- Rare Super Duty 455
- 1 of just 212 four-speed Super Duty cars for 1974
- PHS documented and highly original with matching numbers
- Gold cosmetic enhancements inspired by Bill Mitchell's exhibit car at the 1974 Chicago Auto Show
- Desirable Admiralty Blue over black livery
LOT 670
Addendum: PLEASE NOTE: There is not a build sheet for this vehicle.
Selling on Saturday Evening
1974 Pontiac SD455 Trans Am
Starting in 1971, Pontiac dropped the massive 455-cubic-inch engine into the Trans Am resulting in one of the most sought-after performance cars of its era. The 1973 model marked the arrival of the large iconic Firebird graphic on the hood. More importantly, the Trans Am and Firebird Formula were now available with the potent new Super Duty 455 engine.
1974 was such a season of turmoil in the automotive industry. Due to rising gas prices and availability, plus increasingly stringent federal regulations, the turn away from the vaunted American muscle car was seen throughout the industry. Introduced in a period when other manufacturers were backing off from performance, Pontiac's Super Duty 455 bucked against the trend, developing an admiration that became entrenched for those who read about it in period automobile magazines, but especially for those who had experienced its fierce acceleration and excellent handling characteristics. The 1974 models featured a redesigned front end and new wide slotted taillights. The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am took on a new, more aerodynamic shape. The hood bird returned and proved to be quite the popular feature. The well-respected SD455 made its final appearance and the industry has seen little like it since. The car's fresh appearance was the big marketing news for Pontiac in 1974; sales for the Trans Ams were their strongest yet. It's amazing to see how an engine can generate such enthusiasm amongst Firebird aficionados more than 50 years after its inception, but when conversation turns to the Pontiac Super Duty 455, all agree it was one of the best engines Pontiac ever made.
Finished in highly desirable Admiralty Blue over black, this 1974 Trans Am Super Duty 455 was originally delivered to Seltzer Pontiac in Chicago, Illinois. Fully documented with copies of the build sheet, window sticker and authenticated by Pontiac Historical Services (PHS), this Trans Am retains its matching numbers 455 Super Duty engine producing 390 ft lbs of torque with 290 HP and Muncie M21 close-ratio four-speed manual transmission that sends power back to a 3.42 Positraction rear end. It was a beast on the road in 1974. There were a reported total of 10,255 Trans Ams built; of these, only 943 were Super Duty 455 cars. Only 212 were equipped with a four-speed transmission such as this car, making it a very rare bird indeed. The Super Duty 455 had forged rods and larger valves with aluminum pistons. Factory options include Soft Ray glass, rear glass defroster, AM/FM radio, 8-track tape player, console and the highly desirable Custom Trim Group that consists of comfortable cloth upholstery, upgraded door panels and other interior decor items. Additionally, this Trans Am has been fitted with power windows, power door locks, rear seat console and tilt steering column. Although Super Duty cars equipped with manual transmissions were not available with air-conditioning when new, a factory air-conditioning system was sourced and carefully installed by a previous owner.
GM Design Chief, Bill Mitchell, had a specially prepared Trans Am exhibited at the 1974 Chicago Auto Show with the Gold Special Edition decal and striping package, gold grille and headlight surrounds, gold engine-turned instrument panel and console trim, and Gold Honeycomb wheels wearing Goodyear Eagle GT2 tires. This example emulates that very car and its inspired gold cosmetic enhancements.
This final year numbers-matching Super Duty 455 Trans Am presents beautifully with only 60,904 miles on the odometer and comes with factory warranty booklets, manuals and previously mentioned PHS documents. In the storied history of the Pontiac Trans Am, the mighty Super Duty 455 is certainly one of, if not the most, desirable example available.
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