One For the Books: the 1971 Chevelle
One of the most classic muscle cars ever made, the Chevy Chevelle has both looks and power. Here’s a look back at one of its best years with the 1971 Chevelle
Written by Hannah DeWitt
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The 1971 Chevelle remains many
classic car
enthusiast's muscle car of preference, its timeless vibe and steadfast performance making it a reliable choice even in an era when car technology has hit full throttle. If you buy one yourself, you may have to update and
modify its inner workings
, but the classic look of this muscle car might just be worth it. 
1971 Chevelle: Design and performance
Chevy started working on the Chevelle series after halting the manufacture of the 300 DeLuxe line. Nonetheless, little changed as the automaker offered the '71 Chevelle in two models: the two-door sports coupe and 4-door sedan. There were few luxurious bells and whistles since the car came with limited color options and trims.
According to
Muscle Car Facts
, GM-owned Chevy rolled out the '71 Chevelle with seven engine options, including a 145 horsepower I6 and four V8s measuring between 140 to 300 hp. Additionally, there were two exclusive V8s, each delivering 365 hp and 425 hp like the one discussed on MotorTrend
. The 365-hp engine could take the car from 0-60mph in six seconds.You could take power and performance higher still if you owned the Big-Block V8 454 Chevelle SS. For $357 extra, you could acquire the RPO Z15 SS Package that included a suite of upgrades, including power brakes, a special suspension, SS logo for the hood, a bold black grille, and a rear deck and fenders.
How much was the 1971 Chevelle then and now?
After Chevrolet bagged the Reader's Choice Award by Car and Driver in 1970, it released the 1971 Chevelle with a tamer engine, which slightly dropped the car's price. It was a move to get in-market shoppers to consider purchasing the Super Sport goodies that came with the Malibu model.
The base 4-door sedan model was the least costly, making its market debut with a price tag of $3000. But if you had a soft spot for the 2-door sport coupe, you could expect to go a little deeper into your pocket to meet its $3,150 price. Adding the cost of the optional Super Sport package, that price reached $3,500.
Currently, it's not surprising that the car's valuation has shot to $20,000 in fair condition; it's a classic muscle car with a rich heritage and styling to behold. If you plan to purchase a '71 Chevelle in excellent condition, be prepared to pay no less than $40,000. That price could well exceed the $100,000 mark for a Chevelle in perfect, detailed condition.
How the 1971 Chevelle holds up today
Chevy is celebrating the 1971 Chevelle's Golden Jubilee this year. The car still epitomizes a classic muscle car with timeless styling, modern performance, and a nostalgic vibe that any car lover would want to experience 50 years later.
The car comes with 15 color options to embellish its A-body frame. They include Tuxedo Black, Lime Green, Ascot Blue, Sandalwood, Burnt Orange, and Nevada Silver, to mention a few. Combine that with the black grille and 15-inch five-spoke wheels and you won't miss the '71 Chevelle, whether it's packed or cruising down a city street.
The engine also cranks enough power to make it a worthy competitor in the many outlaw-style drag races of today. But what makes the '71 Chevelle a timeless gem is that it's a blast from the past, exuding a nostalgic aura that sends anyone driving it back memory lane to the good old days of the ‘70s.
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