[raw muscle cars]

The 1971 Monte Carlo remained relatively unchanged. Round parking lamps in the front bumper were replaced by a rectangular design. A hood ornament was added and headlamp bezels were refined. The grille was redesigned with a finer mesh. The minor cosmetic refinements increased the length to 206.5 inches, but width and height remained the same. Powertrain choices were much the same as those in 1970. The SS package was once again available, but this would be its last year until late 1983. It included the RPO code LS5 454 cubic inch V-8 rated at 365 gross horsepower; up 5 horsepower from 1970. Interestingly, 1971 ordering information showed the RPO code LS6 454 V-8 (425 gross horsepower) as an option for the SS package. Also shown was the RPO code M22 4-speed close ratio manual transmission and a 4.10:1 performance axle ratio. It has been speculated that very few, if any, Monte Carlos with this combination ever made it into the hands of retail customers.