Joe Lucia..Question about old post

[Doug J.]

"Heavy duty suspension was not available during 1971 except as part of the ZR-1 and ZR-2 packages. The ZR-2 package also included the LS-6 425 hp engine. I doubt that you have the 425 hp engine, so there's no way that the car could have come with HD suspension. Only 12 ZR-2s were built for 1971 so, as far as big blocks go, those were the only cars with HD suspension. "Gymkhana" suspension, or RPO FE-7 was not available until the 1974 model year. The 9/16" rear sway bar was used for all 1971 Corvettes with big block; it's not part of any suspension package; it's part of the big block engine "package". "

Joe..BY NO MEANS am I doubting your word or expertise, but I am curious about what the TIM&JG says in regard to the Heavy-Duty F41 suspension available in 1971 and the description that you give. The guide says that "In 1971 the F-41 suspension was available on any Corvette"
Please clear that up for me...Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: Joe Lucia..Question about old post

"Heavy duty suspension was not available during 1971 except as part of the ZR-1 and ZR-2 packages. The ZR-2 package also included the LS-6 425 hp engine. I doubt that you have the 425 hp engine, so there's no way that the car could have come with HD suspension. Only 12 ZR-2s were built for 1971 so, as far as big blocks go, those were the only cars with HD suspension. "Gymkhana" suspension, or RPO FE-7 was not available until the 1974 model year. The 9/16" rear sway bar was used for all 1971 Corvettes with big block; it's not part of any suspension package; it's part of the big block engine "package". "

Joe..BY NO MEANS am I doubting your word or expertise, but I am curious about what the TIM&JG says in regard to the Heavy-Duty F41 suspension available in 1971 and the description that you give. The guide says that "In 1971 the F-41 suspension was available on any Corvette"
Please clear that up for me...Thanks

Doug-----


I've heard the contention that F-41 suspension was available with any Corvette for the 1971 model year. I don't rule out that this is true, but I've not seen anything to substantiate it. I don't think that the F-41 option was shown on the 1971 Corvette order form. If anyone has a copy of said form, I'd love to see it. In any event, if I'm correct about the option not being on the order form, then I don't know how anyone would have ordered the option or, even, know about it.

Second, even if it was on the order form and even if it was an available option without prerequisites, then it appears that GM also neglected to keep any record of the number installed. While there are records of the number of all other 1971 options, colors, and interiors, there's no record of the number of cars equipped with F-41. Of course, we know that 1971 ZR-1 and ZR-2 optioned cars were equipped with F-41, so doesn't this imply that there should have been shown that 20 F-41 installations occurred? No, it doesn't because in the case of ZR-1 and ZR-2, the F-41 was part of the package and not a separate option, required or otherwise.

[Doug J.]

Re: Joe Lucia..Question about old post

Joe..your correct...I have not seen or can't find any stats on a 1971 F-41 suspension, nor have I seen any option list with it being offered seperatly on ANY Corvette of that year. This is why I was questioning the guide as compared to your explanation.

[Warren F.]

Re: Joe Lucia..Question about old post

Doug,

The same applies to the MA6 heavy duty clutch package, not listed as a separate option, part of the manual trans ordered LS6 engine option.

I have both the 1971 Preliminary Corvette Order form and the 1971 GM employee purchase plan Corvette Order form and neither F41 or MA6 is listed as an option.