1974 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty 455 Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode

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  • čas přidán 29. 07. 2015
  • 1974 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty 455 Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode #109
    It's no secret that Muscle Car performance was on the decline after 1970 or so, but Pontiac engineers pressed on when they created the Super Duty Trans Am package, which was still a screamer in 1974. The SD-455 was a remarkable engine, a legit race-bred machine among the plummeting compression ratios and horsepower levels of other V8s of the day. This is a great example of a low-mile and correct 1974 SD-455 Trans Am from the Brothers Collection.
    #musclecar #musclecaroftheweek
    www.musclecaroftheweek.com/forum
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Komentáře • 256

  • @cptnsolo77
    @cptnsolo77 Před 4 lety +13

    Pontiac was the ONLY car manufacturer that was able to integrate the federal bumper mandates and make it look GREAT. Kudos to the pontiac designer team. You did a awesome job.

    • @GoodOlRoll
      @GoodOlRoll Před 3 měsíci +1

      Chrysler's Imperial division did it pretty good too ngl

  • @W0wzersNumber1337
    @W0wzersNumber1337 Před 8 lety +51

    190 likes, 0 dislikes. Thank god alot of people still respect these classics.

    • @CaptainFALKEN
      @CaptainFALKEN Před 7 lety +2

      Overly Abusive Demoscout you're right. Really surprised at the number of likes and dislikes. Dislikes are still at 0

    • @gravelord2600
      @gravelord2600 Před 5 lety +1

      Now its at 5 :'(

    • @ilanoliveira4237
      @ilanoliveira4237 Před 4 lety +3

      Some assholes give dislikes...stupid people for sure!

    • @Predikant
      @Predikant Před 2 lety +1

      16 Prius owners did not Like this video.

    • @dragongodasura1395
      @dragongodasura1395 Před 2 lety +1

      Dis likes at 16 those are clowns

  • @69telecasterplayer
    @69telecasterplayer Před 5 lety +17

    I owned a 1974 400 Trans Am 4 speed, no AC and I loved it. It was very rare in my area of Florida and it was a head turner. Buccaneer red.

    • @marcialreyes4779
      @marcialreyes4779 Před 4 lety

      That's a nice color

    • @Lemev
      @Lemev Před 3 lety +1

      I can just imagine that... For sure it was a beauty! Isn't buccaneer red the very same red from this car on the video? Thanks

    • @69telecasterplayer
      @69telecasterplayer Před 3 lety

      @@Lemev I think so.

    • @karaDee2363
      @karaDee2363 Před rokem

      @@Lemev yes..

  • @edwardchambers8251
    @edwardchambers8251 Před 7 lety +15

    Bad ass car. My older brother had one or these. He bought his off the show room floor. Fully loaded White with powder blue interior and blue firebird grafics

  • @jetfanken
    @jetfanken Před 9 lety +27

    I wanted to express deep thanks in what you do each week. I have a special ring tone for your M.C.O.T.W. alert. When that 'tone' goes off, I get that same happy, giddy, excited feeling that I believe all us car nuts feel. That feeling when your favorite (MoPar) muscle car passes you by. When your favorite car magazine comes in the mail etc. In closing, I believe that your doing a great job. And I Thank You!

    • @MuscleCarOfTheWeek
      @MuscleCarOfTheWeek  Před 9 lety +2

      Kenneth Young Jr Wow Kenneth, thank you so much for the kind words! We love the special ring tone... too cool. Glad you dig the show, we've got many more to come! Thanks again!

  • @hmackprotection1
    @hmackprotection1 Před 4 lety +9

    73/74 T/A SD are the very best Pontiac’s ever produced

    • @chatsworth8768
      @chatsworth8768 Před 3 lety

      I love them but I got a 70 judge ram air IV in my shop I owned for 40 yrs that I think is best Pontiac of all time.😀😀😀

  • @markjmaxwell9819
    @markjmaxwell9819 Před 4 lety +14

    GM got it all 100% right with this car, styling performance the whole shebang.
    Shave the heads to bump the compression a bit and a real stylish car.
    Definately the LAST of the US muscle cars.

  • @NEUTRALDROP
    @NEUTRALDROP Před 5 lety +12

    Love this car the grill the rear window roof line the flares shaker hood rear wing fender vent just enough perfect!

  • @braddietzmusic2429
    @braddietzmusic2429 Před 7 lety +7

    Probably my favorite vehicle featured on Muscle Car Of The Week. Thanks very much for featuring this.

