1974 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty

The year was 1974, the Camaro had lost its big block, the Mustang was powered by a 4 cylinder and the biggest engine in the Challenger was a 360ci V8. However, Pontiac was still producing powerful Trans Ams and, although the base engine was a weakened 400 cid V8 engine, a buyer could still opt for a Y code 455ci V8 or the King of the Hill X code Super Duty 455ci V8. Pontiac produced 212 SD 455 Trans Ams that were equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission and 731 SD 455 Trans Ams with the Turbo 400 automatic transmission in 1974. Pontiac rated the engine at 290 horsepower, but most enthusiasts and experts agree that the engine was underrated. Motor Trend ran the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds in 1973 with an SD 455 equipped Trans Am. Production could not keep up with demand and once Pontiac experienced engine rod shortages, they canceled the Super Duty program and the true muscle days were on hold.

For consignment, one of 943 produced in 1974, and one of the 731 equipped with the TH400 automatic option, we proudly present to you the 1974 Trans Am Super Duty. With a 455ci SD V8 and an automatic transmission we have an original car with a correct but not numbers matching engine. Also, the scooped hood, factory AM/FM/8 Track, full PHS documentation, registered in the Super Duty registry since 1986, and those iconic honeycomb wheels. Time to release the screaming chicken into the hallowed halls of the Classic Auto Mall.

Exterior
Looking closely at the fit and finish of this car it definitely has seen some action in its days. There are some touch ups, some cracks in the neoprene filler panel between the header panel and the front bumper, and plenty of stone chips on the lower body, but the Buccaneer Red paint retains its shine, and shows no rust. The screaming chicken decal shows nicely with minimal to no fading. A scooped hood with a 455 SD badge emblazoned on the scoop sits between the chicken and the chrome trimmed front glass. Flared wheel wells frame the honeycomb wheels, and a snazzy rear spoiler brings up the rear. Body matching bumpers are nicely preserved and utilize black rubber bands to stay within the 5mph bumper mandate. Dual chrome tip tubes peek out from under the rear bumper, and the double type badging is all looking just fine. A shout out to the trunk with its space saver spare tire and original and not reproduced trunk mat.

Interior
Grabbing the chromed and red stickers door handle we open up to a world of black vinyl panels and a large storage tray at the bottom of each long door. Inside the seats are covered with new black vinyl covers and sure looks great on the buckets and rear 2 plus bench. Black covers most of the surfaces such as the carpet, dash and dash top as well as the original steering wheel. Black faced gauges sit in an aluminum panel that has the machined swirl pattern worked into it for extra texture along with the heater and A/C, (which has been converted and blows cold), slide controls, air vents and unheard of today, a cigar lighter. A new headliner in black perforated vinyl has been installed and presents with some minor wrinkling throughout.

Drivetrain
Lifting the long lean Shaker hood we are met with a non-original 455ci Super Duty block, casting number 490132, that was cast on the 3rd of January 1973 and carries the correct Y8 stamping code. It has the stock correct heads (#16) and is topped with the correct Super Duty intake and a 4-barrel Quadrajet carb. A numbers matching TH 400 3-speed automatic transmission is on back and a GM 10-bolt 3.08 posi rear axle. A point to note, the correct, original, and impossible to find "hairy" air ducting to feed the engine air is present and accounted for.

Undercarriage
Looking good underneath with little to no rust, strong unibody, rust free floor pans, and all buttoned up rust free rockers. Power disc brakes are up front and power drums are attached to the rear. A dual exhaust system is seen and it has stock style mufflers attached. We note independent coil springs for the front suspension and leaf springs for the rear.

Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and we were off. Only minor rattles, typical for an F-body General Motors vehicle were noted. The car accelerated nicely and grabbed the road and handled well. Overall, a pleasurable experience, all functions operational and I especially enjoyed belting out tunes along with the boys from BTO courtesy of the 8 Track player.

SD455 is the word for this bird, and with nice decals, very good paint, a great interior, and that massive 455 cuber up front. Like being in a time machine of our last gasp of a true muscle car, of course until current technology has our economy cars keeping pace with this mid 70's muscle. Me personally...I'll take the SD any day over a jellybean styled Camry.

VIN DECODE
2V87X4N164533
2-Pontiac
V-Trans Am
87-2 Door Sport Coupe
X-455ci V8 4bbl 290hp Super Duty
4-1974
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
164533-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
ST 74 2FS87-1974 Firebird 2 Door Sport Coupe
BDY N239813-Norwood Body #
TR 576 A51-Black Vinyl Buckets
PNT 75-Buccaneer Red
07A-1st Week July Build
WS4-Trans Am

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.