It can be pretty easy to get so caught up in the facts and figures that demonstrate a classic car’s rarity that we lose sight of the vehicle itself and what makes it special. That could be the case with this 1973 Pontiac Trans Am because its engine, transmission, and paint shade lift it above the ordinary. It is an unmolested survivor, and its only apparent need is a new home. The seller has listed this rare classic here on eBay in Lincoln, Nebraska. The bidding has raced to $65,100, although that figure falls short of the reserve.
Trans Am buyers in 1973 were spoiled for choice when selecting a paint shade, with sixteen available on the regular color palette. This car’s original owner chose Brewster Green, and we will shortly discuss the significance of the color in context with other features selected by that person. Its presentation is impressive for a vehicle of this age, with no significant flaws in the panels or paint. The Pontiac recently emerged from a private collection where it had remained in climate-controlled storage. It is unclear whether it has been restored, but I wouldn’t rule it out. The sheltered existence has preserved its original steel, with the panels clean and the underside shots confirming this classic is rust-free. The chrome and Soft Ray tinted glass appear spotless, with the car rolling on its original Rally II wheels.
The Trans Am’s interior is as impressive as its exterior, with only some stretching on the driver’s seatcover confirming it has seen active duty. The remaining upholstered surfaces are excellent, with no wear or signs of abuse. The dash, console, and other plastic components haven’t deteriorated due to UV exposure, and the machine-turned fascia looks perfect. The buyer misses out on luxuries like power windows and locks, but the factory air conditioning and AM/FM radio are welcome inclusions.
The “daddy” of the engines Pontiac offered 1973 Trans Am buyers was the SD-455, which we find hiding under this classic’s hood. The original owner combined this monster motor with a three-speed automatic transmission, a Posi rear end, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. Emission regulations may have been biting deep by 1973, but this Trans Am could still storm the¼-mile in 14.3 seconds. At this point, it is worth touching on rarity, with the seller holding PHS documentation confirming this is 1-of-180 Trans Ams produced in 1973 with the SD-455/automatic drivetrain combination. These only wore three paint shades, which enhances this car’s rarity. The listing indicates it has a genuine 46,700 miles on the clock, although there is no mention of supporting documentation. We receive no information on how this Pontiac runs or drives, but the impression is that the news should be positive.
This 1973 Pontiac Trans Am is a rare beast, courtesy of its drivetrain combination and paint shade. However, it is far more than that. This tidy and well-preserved classic offers excellent performance from an era when the opposite was becoming the case. It would have turned heads and commanded respect in 1973, and its impact has only increased over the past five decades. This is a case where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and I believe there is a long way to go before bidding threatens the reserve. What do you think that figure will be?
When it rolled off the assembly line no one told this bad ride it was now the beginning of The Malaise Years. It still looks as mean as any previous with the menacing crouch of an animal stalking its prey. Kicking the Vette to the curb in the 1/4 mile was no easy feat but put a smile on more than one Poncho drivers face, no doubt. Too, there was no ridiculous Screaming Chicken plastered across the hood and fenders, no garish decals exclaiming it’s got something underneath that’s Bigger Than Yours, just gettin’ with the bizness of badness.
Sweet ride.
Great write , up great comment by Nevada, great Pontiac. 👍
Pontiac’s last true baddy. Dry sump oiling unit 310hp 495ft lbs. Nothing in 73 could touch it . I was ten years old when I first saw one. My father was a barber and one of his customers had just bought it. Unlike most people he allowed me to look it over from one end to the other. Even sit in it while he got his hair cut on a warm September Saturday. Took me for a ride because my birthday had been the day before. Best birthday present I’ve ever been given before or since. Whatever the price is it’s worth every penny.
310 my Ass!
Was WAY underrated.
That Rating was supposed to be at the rear wheels. The way around insurance woes and to fudge on epa. The same thing Plymouth started doing in 71.
Net HP, not gross HP.
All SDs were rated at 290 hp & 395 Torque in final Production form
About 4 years ago (not 40 years ago) some clown in New York was parting out a red SD455. I told him the car was worth more together than in parts due to the fact that 90% of the parts are regular firebird (46,000 Firebirds made in 1973) and very few SD455’s exist anymore. But instead of selling the complete car for $100k, he parted it out and made $20k…
Perhaps the Clown have stolen the SD and then made 20K!?
After seeing a 16k mile 74′ sell this year for north of $150k this one should easily go past that.there were over 3x as many made in 74′.
Me speaking to a used car dealer in 1980 with a black 74 SD 455/4 speed…”I don’t know..2,800 bucks Is alot to pay for a 6 year old car..I think I’d rather have one with the square headlights” Still kicking myself after 43 years!
