Key Takeaways
A bold raw eggcrate grille decorated the front end of the radical Firebird , Esprit , and the 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula ; but something far bolder could be gather beneath the Formula ’s lens hood . Instead of the standard 350 - Criminal Investigation Command V-8 a few lucky ethnic music got the young Super - Duty 455 .
Pontiac Firebird Image Gallery
Most of the 1295 SD-455 motor issued in 1973 - 74 went into Trans Ams , but a hundred found their elbow room into Formulas ( 43 of those in 1973 models ) . ab initio range at a banging 310 nethorsepowerat 4000 rev , most SD-455 engine actually held a milder camshaft and quantify 290 H.P. .
Among other goodies , the SD-455 had a stronger city block , four - dash primary bearings with provision for teetotal - sump lubrication , formulate rods , and TRW piston . An SD-455 could speed to 60 sea mile an hour in under 5.5 seconds – astounding for this era of declining execution – and launch the quarter - mile in as little as 13.8 seconds , even with automatic .
Once again , the " ordinary " 455 - Criminal Investigation Command V-8 ( detuned to 250 horsepower ) came standard in Trans Ams , which could have afour - fastness manualor Turbo Hydra - Matic and Safe - T - Track . Trans Am hood goop now were stymy off , thus nonfunctional .
radiate - plytireswere available on both the Formula and Trans Am . Even if performance was droop a spot , Trans Ams could scarcely fail to capture tending with their unexampled , monstrous hood decal .
Firebird volume climb sharply , and Pontiac ’s overall sales hit a platter – but then come the OPEC oil embargo , which threatened to impound the concluding nail in the coffin of performance motoring . Fortunately for Firebird devotees , Pontiacfailed to respond to the calls for temperance .
