Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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Very true. It does not mean it made production. But if you owned that test car today - say someone hauls it out of a barn next week with some of the road-tester's handwritten notes in the glovebox - it would be considered a factory built 1971 LS6 Chevelle. That is all I am saying.

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But that's where I disagree again - there's no saying what the car started out as. For all we know, it could have been a regular Malibu 350 that was converted to an SS454 for more promotional purposes.

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The first HemiCuda started life as a small block Gran Coupe dev mule. It was later rebuilt, revinned and sold new as a Hemi car. So is it still a HemiCuda?

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

You never know - according to some, no self-respecting Chevy guy would suggest such things!

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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Very true. It does not mean it made production. But if you owned that test car today - say someone hauls it out of a barn next week with some of the road-tester's handwritten notes in the glovebox - it would be considered a factory built 1971 LS6 Chevelle. That is all I am saying.

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But that's where I disagree again - there's no saying what the car started out as. For all we know, it could have been a regular Malibu 350 that was converted to an SS454 for more promotional purposes.

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The first HemiCuda started life as a small block Gran Coupe dev mule. It was later rebuilt, revinned and sold new as a Hemi car. So is it still a HemiCuda?

Factory re-V.I.N.ing was not all that uncommon. If they made a mistake in building a vehicle that had the wrong equipment for that model, they simply did it to reflect the model they had built or the closest to it. It was the most economical thing to do. We always think in terms of the hipo cars we love, but it happened to 4 doors too, just no one pays any attention to the detail of these cars.

About the only vehicles that actually got destroyed were the ones that had new "technology" of the day that may or may not have reached the public later as regular production. The manufacturers were in business to make money. If a car was built as something that was never to make it to regular production, but met all the FMVSSs, then you can bet that they sold it to some dealer somewhere.

Even the vast majority of cars that had all of the experimential race stuff that later became available as RPOs got sneeked out the back door to some favored racer even though Chevrolet was not publicly sanctioning racing.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

It doesn't hurt that replacing the dash pad gets you most of the way toward "re-VIN-ing" a '70 Cuda...... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Regarding the '71 LS-6 Chevelles, I think '71 was a big transistion year for the manufacturers between upcoming emissions and falling performance sales due to insurance. As a result, a number of things got killed in the 11th hour, well after tooling was made up and parts were made. Ford's equivalent would be the 1971 Boss 302 Mustang. Promo pics were taken, and a number of parts and even '71 coded "Boss 302" decal kits have made their way out into the marketplace.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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I have never seen a magazine test car that was a "factory" conversion that it was not noted as such.

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except later in life like the infamous 421 GTO and other "ringers" that were not exactly as they were presented ...

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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It doesn't hurt that replacing the dash pad gets you most of the way toward "re-VIN-ing" a '70 Cuda...... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Regarding the '71 LS-6 Chevelles, I think '71 was a big transistion year for the manufacturers between upcoming emissions and falling performance sales due to insurance. As a result, a number of things got killed in the 11th hour, well after tooling was made up and parts were made. Ford's equivalent would be the 1971 Boss 302 Mustang. Promo pics were taken, and a number of parts and even '71 coded "Boss 302" decal kits have made their way out into the marketplace.

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Yes, but they DID build the larger displacement Boss 351, which flies in the face of the insurance killing big engines.

I had a 9000 mile Boss 302 that I sold to a guy in Rockford Ill. in the mid 70s that had a Boss 351 and a Boss 429. My car completed his collection.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

I believe that is the black Camino out of the Pat M collection in Phoenix. It was offered to me in about '01. Supposed to have original engine and docs. I've looked at the car but not the docs. I was told that the Tonowanda records indicated that those '71 engines were for Caminos.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Hello
I felt that i must reply to this one. The engine that i currently run in my 70 LS-6 car was purchased many years back and is a 1972 crate LS-6 (all date coded) #289 block, #291 heads and was never taken apart when i got it, hell it is still the standard bore with the O.G. pistons, crank, manifold. the only thing that i did when i rebuilt it was grind the crank 10/10 CRR on the deck with no Vin # just thought i would reply. Geoff. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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I believe that is the black Camino out of the Pat M collection in Phoenix. It was offered to me in about '01. Supposed to have original engine and docs. I've looked at the car but not the docs. I was told that the Tonowanda records indicated that those '71 engines were for Caminos.

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I really need to look for a build sheet in mine one of these days in case that tach has meaning! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Regarding the '71 LS-6 Chevelles, I think '71 was a big transistion year for the manufacturers between upcoming emissions and falling performance sales due to insurance. As a result, a number of things got killed in the 11th hour, well after tooling was made up and parts were made. Ford's equivalent would be the 1971 Boss 302 Mustang. Promo pics were taken, and a number of parts and even '71 coded "Boss 302" decal kits have made their way out into the marketplace.

