1973 Pontiac Firebird
Enthusiast

Green With Envy: An Impeccable 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455

A tried-and-true muscle car can stir the senses of even the most experienced bidder at a car auction! There was a very iconic example for sale at a “Bring Your Own Trailer” auction just two days ago. An impeccable 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455 was one of the last very furious rides before the fuel crisis of the 1970s was in full effect.

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An Impeccable 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455

The 1973 action film McQ featured this model as a capable character, featuring John Wayne taking down corrupt Seattle detectives. This stems from an earlier vein of the charisma that made the “Smokey and the Bandit” 1977 model so appealing. It is a Brewster Green hue with the favored 4-speed manual transmission. The model is collector-grade, and the paint job is the original factory dip. 

Elegant Aggression: How the Firebird Redefines Automotive Sophistication

Restore a Muscle Car of Nebraska went over this amazingly fit model in detail. There are 250 miles on the odometer, with its actual mileage unknown. It is nicely fitted with 15-inch Rally II style wheels, and its first impression is a brutish layer of charm. The Car and Driver team had officially declared that this was “one of the last fast cars.”

Its 1.75 7.4-liter engine was only rated at 250 horsepower upon release, but it offered up 370 lb-ft of grunty torque. In 1973, 1420 eager customers ordered a manual-transmission FIrebird 455. By 1973 German models among others were beginning to dominate Camaros and Corvettes on the track. When the OPEC crisis was at full steam, beasts like this became less common on the road. 

Vintage Verde: This Trans Am’s Bold & Beautiful Charisma

Halfway through this car’s debut year, efficient (yet annoying to some!) Hondas began popping up all over the road. These iconic muscle classics were starting to be seen as dinosaurs, but they would later appreciate their deserved resurgence. The brand’s own brainchild Soichiro Honda even owned a Firebird! 

The fact that this is a longstanding relic from a bygone era just renders it more awesome. Electrification is going to change the entire state of the market, but these hefty icons are worth their weight in gold. The golden hour of the day was an opportune moment to experience the shaker hood’s pristine rumble! When Car and Driver first reviewed this car, they claimed that Uncle Sam had certified it “free of any bad manners!” 

Velocity Vanguards: Swift Machinery in 70’s Automotive Gems

Any car expert on a walk back on memory lane to 1968 can attest that it was unbridled and unparalleled! The Boss 429s, Street Hemis, and L88s were said to be as enjoyable as the finest wines on earth. They test-drove their very own Firebird Trans Am 455 at the quarter-mile at California’s Orange County Raceway.

They dialed the asphalt-pounding party up to 103.5 mph! This was phenomenal for a car from those times with an automatic transmission. This era was heavily populated with financial bean-counters who were definitely “killing the buzz” of high horsepower. A good deal of cast iron and attention to the water pump allowed this model to exist “on the books!” 

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The Heart of a Beast: Unveiling the Firebird 455’s Super Duty Engine

The outside of the Firebird 455’s engine underwent a bit of a “disguising act” to appear like a standard 455 V8. The block itself was reinforced by thicker blockheads and more material in the lifter and camshaft zones. Intense forging was completed within the pistons and connecting rods. Official Pontiac testing rendered the crank “pirate-grade good!” 

With the engine pumping out a fair amount of horsepower, an 80 psi oil system is on duty to provide optimal lubricant flow. Porsche Turbos were banned while nailing down 13.7-second quarter mile times 6 years later. The power, handling, and style of this beast saw many muscle car experts claiming it as the best of its era. Here it is brought up that “having respect for your elders” is crucial when it comes to the many improvements that early muscle cars laid the groundwork for. 

Pontiac Firebird

The Last Word: Reflecting on the Pontiac Firebird 455’s Abilities

This well-rounded and resilient muscle car was a very intimidating force to be reckoned with! As cars progress and continue to add tech feature after tech feature, some very necessary elements that are already missing. Sleek and agile traits cannot always replace the thunderous appeal of a very raw persona. Overall, do you think this early classic is an amazing piece of work, or is it one that may be ready to retire on the sidelines? Let us know in the comments below, or check out another article about muscle cars that were never sold in America.

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Jon Weirman
I am a freelance writer in the Midwest who specializes in vehicles built for expert-level off-roading, and anything with a staggering amount of horsepower. In my first life I worked in broadcasting for Starz Network and Discovery Channel. I also love retro video games and sci-fi movies. Everything from the loud and burly muscle cars of the late 1970s to new crossover SUVs with futuristic tech features have populated my inbox!

