1971 SS-Optioned Malibu
Body Styles
Probably due to government pressure and increasing insurance rates, Chevrolet turned the performance-oriented SS into more of an appearance package for 1971.
Body-wise there were some changes one could easily spot at first glance. Gone were the dual headlamps, a single headlamp took their place. Turn/park lamps were moved to the front fender extensions from the bumper. Out back the new Chevelle sported dual tail/backup lamps and the SS emblem was centered on the bumper. The Malibu series remained with a 135/136xx VIN designation. The 138xx series has both the Concours Estate station wagon and the Monte Carlo sport coupe. Many Chevelle enthusiasts don’t recognize the Monte Carlo as a Chevelle and many Monte Carlo owners don’t think their cars are Chevelles; a point that will surely be discussed far into the future. Suffice to say the 13857 Monte Carlo was built at most Chevelle plants along with other Chevelle models built at that assembly plant.
Chevrolet described the Malibu sport coupe and convertible body styles as 5-passenger capacity; three in the rear and two in the front and the sedan pickup with a 3-passenger capacity.
Production Numbers Of All Chevelles
| Arlington | Baltimore | Kansas City | Van Nuys |
| 99,675 18.45% |
149,596 27.69% |
146,160 27.06% |
85,929 15.91% |
The production numbers shown above are what was reported to GM for final assembly excluding Canada. Just how many SS-optioned Chevelles that were built at individual plants is an unknown figure. It's known that Arlington did not build sedan pickups.
| Malibu Sport Coupe | Malibu Convertible | Malibu El Camino |
| Sport Coupe - 189,970 - 82.20% | Convertible - 5.089 - 2.02% | Sedan Pickup - 36,402- 15.75% |
These numbers represent the number of the three body styles and their percentage of the total 231,101 total possible body styles that could be ordered with either SS option. There are no known number of what specific engines or transmissions were installed in the three SS body styles.