1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula SD-455
 

Trying to get some information on the rare Firebird Formula SD-455

My sister bought one in the Summer of 1976, from a young guy in Yorktown, New York for only $2500.

It was Buccaneer Red {Code 75}, and an Automatic with a SD-455 which was factory rated at 310 HP in 1973.

Production numbers state that '43' were built in 1973
10 = 4-Speeds
33 = Automatics

Saying it was too fast for her, was an understatement. It was one of the quickest 'pure stock' Musclecars around.

Below, a 1973 Firebird Formula 455-SD.

http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/b/0/0...=1286159408000

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Paul, I know that there were not many of them, but I only have seen one that I knew for a fact was a SD formula . It did not even have the shaker hood . It had the twin scoop Formula hood on it with the SD455 call out letters on the scoops. No expert ,but seeing the picture you have, I have to assume the Formula cars could be had with the standard twin scoop or the shaker as an upcharge. I am sure there people know more about than I. Maybe the options where different between 73 and 74 ?

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Mr. Finespline,

Thanks for adding.

In 1973, you could get the Firebird as a

* Formula 455
* Formula 455 'Ram Air'
* Formula SD-455
* Trans Am

The 'Formula 455' had the fiberglass hood with the 'twin-scoops'.

The 'Ram Air' option had lettering on the side of each scoop.

But, the ultra-rare 'Formula SD-455' had the Trans Am style hood with reverse scoop,
with 'SD-455' lettered on the scoop.

My sister's car {she was only 17 at the time} was the Formula SD-455.

The car came through 'option ordered'
* Automatic Transmission
* Rear Spoiler
* Honeycomb Rally Wheels 'Gun-Metal Color' {15" x 7"}
* Firestone F60 x 15" Wide Oval R-W-L
* Power Windows
* Air Conditioning
* Power Steering
* Handling Package
* Power Front Disc-Brakes
* Special Order 3.73 Gears

It looked like this Model,


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

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

What year was the Herslow and Morloc Firebird?

They raced SS/JA and SS/KA and set records with the car and were very fast....

I visited John Herslow's place once looking for some parts for a 455 I was working on for a customer/friend...

He had two trailers full of Pontiac HP stuff.....

I bought a set of +.060 Venolia flatops.....

He had some very rare parts......and some that never saw the light of day.....

I worked as a Pontiac dealer mechanic in the mid to late 1970's and recall a few of those SD Firebirds coming in for service work White with blue trim is the one I recall best.......Way faster than the average T/A of that era.....

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

I purchased my original 70 hemi cuda from a guy in 1976 that needed a more family friendly ride. The car he was looking to buy when he sold the cuda was a blue & white 4 spd. 73 SD. I was 18 at the time
Not sure if he still owns it today, but I still own the cuda. I quess the term " family friendly" is really up to the descretion of the owner, because I met my wife in this car, got married in it, & both my kids grew up in the back seat of it, including having baby seats in it for a few years

Sorry for the hijack Paul. Just thought I'd share this

liteweight

Here's a pic of it taken a few years ago. I pulled the engine cause it was getting tired. It's an all #'s correct car
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...a/HPIM0270.jpg

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Thanks to all for adding,

What I remember about my sister's cars, is that the 'Front Valance' was fiberglass,
and it had a small wind-dam built into the lower section which looked pretty cool.

The Formula SD-455 car was very clean looking, and did not have all of the 'Billboard Graphics'
like the 'gaudy' Trans Am.

And the Black Interior, with the Rally Gage Dashboard, Bucket Seats and Center Console was a
General Motors 'gem package'.

The young guy who had owned it, was the original owner, and his father was the Sales Manager at
Lockwood Motors {Pontiac} in Peekskill, New York.

Since we were a Mopar Family, my sister became 'turn-coat' when she told my Father she wanted
that 1973 'red' Firebird instead of a 1973 Dart Sport 340.

But to be honest, we did not know how rare that 'Formula' SD-455 was, or how quick it was.

At the time, I had a 1969 'M-Code' 440 'Cuda with 3.91 Gears, which was one the quickest
'Street-Stock Cars' cars around.

But my younger sister could stay within a 'car-and-a-half' of me with the Formula SD-455 with
the 3.73 Gears in a straight-line race.

For general all-around driving, and racing on winding roads,,,,,,,,,,, she'd destroy me.

That red Firebird could fly...............

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

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Ed,

I was sent a PM.

In 1973, only '43'..... Formula SD-455 Firebirds were built.

* '10' - 4-Speeds
* '33' - Automatics

Only '1' Buccaneer Red {Code 75} was built, and my sister owned it...

If the Automatic was built with Air-Conditioning, the standard Rear-End
Gear Ratio from the factory was a 3.08.

But, you could order the Code #G92 {3.42} Performance Axle, or 'special order'
Dealer Installed Code #CG {3.73 Gears} which my sister's car came though with.

I was told that the 1973 SD-455 also came though with a 'special'
'PQ-Code' Turbo 400 Transmission.

Anybody know anything about the PQ-Code......

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Herslow and Morlock's E/SA Celluloid Hero was cover car, and had an article, in March 1976 SS&DI.

