Restored Documented Numbers Matching Trans Am SD455

By now you've probably realized that RK Motors Charlotte employs quite a few diehard Pontiac fans. I mean, after all, RKMC does attract people who bleed 100 octane racing fuel; and Pontiac, at its core, was completely dedicated to selling outrageous metal to serious gearheads. So naturally, we can't help but melt like a hot tire in a staging lane when we find a vintage tin indian like this investment grade Trans Am Super Duty. Completely detailed, and highly accurate throughout, this pristine big block Poncho features factory air conditioning, a stack of historic documentation, and is 1 of only 180 '73 Super Duties equipped with an automatic transmission. If you missed the opportunity to take home our "RKM Performance restored SD-455":http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold#!/1973-Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-Am-Super-Duty/132078 a few months ago, this badass Cameo Firebird is your second chance to become king of the muscle car hill!

Now, about that stack of historic documentation. Here's how the car's original window sticker, which is included with the sale, breaks down:

PONTIAC TRANS AM HARDTOP COUPE

----- Equipment included at no extra charge -----
* 455 cubic inch V8 that's equipped with a 4-barrel carburetor
* 4-speed transmission
* Power steering
* Power disc brakes
* Bucket seats
* Custom carpets
* Formula steering wheel
* Rally gauges that include both a clock and a tachometer
* Body color rearview mirrors
* Dual exhaust that's equipped with chrome extensions
* Safe-T-Track differential
* Handling package that's complete with F60x15 tires
* Rally II wheels that are equipped with trim rings
* Rear spoiler
* Black grille
* Recessed dual speed wipers with built in washers
* Endura front bumper
* Dual horns
* Ashtray lamp
* And many more

----- Optional equipment -----
* Soft Ray glass ($37)
* Front floor mats ($7)
* Rear floor mats ($6)
* Door edge guards ($6)
* Custom air conditioning ($397)
* Front seat console ($57)
* 455 cubic inch Super Duty V8 that's equipped with a 4-barrel carburetor ($521)
* Tilt steering wheel ($44)
* GR70x15 white letter, steel belt radial tires ($80)
* Stereo 8-track player ($130)
* AM radio ($65)
* Delete functional Ram Air (-$27)
* Hood decal ($55)
* Custom Trim Group ($77)
* --- Trunk fitted floor mat
* --- Door handle décor
* --- Custom bucket seats
* --- Custom rear seat
* --- Custom interior appointments

MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $4,203.75

DESTINATION CHARGE: $206

TOTAL OPTIONS: $ 1,455

TOTAL PRICE: $5,864.75

Assembled at GM's Norwood, Ohio manufacturing facility, and delivered to John Kralovetz via Bill Mowbray Motors in Brownsville, Texas, this awesome F2 Trans Am's factory correct appearance is simply spectacular. Thanks to spending most of its life in the warm and dry climate of the Southwestern United States, the car's rounded body was fairly straight when its restoration began; and given that body's distinct lack of rust, it should come as no surprise that panel gaps are excellent and fit feels rock solid. Of course, by the looks of this Pontiac's super smooth finish, someone must've spent weeks alone blocking and sanding every one of its panel in hopes of forming a laser-straight showpiece. And once the car's correct coat of Cameo White urethane was sealed in a glossy clearcoat shell, decorated with correct Trans Am call-outs and crowned with a coveted Screamin' Chicken hood decal, I'd say they definitely accomplished that goal. Today, with a high quality restoration that left no bolt unturned, and a unique visual sizzle that's as classy as it is aggressive, this top notch Super Duty is a highly desirable example of a major milestone in Pontiac history!

1973 was a defining year for the Firebird. Sales were slow and new 'low speed' crash mandates required that the car either be completely redesigned or jump on the bandwagon of hideous and hastily done nose jobs that were creeping into every automakers showroom. GM refused to spend the money on redesigning the car because of its low sales; and fortunately, Pontiac had a talented engineering staff which managed to blend both functionality and style into the car you see here. Up front, a straight and glossy Endura bumper hangs a familiar 2-piece Pontiac grille between clear halogen headlights and chrome trimmed parking lights. At the top of the car, a great looking “SD-455” branded shaker sits in front of pristine, Soft Ray glass that's bordered by well-maintained stainless trim. At the sides of the car, body-matched sport mirrors hang between traditional Pontiac fender vents, correctly inlayed door handles and correct white fender flares. And at the back of the car, an optional decklid spoiler hangs a small “SD-455” decal above a centered “PONTIAC” script, a pair of pristine exhaust tips, the last set of 'small' tail lights to ever adorn a Trans Am rear valence, and a fresh copy of the final chrome bumper to ever adorn a Firebird or Trans Am of any kind.

