire wheel discs	$53 - $74
Rally I wheels	$40 - $61
Rally II wheels	$56 - $72

HISTORICAL NOTES

1971 Firebird Notes

Models started August 10, 1970

1971 FIREBIRD PHOTOS