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Actually more than decals and parts got out. A whole car escaped. It's been featured in Mustang Monthly and it is the real deal.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2994405

Which is why we should never say never about ALMOST anything.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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Regarding the '71 LS-6 Chevelles, I think '71 was a big transistion year for the manufacturers between upcoming emissions and falling performance sales due to insurance. As a result, a number of things got killed in the 11th hour, well after tooling was made up and parts were made. Ford's equivalent would be the 1971 Boss 302 Mustang. Promo pics were taken, and a number of parts and even '71 coded "Boss 302" decal kits have made their way out into the marketplace.

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Actually more than decals and parts got out. A whole car escaped. It's been featured in Mustang Monthly and it is the real deal.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2994405

Which is why we should never say never about ALMOST anything .

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I TOTALLY agree!

Having sold Dodges & AMCs new from 1968-74 I can tell you that factory execs that wanted something to KEEP (meaning it was not their demo that would have to be disposed of through the dealer network) could get any combination of model and equipment they wanted regardless of what was available to the general public. When dealers got requests for things that were not advertised as available on a particular model they would contact their sales rep to see if it could be done. Unless there was some type of legal reason for not doing it they typically would build it if the customer was willing to wait the extra scheduling time. Typical time from order to the dealer receiving it was 4 weeks. If you want some oddball combination it took 8 weeks. Dealers just made sure they got a large enough non-refundable deposit so they didn't get stuck with it in inventory.

I have never seen or heard of one but my guess is that somewhere out there is a factory Hemi car with factory A/C. I can't believe that there was not a factory exec that didn't want the elephant engine with A/C. The air cleaner could be a problem but I can just see the factory slapping on some Cal Customs or something like the factory 56-57 duasl quad air cleaners to make it happen.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Does anyone or any site have any 1971 Chevrolet AMA specs or a factory bulletin that shows the LS6 was cancelled for the A-body?

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Geoff...I'll add to your post as well. I bought a 454 long block engine off a friend of mine this past fall. It too was a 289 block 291 heads and also has CRR deck stamping and no vin #. He's had it for at least 20+ years just collecting dust and was never decked or rebuilt. I'll have to take a better look at it when I return home from Afghan-land in a month or two. It just seemed really odd about the motor and the stampings but this may shed some light....Thanks

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Vinko, when you get to it, there is a small machined pad right above the timing cover, center of the block, see if a 6 digit number isn't stamped there... no letters just numbers...

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Back in 75 or 76 at my High School in Greenwich CT. was a Light Blue,White stripes and Int. 71 LS6 equipped Chevelle.Was it the real deal? I can't say. Didn't know about checking numbers back then but did have a good look at the car and I believe it was genuine.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Yeah, I have one of those 1972-dated "CRR" LS-6 engines also that has no VIN up front. I've had mine for several years and have actually ran across several in my travels. I'll check mine for this number up front. Another member, Tirebird, also has one of these 1972 CRR LS-6 engines. They are kinda rare in the fact that they are 4-bolt "289" blocks, but I believe they are just crate engines. Why Tonawanda chose to stamp these with the 1970 TH400 code of "CRR", instead of the usual "CE", I don't know. They were complete engines including intake manifold and were just covered with 1972 casting dates on everything including the closed chamber "291" cylinder heads. Crate LS-6's were known for having Open chambered heads so this short run of accurate "1970 Close Chamber'ed LS-6's" are kind of interesting. Actually it would be kinda neat to put one into a 1972 SS454 Chevelle and leave the experts scratching their heads!

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Once again, these engines were OTC available, and/or for warranty replacement.

Just because compression went down and gas prices went up doesn't mean that people stopped racing...

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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Back in 75 or 76 at my High School in Greenwich CT. was a Light Blue,White stripes and Int. 71 LS6 equipped Chevelle.Was it the real deal? I can't say. Didn't know about checking numbers back then but did have a good look at the car and I believe it was genuine.

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I've always been a firm believer they never really assembled a Chevelle like this on the assembly line for public consumption during 1971,but you are about the 10th person in the last few years to mention this particular car and it's same details,and all are from NC.Sonny B. 1st told me about it 14 years ago,saying he saw it new on the lot with a W/S on the driverside rear stating LS-6.

I must admit,I'm kinda.....sorta...sloooooowly..starting to think maybe they did.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

The question I have had about my '71 for years is why would GM put a 6500 RPM redline tach in a hydraulic liftered car that could have been equipped with A/C (Mine does not have A/C). Wouldn't that be inviting all kinds of warranty issues from over revved engines? I mean obviously they did it, but is there some other rational I am missing? Why put in a tach that is obviously wrong?