The heart of any brawny muscle car is its engine, and this Firebird's Super Duty moniker is not a misnomer. These largely hand-built monsters, which featured significantly reinforced components, share little more than a displacement number with their more common brothers. And this car's highly detailed SD-455, which hangs a correct 490132 casting number and a November (K) 11th (11) of 1972 (2) casting date behind a correct XD engine stamp, has been bored .030 over, completely balanced and fully rebuilt to all its showroom glory. At the top of that big engine, a traditional Trans Am underhood induction system feeds fresh air to a correct 4-barrel carburetor that's bolted to a correct Pontiac intake. That intake sends a high octane air/fuel mixture into unique, high flow cylinder heads which have been equipped with Crane 1.65 roller rockers, high quality ARP rocker studs and traditional stamped steel valve covers. And those heads utilize a nodular iron crankshaft, Clevite main bearings, Clevite rod bearings, ARP Speedpro pistons and rings, and an NOS “Y” camshaft to create rocket-like combustion. Spark for that combustion is provided by a traditional points distributor which shoots fire through correct Packard TV R Suppression wires. Waste from that combustion is handled by fully restored exhaust manifolds which roar into a stainless true dual exhaust system. And heat from that combustion is controlled by a leak-free radiator which is hooked to fresh hoses via correct tower clamps and a correct plastic fan shroud. Aesthetically, this Trans Am's first class engine bay is 100% ready for show. The block itself displays a slick coat of correct blue paint all the way from its intake to its oil pan. The car's fenders, firewall and hood are covered in a combination of smooth GM satin black paint and correct Cameo White overspray. And niceties such as a newly freshened air conditioning system, a new brake booster, a high quality Melling oil pump, and a full set of correct decals are found in all the right places.

At the bottom of this slick second generation Firebird, solid floorpans reflect years of sunny southwest living and a fully sorted suspension tells the story of excellent maintenance and very little storage time. Behind the monster motor a virtually indestructible GM Turbo-Hydramatic 400 transmission, which wears a 1973 (73) Super Duty-specific (P2Q) tag and a correct partial VIN, sends power to a familiar 10 bolt Safe-T-Track rear end that does a great job on both the back roads and the interstate. Below that stellar powertrain a rebuilt Trans Am suspension, which includes power steering, thicker sway bars, better shocks and stiffer springs, combines with standard issue power front disc and rear drum brakes to provide quick stops and great handling. And at the center of the car, a power boosting true dual exhaust system utilizes an X-pipe crossover and welded Magnaflow mufflers to bark out a deep, vintage roar. All this road ready hardware rolls on a restored set of Pontiac Rally II wheels which spin proven 235/60 BF Goodrich Radial T/As around pristine arrowhead center caps. And everything under this classic is restored, tagged and painted just as it would've left the factory.

In terms of interior décor, Pontiac's 70s team was firing on all eight cylinders. While this car's hood decal may be considered gaudy overkill, and its horsepower rating might seem relatively modest compared to earlier muscle cars, there's no disputing the beauty of its design. The rebuilt custom bucket seats are supple, firm, and look every bit as nice and rich as their name implies. Below those seats, like-new carpet, which is carefully protected by thick rubber mats, displays no fading or unraveling; and between those seats, a molded black console props an enclosed storage bin behind a chrome shifter and a factory correct 8-track player. At the top of the car, a stain-free headliner is stretched tight from the front window to the back window. At the sides of the car, hard to find door panels hang pristine chrome handles between chrome window cranks and full armrests. In front of the driver, an optional tilt steering column spins a black Formula steering wheel around an engine turned instrument panel, sliders for the car's climate system and a correct Delco AM radio. And behind the cockpit, a fully restored trunk hangs a fresh decklid decal above a space saver spare tire and a correct jack assembly.

The sale of this pristine pony car includes the original window sticker outlined above, an original owner's manual, original warranty papers, original titles and registrations, a cost summary, a small stack of Pontiac Historic Services documents, two pages of engine specs and a reproduction window sticker.

If your definition of classic Detroit muscle is a highly accurate, beautifully presented, meticulously crafted Pontiac, it's your lucky day! This SD-455 is fast, rare, impressive, and there probably aren't many cars built in 1973 that are more desirable. So, what are you waiting for? Don't miss your chance to take home a world class, investment grade Trans Am Super Duty!