  • @saltydog4759
    @saltydog4759 Před rokem +4

    Mid 13s stock in 74 is astounding.

  • @letitrest4662
    @letitrest4662 Před 5 lety +4

    The most beautiful and symbolic car that ever came out of Detroit. As far as I'm concerned, the Detroit automotive industry was defined by the style and performance of the muscle cars, that the establishment hated. Each model had very well defined style, that told you, from a distance, who made it. By today's standards, they weren't performance cars, but they were symbolic of the pioneering, and competitive spirit of Americans. If someone offered me the choice of a brand new Ferrari, or a mint 1974 Pontiac Trans Am SD 455. I'd take the detroit muscle car.....every day. The car has character.

  • @davecalvo6418
    @davecalvo6418 Před 3 lety +2

    A rare bird indeed, in 74 they really started moving away from the manual transmissions and they were getting harder to find...this is a real gem here

  • @jeremythompson9122
    @jeremythompson9122 Před 4 lety +5

    This beauty is the last of the true American muscle cars. Awesome machine. I'm a Mopar guy but always been a huge Pontiac fan as well. Definitely my favorite GM division

    • @austinrealestatewithbutchn4420
      @austinrealestatewithbutchn4420 Před 2 lety

      No it is a pony car. 2 + 2 at 10 lb per HP is a muscle car

    • @laureanosanchez5265
      @laureanosanchez5265 Před rokem

      @@austinrealestatewithbutchn4420 you are comparing SAE vs NET horsepower. This thing has almost the same power as a Magnum 440

  • @Lemev
    @Lemev Před 3 lety +2

    You guys in the US are very fortunate to have the chance of owning such a jewel!!!!

  • @burningblue1254
    @burningblue1254 Před 5 lety +6

    This guy is great to listen to.

  • @FloridaCoastalGuy
    @FloridaCoastalGuy Před 8 lety +7

    In 1974, a friend (Rocky C.) purchased a new 1974 Red Trans AM 455-SD Automatic.
    It was a fast car, we outrun the fastest hot-rod big-block car from our neighboring county twice one night with the air conditioner still on!
    It looked just like this car in the video.

  • @str1ka1
    @str1ka1 Před 9 lety +6

    Love the history behind these cars. Thanks for these informative, yet entertaining videos.

  • @rgillies
    @rgillies Před 6 lety +2

    Wow this brought back memories. A good friend of mine got one of these while in high school. Imagine a 17 year old kid with this kind of power at his disposal. His dad owned a garage and he worked there pumping gas, doing tires and exhaust systems. One night he used the exhaust pipe bending machine to create a set of totally legit looking straight pipes. The cops would crawl around the edge of the car seeing nothing but professional looking work and never busted him, assuming that there HAD to be a muffler in their somewhere because nobody would install an illegal exhaust system. To know that fewer than 1000 of these were built makes me sad that he sold it.

  • @ziggylothbrook8644
    @ziggylothbrook8644 Před 7 lety +1

    just found the Chanel and Absolutely love.... Thanks for keeping these legends to the young car enthusiast Alive

  • @05gtdriver
    @05gtdriver Před 9 lety +13

    1974 SD455 T/A and especially the ultra rare SD455 Formula are my favorite Firebirds of all. Love the "newer styling" with the small rear window.

    • @jeremythompson9895
      @jeremythompson9895 Před 5 lety +1

      The 1974 SD455 is probably my favorite Trans Am of all besides the 1970 Ram Air IV. The 73 SD455 gotta be number 3

    • @jeremythompson9895
      @jeremythompson9895 Před 5 lety

      They should've offered the SD455 an an option in the 1973-74 GTOs too. That engine in the little 74 Ventura GTO would've been ridiculously fast seeing how that car was 500 lbs lighter than a 74 Sd455 T/A

    • @bailey9r
      @bailey9r Před 4 lety

      @@jeremythompson9895 They did offer the SD in the 73-74 GTO and I think the Grand Am but for whatever reason (lack of interest in that platform or change of policy) none were built. Shame

    • @jeremythompson9122
      @jeremythompson9122 Před 4 lety

      @@bailey9r Wow no shit I never knew the SD455 was actually optional in the 73-74 GTO's. As far as I knew in 73 the options were either a 220 horsepower 400 or a 250 horsepower 455 and the 4 speed was only available with the 400. The compact 74's all ended up with the 350

  • @Ballenxj
    @Ballenxj Před 4 lety +4

    The SD 455 had a lot more potential than it's mandated low compression allowed. Thumb up for this video.