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Thanks, Mr. Run to Rund

Herslow and Morlock ran a 'Trans Am' SD-455

National Record Holder in E/SA {10.00 - 10.49 Wt/Hp}

The 'SD-455' 455/310 HP was refactored to 345 HP by NHRA.

My sisters car 'Formula SD-455' was lighter than the Trans Am, but still made it into the E/SA Class.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Super-stock-d...uLg~~60_57.JPG

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Thanks Again,,,,,,,,, Mr. Run to Rund

Herlsow & Merlock from Scotch Plains, New Jersey

1973 Pontiac Firebrd Trans Am SD-455 {455/310 HP} re-factored to 345 HP.

1975 = E/SA

National Record set at ATCO {September 1975}

11.89 @ 112.50 MPH

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/a...9&d=1224760358

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

I still have that magazine.
In fact most back to 1968

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Freddy Moore ordered a new Formula 455 SD thru Bendall Pontiac Alexandria, Va. in 1973 . I went with him to pick it up and he let me drive it home which kinda surprised me. If it had been me I would have wanted to be the first one in it. It was plain Jane white with black interrior and (4 speed). Little did we know at the time it would be only one of ten. Well it went thru all the changes most purpose built race cars go through. Starting with headers,slapper bars and slicks and ending up tubbed and converted to Trans Am skin for class advantage. There's a lot more to the story but bottom line it was sold off and God knows where it is today or if it still exists. I have a feeling it's a bracket car somewhere with a rat motor in it and the guy has no clue what it really is.

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Dan Fahey,, I have the complete SS&DI collection, as I'm sure many others on here do.
I'm also pretty sure many of us have extra copies that could fill in the holes in your collection, if you're wanting to do that,, heck, I've got 4 copies of the #1 Nov.'64 issue alone. Think about it, as your Classracer family can help you fill those boxes,,, and of course there are the swap meets and Ebay. My collection lingered up in the attic for about 30 years when I went and brought it out to look at, and realized I was only 28 issues away from having them all, as I bought occasionally off the magazine stands in the '60s and started my subscription in '74 until the end of the mag in May of '99. It took about a year and a half to pull it off, so it can be done. They're all nicely bagged and boxed nowadays.
Sorry for the momentary hijack, fellas,, I love the SD Firebirds too,, in fact the car in the photos does resemble Stock Eliminator champion Brad Burton's red Firebird, but I believe he runs a 400 combo.
Danny Durham

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

1973 Firebird Specification Sheet

I know my sisters Formula SD-455 was listed at #3470 lbs. or so
for Shipping Weight, and with the NHRA HP 'factor' of 345 HP
it just fit into E/SA.

http://ccco.s3.amazonaws.com/kb_phot...5_low_res.jpeg

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Paul: Are you sure of the car having 3.73 gears with the AC? It is my thought that 3.42 was the only gear available that year with the AC. Please correct me if I am wrong. Thank you.

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Don Kennedy, Mesa, AZ., raced a SD-455 in his SS/GT Gen III Firebird for years. Tremendous torque monster! In the end he raced it with the "new" Pontiac 428 which is even faster yet. I believe Don once owned a SD-455.

An old friend I haven't seen in 10+ years has a '74 Formula SD-455. It has to be one of the butt-ugliest ones built. It's a root beer brown light metallic color with a half vinyl top (the rear section). I can't remember if it was brown or black, I'm thinking brown. It was a loaded cruiser with auto trans, 3.08 gears, power everything. I can't recall the exact mileage on it but it was really low, well under 20K. In fact, I never saw Dave drive the car. I think he took it out maybe 1x per year.

Always wanted a '73 SD-455. Brewster Green looks pretty good on those!

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Jeff Lee,

You are correct.

The 1973 Formula SD-455, came though with 'Standard' 3.08 Gears
if the car was equipped with Air Conditioning.

You could order the Code #G92 'Performance Axle' {3.42 Gears} as an
option on the A/C equipped Formula SD-455.

Just how my sister's car got the Code #CG {3.73 Gears} was baffling,
because it was not on the Pontiac 'available option list'.

Not that it was a big deal at the time, as we never dug into the
"Who and How' it got that set of 3.73 Gears.

Later we were told that Lockwood Motors Pontiac, who were also
Pontiac Racers, performed a Dealer Installed 'option'.

Maybe the 3.73 Gears were placed 'in the trunk' from the Factory.

Though I'm a Mopar Guy, that Formula SD-455 was a sharp looking car,
and easy to drive.

Tuned up, and with the A/C and P/S belts removed, I'm positive
that car with 3.73 Gears could run 'Nuts On' 13.00's.

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Code #LS-2 {SD-455 Engine}

http://www.pontiacstreetperformance....SDengineln.jpg

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

I'm a strong Mopar guy but the prettiest car I've ever seen was a Brewster green '73 Trans Am SD 455 with saddle interior; $4,500.00 on a used car lot in Nashville.

Little known fact: in early brochures the 455SD was going to be available in the Tempest Body, later it was dropped.

