Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

SS3011,

Beautiful Car,

As a Mopar Guy, I've always had to admit, that my sister's 1973 Formula SD-455 was the sharpest
car I ever saw.

Buccaneer Red with Black Interior, and 'no' graphics other than the SD-455 on the Hood Scoop.

Her car was ordered with the optional #D80 Rear-Spoiler which made the car appearance 'stellar'.

A fabulous piece of machinery.

Even the Model looks great. Once Clean Car.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/LIMITED-EDITI...P9Q~~60_57.JPG

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Video is of a 70 TA, but does a great job of capturing the sound of that 455's Quadrajet eating up all the air in the neighborhood... :D

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf2iugXZOHI"]1970 Trans Am burnout - YouTube[/ame]

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

"X" code cars...
my 73 Formula did come w/ TA scoop, blocked off by riveted plate as did the TA. 3.42s no ac. 3rd owner , Navarro orange I think, came to Arkansas originally. Lighter than TA.
TA 3.08 w/ ac. (they would not factory install even the 3.42s in an air car coming to the south, per a phone call made to the plant at the time it was ordered) 2nd owner still in it's home town...
column shift auto no console, floor shift w/ console was an option then.
both had "plastic" front valence panels (slotted in top against lower bumper vs replacement steel piece slotted in the middle like the 70 1/2 - 72 versions)
had the 313' dur cam low lift, not the 308' ram air 4. had 1.5:1 rockers ran down tight.
Vapor locked like crazy in summer when new.
Did not come w "SD-455" on the TA scoop, lol, had "455" . apparently they did not have the stickers ready when the car was finally built. Someone from Pontiac called and said they could ship it w standard 455 right away or wait 6 months...
didn't one mag jump the gun and name the 73 SD-455 GTO "car of the year"?! and was never built...

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Nice!!!

http://classracer.com/classforum/att...4&d=1376343333

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

1973 Formula SD-455

The Rear-Spoiler was an option..... Code #D80

Standard Rally II Wheels.................14" x 7" with F70 x 14" R-W-L {Firestone Wide-Oval}

Optional Honeycomb Wheels........15" x 7" with F60 x 15" R-W-L {Firestone Wide Oval}

'RTS" Radial Tuned Suspension....GR70 x 15" - Radials 'Thin Stripe White-Wall'

SD-455 lettering on Scoop, which had the vent-plate riveted closed.

http://www.motorbase.com/pictures/co...SD-455_lsv.jpg

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Original Plans for the 1973 SD-455

* Camshaft #041 = .470"/.470" Lift ~ 308*/320* Duration ~ 87* Overlap

* Aluminum Intake Manifold

* Solenoid Activated Vent-Slot Opening for Hood Scoop

Though EPA Emission Restrictions wouldn't permit it, but with the desired
10.25 - 1 Compression Ratio the 1973 SD-455 could put out 370 HP.

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

I know it's not an SD but my neighbor recently sold their 73 455 4 speed Trans Am. It sat in street last 2 years thru rain, snow, salt etc... after a nother neighbor painted it 5 or 6 years earlier. I inquired if it is for sale, 10k, to much for me as it needed to be restored again.
Left my neighborhood and I miss driving by it. Only saw it drive 2x in those almost 10 years it sat near my house.
Chris

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

One of the few still around.

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/SC0510...d=052210185456

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Was the flared front fender/lower valance bodywork an option or part of a certian model package?

I like the cars better without it....a cleaner look.

Herslows has it in the SSDI cover picture so maybe it was std with the SD's ???

I worked on many later model T/A's.....during the "corporate engine" era...

Lots of black ones with t-tops and honeycomb wheels.... Smokey and the Bandit.....

In '79 I believe it was a manual trans TA came with a 403 Olds motor and a Turbo 400 came with a Pontiac 400.......

The engines installed during that period triggered a firestorm and class action lawsuit......Buyers were not happy to learn they bought a Pontiac and did not get a Pontiac engine.....Soon after that the window stickers on new cars stated clearly that engines from various brands were being used and also the mileage stats were on there....

Carbs were calibrated way to lean.....and we dealt with driveability issues and mileage complaints every day......

Many people blocked off the EGR valves thinking it would make their car run better.....It made it worse and pinging was a major issue....

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

You are right on the timeframe.
The 79 Olds 403 combo ran a terrible 17 Sec. ET.