The muscle car boom was nearly over as the 1971 models launched in August 1970. Compacts made up the new battlefield and Pontiac wouldn’t have an economy car until the arrival of the Ventura in March of 1971, and that was essentially a Chevy Nova with a split nose.

1971 Pontiac GTO sales feel off a cliff, as compression ratios were lowered to 8.2:1 in preparation for unleaded gasoline. Horsepower was now calculated as SAE net, instead of gross and bragging rights plummeted. The base 300 bhp 400 cid V-8 engine was now rated at 255 net bhp. The 325 bhp 455 cid V-8 was rated at 260 net bhp and the top-rated 455 cid HO V-8 rated at 310 net bhp instead of 335. There were no high-performance Ram Air III and IV packages available, but all hood scoops were functional.

GTO production fell to 10,532 units, with 9,497 Hardtops and 661 Convertibles. The GTO Judge models were available for the last year, but only just, with 357 Hardtops and only 17 convertibles. The 1971 Pontiac GTO appeared similar to the 1970 model, but the grille was larger and lower with two scoops above it.

As a result of the smaller production numbers, some combinations are quite rare, especially among the convertibles. The top-rated 455 HO engine came with a manual 3-speed gearbox but a 4-speed and automatic transmission were optional. It’s not known how many buyers chose the 3-speed stick. The HO engine still had the round exhaust ports and an alloy intake manifold. Rally II wheels were offered fort $89, but a new honeycomb wheel was introduced for $63 and would become familiar. The remainder of the options list was trimmed again, to 42 choices this time.

Exterior paint colors were reduced to 15: Starlight Black (A), Sandalwood (B), Cameo White (C), Adriatic Blue (D), Lucerne Blue (F), Limekist Green (H), Laurentian Green (M), Nordic Silver (P), Cardinal Red (R), Castillian Bronze (S), Canyon Copper (T), Bluestone Grey (V), Quetzal Gold (Y), and Aztec Gold (Z). Seven trim colors included Black, Ivory, Blue, Saddle, Sienna, Jade, and Sandalwood. Saddle, Jade and Sandalwood were not available with a convertible. Four convertible top colors were offered with White, Black, Sandalwood, and Green. Only two vinyl top colors were offered: White and Black.