Against most of the objective reserarch, GM standardized a lot of components in their 'bread and butter' carlines for 1971, which added weight and cost, while hurting fuel economy.

Axles, transmissions, suspension parts all had to be up to the job for the largest platform that would use them, regardless if they were over specified for a lighter, less costly vehicle.

I'd need to get my lunch money and buy that Hollander manual at the flea market to look them up, but I think the positive consequence was a longer lasting car in unfavorable environments.