  • @briansd2772
    @briansd2772 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank goodness for the Pontiac Engineering Department, Herb Adams for speaking out, and the Pontiac Sales Department for taking 600 orders for these cars "letting the genie out of the bottle" and making it too late to kill the SD-455 program. Bravo!

  • @goodbonezz1289
    @goodbonezz1289 Před 3 lety +3

    Greatest muscle cars ever. Awesome video..thanks!

  • @user-di8sb8np7y
    @user-di8sb8np7y Před 9 měsíci +2

    I had the same make and model this very car right down to the color. Bought it when I was 20. Had a nice little factory job living at home join a credit union where I can go inside sign my name and get 2 Grand in the same day. Best car ever owed so much fun

  • @amandaduncan9025
    @amandaduncan9025 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Thank you! Just found this video after discovering pictures my dad had of one just like the one in the video! Super cool, don't know why he ended up getting rid of it or what happened to it. Nonetheless, it's really cool to learn this information. Thanks for what you do

    • @MuscleCarOfTheWeek
      @MuscleCarOfTheWeek  Před 3 měsíci +1

      Wow, that's really cool. Love old pics like that, especially when they are family connections. Glad you found them!

  • @craigkosters9852
    @craigkosters9852 Před 4 lety +3

    I broke the rear axel in mine under warranty, the mechanic was pissed. He said I was abusing the car and he was right. Theres two pins that went threw the housing holding the internal together, well it sheared them off. The drive shaft was hitting the bottom of the car when you gassed it. Pretty much shut me down but they fixed it.

    • @SnoopysVet
      @SnoopysVet Před 3 lety

      I had a 1970 Firebird 350 as a kid, engine crapped out and put is a 455 and then broke the rear axle within a week, long stroke torque monsters were those 455s

  • @paulreints2279
    @paulreints2279 Před 4 lety +1

    I owned one of these in 1994, as a young kid who just got his license. It was clean, straight & had a fresh engine, transmission, suspension & interior rebuild completed. It wasn't perfect but it was a solid, fun, fast ride. I began painting cars professionally shortly after I sold it. That's when I knew I made a mistake in selling it!

  • @imbluz
    @imbluz Před 3 lety +1

    Groovy 70's classic. Nothing like the good old American muscle.

  • @SF80CAMARO
    @SF80CAMARO Před 9 lety +5

    Thx Kev for another cool car. Impaitently Waiting for next week's car!!!!!

  • @havefaith3213
    @havefaith3213 Před 6 lety +3

    I sold my 71 Z28, 8 months later went to a Pontiac dealer .There was a dark blue SD 455 Trans Am white int. Power blue dash and rug turbo 400 trans. auto on the column no bird, sticker 4,800. Salesman said, some guy order it took too long to come in so he went down the street and bought a 442 hurst o's. 3 weeks later l took the SD home in pouring rain paid 4,850 the 50 was for fm radio instead of the am it came with.1st song on the way home band on the run. l was 21 years old and in car Haven. today I have a 13 zl1 got some of the magic, but that SD man , that was Haven .

    • @randycurtis1176
      @randycurtis1176 Před 6 lety

      Have Faith what a car! If I had one I think the stereo would only play Blackfoot's "Highway Song." I wonder what the engine would do, h.p. and torque, if the compression was raised and it had been otherwise warmly massaged but left very drivable. I know there are gear heads reading this that can tell me exactly what I ask.

  • @MrDjh66
    @MrDjh66 Před 7 lety +6

    Great vid love it I have a 73

  • @maniacjack3700
    @maniacjack3700 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Beautiful❤👍

  • @jasonkrause6778
    @jasonkrause6778 Před rokem

    One of the Most Beautiful cars GM ever produced My favorite year of Firebird 74 ' My favorite color

  • @gymesum
    @gymesum Před 6 lety +1

    Awesome show love it keep up the good work !

  • @jeremythompson9895
    @jeremythompson9895 Před 5 lety +6

    Pontiac should've put the sd455 engine in the GTO in 73-74 as well. They might've gone down as the fastest GTOs of all, especially the 74 Ventura based GTO. The sd455 in that light little body with a 4 speed and the right set of gears would've been a terror

    • @davewil3
      @davewil3 Před 4 lety

      The original plan was to do that. I remember having a car magazine from back then that showed the SD-455 in the GTO. See:
      www.hemmings.com/blog/article/the-car-of-the-year-that-wasnt/

    • @ONTHEEDGEFRED
      @ONTHEEDGEFRED Před 2 lety

      No doubt about this, that Ventura was several hundred pounds lighter than even the Trans Am.

