Vehicle Description
1974 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty
The 1974 Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am Super Duty were the very
last of the high-performance cars from the '70s. A total of 943
were produced for the 1974 model year. Stick your head inside this
1974 Trans Am and you know what it smells like? High school. "This
is the end of the era," as we mashed the throttle on the Trans Am
on our test track, the grand beast rising on its haunches, roaring
its terrible roar.
For consignment one of 943 produced in 1974, the 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,
a rare dealer installed T-top in smoked glass, the scooped hood,
and those iconic honeycomb wheels. Time to release the screaming
chicken into the 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 inconsistent gaps, 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 slight fading. A scooped hood with a 455 SD
badge emblazoned on the scoop sits between the chicken and the
chrome trimmed front glass. A dealer installed smoked glass T-top
is nice and tight, and appears as it does not leak. 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
chromed tip tubes peek out from under the rear bumper, and the
double type badging is all looking just fine.
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 a suede like
cloth that has a white square pattern on the inserts. We are not
sure off the seats are covered in factory correct material as we
cannot associate code 576 as either vinyl or cloth. It 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. All is nicely preserved inside.
Drivetrain
A circa manufacture dated 490132 was cast on the 3rd of January
1973, and does translate to a 455ci V8 Super Duty. It has the stock
correct heads (#16), and is topped with a GM1 LS2X 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 way back.
Undercarriage
Looking good underneath with little to no rust, strong frame, rust
free floorpans, 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 Turbo mufflers attached.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and we were off. One can hear the iconic
rattles of an F-body car, it comes with the territory. The car
accelerated nicely, and grabbed the road and handled well. We
noticed the throttle sticks intermittently, and it is in need of
new wipers. Also noted the car rubs on the passenger rear when
taking a left turn. Overall a pleasurable experience with nothing
terrible.
SD455 is the word for this bird, and with nicely preserved paint, a
good interior, and that massive 455 up front, pop off the T panels
and let the wind take over your hair. 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. I need to also mention the consigner has the original radio
in the trunk, and for an extra cost, the original carburetor, and a
1971 455 HO complete engine if you have any interest, call in!
VIN Decode
2V87X4N164533
2-Pontiac
V-Firebird Trans Am
87-Hardtop Coupe
X-455ci V8 4bbl Super Duty
4-1974
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
164533-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 74 2FS87-1974 Firebird Hardtop Coupe
BDY N239813-Norwood Body #
TR 576 A51-Black Bucket Seats
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 500 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.