1971 Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport 6.5L V8 4AT (408 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Chevrolet introduced the second generation of the Camaro in 1970 and had to go through many changes due to new rules and regulations that affected one the most sought-after versions of it, the Super Sport.

The Camaro enjoyed great success in its first production year. Even if the car wasn’t built for the entire year, the automaker still sold 124,901 units. Then, in September of 1970, GM announced the 1971 model year of its pony car, and the news shook customers. Starting in 1971, American automakers had to promote the SAE net horsepower instead of the gross one. In addition, due to stricter emission regulations, the compression ratio had to be reduced to allow lower-grade gasoline, including unleaded ones, resulting in a loss of power for the Super Sport versions. To add insult to injury, the skyrocketing prices for high-performance cars lured away customers. It was the beginning of the Malaise Era and the last nail in the coffin of the Muscle Car Era. However, despite all odds, the 1971 Chevrolet Camaro SS saw the broad light and charmed some customers whose deep pockets and appetite for potent, roaring V8 engines made them buy this version.

For the 1971 Chevrolet Camaro SS, the automaker had to perform some visual upgrades that concealed some other vehicle developments that were mandatory or were due to come into force. The most noticeable change was on the radiator’s grille, which was made from urethane, where the chromed SS badge took center stage and was flanked by round headlights. Chevrolet had to redesign the chromed metallic front bumper, which was extended from side to side, covering the main air intake. Underneath it, on the sides, below the headlights, the automaker installed the parking lights. Versions fitted with the Rally Style (RS) package had round parking lights next to the main headlamps towards the car’s center.

From its profile, there were no significant changes for the 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport compared to the rest of the range. However, a keen eye for detail could notice the SS badges that adorned the front fenders and were underlined by the engine’s version: the 350 or the 396. The flat hood was standard, while a coil-induction one was available. There was also an option for five colors for the available vinyl roof wrap. A set of aerodynamic mirrors adorned the long doors. The standard wheels were 14 x 7 inches, wearing F70x14 white letter tires. Out back, the car still sported the round taillights and featured a spoiler that was standard on the SS and optional for the rest of the 1971 Chevrolet Camaro range.

Upgrades continued on the interior, where the automaker installed high-seatback bucket seats with integrated headrests instead of adjustable ones. The driver fronted a similar-looking instrument panel featuring large dials for the speedometer and tachometer flanked by four additional gauges for the fuel level, the coolant temperature, the ammeter, and the electric clock. An AM/FM radio was on the options list. However, the Sports Console that separated the front seats was standard. In the back, Chevrolet installed a bench seat profiled for two, and a third person couldn’t sit due to the tall transmission tunnel, not to mention the sloped roofline that limited headroom.

Under the hood, the 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport was available with a choice of two engines. One was the 350, and the other was the 396 version. They provided 210 hp (213 PS) for the former and 270 hp (274 PS) for the latter. Both could be paired with a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission. To make the car perform better on tracks and on winding roads, the American automaker installed standard front-wheel