  • @braddietzmusic2429
    @braddietzmusic2429 Před 7 lety +6

    I prefer the 1974 model to the 1973, based on looks, alone.

    • @cliffwright9842
      @cliffwright9842 Před 7 lety

      My dad bought one of these in '75 from a airline pilot in portland. I was so glued to the hip of my '70 forest green z28 that I payed no attention. I remember my mom let my girl friend, of the day, take her drivers test in it. It was that red but the white interior I guess turned me off. They traded it for a new '76 Fiat 131 brava? eeck! better gas mileage I suppose. If I only had the foresight, ya, well if I'd only kept the Camaro!!! that's life. Love the Brothers' collection....

    • @emeyer6963
      @emeyer6963 Před 5 lety +1

      1974 was a nice update to the earlier ones.Fell in love with them when I saw an Esprit on the Rockford Files TV show.

    • @thud9797
      @thud9797 Před rokem +1

      Everyone has an opinion... I like the 74.

    • @GoodOlRoll
      @GoodOlRoll Před měsícem

      To me it's vice-versa but the 74s are nice cars.

  • @kurtzimmerman1637
    @kurtzimmerman1637 Před 4 lety +1

    great car! wish I had one. thank you Pontiac!

  • @tscooter22
    @tscooter22 Před 7 lety +1

    Nice car! My next door neighbor had the same car and color with the 6.6 liter engine. I loved that car! Some kid in my HS had an earlier '72 or '73 SD 455 Firebird in white with blue stripes. I always loved the looks of the 70s vintage Firebirds and Camaros. When I had enough money to pay cash for a car I ended up ordering a fully loaded '82 Mustang GT. I liked the Camaro looks better, but the Mustang was faster and had better cargo capacity -- something I planned for, knowing I'd be making trips to and from college with loads of personal items. It was also the fastest American built car of the time. Don't believe it, Google it. :-) ...all ~157 hp! lol That was the era of the Boss is back campaign.

    • @jimjones3226
      @jimjones3226 Před 5 lety

      tscooter22 ugliest one tho anything after 72 for mustang looks like complete trash

  • @billyfoster3223
    @billyfoster3223 Před 2 lety +1

    Awesome machine!!😁 Great Trans Am!😄

  • @radars56
    @radars56 Před 2 měsíci

    I have a 1969 Firebird 400/4speed car that I love, but I'd trade it in a heartbeat for a '73 or '74 SD Trans Am. Thanks for the video!

  • @billyfoster3223
    @billyfoster3223 Před rokem +1

    If I win the VA lottery, yes I'm from Virginia, I'd buy one!😁👍🔧

  • @vintagesavoiur
    @vintagesavoiur Před 5 lety

    Love this channel!

  • @NewtonWashinton
    @NewtonWashinton Před 8 lety +4

    Sadly in 1974 i did not know about this car. with 290 HP i would have bought one.

    • @sergiojacquez2277
      @sergiojacquez2277 Před 3 lety +1

      Well that's what Pontiac said , but it;s more than 290 HP believe me.

  • @EricTheOld
    @EricTheOld Před měsícem

    Another awesome video

  • @TheMrmmkkpro
    @TheMrmmkkpro Před 8 měsíci

    I own a 1972 455HO and a 1990 ZR-1 corvette. I took the Ole lady for a drive in the Z ,asked her what she thought and she said "it ain't no Firebird".

  • @JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe
    @JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe Před 6 měsíci

    This may be an obvious question but was the SD built on a small seperate line by real enthusiasts? Hard to imagine in the 70s. Out of the question today. Beautiful!

  • @crankychris2
    @crankychris2 Před 3 lety +1

    These SD's were rare birds, indeed.

  • @philipthomas6808
    @philipthomas6808 Před 2 lety

    This is my dream car TA; I've always wanted a 74 SD 455 TA... Bad to the bone...

  • @michaelk487
    @michaelk487 Před 7 lety +1

    beautiful

  • @hotwheel6663
    @hotwheel6663 Před 6 lety +4

    Liked the 70-73 Body style better especially the Formulas. Had a 78' TA 400 but 455 long gone by then.

