Performance Review: Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Corvette Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8.This particular Chevrolet Corvette has a 7446cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Corvette shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Corvette's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1578 kgs (3478 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Corvette shares the same bhp with the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (450 bhp)

In terms of power the 7446cc 16V V8 engine produces 425 bhp (316 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (450 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 3.5 V6 Supercharged (410 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 475 lb-ft (644.0 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Chevrolet Corvette you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo (294.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Corvette.

The Chevrolet Corvette has a Power to weight ratio of 269.3 bhp per ton and 301.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 Corvette competing with the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo (294.2 bhp per ton) or the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS (293.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Chevrolet Corvette generating around 301.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo S 997 (325.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Ferrari 812 Superfast - 6.5l V12 (325.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.5 secs, this made the Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible as fast as the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs) the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (5.30 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (5.30 secs) the or the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs). This Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs) the and the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corvette and the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Corvette on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.64 secs @ 108.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030 (12.59 secs), the 1991 Porsche 928 GTS 5.4L V8 (12.60 secs), and the 2006 BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo (12.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible has a maximum speed of 152mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 Corvette equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph), the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (163 mph), or the 1996 Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 (163 mph).

Related Links:

1971 Corvette Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison