1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD

[Liteweight]

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]

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

[Paul Ceasrine]

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......

[Run to Rund]

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

[Paul Ceasrine]

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.

[Paul Ceasrine]

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

[Dan Fahey]

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

[Dan Lattimore]

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.

[jmracing]

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)

[jmracing]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

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

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)