71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

[Bill L.]

Looked at a 71 LT 1 that had a 7 leaf spring. It had the tank sticker and it is not a ZR1. However, could the F41 suspension be ordered on a 71 and what would it say on the tank sticker?

The one part of the sticker said "Front Springs ..." but the entire line was not legible.

You could read most of the tank sticker but not that part.

I know that the differential is not original, so I am think that at some point an owner swapped in the 4:11 differential for the 3:70 shown on the tank sticker and that it had the 7 leaf spring attached.


Thanks,


Bill

[Ron G.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

It was not uncommon for an owner back in the day to replace the 9 leaf with the F-41 7 leaf as gymcanas (hope I am spelling that correctly) racing thru cones in parking lots for time trials were of the norm. I could be wrong, and I should confer with my 70-72 counter parts, but 1971 may have been the only year out of the three that F-41 could have been ordered. Again, not 100% sure on this.

[Bill L.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

I thought I read where it could be ordered in 71 only too. What would it say on the tank sticker if it was able to be ordered?

I am pretty sure it is not correct on this LT-1 but worth examining further.

[Ron G.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

Bill,

If that were the case, then it would just say F-41. Again, I am not absolutely sure.

- Ron

[Paul O.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

Bill

I am with Ron on this one F-41 was not available on a standard LT-1. You would have heavy duty front springs that were not on the standard option form for the LT-1. I have seen the notation on some gas tank build sheets they read standard springs front and rear do not know why some had this added and some not. The car would also have heavy duty shocks front and rear heavy duty springs front and rear plus the rear shock mount would also be different. You would have to check for these differences on the car but if it is just an standard LT-1 it a standard suspension. I think Ron hit it first owner inspired additions.


Paul 18046

[Bill L.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

HI Paul,

Rear shock mounts were replaced with non GM. Original shocks are long gone. How can I tell if front spring is heavy duty? The tank sticker definitely does not say std. front and rear springs. It says "front springs ...."

I agree it is likely a owner mod. Just like to confirm if possible.

Orignal owner is not with us to ask. Second owner was original owner's brother but does not know much.


Bill

[Paul O.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

Bill

I should have not said standard they for some reason listed front springs and rear springs but it was not for HD. There is a dimensional coil difference and amount of coils from a standard to a HD I think now this is from memory which has it lapses standard around .60 and HD was around .75 others may remember the actual dimensions. But I can tell you for sure a standard LT-1 all 3 years there were none with HD F-41 suspensions.


Paul 18046

[Philip C.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

As I remember the 7 leaf spring was the replacement spring for the 9 when bought over the counter. One part fits all. Phil 8063

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

As I remember the 7 leaf spring was the replacement spring for the 9 when bought over the counter. One part fits all. Phil 8063

Phil------


That's correct. The last standard suspension spring was discontinued in October, 1987 and replaced by the last 7 leaf HD spring, GM #354130. The latter was discontinued without supercession in February, 1999.

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

Bill,

If that were the case, then it would just say F-41. Again, I am not absolutely sure.

- Ron

Ron------


If F-41 was available in 1971 other than as part of the ZR-1 and ZR-2 packages then GM kept no records of the number built.

[Ron G.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

Joe,

I agree.

- Ron

[Bill L.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

If ordered, what would it say on the build sheet? I can read every line on the tank sticker except the one that say Front springs ....

Thanks, Bill

[Mike E.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

From original tank stickers on 2 LT-1 convertibles (71)

VIN#2485 1V52MS Front Springs
VIN#4215 1V62HS Front Springs

Why the difference??? Both are LT-1's, both are M-21's, both are 3.70 positractions.
FWIW

[Bill L.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

M21 and 3:70 were the standard configuration. Great question. This part of the tank sticker is legible and I will have to take another look.

VIN is in the 13k range built on March 31st.

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 LT 1 with 7 Leaf Spring?

Joe,

I agree.

- Ron

Ron------


Actually, the fact that they kept no record of any being built with F-41 makes me doubt that any were actually built. Also, I don't know that F-41 even appeared on the 1971 Corvette Order Form so it would have to be "written in" and I doubt that was done. Even if "written in" I expect it would have been simply ignored unless there was a COPO previously approved.