answrsnow
Cars · Top 10

Top 10 Muscle Cars 1971

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 5 min read
1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda (E-body)
Direct answer

The 1971 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda is the best muscle car of 1971, with the Plymouth Road Runner 440+6 at #2 and the Plymouth GTX at #3; the Dodge Challenger R/T is the best value. The ’Cuda’s 426 Hemi was rated at 425 bhp in its final year.

At a glance

#PickHorsepowerBest for
11971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda (E-body)425 bhp SAE gross at 5,000 rpm from the 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi V8 with two four-barrel carburetorsCollectors who want the most powerful engine of 1971 in its final year
21971 Plymouth Road Runner 440+6 (B-body)385 bhp in 1971 from the 440 with three two-barrel Holley carburetors (“440 6-BBL” for Plymouth)Buyers who want triple-carburetor power in the redesigned 1971 Road Runner
31971 Plymouth GTX (B-body)370 hp from the standard 440 four-barrel; 385 hp 440 Six Pack and 425 hp Hemi optionalA big-block 440 as standard equipment, with a $125 Six Pack upgrade
41971 Dodge Charger R/T (B-body)370 bhp in 1971 from the 440 Magnum four-barrel, standard in the R/TA 440 Magnum as standard in Dodge’s new 1971 body
51971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 (A-body)365 hp gross (285 hp net) from the LS5 454 V8; cowl induction was availableThe biggest engine in Chevrolet’s mid-size line
61971 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 (A-body)360 bhp and 510 lb-ft at 2,800 rpm, as listed for the 1971 GSX Stage 1 455Big-torque Buick power with GSX looks available
71971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 (A-body)350 hp from the W-30 455; the base 455 was rated at 340 hpA 455 big-block in the last stand-alone 442
81971 Pontiac GTO Judge 455 HO (A-body)335 hp at 4,800 rpm from the new 455 HO, the top GTO engine for 1971Collectors who want the final year of The Judge
91971 Ford Mustang Boss 351330 bhp from the R-code Boss 351 Cleveland V8Ford fans who want the one-year Boss 351
101971 Dodge Challenger R/T (E-body)300 hp from the standard 383 Magnum V8 (down from 335 hp due to a drop in compression)The lowest-priced way into a big-block E-body

Pick by what you want

Best overall
1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda (E-body)
Best value
1971 Dodge Challenger R/T (E-body)
Best non-Hemi power
1971 Plymouth Road Runner 440+6 (B-body)
Rarest
1971 Pontiac GTO Judge 455 HO (A-body)
One-year Ford
1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351

The ranking

1

1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda (E-body)

1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda (E-body)
Photo: BUTTON74 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best overall muscle car of 1971.
Horsepower: 425 bhp SAE gross at 5,000 rpm from the 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi V8 with two four-barrel carburetorsTorque: 490 lb-ft at 4,000 rpmHemi price: The Hemi cost an extra US$1,228 in 1971, with very few soldBase price: A 1971 ’Cuda hardtop started at $3,155; the convertible at $3,412Last year: 1971 was the last year for the 426 Hemi; only thirteen 1971 Hemi ’Cuda convertibles were built1971 only: The only Barracuda year with four headlights, fender “gills” and the full-side “billboard” decal

The Hemi ’Cuda’s 426 was rated at 425 bhp and 490 lb-ft, an extra US$1,228 over a ’Cuda hardtop that started at $3,155. 1971 was the Hemi’s last year and the only Barracuda year with four headlights and the billboard decal.

Go ifCollectors who want the most powerful engine of 1971 in its final year
Skip ifYou want a budget muscle car (the Hemi alone was a US$1,228 option)
Why #1 over #2: Its 425 bhp Hemi out-rates the Road Runner’s 385 bhp 440+6.
2

1971 Plymouth Road Runner 440+6 (B-body)

1971 Plymouth Road Runner 440+6 (B-body)
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe strongest non-Hemi pick.
Horsepower: 385 bhp in 1971 from the 440 with three two-barrel Holley carburetors (“440 6-BBL” for Plymouth)Torque: 490 lb-ft at 3,200 rpmNew body: All-new rounded “fuselage” coupe body for 1971; the convertible was canceledLast year: The 440+6 and 426 Hemi were offered in 1971 for the last time, and few cars were built with themRacing: Richard Petty won the 1971 and 1972 championships in Road Runner-based cars, winning 30 races over the two seasons

The Road Runner got an all-new fuselage body for 1971, and the 440 with three two-barrel carburetors was rated at 385 bhp and 490 lb-ft. It was the last year for the 440+6, and Richard Petty won the 1971 championship in a Road Runner-based car.

