1974. One car. That’s how Barrett-Jackson’s Steve Statham explained how the doomed muscle car era lasted as long as it did. “The muscle car era stretched as late as 1974 because of one car,” said Statham, and the car he was referring to is the SD 455 equipped Pontiac Firebird Formula and Trans Am. During these times of fuel-efficient and inexpensive to insure cars being hailed as the heroes, and high-performance V8s deemed the culprits, it’s almost hard to believe that Pontiac moved forward with the concept of a largely hand-built Super Duty 455 motor. But they didn’t build many of them, and to find a numbers-matching SD 455 equipped F-Body for sale is not an easy task. If you’ve dreamed of owning one of these rare beasts, you’re in luck, as this 1974 Pontiac Trans Am SD455 is looking for a new home. It’s located in Franklin, Tennessee, and can be seen here on Hemmings with a price tag of $98,000.
The numbers for 1974 SD 455 F-Bodies are low, very low- 943 to be exact- but of that number only 212 were 4-Speed cars. The Trans Am being offered for sale here ticks the manual box, plus Pontiac Historical Services has documented the car so everything seems to have checked out as stated. And as cool as the license plate is, perhaps the only better vanity idea I could have come up with might have been “SD 4SPD”, but maybe that’s too many characters! The car is said to have traveled only 60,857 miles in its nearly 50 years, and its equipped with the Limited Edition decal and stripe package, gold grille and headlight surrounds, and gold Honeycomb wheels.
The Trans Am retains its original numbers-matching legendary Super Duty 455, the top dog offering from Pontiac for 1974 which managed to last for two model years, as a few 1973 F-Bodies were also manufactured with this powerplant. Described as a thinly disguised race engine, goodies included a strengthened block, four-bolt main bearings, forged pistons, forged connecting rods, and nitrated crank which produced an advertised 290 horsepower. The car also has power steering, power brakes, and 3.42 rear-end gears. Air conditioning was not available from the factory on the 4-Speed SD 455 cars, but it has been added to keep things cool for summertime cruising.
Inside, the Trans Am has black corduroy seats, gold instrument panel trim, an AM/FM/8-Track stereo, power windows, power door locks, and a tilt steering column, so in addition to the elephant under the hood, this T/A has several nice cabin options as well. Not much is mentioned about the underside of the car, other than it has a new Gardner exhaust system, but 3 photos from down below are provided including this one, and from what can be seen things are looking to be overall well-preserved from the South. What are your thoughts on this 1974 Pontiac Trans Am SD 455?
It is a beautiful car with a beautiful engine.
I hope whoever buys it does not stick in on a pedestal (museum) somewhere, but actually drives and enjoys it. IMO a car like this deserves to be driven.
Where is the “Limited Edition” decal located? I can’t see it myself.
I think that was for the 1976 models…Pontiac’s 50th Anniversary.
Limited Edition ( L.E.) 1976 only 50th Anniversary for Pontiac. Had a Gold 76 Grand Prix also for 50th. 1977 Special Edition(S.E.) Trans Am’s ’till 1981 BEFORE any movie. LOL 1974 Had a special concept painted black with gold metal flake paint and gold accents, even had gold letter tires. LOL Looks like someone thought they would like to paint up their 74 as a S.E. with dark blue?
Hail to the chief! Poncho power forever!
Hard to believe the A/C system was added after production. The dash vents, controls and compressor look EXACTLY like a vehicle that came from the factory with air.
I can’t either. Maybe they mean the “PONTIAC” decal on the front windshield.
Nice car.
I was never a fan of those windshield decals announcing the brand of the car in giant block letters. Although I did come close to adding one to my MR-2, long ago. My plan was to buy a “BUICK” decal and mount it upside down across the top of the windshield. Fortunately, back then I sometimes didn’t give in to all of my urges.
There was a guy I new who had a beater ’66 Ford F100.
He put a “PORSCHE” one on his windshield.
Saw a windshield decal on a Chevrolet that said, “MY Cadillac”.
It’s a contender! Fierce suburban competition with that car. Hope it stays that way.
For that $ I’d rather own a 70 1/2 Camaro
Restored and have 40k left in the bank, thanks!
But then you’d still have just another’70-1/2 Camaro…
Nice looking car with a rare engine. Just wonder if it would be worth more if left original. Looks like it has the ‘76 special edition decal package minus the Pontiac 50th anniversary emblem along with the gold spoke steering wheel and dash
Back in the day, i got pulled over for having a CHROME JCWhitney top of the windshield banner with the car’s name on it. The cop had me remove it!!
I was not happy at all since my old car had no a/c & NO TINTED GLASS! lol
Imagine that happening today, when you consider what the tuners & motorcyclists get away with!
Rearding this t/a, odd the sd-455 decal on the valve cover is crooked.
Looking at the hood, I wonder if any ’77-81 SE t/a’s were built without a hood bird.
If you look carefully here
https://image.hmn.com/c6VWxE-NqMvdqbLJrhple3YKRxo=/900×0/uimage/83211506.jpg
this car still retains the driver’s non a/c kickpanel with the 2 lower push/pull knobs for DIRECT outside fresh air – i doubt they work anymore due to the change to fact a/c. But note the passenger side kick panel has been changed to 1 for a/c cars with no push pull knobs knobs.
The chicago auto show carblack t/a still exists & has a unique GOLD FOIL hood bird & gold lettering on the tires! & UNIQUE 1 of a kind fender & rear decals.
https://bangshift.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1974-Trans-Am-Chicago.jpg
https://1973-76transamconcept.com/history.html
https://1973-76transamconcept.com/info.html
Later, ’76 bumpers were added & even a ’76 rear curved window was fitted by hacking the sail panels!
Note the molded in wheel flares …
https://bangshift.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Schinella.jpg
You’re absolutely right, I used to get pulled over once a month for loud mufflers, I watched cops make ppl take off the tint in side windows in a park. It’s amazing how things have changed.
This was it, the last great Pontiac! Don’t know about hiding it away, but should be driven with care because it’s too rare to tear it up. A/C conversation was done well and shouldn’t hurt the value. Looks like it’s ready for a new caretaker.
Had to be one of the best factory offerings in 74. Sweet car. Corduroy seats 👍
Well I hope the buyer drives it,if I ever spent $98,000.on a car(that will never happen)I sure wouldn’t:-)
The a/c addition indeed looks factory, also note the turn signal stalk with “cruise” on it …cruise was not available with any manual shift car.
Correct. Cruise may have been added as an aftermarket?
If that ac system was added, great job. Sure looks factory to me. I graduated from high school in 1974. A rich kid got one for graduation in Admiralty Blue. I cannot recall if it was a 4 speed. For whatever reason, terrible performing Boss 429s sell for more than twice what these great Pontiacs do. A bucket list car for me.
a southern car
with Illinois plates?
Pontiac lied about the hp of that motor, way more than 290!
I knew 2 guys in So Cal that both had Buccaneer Red ones.
Way over-priced!!
Not over priced with only 212 made and a factory race motor and only made 2 years!
People pay more than that for much more common MOPARS.
Silver decals and wheels would look a lot better than the gold with that blue, my opinion… There looks like some rust issues as well in various areas… certainly not a $98K car…
Obviously, Steve Statham has no clue…he must have completely forgotten about the 1974 Plymouth Road Runner GTX and Dodge Charger Rallye with the 440 HP engines, or the Buick Gran Sport with the 455 Stage 1 option (among others). No, musclecars didn’t die in ’74, they just got de-tuned.
That being said, this was the best performer of the bunch.
Also, it is a nitrided crankshaft, not “nitrated”.