    • @marcialreyes4779
      @marcialreyes4779 Před 4 lety +1

      Yeah I had a 78 400 4 speed. But always like that 70 to 73 bullnose. What a car

    • @MarinCipollina
      @MarinCipollina Před 2 lety

      I'm probably in the minority here, but I really liked the 1974 front.

  • @marcialreyes4779
    @marcialreyes4779 Před 4 lety +1

    What a power house!!!

  • @karaDee2363
    @karaDee2363 Před rokem

    I had the same exact car as this one including the Muncie 4 speed, except mine didn't have the sd455.... Loved it,..

  • @twincammike8329
    @twincammike8329 Před 5 lety

    What a beauty...

  • @reacp9114
    @reacp9114 Před 8 měsíci

    what's crazy is that half of these cars came with a 400 instead of a 455, but I've never seen one.

  • @shaneraymer5147
    @shaneraymer5147 Před 3 lety +3

    Beautiful car. I have a white and blue 74 455

    • @sarahawkins1917
      @sarahawkins1917 Před rokem

      Is it midnight blue exterior with white interior

    • @shaneraymer5147
      @shaneraymer5147 Před rokem

      @@sarahawkins1917 it’s a two-toned paint, midnight blue on the lower half, white top half, with black interior.

  • @Ontariosound
    @Ontariosound Před rokem

    4 Speed !!!!!!! Have been following these cars since the mid 80's and never saw a 4 Speed SD for sale in Southern Ontario. All were TH400.

  • @ProspectorFrank
    @ProspectorFrank Před 2 lety

    I bought a new red 74 Trans am with white interior from a showroom in Prince George BC. I was sold the minute I saw it...a fun car for sure.

  • @AmirGaming-cj1gy
    @AmirGaming-cj1gy Před 5 lety +1

    Nice Trans-Am.

  • @1Bandit455
    @1Bandit455 Před 6 lety +1

    7:28 of video - Just Rev and pop the clutch - Nice Burnout :)

  • @mikeblankenship7930
    @mikeblankenship7930 Před 7 měsíci

    Had one exactly like it.

  • @dougackerman4182
    @dougackerman4182 Před 2 lety

    Neat video

  • @christophbuch339
    @christophbuch339 Před 8 lety +2

    For ten years I drove a 79 TA with a 454 under the hood. I enjoyed every meter in this american classic. I started grinning from the moment the big block was started.
    Thank you, America, for the music !

    • @austinrealestatewithbutchn4420
      @austinrealestatewithbutchn4420 Před 2 lety +2

      Glad you had a Poncho. But. Don't post a brag bout having a Chevy motor in a Pontiac.

    • @MarinCipollina
      @MarinCipollina Před 2 lety +1

      If you did, it was an aftermarket engine. In 1979 the engine choices for TRANS AM were the 403 cubic inch Oldsmobile engine, which came with ALL automatic transmission TRANS AMS, or the 6.6 liter 400 cubic inch Pontiac T/A motor, which was in the 4 speed manual transmission cars only.

    • @GoodOlRoll
      @GoodOlRoll Před měsícem

      @@austinrealestatewithbutchn4420 unless it's one of the ones that came with a Chevy engine. You could get a 305 in the late 2nd gens iirc.

  • @manuelstapp7277
    @manuelstapp7277 Před rokem

    I had one these fine machines man it would go ...sad thing 6 miles to the gallon at 55 or over 100 mph ...but I did love the power it had also it had a four speed trans ...

  • @quentin3330
    @quentin3330 Před 6 lety +1

    I was thinking 70 1/2 would be last great performer. Cool video.

    • @BuzzLOLOL
      @BuzzLOLOL Před 5 lety +1

      Peak was 1970 Chevy L88's and Pontiac Ram Air V's...

    • @cali2468
      @cali2468 Před rokem

      @@BuzzLOLOL There were no factory L-88's built in 1970. 1969 was the last year.

    • @BuzzLOLOL
      @BuzzLOLOL Před rokem

      @@cali2468 - I think they were still available over the counter and used in movies like 2 Lane Black Top...

    • @cali2468
      @cali2468 Před rokem

      @@BuzzLOLOL Maybe so but they were out of production by 1970. The big dogs of 1970 was the 426 Hemi, Ford 429 SCJ, Buick Stage 1 and LS6 Chevelle.

  • @shayzayit
    @shayzayit Před 6 lety

    holy moly what a beauty beast

  • @Darryl6636
    @Darryl6636 Před 9 lety +10

    Wow what a cool car and they cut Pontiac?!!