JimR

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

I think the 70 - 73 Firebird models were one of the cleanest designs GM or Pontiac ever made. I have raced my 1973 Formula since I bought it in 1982. Running a 455 Super Duty engine is a tough deal because of the parts availability and cost. It is still a cool combination. Just ran it at the IHRA Pro-Am at Martin , Michigan this weekend.

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.

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Rich,

The 1973 Trans Am cars had the 'gaudy' Front Spoiler, and Front and Rear front-flared Wheel Wells, besides that 'funky' Bird hood decal.

The Formula 455 and Formula SD-455 cars had the cleaner looking front valance {fiberglass} with a small air-dam spoiler, all as one-piece.

As seen in the photo {Post #28}.

On all the EGR and Smog connections,,,,,,,,,, my father pulled all that stuff off, and disconnected the Air Conditioning Pump, and
removed it., replaced the Cast-Iron Intake with an Edelbrock Spead-Bore Intake, and played around with the 800 CFM Rochester carburetor..

Once the SD-455 Engine got warm, it was like somebody filled the gas tank with 'Jet Fuel'..........

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

The 403 Olds was used 1977-1979 in the Firebird and was available with automatic only. In 77 & 78 there was a 400 Pontiac engine available rated at 180 hp. In 78 & 79 a 400 "HO" Pontiac engine was available rated at 220 hp and available with a 4-speed only.

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Well I was close on the trans and engine combos....

To be honest those cars were really not good...

Many had T-Tops and they usually leaked.....The doors were huge and the cars had squeaks and rattles and were constantly brought in for these issues....

The T/A's were about the only muscle car left by then and fun to drive....

I liked the shaker hood and the big decal on there....

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

A Formula SD-455 with the 'rare' Option {Code #D98} ''Stripe Kit'

Which I believe was supplied by the ''Factory' and installed by 'Dealer'.

http://www.streetsideclassics.com/sc...pg&w=640&h=480

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

I've owned a blue '77 T/A that was a 403 Auto, a '78 black & gold 403 auto.
And I had a '79 white T/A that was a 400 4-speed with a worn out engine. The '79 400, with a worn out, smokey engine and probably a broken valve spring or two, was a faster car than either of those 403 / 180 HP POS's.

And a buddy had a '75 or '76 T/A 455 4-speed with A/C that was all stock. He bought it because it was the big engine and a 4-speed. Man, was that thing a pig! He didn't want to deal with making it fast so he didn't own it long.

Another buddy of mine worked at Mechum Pontiac in Glendale, AZ and he was in the paint shop and applied all the Macho T/A graphics. On slow days he put the headers on. By the time Mechum was done, you had a solid, low 14 second '77-'78 T/A (pontiac engine of course). I remember a a brown one (maybe an '80?) in the show-room that had full IMSA flares and a 350 SBC with a turbo (twin turbo?).

I guess because I graduated H.S in '78 and saw Smokey & the Bandit at the local drive-in, I'll always like those 3rd gen T/A's. I'd love to have any of the '70-'73 models. 4-speed mandatory of course! SD-455's will probably always be out of my budget.:(

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

I have a very good friend who is a Pontiac addict. He owns several '70-'77 Firebirds, one of which is a '74 Formula SD 4-speed that he restored. It was a low-mile car with all the original parts to begin with so the restoration was easy. Right after he bought it, we tooled around in it one evening and I was pleasantly surprised how much power that car had. The PO had installed headers and had some distributor-carburetor tweaking done, but it was basically stock. It helped me understand the mystique of the SD. The car is dark blue with factory leather interior (I didn't know they made such in 1974!) but without the 455-SD stickers on the hood, no indication what it is.

My favorite car he owns is a '71 455 HO that he smoked over with a lot of suspension mods and a motor that did 584 hp on the dyno. Lots of fun and will make you think you are a Trans-Am racer on open roads. He also owns the most optioned '69 GTO ever documented.

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

The 1973 SD-455 engines had the 'monster' cast-iron header-type
exhaust manifolds.

Big 1.625" Round-Port ]primary' openings and 2.50" collector outlet.

And nice-flowing 2.50" Exhaust Pipes

They really didn't need Headers for Street-Use.

http://www.jbp-pontiac.com/images/Headers/RM-4.jpg

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

Jake,

The 1973 Firebird 'Formula 455' was available in both the 455 and 'Ram Air' version.

http://www.oldbrockmusclecars.com/im...ormula-1_m.jpg

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

My name is Jacques Marier from JMRACING from Montreal
July 16 / 2016 at Napierville Dragway at the NHRA National Open with my 1974 trans am SD455 * PURE STOCK * IHRA car legal at 3838 lbs
11.87 / 113mph qualify 1st (In Canada NHRA accept IHRA race car ) ( 2 time IHRA national record holder in D/PS 2003-2005)

Re: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD
 

My name is Jacques Marier from JMRACING from Montreal
July 16 at Napierville Dragway at the NHRA National Open with my 1974 trans am SD455 PURE STOCK IHRA car legal at 3838 lbs
11.87 / 113mph qualify 1st (In Canada NHRA accept IHRA race car ) ( 2 time IHRA national record holder in D/PS 2003-2005)