Was 1971 a great year for the automotive industry? (muscle car, sedan, coupes)

[Mopac1980]

Was 1971 a great year for the automotive industry?

[Linson]

well, muscle cars were still good in '71. but it was the begining of a decline in that realm.

as far as success in a sales sense for the automotive industry in general - dunno.

why do you ask?

[Mopac1980]

Originally Posted by Linson

well, muscle cars were still good in '71. but it was the begining of a decline in that realm.

as far as success in a sales sense for the automotive industry in general - dunno.

why do you ask?

I was just asking cause it was the last year of the gross power ratings and the high performance was still there on the muscle cars.

[Linson]

Originally Posted by Mopac1980

I was just asking cause it was the last year of the gross power ratings and the high performance was still there on the muscle cars.

power ratings started to go down after 1970, but good Camaros, Firebirds, and Vettes could still be had through '73.

[scarabchuck]

I think so , although it was starting to decline.

You could still get one of these:

2007 RM Auction, Scottsdale: Hemi 'Cuda convertible brings $2.2 MIL

[Deez Nuttz]

I also think so, yes power ratings were on the down and engines were now required to run low octane fuel as the compression ratios were bumped down.

But on that same token, I believe all the cars were built with "longevity" in mind. Unlike a few years later when they were built to be replaced in 5-10 years.

Don't forget 1972, that was basically a carry over year on GM cars due to a UAW strike.

[sunsprit]

For those of us whose car/transport needs could be met with a smaller sedan ... there were a couple of standout cars in that year ...

1602/2002 BMW's

1971 280SL MB's

1971 280SEC 3.5 MB's (coupes and convertibles)

Having owned a couple of 1971 300SEL 6.3 MB's, I say they were a standout car, too, in the luxury performance marketplace.

[drjones96]

Originally Posted by Linson

power ratings started to go down after 1970, but good Camaros, Firebirds, and Vettes could still be had through '73.

I'll always remember '73 as the bastard year for the 'vette. It bothers me to no end when I see that plastic bumper cover on the front and chrome steel bumpers on the rear.

It was indeed a sign of worse things to come.

[Linson]

Originally Posted by drjones96

I'll always remember '73 as the bastard year for the 'vette. It bothers me to no end when I see that plastic bumper cover on the front and chrome steel bumpers on the rear.

It was indeed a sign of worse things to come.

but it could still be had with a 454 in '73.

[Mopac1980]

Originally Posted by drjones96

I'll always remember '73 as the bastard year for the 'vette. It bothers me to no end when I see that plastic bumper cover on the front and chrome steel bumpers on the rear.

It was indeed a sign of worse things to come.

You're not alone there, I totally lost respect for the 'Vette when they've dropped the 454 after the 1974 model year, I consider 1975-91 to be the darkest years of the 'Vette