There are few cars that match the timeless beauty of the second generation Firebird. Pontiac built the second generation Firebird from 1970 to 1981 and offered it four models – the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula and Trans Am. In 1973, the Pontiac Formula had three submodels – Formula 350, Formula 400 and Formula 455. Curvette sent us this amazing 1973 Pontiac Formula 455. It has been owned by the seller since 1995 and completely restored and modified. The seller is asking $34,000 for the car and it is located in Kent, Washington near Seattle. The car has been listed for about 10 days here on Craigslist.
The seller has done a tremendous amount of work on the driveline. The Pontiac 455 cubic inch V8 engine has been bored out to 468 cubic inches and modified with forged pistons, aluminum Edelbrock heads, fuel injection and headers. The Craigslist ad lists in detail all the improvements done to the engine including a 150 shot of nitrous. In stock form, this engine was rated at 250 horsepower and 380 lb ft of torque. With all the modifications, this car should be well over 600 horsepower and the nitrous is just a bonus. The seller states that his or her best quarter mile has been 11.15 seconds at 130 mph.
The interior appears stock but has a fantastic stereo system and an aftermarket shifter. The interior has been completely redone. All the glass and weatherstripping has been replaced. The seller is looking for a new home for this car after spending 30 years modifying the car for every project that he or she wanted to do. The paint on the car is not stock. It is PPG single stage Dodge Viper Red with multiple coats of clear. For the paint, the body was stripped to bare metal and only one rust repair was needed with a small patch panel.
I also own a 1973 Pontiac Formula 455. My understanding is that 730 Formulas were built with the L75 Y code 455 cubic inch V8 engine in 1973. A total of 10,166 Formulas were built in 1973 which was more than twice the number of Trans Ams. My car is modified too and is backed by a Tremec 5 speed manual transmission. However, this car has a roll bar, nitrous and many more fantastic modifications. The seller states that they have kept driveability in mind while building this street/strip car. What do you think of this beautiful car?
Wow 11.5@130. That’s fast. I’d be tempted to put on some less flashy rims and have a real street sleeper. 🏁 Thanks BJ, have you taken your 5sp Formula down the track?
This is a really nice car, it was well thought out and executed. The ad reads like the seller didn’t spare any expenses, it may not be to everyone’s taste, but it was built to satisfy him and him alone. The price is very reasonable if the ad represents its actual condition and quality. There are a lot worse cars featured on this site with higher asking prices. The next owner will have done well.
An ET of 11.15 and MPH 130 is what you see out of cars making a lot of horsepower but lacking traction.
Steve R
High trap speed Steve 🏁
That’s because it was running nitrous at that speed. It will run more mph than a naturally aspirated car. Really about right. My mustang ran 11.17 at 129 with a 1.72 60′ on drag radials. Not great but also not spinning. So, in the ballpark with spray. Kinda like a turbo car. Lots of mph.
A rare car all by itself taken to a very high performance level for sale for a lot less than he probably has in it. I think these early second gen firebirds are the best of the bunch.
Wow! Sweet ride! I wonder if i change the rear gears to 3.73 i bet it would hit high 10’s or better! I feel the price is fair with all the work done,and proof done on this Bird. It’s a shame its on the west coast I am on the east. Would love to see this in person. Well good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
Not necessarily. Pontiac engines make a lot of torque, they don’t necessarily need to run through the RPM range quicker. If you look up horsepower calculators online, they don’t use ET, the use trap speed (MPH). A trap speed of 130 is what a well sorted low-10 second car will run. This car needs more suspension work, not a gear change.
Steve R
He might be going easy on the ring gear, holding off on the nitrous until the 60′. I know I’d be worried about that 10 bolt. Given how much has gone into this build, it seems out of place to me.
It is a corporate (BOP) 10 bolt, which is much stronger than a regular 10 bolt.
My 71 455HO Trans Am has the same rearend.
You are right. Before aftermarket housings became common the 8.5 10 bolt was the go to rear end if you couldn’t find/afford a 12 bolt. Aftermarket support was strong. That changed over time after Currie, Moser and other became popular and their prices came down.
Steve R
Steve R and Melton Mooney thanks. Then I was thinking Caltracs Suspension in the back to make it squat and grab and go. 10 bolts i would go 12 bolts to handle the power. But if the seller been going to the track with the 10 bolt its holding up but , for how long. I still would go 3.73 with the suspension hook up. I am not a fan of Nitro I am all motor. The only setup I would do is Procharger. But this motor sound like a beast to run!I had a 70 442 with 455 M21 4 speed 3.90 12 bolt and this baby would fly. One time I cracked the right rear rail pulling the wheels up. I miss the old days. I am 67 still hot rodding around. My wife not happy what I do!😂😂
Take my money! (If I had any extra)