1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455-SD

[Paul Ceasrine]

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.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

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, had the car 'special ordered'.

Maybe the 3.73 Gears were placed 'in the trunk' and installed at
the Dealership.

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.

Code #LS-2 {SD-455 Engine}

[treessavoy]

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

[ss3011]

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.

[Paul Ceasrine]

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.

[71Dartman440]

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...

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

[MWNorris]

"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...

[Charlie A]

Originally Posted by ss3011

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.

Nice!!!

[Paul Ceasrine]

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.

[Paul Ceasrine]

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.