MegaMillions drawing is tomorrow.
For true Pontiac fans, it just doesn’t get any better than this.
If it had John Wayne’s autograph on the glove box door, it would be a Double Holy Grail car.
I don’t think the one John Wayne drove was an SD. Still cool though!
No, the McQ movie car that John Wayne drove, was not an SD engine car.
But it did have the rare factory optional “Gun Safe” in the trunk………
A buddy of mine bought a ’74 SD-455 car, back i about 1980 or 81.
Admiral Blue with white interior. Previous owner went berserk with a DIY white SE style pinstripe kit, and an aftermarket shaker scoop, that was twice the original height, and bolted solid to the hood. Big Crager SS wheels in back and skinny up front. Turbo 400 trans with a high stall torque converter. When it hooked up, it took off like a Saturn 5 moon rocket.
This is one truly good looking ride. The wheels and the color absolutely make the package. Not a GM guy, but rocking this around the neighborhood could certainly make me into one.
Will it make it back to Chicago if we drive Miss Daisy???
The 310-horsepower version of the 455 engine that made these cars famous in the hands of Car and Driver and Hot Rod magazines never made it to the customers. The ringer cars sent to the magazines for testing had old Ram Air IV camshafts that didn’t make it to production for the 1973 SD 455, but the legend was born. Incidentally, Motor Trend covered the quarter mile in 15 seconds at 98 miles per hour driving an automatic 1973 SD 455 T/A. Maybe that was more representative of what you could buy.
If you’re saying these cars didn’t even have 310hp u are mistaken.
I know a Pontiac engineer in So Cal that had one and it was fast as Hell and all stock.
The “SD”455 was literally a race motor that had NOTHING in common with a regular Pontiac 455.
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1973-pontiac-trans-am-sd-455
Here’s a reference, but I read it in Car and Driver back in the day too. The production cars were rated at 290, although that might not have come close to covering what was lost with the cam shaft. Depending on the source, the production cars had between 8.25 and 8.4 to 1 compression ratios too. Ever hear of a naturally aspirated post-war racing engine with an 8.4 to 1 compression ratio?
I posted a reply with a reference, but apparently if violated the rules here. On the Hemmings website, there is an article stories/article/1973-pontiac-trans-am-sd-455 that documents that the production cars were never particularly hot. Without the Ram Air IV cam, they were claiming 290 horsepower, and they weren’t dramatically faster than contemporary Z28s or Corvettes. The reputation was based on cars that were never sold. Without any lobe overlap, they were just station wagon engines with 8.4 to 1 compression ratios and 4 barrel carburetors.
Actually, the article I meant to link to is on Hagerty: Unlikely Hero: Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and Formula SD-455
That’s right,they were a round port,open chamber head.Only Ram Air,HO and Super Duty had these style of heads,the Super Duty made great power for only having 8:4.1cr.They made more like 375-400hp and the 4spd cars could do 0-100mph in about 10 sec.
0-100 in 10 seconds on the way to a 13.7 quarter mile at 104 mph? Mind you that was the car that was only made for the magazines.
Not knowing specifically what the SD was all about, a little searching brought me to this:
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/pon-0505-inside-455-super-duty/
Very interesting!
Mark,
Did u go to Bishop Borgess High In Detroit?
I’m looking at a ’70 Trans Am with the 400/automatic… beautiful white/blue combo… and a lot less money, but still enough that I have to convince the wife…lol… ugh.
Convince. Her.
(The best looking American car ever made, in my opinion.)
Should easily bring $150k+ in today’s market
Just a Absolutely GEORGEOUS car……..and that saddle interior go’s well with the Brewster Green color.
The seller just had it listed with a buy it now or best offer of. $74900.00. The listing is gone but I did get a screenshot of it…I wonder if was a mistake or he’s getting greedy.
Having worked in a Pontiac store when these were new. (And had a very cool General Manager that had a fake 1962 Catalina 421SD) I was able to drive many performance Pontiacs from the 1970 to 1975 vintage. Real 455 SD ‘Birds were animals and great fun. BUT, I never drove a 455SD car with an automatic that wasn’t a disappointment in the power department. (maybe the automatics weren’t “real SD cars? If the seat of my pants is any indication they weren’t.
My thoughts as well. The 71 400 could easily dust the SD ! No matter they are sweet rides !
There’s two factors probably influencing the stated 1/4 times.A driver who may have been sandbaggin’ at the end of the track,letting their foot off the gas too early and 1970s tires,they’ve come a long ways in 50yrs.