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The 10 Slowest Cars of 1971*

1971 Pontiac LeMans, Slowest Cars of 1971
1971 Pontiac LeMans

A few readers who checked out our Fastest Cars of 1971 post expressed some dismay—and incredulity—that all of ranked vehicles posted 0-60-mph times within just one second of each other. In fact, those cars all posted times within half a second of each other.

Alas, the pack is not nearly so tight at the bottom end of the acceleration rankings for 1971. Presented here are the ten slowest rides of that year, and the 0-60-time gap between the first and last car below is far more pronounced.

While our fastest list featured exclusively V8-powered cars, our slowest list is predictably populated with a number of 6-cylinder cars–and three sporting 4-cylinder engines.

The asterisk in our title denotes that this list is comprised only of vehicles tested by Consumer Guide; all of the 0-60-mph results found below come from Consumer Guide: Auto Test ’71. All told, Consumer Guide evaluated about 50 vehicles that year. There may have been even slower vehicles available for 1971, but CG didn’t test them.

We invite your comments; the place to leave a note is below the last car.

The 10 Fastest Cars of 1971*

 

Volkswagen Super Beetle: 16.4 Seconds

1971 VW Super Beetle

Body Style Tested: Coupe

Curb Weight: 1900 pounds

Engine: 60-horsepower 97-cubic-inch four

Transmission: 4-speed manual

Axle Ratio: 4.13:1

 

Chevrolet Vega: 16.0 Seconds

1971 Chevrolet Vega

Body Style Tested: Coupe

Curb Weight: 2180 pounds

Engine: 90-horsepower 140-cubic-inch four

Transmission: 4-speed manual

Axle Ratio: 2.92:1

 

Chevrolet Chevelle: 15.6 Seconds

1971 Chevrolet Chevelle

Body Style Tested: Sedan

Curb Weight: 3460 pounds

Engine: 145-horsepower 250-cubic-inch six

Transmission: 3-speed automatic

Axle Ratio: 3.36:1

 

Pontiac Lemans: 15.6 Seconds

1971 Pontiac LeMans

Body Style Tested: Sedan

Curb Weight: 3481 pounds

Engine: 145-horsepower 250-cubic-inch six

Transmission: 3-speed automatic

Axle Ratio: 3.23:1

 

Plymouth Satellite: 15.0 Seconds

1971 Plymouth Satellite

Body Style Tested: Sedan

Curb Weight: 3470 pounds

Engine: 145-horsepower 225-cubic-inch six

Transmission: 3-speed automatic

Axle Ratio: 2.93:1

Diesel Doldrums: The 7 Slowest Cars of 1980*

 

Ford Pinto: 14.7 Seconds

1971 Ford Pinto

Body Style Tested: Coupe

Curb Weight: 2013 pounds

Engine: 95-horsepower 122-cubic-inch four

Transmission: 4-speed manual

Axle Ratio: 3.55:1

 

Ford Torino: 14.7 Seconds

1971 Ford Torino

Body Style Tested: Sedan

Curb Weight: 3502 pounds

Engine: 145-horsepower 250-cubic-inch six

Transmission: 3-speed automatic

Axle Ratio: 3.00:1

 

AMC Hornet: 14.8 Seconds

1971 AMC Hornet

Body Style Tested: Sedan

Curb Weight: 2830 pounds

Engine: 135-horsepower 232-cubic-inch six

Transmission: 3-speed automatic

Axle Ratio: 2.37:1

 

Plymouth Valiant: 14.4 Seconds

1971 Plymouth Valiant

Body Style Tested: Sedan

Curb Weight: 2920 pounds

Engine: 145-horsepower 225-cubic-inch six

Transmission: 3-speed automatic

Axle Ratio: 2.76:1

 

Ford Maverick: 14.2 Seconds

1971 Ford Maverick

Body Style Tested: Sedan

Curb Weight: 2679 pounds

Engine: 155-horsepower 250-cubic-inch six

Transmission: 3-speed automatic

Axle Ratio: 3.00:1

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