Go ifBuyers who want triple-carburetor power in the redesigned 1971 Road Runner
Skip ifYou want cheap insurance (only the 340 and 383 Road Runners got a standard insurance rating)
Why #2 over #3: Its 385 bhp 440+6 beats the GTX’s standard 370 hp 440.
3

1971 Plymouth GTX (B-body)

1971 Plymouth GTX (B-body)
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe upscale Plymouth pick.
Horsepower: 370 hp from the standard 440 four-barrel; 385 hp 440 Six Pack and 425 hp Hemi optionalBase price: The 1971 GTX listed at $3,733; the three two-barrel engine added $125Sales: 2,942 sold in 1971, and only 30 cars had the Hemi engineFinal year: 1971 was the last year for the GTX as a stand-alone modelBody: Redesigned 1971 B-body with “fuselage” styling; the convertible was dropped

The GTX came with a 370 hp 440 four-barrel as standard and listed at $3,733; the Six Pack added $125. Plymouth sold 2,942 GTXs in 1971, only 30 with the Hemi, and it was the GTX’s last year as a stand-alone model.

Go ifA big-block 440 as standard equipment, with a $125 Six Pack upgrade
Skip ifYou want a convertible (the 1971 GTX was hardtop only)
Why #3 over #4: It matches the Charger R/T’s 370 hp standard 440 and lists a published $125 Six Pack upgrade.
4

1971 Dodge Charger R/T (B-body)

1971 Dodge Charger R/T (B-body)
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Dodge big-block pick.
Horsepower: 370 bhp in 1971 from the 440 Magnum four-barrel, standard in the R/TNew generation: The third-generation Charger debuted for 1971 with new “fuselage” sheet metal and a split grilleProduction: 63 Hemi R/Ts were built in 1971, the Hemi’s last appearance in a production car, plus 2,659 R/Ts with other enginesLast year: 1971 was the last year for the 440 Six-Pack, available with a four-speed and Hurst shifter or the automaticOptions: Hidden headlights became optional; a rear spoiler and the pop-up “Ramcharger” hood scoop were new options

Dodge’s third-generation Charger arrived for 1971 with fuselage styling, and the R/T came with the 440 Magnum, rated at 370 bhp. Dodge built 63 Hemi R/Ts and 2,659 R/Ts with other engines, and 1971 was the 440 Six-Pack’s last year.

Go ifA 440 Magnum as standard in Dodge’s new 1971 body
Skip ifYou want a Super Bee price (the R/T was the performance model)
Why #4 over #5: Its standard 370 bhp 440 Magnum out-rates the Chevelle’s 365 hp LS5 454.
5

1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 (A-body)

1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 (A-body)
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Chevrolet pick.
Horsepower: 365 hp gross (285 hp net) from the LS5 454 V8; cowl induction was availableLS6: The LS6 454 was dropped early in the 1971 model year; no official records show any 1971 Chevelle built with itSS option: For 1971 the SS (RPO Z15) was only for the Malibu and could be ordered with any optional V8; only the LS5 454 required itStyling: New single Power-Beam headlights, a reworked grille and dual round taillights for 1971Compression: GM cut compression to 9:1 and lower for 1971, but the LS5 454 gained an advertised five horsepower to 365

The SS 454 used the LS5 454, rated at 365 hp gross and 285 hp net, with cowl induction available. The LS6 was dropped early in 1971, and no official records show a 1971 Chevelle built with it.

Go ifThe biggest engine in Chevrolet’s mid-size line
Skip ifYou want the 450 hp LS6 (no 1971 Chevelle is on record with it)
Why #5 over #6: Its 365 hp LS5 edges the Buick GS Stage 1’s listed 360 bhp.
6

1971 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 (A-body)

1971 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 (A-body)
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Buick torque pick.
Horsepower: 360 bhp and 510 lb-ft at 2,800 rpm, as listed for the 1971 GSX Stage 1 455Base price: $3,285 for the 1971 GS 455 two-door hardtop; the convertible was $3,476Production: 8,268 GS 455 hardtops and 902 convertibles in 1971GSX: The GSX became an option on any Gran Sport for 1971, and production dropped to only 124Compression: Horsepower was reduced in 1971 mainly by a lower compression ratio mandated by GM

The GS 455 hardtop listed at $3,285 and Buick built 8,268 of them in 1971. The Stage 1 455 is listed at 360 bhp and 510 lb-ft at 2,800 rpm, and the GSX package (124 built) became an option on any Gran Sport.

Go ifBig-torque Buick power with GSX looks available
Skip ifYou want a GSX (only 124 were built in 1971)
Why #6 over #7: Its listed 360 bhp beats the 442 W-30’s 350 hp.
7

1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 (A-body)

1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 (A-body)
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Oldsmobile pick.
Horsepower: 350 hp from the W-30 455; the base 455 was rated at 340 hpCompression: 8.5:1, lowered under GM policy so engines could run on lower-octane fuelBase price: $3,552 for the 1971 442 hardtop coupe; $3,743 for the convertibleBody styles: Hardtop coupe or convertible; the sport coupe was gone for the first time since 1964Final year: 1971 was the last year the 442 was a separate model before it became an option again

The 1971 442 was the last stand-alone 442, offered as a hardtop at $3,552 or a convertible. The W-30 455 was rated at 350 hp against 340 hp for the base 455, with 8.5:1 compression.

