Differences in '70 to '71?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Differences in '70 to '71?
My fiance asked me what year a vette was the other day in a parking lot, and I said, "70 or 71" and she said, "which one?" I dunno. How can you tell?
'69 to '70 I think just about anyone can nail, and the only differences I know between the '71 and '72 are the amber turn signals and fiber optics.
But how can you tell the difference between a '70 and '71?
'69 to '70 I think just about anyone can nail, and the only differences I know between the '71 and '72 are the amber turn signals and fiber optics.
But how can you tell the difference between a '70 and '71?
Last edited by LeMans Pete; Apr 15, 2008 at 06:34 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 23
From: Prescott, AZ
The ' 70 has different side grilles, the squares extend further into the engine area. ' 70 front grilles are different being no screw holes on the bottom of the grille. Acouple of other changes, clear to amber parking light lens, exhaust tips.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
I'm 99% sure though that the amber lens came in '72 for the parking lights.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Marvin North Carolina
Early 1971's
My 71's VIN # is 0009 (9th 71 built). She was built August 17, 1970. My car, all original, has the clear parking lights, does not have the chromed front grill, and has no screws in the bottom of the grill. 71's were the last year for fiberoptics. It is my understanding, the early
71's (2500?) had the same characteristics mentioned above as the
70's. After that, the changes mentioned where in place on the 71's making them different then the 70's
Clear as mud now?
John
71's (2500?) had the same characteristics mentioned above as the
70's. After that, the changes mentioned where in place on the 71's making them different then the 70's
Clear as mud now?
John
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
My fiance asked me what year a vette was the other day in a parking lot, and I said, "70 or 71" and she said, "which one?" I dunno. How can you tell?
'69 to '70 I think just about anyone can nail, and the only differences I know between the '71 and '72 are the amber turn signals and fiber optics.
But how can you tell the difference between a '70 and '71?
'69 to '70 I think just about anyone can nail, and the only differences I know between the '71 and '72 are the amber turn signals and fiber optics.
But how can you tell the difference between a '70 and '71?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
There were slight differences between 70 and 71's. The most noticable are the front grills with 70 having no screw holes and using studs to secure them. The side grills on 70's had no raised edge and were chromed on the vertical edges, 71 and later years had chromes edges on both vertical and horizontal edges in a honeycomb effect. That being said I am sure that many of these small changes were carried over into early 71 production until old parts were used.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
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From: Brown Summit North Carolina
You can look at the HP rating on the shift console if the window is open
Also I guess the easiest way is to look at the VIN # on the windshield pillar, The 6th digit is the year
Also if it is a later build 71 the rear tail lights have a checkered board pattern all 70's and early 71 had conical lines
As far as the egg crate side grills , I do not remember when the change occured, but the only difference is early units had chrome only on the hort. lines , later cars had the chrome on both vert. and hort. lines
Also I guess the easiest way is to look at the VIN # on the windshield pillar, The 6th digit is the year
Also if it is a later build 71 the rear tail lights have a checkered board pattern all 70's and early 71 had conical lines
As far as the egg crate side grills , I do not remember when the change occured, but the only difference is early units had chrome only on the hort. lines , later cars had the chrome on both vert. and hort. lines
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Side gills as mentioned, grille surround trim without screw holes in '70 and with them in '71.... The '71 front parking lamps have clear lenses with amber bulbs. I thought that was the same as '70. Did the '70 park lamps come with clear bulbs? Other details are the VIN difference [of course] and the info plate on the console. And in the "infintessimal minutia" category, I believe that the color of the FM-stereo [signal] light on the radio was different between '70 and '71.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
1971 model year is the most controversial of the three similar year models. THAT'S because it is a transitional year, having components used from leftover '70 models and components used that were installed for the '72 models.
AM-FM stereo equipped radios were the same for '70 & '71. Change came with '72 models.
Exhaust tips on '70's don't have the bottom weld bead, like '71 & '72's.
Side grilles not only have a raised horizontal and vertical edge that is exposed chrome, in '71, but the CASTING itself is different from a '70 model.
As others have alluded to many minor minute changes during the production year.
AM-FM stereo equipped radios were the same for '70 & '71. Change came with '72 models.
Exhaust tips on '70's don't have the bottom weld bead, like '71 & '72's.
