To be sold at the Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction on March 8, 2013. For further details please visit www.goodingco.com or contact a vehicle specialist at 001.310.899.1960 or specialist@goodingco.com.
Engine Specifications:
455 CID OHV Super Duty V-8 Engine
Single Rochester 4-Barrel Carburetor
290 BHP (Estimated 350 BHP) at 4,000 RPM
4-Speed Wide-Ratio Manual Gearbox
Front-Vented Disc Brakes, Rear Drums
Independent Coil-Spring Front Suspension
Live Rear Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
About this Car:
It is only fitting that Pontiac, whose GTO gave rise to the muscle car movement in 1964, was responsible for building the last great American performance car of the era – the Trans AM Super Duty 455 of 1973.
The Firebird Super Duty shared little with other 455s, and many of its internal components were sourced from Pontiac’s 366 NASCAR engine. Utilizing a stronger block with iron four-bolt mains, forged-steel connecting rods, aluminum pistons, high-flow heads and manifolds, and a Ram Air III camshaft, the Firebird was essentially a full-race engine detuned for street use. Conservatively rated at 290 bhp, the Firebird easily developed more than 350 bhp in stock form and careful tuning released more than 500 bhp.
In a May 1973 test, a street-legal, automatic 455 Super Duty posted a 13.7-second quarter mileat103.6mphandacceleratedfrom0–60in 5.4 seconds. When pitted against the Mustang Mach 1, AMC Javelin, Buick Special GS, and Dodge Charger in a later contest, the Firebird made quick work of its competition, recording the highest top speed, the fastest quarter mile, and the quickest 0–60 sprint.
According to PHS Automotive Services, Inc., this Pontiac Firebird was originally ordered by the Cerami Pontiac Corporation of Paramus, New Jersey, and equipped with the best high- performance options available.
Originally finished in Cameo White with black bucket seats, this car was specified as a Trans Am and optioned with the legendary Super Duty 455 engine, wide-ratio four-speed gearbox, heavy-duty radiator, heavy-duty battery, tintedglass,engineturnedinstrumentpanel, stereo radio, roof molding, lamp group, and padded Formula steering wheel. With nearly every expensive option selected, this Firebird cost its original owner more than $5,200.
Always kept in appreciative hands, this highly optioned Firebird Trans Am was owned by Dan Mazzoncini and noted Pontiac collector Stephen Lesko before being acquired by the current owner, a knowledgeable collector and vintage racer.
According to the consignor, this exceptional Super Duty 455 retains its original body panels and benefits from a complete rotisserie restoration performed by Cummins Restoration of Grand Haven, Michigan. Accompanied by its original matching-numbers engine block, the Trans Am is currently powered by a correct Super Duty 455 rebuilt by Joe Caroto of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This rare Firebird Trans Am possesses all the qualities that collectors look for in an important Pontiac muscle car and is also offered with a full PHS report and owner’s manuals.
In total, Pontiac built just over 4,800 Firebird Trans Ams for the 1973 model year. Of those, only 252 examples were optioned with the top-of-the-line Super Duty 455, and from this limited supply a mere 72 were further equipped with the desirable four-speed manual gearbox. Among the best of a very rare breed, this four- speed SD 455 represents the ultimate in Pontiac performance and remains one of the most iconic American muscle cars ever built.
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