Go ifA 455 big-block in the last stand-alone 442
Skip ifYou want a pillared sport coupe (dropped for 1971)
Why #7 over #8: Its 350 hp W-30 out-rates the GTO 455 HO’s 335 hp.
8

1971 Pontiac GTO Judge 455 HO (A-body)

1971 Pontiac GTO Judge 455 HO (A-body)
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe rarest Pontiac pick.
Horsepower: 335 hp at 4,800 rpm from the new 455 HO, the top GTO engine for 1971Torque: 480 lb-ft at 3,600 rpmPerformance: Motor Trend’s 1971 GTO 455 four-speed ran 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.4 seconds at 102 mphJudge sales: Only 357 Judges were sold in 1971, including 17 convertibles; no new orders were taken after March 1, 1971GTO sales: 10,532 GTOs were sold in 1971

The new 455 HO was the top 1971 GTO engine, at 335 hp and 480 lb-ft, and Motor Trend’s 455 four-speed ran the quarter mile in 13.4 seconds at 102 mph. Only 357 Judges were sold, including 17 convertibles.

Go ifCollectors who want the final year of The Judge
Skip ifYou want Ram Air IV power (Ram Air engines did not return for 1971)
Why #8 over #9: Its 335 hp 455 HO beats the Boss 351’s 330 bhp.
9

1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351

1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351
Photo: Sicnag / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Ford pick.
Horsepower: 330 bhp from the R-code Boss 351 Cleveland V8Production: Ford built 1,806 Boss 351 Mustangs in 1971Engine: Four-barrel Autolite carburetor, aluminum intake, solid lifters and 11.1:1 compression; Ram Air induction came standardOne year: The Boss 351 was only installed in the 1971 Boss 351 MustangPrice: The first Mustang model with a base price over $4,000

The R-code Boss 351 Cleveland was rated at 330 bhp, with solid lifters, an aluminum intake and Ram Air standard, and it was only installed in the 1971 Boss 351 Mustang. Ford built 1,806.

Go ifFord fans who want the one-year Boss 351
Skip ifYou want a lower price (its base price was over $4,000)
Why #9 over #10: Its 330 bhp beats the Challenger R/T’s standard 300 hp 383 Magnum.
10

1971 Dodge Challenger R/T (E-body)

1971 Dodge Challenger R/T (E-body)
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best value of 1971.
Horsepower: 300 hp from the standard 383 Magnum V8 (down from 335 hp due to a drop in compression)Base price: $3,273 for the 1971 Challenger R/TOptions: 385 hp 440 Six Pack and 425 hp 426 Hemi were the R/T’s optional engines in 1971Production: 3,814 Challenger R/Ts were built in 1971Last year: The shaker hood scoop was not available after 1971, and the R/T was replaced by the Rallye for 1972

The Challenger R/T started at $3,273 with a 300 hp 383 Magnum, and the 385 hp 440 Six Pack and 425 hp Hemi were its options. Dodge built 3,814 R/Ts in 1971, the last year for the shaker hood, which makes it our best value.

Go ifThe lowest-priced way into a big-block E-body
Skip ifYou want the most power as standard (its 383 is rated at 300 hp)

How we ranked these

We ranked each 1971 car on the rated SAE gross horsepower of the engine named in the pick, using each model’s documented history; the Challenger R/T is our best value for its published $3,273 base price. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What was the best muscle car of 1971?

The Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda. Its 426 Hemi was rated at 425 bhp and 490 lb-ft, and 1971 was the last year for the 426 Hemi.

Which 1971 muscle car was the best value?

The Dodge Challenger R/T. It started at $3,273 with a 300 hp 383 Magnum standard, and the 385 hp 440 Six Pack and 425 hp Hemi were optional.

How many 1971 Hemi ’Cuda convertibles were built?

Only thirteen, seven of which were sold domestically.

How many 1971 GTO Judges were sold?

357, including 17 convertibles. Pontiac stopped taking Judge orders after March 1, 1971.

Rated horsepower of the named engine, 1971 (SAE gross) at a glance

1971 Dodge Challenger R/T (E-body)300 hp
1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351330 hp
1971 Pontiac GTO Judge 455 HO (A-body)335 hp
1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 (A-body)350 hp
1971 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 (A-body)360 hp
1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 (A-body)365 hp
1971 Plymouth GTX (B-body)370 hp
1971 Dodge Charger R/T (B-body)370 hp
1971 Plymouth Road Runner 440+6 (B-body)385 hp
1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda (E-body)425 hp
Rated horsepower of the named engine, 1971 (SAE gross), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.