1971 GS (Gran Sport)


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Like most muscle cars in 1971, the GS suffered from performance loss over the previous year, due to new emission standards being put in place. This lowered the compression ratio quite a bit, since they were required to run on unleaded gasoline for the first time. The 350 engine lost 55 horsepower, and the 455 lost 35 bhp. This would also be the last year car manufacturers rated the horsepower in gross numbers. Starting in 1972 they were required to list the numbers as "Net Horsepower", which is the horspower produced with accessories in place.

The hood scoops were still functional for 1971, and the GSX was available in more color choices. Sales dropped more than 50%, with the 1971 GS about a second slower in time trials compared to the same 1970 model. 1970 was the height of Buick performance during the muscle car era.

1971 GS (Gran Sport) Production Data
Not Available

1971 GS (Gran Sport) Engine Types, Specifications, and Performance Data

Buick engines are stamped with two different identification codes. One identifies the engine production date and location, and the other is the serial number which should match the cars serial number.
Engine Number
350 V8 = number is on the front of the left bank of cylinders
455 V8 = number is between the two front spark plugs and exhaust manifold

Example:
F 12 07 SB

F= Flint, MI
11 = Month
05 = Day
SB = Transmission

Production Number
350 V8 = number is between left exhaust manifold and two front spark plugs
455 V8 = number is betwen the two rear spark plugs and left exhaust manifold

Example:
1 H 12 3456

1= year (1970)
H = Flint, MI
123456 = production/serial #



GS 350 V8GS 455 V8GS 455 V8 Stage 1
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1971 GS (Gran Sport) VIN Decode Information

The 1971 Buick GS (Gran Sport) VIN ID is stamped on a plate attached to the top of the dash on the driver's side.

Example: 4 46 67 1 H 101555


GM Division

4 = Buick 		Series

34 = GS 		Body Style

37 = 2 Door Hardtop Coupe
67 = 2 Door Convertible 		Year

1 = 1971


Assembly Plant

C = South Gate, CA
D = Doraville, GA
G = Framingham, MA
H = Flint, MI
K = Leads, MO
X = Fairfax, KS
Y = Wilmington, DE
Z = Fremont, CA 		Production #'s

Starting with 00001

1971 GS (Gran Sport) Data Plate Decode Information

The 1971 Buick GS (Gran Sport) data plate or body plate is stuck to the firewall below the rear edge of the hood.

Example:

BODY BY FISHER
ST   71 44667     H     102635  BODY
TR   158         32 5  PAINT
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION CERTIFIES
TO THE DEALER THAT THIS VEHICLE
CONFORMS TO ALL U.S. FEDERAL MOTOR
VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS
APPLICABLE AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE


Model Year

71 = 1971 		GM Division

4 = Buick 		Model Series & Style

3437 = GS 350 two door coupe
3467 = GS 400 two door convertible


Body #

The body number is the production serial number. The preceding letter is the manufacturing facility, listed in the VIN decoding section above. 		TR = Trim

All seats were vinyl.
Hardtop Trim
100 = Green
150 = Green (Notch Back/60-40 seats)
104 = Sandalwood
154 = Sandalwood (Notch Back/60-40 seats)
108 = Black
158 = Black (Notch Back/60-40 seats)
168 = Black (Bucket Seats)
156 = Saddle (Notch Back/60-40 seats)
166 = Saddle
165 = Pearl White (Bucket Seats)
GS 455 Convertible
(The convertible had some different trim numbers than the regular lines)
134 = Sandalwood
138 = Black
150 = Green (Notch Back/60-40 seats)
155 = Pearl White (Notch Back/60-40 seats)
156 = Saddle (Notch Back/60-40 seats) 		PAINT

A four digit code denotes the top and bottom colors on a two tone model.

11 = Arctic White
13 = Platinum Mist
16 = Tealmist Gray
19 = Regal Black
24 = Cascade Blue
26 = Stratomist Blue
29 = Mocturne Blue
39 = Twilight Turquoise
41 = Silver Fern
42 = Willomist Green
43 = Lime Mist
49 = Verdemist Green
50 vBamboo Cream
53 = Cortez Gold
55 = Cornet Gold
61 = Sandpiper Beige
62 = Bittersweet Mist
65 = Copper Mist
67 = Burnished Cinnamon
68 = Deep Chestnut
70 = Pearl Beige
73 Sunset Mist
74 = Vintage Red
75 = Fire Red
78 = Rosewood

Vinyl Roof Colors
1 = White
2 = Black
5 = Sandalwood
8 = Dark Brown
9 = Dark Green
Convertible Top Colors
1= White
2 = Black
5 = Sandalwood
9 = Dark Green