Chevrolet
Corvette LS6 454

Why it matters

The LS6 was a one-year (1971) 454 with aluminium heads rated at 425 hp, the last Corvette engine over 400 hp until 1990. Only 188 buyers took it.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Compression was cut across the 1971 line for low-lead fuel, but Zora Arkus-Duntov pushed the aluminium-head LS6 through for 188 buyers. The ZR2 package paired it with the M22 gearbox, heavy-duty brakes and suspension and no radio or air conditioning, in twelve cars, two of them convertibles.

In 2026 LS6 cars sold for $112,750 to $136,000 and the two ZR2 convertibles for $962,500 and $863,500.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The hub names a 300 hp 350 wearing 454 or LT-1 badges as the most common fake. Check that the engine pad suffix matches the equipment and that the block casting date precedes the build date. A 427 or 454 should carry a Tonawanda T prefix. LS6, ZL1 and ZR packages need a tank sticker, Protect-O-Plate or NCRS history.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   C3 Corvette generation research hub Level B CorvSport

   • 454 ci with aluminum heads, 9.0:1, solid lifters; 188 built
   • 454 ci
   • 9.0:1
   • 454 ci with aluminum heads, 9.0:1, solid lifters
   • 425 hp

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Corvette Action Center – 1971 Corvette Production Numbers & Options Level C

   • 188 LS6 engines installed

   Accessed 2026-11-12