Side grilles not only have a raised horizontal and vertical edge that is exposed chrome, in '71, but the CASTING itself is different from a '70 model.
As others have alluded to many minor minute changes during the production year.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
This is going back aways to 1971 ... so it may not be accurate ... I remember sitting in the driver's seat of a new '71 on the showroom floor of a dealership, looking for differences between it and my own '70. I didn't see much difference ... but I do recall that at least one of the switch ***** on the dash of the '71 had a symbol on it that wasn't on the '70. It may have been the headlight switch ****, or perhaps it was the tip of the cigarette lighter ... or some other.
My '70 doesn't have symbols on the ***** ... '71 owners - please chime in.
My '70 doesn't have symbols on the ***** ... '71 owners - please chime in.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
If stock on the non-symbol control ***** ran out before the end of production on the '71s, the switch-over could have taken place early. That kind of a change is considered a "running" change and wouldn't require a definite model year break-point.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: SAN FRANCISCO CA
my '71 has no symbols on the *****.
one thing to keep in mind, folks, is that after almost 40 years and god knows how many restorations and parts replacements..... to walk up to a car in a parking lot and know FOR SURE what year it is, you've gotta look at the VIN.
one thing to keep in mind, folks, is that after almost 40 years and god knows how many restorations and parts replacements..... to walk up to a car in a parking lot and know FOR SURE what year it is, you've gotta look at the VIN.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
My '70 has symbols on the ***** from the factory.
I have a hard time telling 70 & 71 differences. The gill thing is just too minor - you'd have to get down there with a magnifying glass and then the owner is going to wonder what the heck you're doing. The screw holes in the front grill are a pretty good indicator.
The easiest way (on two known stock cars) is to look at the hp figures in the console plaque.
Essentially, the 70's and the 71's are identical - except that the '70s are much cooler...
I have a hard time telling 70 & 71 differences. The gill thing is just too minor - you'd have to get down there with a magnifying glass and then the owner is going to wonder what the heck you're doing. The screw holes in the front grill are a pretty good indicator.
The easiest way (on two known stock cars) is to look at the hp figures in the console plaque.
Essentially, the 70's and the 71's are identical - except that the '70s are much cooler...
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
I think the VIN is by far the easiest way. Only takes a quick glance at the pillar, as opposed to sticking your mug inside someone's car.
Btw, early '71's also had clear lenses w/ colored bulbs, like the '70.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,221
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From: Matthews NC
Check this site out: http://www.idavette.net/facts.htm
Here is what they say about the '71 vs. '70 model:
"The 1971 Corvette was one of the model years least changed in appearance. A labor dispute in May of 1969 caused the 1969 model production to run long, shortening normal 1970 production by over four months. To compensate Chevrolet then treated 1971 Corvette production as an extension of 1970. GM also directed it's divisions to cut octane requirement in all 1971 engines, this effort carried a higher priority than appearance changes. One visible clue to a 1971's outward appearance is amber parking light lenses, although some very early production had clear lenses."
I've also been told that the screws on the front grill of the '70's may be different if it's an early build or a late build. Mine is a late build '70 and it has the screws.
Here is what they say about the '71 vs. '70 model:
"The 1971 Corvette was one of the model years least changed in appearance. A labor dispute in May of 1969 caused the 1969 model production to run long, shortening normal 1970 production by over four months. To compensate Chevrolet then treated 1971 Corvette production as an extension of 1970. GM also directed it's divisions to cut octane requirement in all 1971 engines, this effort carried a higher priority than appearance changes. One visible clue to a 1971's outward appearance is amber parking light lenses, although some very early production had clear lenses."
I've also been told that the screws on the front grill of the '70's may be different if it's an early build or a late build. Mine is a late build '70 and it has the screws.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
How about that. My '71 was a Dec. '70 build and it has clear parking light lenses with amber bulbs. Actually, I've never seen a '71 that didn't have the same configuration....when actually looking over show cars or looking at pictures of '71s in Corvette history books.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
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From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I believe they were going to change the lenses in 71 to amber but never did. Instead they installed amber bulbs. Some very late 71's might have amber lenses because that change actually took place for all 72's.
One difference that most folks don't know about...... for 71 and 71 only the crossed flag emblem on the horn button was different. The top square of the checkered flag (the square nearest to the flag pole) is white. On 70 & 72 it's black.
