1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD

Paul Ceasrine · 08-10-2013, 12:48 PM

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.

FINESPLINE · 08-10-2013, 02:29 PM

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 ?

Paul Ceasrine · 08-10-2013, 03:50 PM

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,

Rich Biebel · 08-10-2013, 06:33 PM

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.....

Liteweight · 08-10-2013, 08:10 PM

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

Paul Ceasrine · 08-10-2013, 08:55 PM

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...............

bigsixman · 08-12-2013, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

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"}
* 'RTS" Radial Tuned Suspension {GR70 x 15" Tires}
* Power Windows
* Air Conditioning
* Power Steering
* Handling Package
* Power Front Disc-Brakes
* Special Order 3.73 Gears

It looked like this Model,

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.

Jeff Lee · 08-12-2013, 01:56 AM

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!

Paul Ceasrine · 08-12-2013, 08:06 AM

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.

08-10-2013, 12:48 PM	#1
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	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. Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 08-12-2013 at 12:18 AM.

08-10-2013, 02:29 PM	#2
FINESPLINE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Island of high taxes, N.Y. Posts: 541 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	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 ? Last edited by FINESPLINE; 08-10-2013 at 02:30 PM. Reason: misspelling

08-10-2013, 03:50 PM	#3
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	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, Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 08-13-2013 at 09:02 AM.

08-10-2013, 06:33 PM	#4
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,312 Likes: 25 Liked 543 Times in 212 Posts	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..... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R Last edited by Rich Biebel; 08-10-2013 at 06:39 PM.

08-10-2013, 08:10 PM	#5
Liteweight VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,280 Likes: 23 Liked 31 Times in 19 Posts	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 Last edited by Liteweight; 08-10-2013 at 08:22 PM.

08-10-2013, 08:55 PM	#6
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	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............... Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 08-11-2013 at 12:22 AM.

08-12-2013, 01:56 AM	#8
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	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! __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

08-12-2013, 08:06 AM	#9
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	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. Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 08-13-2013 at 09:05 AM.