1973 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty 455, rare opportunity to buy one of only 252 built, 1of 180 automatics, 1^st year Buccaneer red with factory A/C, do some research, the story on 1973 SD Trans AMs is amazing.

The Pontiac Engineers had a tough time getting the Brass to approve the installation of the Super Duty 455 into production cars. Everything in a Super Duty is different than a standard 455. Different Block, crank, heads, rods, intake, carb, exhaust and distributor. This is a factory race motor with approx 400HP at the crank as shown by Pontiac Enthusiast magazine who tested a stock SD on a dyno.


As we all know, what makes a SD Trans Am special is its glorious factory race engine and the low production numbers. Flying in face of insurance-rate hikes, ever-tightening emissions standards, and an oil embargo, the SD-455 engine was an anomaly of its time. Its block was a heavy-duty casting with reinforced main bearing webs and valley ribs and provisions for a dry sump oiling system. The nodular iron crank was held in by four-bolt mains, and SD-specific 5140 forged-steel connecting rods were pinned to TRW forged-aluminum pistons. The cam featured 301*/313* duration and .410/.410 lift with 1.50:1 stamped steel rockers and an undersized gear at the rear to work with an oversized distributor gear. Its distributor was a Delco points-type with an oversized shaft that required a larger hole in the block to fit it. The heads featured redesigned intake ports, large round exhaust ports, and 2.11/1.77 tulipped and swirl-polished valves. Chamber size was 111 ccs, resulting in an 8.4:1 compression ratio. Induction was handled by an 800-cfm Quadra jet atop a cast-iron intake with EGR, while the exhaust was channeled through streamlined cast-iron manifolds and a larger-than-other engines exhaust system. The factory rated it with 290 net hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, but this was actually closer to 400 HP at the crank. Its low production and power potential on the road and track make it a legend and one of the hardest to find muscle cars existing today.

Another incredible fact the 73 SD Trans Am with 3.08 gear ratio was the fastest production car built from 1973-1991. The ZR-1 Corvette finally after 18 years had a faster top speed. The1973 SD was capable of a top speed over 160 mph. The SD Trans Am is considered by many as the best overall muscle car ever built. These cars values are on the rise and will continue. This car is a must for any serious muscle car collection, the 73 is very difficult to find and incredible to drive. Please do some homework/research they are awesome cars.

 Definitely a 5 star blue chip muscle car. We have extensively photo documented this car, we have tried to picture every number and detail please read our description and view all pictures before asking questions. This SD has been in storage since 1982, last inspected in Central Texas 1982, last registered in 1985. it was special ordered by a customer and sold new by Andy Klein Pontiac in Overland Kansas, next document we have of the car was in Arkansas, Baxster County and was sold on July 10 1981, then registered in Austin Texas. It was driven for a short period of time then covered and stored until 9/2008 when it was discovered. Next owner picked up the car on a trailer put it in storage and never touched it, we heard about the car purchased it and serviced it recently. This will be the first time it has been offered publicly for sale, last transactions were private sales. It is best described as an honest unmolested, unrestored, correct, numbers matching survivor that has had recent mechanical as needed service. The SD engine is one of the most valuable and expensive engines to obtain given that fact we did not want to risk running this engine after it sitting for 28 years. We pulled the engine and had a local expert completely go though it, he said it is in amazing condition and completely correct internally, standard bore, original rods, pistons crank, heads, block etc.. No cracks, no damage, no repair it has been fully balanced, polished and fully rebuilt. No expense spared. We believe it to be totally correct from the Shaker to the pan. Here are all the numbers we found. If one is not correct I am sure that one of your Pontiac Gurus will let us know. The original build sheet was found in the car and is posted along with the PHS papers, original manuals and a service manual. To see all the factory options please read the build sheet, we believe the car is complete and currently optioned as it left the factory with the exception of the rear-end gears have been changed to 3.73 the original 3.08 set-up comes with the car and appears to be in excellent condition. The engine has been painted the correct SD color, brackets etc.. Detailed and painted proper color. The trunk spatter paint and red oxide primer on undercarriage/floors is original, the floors are excellent, some scaly rust on one rear frame rail, clearly pictured.  Some rust on bottom of rear quarters and around wheel lip moldings, minor rust starting at bottom of fender. Overall a solid, straight stellar body, no rust in dash, cowl or firewall area, very nice jambs, rockers, sills etc.. Not your typical rusty T/A. Remember it has been stored in dry central Texas since 1982. The interior is original and very nice survivor quality, minor tears in front seats otherwise presentable. The bird was removed from the hood prior to 1982 and you can see the outline, prior owners believed this to be an original paint car, the only evidence of repaint we see is trunk lid. The paint is blistered, patinaed and still has some shine, tough to find an unrestored honest SD, if you are looking for an honest numbers matching correct car this is it, if you are looking for a nut bolt trailer queen this car is not it. Along with complete engine rebuild, the car has new tires, brakes, fuel system, all fluids have been changed and new exhaust. The original front calipers come with the car. The engine runs great and yes it is strong and fast. Here are the numbers we have found on car and again we have posted pictures of all of these numbers.

1. Block casting 132

2. number on block by timing cover N143478

3. number on block by head 0875440XD

4. Distributer number 1112205  3-A8

5. Number stamped drivers side of transmission case 23N143478

6. numbers on transmission build tag PQ  73-P20-1204

7. numbers on passenger side Block  DN  GM6   132

8. Numbers cast top rear of block hard to read 49___  ____2 ___ cant read

9. Cast by distributer K112

10. Cast driver side  132

11. Intake   L S 2   K172

12. intake number stamped on surface below front of carb  494405

13. Passenger Head

·        A.) 16 center port

·        B.) GM 14-rear port

·        C.) Front side DN

·        D.) Cast J182

14. Drivers Head

·        A.) 16 center port

·        B.) GM 14-rear port

·        C.) Front Side DN

·        D.) Cast K182

15. LH Exhaust manifold  49083-LHK222

16. RH Exhaust Manifold 49082-RHK222

17. Carburetor number 17059263    1328-CJW

The 1973 SD is the Holy Grail of Trans AMs and one of the most significant muscle cars ever built. Most people will never even get a chance to buy a Red A/C, Automatic documented numbers matching 1973 SD at any Price. Mileage on odometer is 66,821 and is believed to be actual, mileage exempted on title in 2008.

Vin#   2V87X3N143478

Sold Sale Pending