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Don't judge a car by it's tachometer..They made miniscule mistakes like that occasionaly.
Just one example.
Chuck Hansons 1970 L-78 Chevelle cvt. was built with a 5500 redline tach,that was clearly a mistake,when it should've received a 6500.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

-----Red Alert was also delivered with the wrong red-line tach, so theres two examples. S*** happens!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif........Bill S

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Alanta Built 70 LS-5 cars are know as having a 5000 rpm tach installed and a lot of them. I personally have seen all kind of tach screw ups from the factory. The best was a 1 owner 70 Monte Carlo 400 small block 2bbl with a 6500 tach. I begged the original owner for years to swap it out and give him money to no avail. They wouldn't stop the line for a wrong redline and the 71 6500 tachs have been spotted in quite a few 71's all over never did a vin study to see what plant.

Jim

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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Back in 75 or 76 at my High School in Greenwich CT.

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...but you are about the 10th person in the last few years to mention this particular car and it's same details,and all are from NC.


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He lives in NC, but he saw the car in the Nutmeg State.

I don't understand why everyone demands documentation when L89 Novas are mentioned, but the 1971 LS6 gets a free pass. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif The paper trail hasn't stopped, but it really hasn't started either.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

You know i looked at mine and it did not have anything on that center pad above the timing chain, i also forgot to mention that my block has not been decked either and still has the factory broach marks on the block too. the intake manifold on it (dated as well, matches the other stuff) has the firing order over each of the intake ports. When i first obtained this engine about 15+ years ago i did not know anything about LS-6 cars, it really threw me for a loop when i stared doing research on it, i did not even own a LS-6 car at the time or had ever seen a real one, i still have not seen one other than mine, at least where i live. It was not until maybe 5 years ago that i was able to find out what the casting #s meant on this one. Anyway,Sorry about the rambling. Geoff. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Yes, factory mistakes happened. The line never stopped, if the bin for the required item was empty they put in what would work. It was expected that the DEALER would catch the mistake (which MOST were) and have it corrected under a warranty claim.

BTW, the 1965 Corvette 395 h.p. cars were factory available with A/C and they had a 6500 tach in them.

I think that in MOST cases you can rely on what the ORIGINAL FACTORY tach shows in a car to help determine what engine was in it. Anyone can look for faults or exception to the rule to discount or prove a cars true heritage.

The bottom line is that in these cases unless you have some other factory paperwork to support your claims it all comes down to what the guy writing the check when BUYING one of these cars believes.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

395HP Vette?

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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395HP Vette?

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365?

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

I'm sure he means the 1965 327-365 HP Corvettes. For awhile they held the very cool distinction of being the only solid-lifter engine that was available with Air Conditioning. A very cool combination, pun very much intended. They decided to offer A/C one more time with the 1972 solid lifter LT-1's.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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395HP Vette?

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Sorry, typo. Yes, 327/365h.p. is what I meant.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

Honestly guys,i just went through all 7 pages of this thread and i still dont believe there was a factory 1971 LS6 car delivered.
if the day ever comes up that a 1971 has a factory build sheet/protecto plate and original window sticker that states the car was ordered with the LS6,then i will believe it,for now this is all hear say and kinda of a waste of time,dont you think?

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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I'm sure he means the 1965 327-365 HP Corvettes. For awhile they held the very cool distinction of being the only solid-lifter engine that was available with Air Conditioning. A very cool combination, pun very much intended. They decided to offer A/C one more time with the 1972 solid lifter LT-1's.

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Mark, Not to hijack the thread, but the Vette 365hp with AC was also avail in '64. Very very rare. I worked on this original driveline car for the owner. Note the size of the compressor pulley!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...e/EngineLH.jpg

Saddle Tan/Saddle, hard top only, originally delivered to Hawaii. A VERY nice original car. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...etteinshop.jpg
Verne https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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Honestly guys,i just went through all 7 pages of this thread and i still dont believe there was a factory 1971 LS6 car delivered.
if the day ever comes up that a 1971 has a factory build sheet/protecto plate and original window sticker that states the car was ordered with the LS6,then i will believe it,for now this is all hear say and kinda of a waste of time,dont you think?

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Who else wants to join our bandwagon? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

By the way, Verne, that's a sweet-lookin' Vette you posted there!

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

We had two early 70s high dollar ski boats in the area, (Nautique?)that came with CRR coded LS-6 engines complete with 11.00-1 compression and the correct low intake. I can not remember the block casting # or carb # as he runs a machine shop and he rebuilt both motors in the 90s and he lowered the compression and redid the seats for low grade fuel available at marinas.

Re: 1971 LS6 Chevelle SS Production
 

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Honestly guys,i just went through all 7 pages of this thread and i still dont believe there was a factory 1971 LS6 car delivered.
if the day ever comes up that a 1971 has a factory build sheet/protecto plate and original window sticker that states the car was ordered with the LS6,then i will believe it,for now this is all hear say and kinda of a waste of time,dont you think?

[/ QUOTE ]Not really a waste of time.Threads like this may jog a memory and uncover something. I am going to try to locate the guy that owned the 71 that I remember.

Is there a difference in the factory motor mounts ? Are the LS6 mounts different?