1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD

[Rich Biebel]

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....