    27 Comments

    1. 1973 Pontiac trans am didn’t have that front end it only had 2 headlights

    2. You never showed a picture of the 73 trans am in this article ?

    3. I,m sorry about that I just seen the video
      With the 73 trans am they are amazing cars of there time

    4. Car pictured is not a 1973 Firebird, 1973’s had round headlights – should do a little research

    5. I think these cars all the way from the 60s til the last one in 2002 were very nice and I’m getting rid of the Pontiac brand was very stupid and keeping Buick those cars were not sporty or sexy at all the CEO of gm should hv been fired 4 doing that maybe some day they will bring back Pontiac I believe these cars will be worth a lot in the future!!

    6. I know back in them day in the 70 . The Trans Am run good . I have a 1974 .Need some work. Still 160 on the dash Had it since 1978. But I do have one.

    7. Not a 73 front end , just sayin

    8. Ya’ll sure tha black or dark colored firebird at the top of this article is a 73′.?? I had/have always thought the previous body style to the one at top ran from 70′ thru 73′ cause around 2000′ I had a 70′ Firebird Formula with the double scoop hood. The best looking one of them back then to me. Is it a 74′ maybe.?? Like the smokey n tha bandit one or type.. My 70′ had the 400 ci big block instead of the 455, which would love to have nowahdays for sure. Great lookin’ classic Pontiac muscle.!! The Formula type just before the Smokey and the Bandit model or look…

      1. The pic at the very begining of this article is a black, more than likely, late 76 or 77′ smokey n the bandit style firebird which is misleading since the title n video are of a 70 to 73′ (my fav) with the trans am shaker style hood. Where in God’s good earth is this vid shot!?! England.?? Cause dude or chick is driving on the left side of the road.!! Had a 70′ similar to it around 2000. Same exact color but mine had the Formula hood which has a much better look, especially from the driver’s seat. But mine had the 400 (6.6L) big block. Should have never traded that car away.!! Would give my right arm for this similar car in the vid but would hafta replace or find a Formula style hood.

    9. It a 1977 or 78 T/A….not a 73…..ugh figure it out

      1. Right,, misleading.. had a 70′ formula similar to the one in vid. Same exact color. The 70 to 73′ with the double scoop formula hood is my fav.!! Awesome lookin’ American muscle.!!

    10. Not a 73 , people need to do their homework .

      1. Right. The pic for the article is a smokey n the bandit style late 76 to 78 trans am. The video is of a 70 to 73 with shaker trans am style hood. Although it may not be a fully authentic trans am, possibly just has the shaker hood/air filter which they copied from Mopar/Dodge at the time..

    11. I can’t say this about any other car, I think id do anything to have it! Rob a bank…maybe…No really I’ve owned a 79 trans am and a 89 firebird xs, I loved both of those cars more than I can say! My mind thinking of a manual and 455 1973, I’d do just about anything even to drive it! I’d probably need a cigarette after. And i don’t smoke! There is nothing better than driving a fast Trans Am!

    12. Nice ride I have a 1984 limited edition need help restoring…..

    13. None of your pictures are of a 1973 !
      CLICK BAIT

    14. Are you sure that ,that car is a 1973

    15. You are showing this car with a dual head light display, I owned a 1974 Trans Am 455 it came with a single head light front end. The dual head light didn’t come out till 1976-77 models, what’s up with this one?

    16. That 1973 Pontiac firebird trans am 455 is so awesome. I wish I had a car like that.

    17. That’s not a 73!

    18. Back then they were a dime a dozen. Considered the “poor man’s sports car”. They were everywhere & plentiful. Weren’t worth much. Not in very high demand. I owned a Corvette too at the time I owned the Formula. Honestly, I liked the Formula better than the Vette!

    19. No replacement for displacement!

    20. I have a 1983 Pontiac firebird trans Am in very good condition it has a 5.0 or a 305 cubic inch for sale in the amount of $15,000 I am interested in selling it at auction. Can you call me? At 575-642-9535. I look forward to hearing from you.

    21. I would love to have another one they are very nice

    22. Are you sure that’s not a 1974. I’ve got a 73. And the nose is completely different. 1970 thru 1973 were almost identical. 1974 saw a body change to the front clip

    23. Having worked in a Pontiac dealership that had an enthusiast general manager. It was fun to drive these cars. 455 GTOs in 1972 455 Grand AM 4 speeds in 1974 all forms of GTOs and Trans Ams in the late ’60s and early ’70s and I had the privilege to drive one of the very last 455 Formula HOs. (Had the typical Trans Am hood scoop but no Trans AM decals)
      It was an ANIMAL! It took for ever to get that car for our customer. Almost 2 years if I remember correctly. And it took many days to get the smile off my face after driving that car. I’m smiling now just reminiscing about that drive.

    24. Heard they just auctioned off Burt Reynolds last 77 Trans Am. Any idea what it went for. !! My dream car going to have one someday..

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