1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455 - SOLD
     
  • Overview & History
  • Specifications
  • Image Gallery
With a rumbling 455 under the hood, lots of documentation, and a driving experience that is almost like new, you’re going to be very impressed by just how much car you get for the money with this awesome coupe.

This 1973 Pontiac Firebird is one of those times where it’s a big mistake to judge a book by its cover. To show you what I mean by that, pause your reading here and go take a look at the chassis and interior photos of this fantastic Firebird. Go ahead, I’ll wait… Back? It’s unbelievably well-preserved and nicely detailed, isn’t it? In fact, this 73,000-original mile car turns out to be one of the best F-bodies we’ve ever featured. With a rumbling 455 under the hood, lots of documentation, and a driving experience that is almost like new, you’re going to be very impressed by just how much car you get for the money with this awesome coupe.

The reason we’re telling you all this is because everyone overlooks the good stuff and judges a car at a glance, and that’s a mistake. The paint on this car was refinished in the 1980s and uses what was, at the time, some pretty trick stuff. There’s a ton of pearl in the finish, so it’s got a creamy white look under strong lighting that fades to gold on the various contours whenever the light moves. It’s not like modern paint, it’s a custom finish that would have looked right at home on a car at the Auto-Ramas of the late 1970s. It’s definitely a little out there, but to be honest, most folks won’t notice until the sun goes down. The good news is that the sheetmetal underneath is spectacular, without a ripple or wave and certainly never any rust, because it’s laser-straight. We see no evidence of panel replacement or patches and those big Firebird doors fit rather well and close without a big slam. The awesome twin-snorkel hood was available as part of the Firebird package and is original to the car, along with the ducktail spoiler out back. The Endura front bumper and grille assembly is likewise original and showing some cracks and crazing in the paint, but no damage or other issues and it would be relatively easy to touch it up if it’s perfection you seek. The rear bumper is excellent, the stainless shines up beautifully, and someone has thoughtfully added ‘Formula 455’ emblems on the front fenders to better advertise what’s going on under the hood.

The all-original interior is simply amazing. You’d think there was 7300 miles on the car instead of 73,000 given the condition of the seats, carpets, and door panels, but it’s obvious that someone really loved this car. Deeply bolstered buckets are as comfortable as they look and show minimal wear—even the foam underneath is still firm! Door panels are likewise in awesome condition without so much as a dent where the driver’s elbow might have been resting for the past 44 years. There’s a little scuffing along the top of the storage pockets on the driver’s side and one of the pull strap’s end covers is missing, but those are very minor nits to pick in a very impressive interior. The options list is fairly long, including a center console, full gauges (all operational, by the way—even the clock!), and an AM/FM/8-track stereo setup that could stand to be upgraded but just looks so cool there under the dash. There are rubber GM floor mats on the carpets to keep them clean and the wood appliques on the dash are bright and crisp, not faded. The back seat looks completely unused and like new and the trunk is outfitted with the original mat and a full-sized spare tire with jack assembly.

We have the PHS paperwork and window sticker, and yes, this car originally came with a 350. In fact, we have the original, numbers-matching engine that goes with the car just in case you’d like to take it back to 100% stock. But we’re guessing that once you try this one on for size and experience the bottomless reserves of torque available from the 455, well, you’ll probably stop worrying about it. The engine was rebuilt about two years ago and has less than 2000 miles on it, and it’s obvious that they went to great lengths to make it look completely OEM. There’s a correct twin snorkel air cleaner assembly up top, complete with ‘455-4 High-Performance’ decal on the lid, corporate turquoise engine enamel, and nice little details like the tower hose clamps used throughout. A big 4-barrel carburetor up top gives it instant throttle response and there’s a bit of a cam inside, so it has a high-performance idle that sounds wicked. Even the original heat shields on the exhaust manifolds were retained and a fresh valve cover decal installed to really complete the factory look. Options include power steering and brakes, so it’s easy to handle around town, but this engine is quite a bit more powerful than anything you could buy in 1973—the builder estimates it at about 425 horsepower. Yeah, it’s got guts!

It’s backed by a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission that was rebuilt at the same time, so it snaps off crisp shifts, both up and down, and with 2.73 gears and a Posi limited slip in the 10-bolt rear end, the car is still plenty potent on the roll with all that torque on tap. Nevertheless, it smooths out for the highway and cruises along effortlessly at modern highway speeds and never seems busy or over-stressed. Part of that comes from the fresh dual exhaust system, which uses an OEM-style transverse muffler and Trans Am type double chrome tips. And while you’re looking around down there, just take another moment to admire the beautifully detailed chassis, which looks like it belongs under a concours piece. Red oxide floors, new lines and hoses, fresh bushings, proper markings, reproduction tags, and bright hardware all add up to a car with no stories, no excuses, and a ton of potential because someone has already invested a great deal of cash in getting it right. Even the awesome honeycomb wheels are restored, not reproductions, and carry relatively recent 215/70/15 Firestone radials.

Documentation is also quite extensive, including PHS paperwork, window sticker, and service receipts.

This is a great opportunity to score a very high-quality car that has already been extensively restored to an incredible standard, all at a very reasonable price. The engine runs beautifully, the interior is almost like new, and it has never, ever been rusty. If you like the looks of a ’73, this one is either an awesome car to enjoy as-is or give it a repaint to make it one of the very best of its kind anywhere in the country. The more we look, the more we like this beautiful ‘Bird. Call today!

Vehicle: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455
Price: SOLD
Stock Number: 114049
Odometer Reading: 73,029
VIN: 2U87JN3N133818
Engine: 455 cubic inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Gear Ratio: 2.73
Wheelbase: 108 inches
Wheels: 15-inch Honeycomb
Tires: 215/70/15 Firestone radial
Exterior Color: Cameo White Pearl
Interior Color: Tan vinyl
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