***1971 Pontiac GTO Convertible*** Top of the line 7.5L 455 HO Engine!!
The 1971 GTO had another modest facelift, this time with wire-mesh grilles, horizontal bumper bars on either side of the grille opening, more closely spaced headlamps, and a new hood with the dual scoops relocated to the leading edge, not far above the grille. Overall length grew slightly to 203.3 in (5,164 mm). Sport mirrors increased standard width by two inches, from 74.5 to 76.5 inches.
A new corporate decision to prepare GM-built cars for no-lead gasoline required a reduction in compression ratios. The "Ram Air" and Ram Air IV engines did not return for 1971. The standard GTO engine was the 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8, but now with 8.2:1 compression ratio. Power was rated at 300 hp (220 kW) SAE gross at 4,800 rpm and torque at 400 lb⋅ft (542 N⋅m) at 3,600 rpm. It had 255 hp (190 kW) SAE net at 4,400 rpm in the GTO and 250 hp (190 kW) SAE net at 4,400 rpm in the Firebird.
Optional was the 455 cu in (7.5 L) V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, 8.4:1 compression ratio, and 325 hp (242 kW) at 4,400 rpm, which was only available with the Turbo Hydra-matic TH-400 transmission. It had 260 hp (190 kW) SAE net at 4,000 rpm in the GTO and 255 hp (190 kW) SAE net in the Firebird. This engine was not available with Ram Air induction.
The top-of-the-line GTO engine for 1971 was the new 455 cu in (7.5 L) HO with 8.4 compression, rated at 335 hp (250 kW) at 4,800 rpm and 480 lb⋅ft (651 N⋅m) at 3,600 rpm. It had 310 hp (230 kW) SAE net at 4,400 rpm in the GTO and 305 hp (227 kW) SAE net in the Firebird Trans Am or Formula 455 with Ram Air induction (Formula; shaker hood inlet on Trans Am). The 1971 Pontiac brochure declared that this engine produced more NET horsepower than any other in its history. That would imply the 400 CID V8 Ram Air engines had less than 310 hp (230 kW) net.
For 1971, the standard rear-end was an open ten bolt. Posi-traction 10 bolt rear ends were optional on 400 CID engine-equipped GTOs, while all 455 CID GTOs were available with a 12 bolt open or optional 12 bolt Posi-traction rear-end.
Motor Trend tested a 1971 GTO with the 455, four-speed transmission, and 3.90 axle, and obtained a 0–60 mph acceleration time of 6.1 seconds and a quarter mile acceleration time of 13.4 seconds at 102 mph (164 km/h).
The Judge returned for a final year, with the standard Mountain Performance package being 455 HO. Only 357 were sold, including 17 convertibles. On February 11, 1971, Pontiac announced that no new orders for The Judge would be accepted after March 1, 1971. A total of 10,532 GTOs were sold in 1971, including 661 non-Judge-equipped convertibles.
This Car:
This BEAUTIFUL GTO convertible (with the top end motor option!) spent the last 15 years in a private Kuwaiti collection and has just been repatriated back to the USA this summer. Just in time to drop that top and feel the wind in your hair!!! Currently titled in Maryland and resides in Crownsville. The current mileage reads 95,030.
I encourage inspections from serious potential buyers by appointment. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