    • @TheRPGentleman
      @TheRPGentleman Před 5 lety

      Darryl6636 Yeah, lol, and kept Buick. Like what a fucking joke.

  • @chuckselvage3157
    @chuckselvage3157 Před 2 lety +1

    That was a tough motor

  • @radioguy1620
    @radioguy1620 Před 8 lety

    I remember the arp rod bolts in my 289 Ford were stretch set also, I didnt have a gauge so guess 33 lbft and was right on lucky ,

  • @peterhogan9537
    @peterhogan9537 Před 5 lety +1

    the very last true muscle car.

  • @jked7463
    @jked7463 Před 4 lety +1

    I know alot of people do not like the nose on this car but I like it's more reserved (refined?) look. It reminds me of a 1965 bizzarrini. Would love to restomod one for a canyon Carver.

    • @chutoparadinni5474
      @chutoparadinni5474 Před 4 lety

      I for one Love that front end

    • @74SD455TA
      @74SD455TA Před 3 lety

      Love that front end. Amazing that they had that changed so quickly from the 1973 nose because of the 5mph crash mandate (which was a joke back then). The 1974 SD car is the rarest of them since its a one year body style with the flat glass panel in the rear window. Then of course they changed the glass in 1975. The 1970-1973 TransAm's were too similar in looks.

    • @thud9797
      @thud9797 Před rokem

      Love it and better looking overall than the 73. The Admiralty Blue with the Black Deluxe interior is absolutely killer.

  • @thatairplaneguy
    @thatairplaneguy Před 5 lety +1

    My father bought one of these last year. Automatic though.

    • @chutoparadinni5474
      @chutoparadinni5474 Před 5 lety

      What's wrong with auto??

    • @74SD455TA
      @74SD455TA Před 4 lety +1

      @@chutoparadinni5474 exactly, I prefer the Turbo 400 especially when they are fitted with a shift kit and a stall speed. The ultimate being a manual valve body. For 1974 that was the LAST year for the venerable turbo 400. Racers choice

  • @mcinkyt
    @mcinkyt Před 9 lety +1

    I was born in 1961,what year was it bias ply just ''went away'' and cars where delivered with radial tires?

  • @chutoparadinni5474
    @chutoparadinni5474 Před 6 lety +3

    Funny, but still 40 plus years later not many know what an SD-455 really is, many think it's just a regular smogged low comp. no guts 455. Truly the Last Muscle Car from the Real Muscle car Era.

    • @74SD455TA
      @74SD455TA Před 6 lety +1

      You are so right, they have no clue at all and sure, its not their fault. To this day I tell them the other 455 was just a station wagon motor, which is what it was... as in a Grandville and yet they still don't get it. These SD's were, and are monsters. I am so happy to own one now. I was 16 years old when these were built but I couldn't afford one let alone try and even consider buying one and then finding one.....wasn't happening...... Even if it were possible that I could have....I would have destroyed it anyway. Even back then, nobody ever saw one of these cars around let alone know what they were. Really neat time in history.

    • @quincee3376
      @quincee3376 Před 5 lety

      By any chance do u know the difference on performance between the 73 sd-455 and the 74 sd-455? I know the 73 was a screamer.. but I was thinking there was probably more smog and pollution crap on the 74's . Just wondering if they're close in 0-60 and qtr mile times...??

    • @quincee3376
      @quincee3376 Před 5 lety +1

      @Stealth Customs nice! Thx! I think I'd want a 70 1/2 with the Ram Air IV or the 73 ... but 74 is nice too! Personally I think they did a good job with the front bumper on the 74. Could have looked much worse. People tell me to stay away from the 71 and 72 T/A's.

    • @quincee3376
      @quincee3376 Před 5 lety +1

      @Stealth Customs I think they were just telling the 71 and 72 HD don't compare to the SD-455 .. idk... can't really remember their reasoning or what they said in their replies. Heck I'd take a 69 to 74.

    • @quincee3376
      @quincee3376 Před 5 lety +1

      @Stealth Customs thx! Wow I always thought the 400 Ram Air IV with it's high compression was the best in performance. With 73 being very close but 70 1/2 being the best . Thx for replying.

  • @jackduguid177
    @jackduguid177 Před 4 lety

    I bought one of these brand new in ‘74, same color combo, but mine had A/C and a automatic trans.. Odd though, mine came with chrome valve covers, and it did have that sticker on the drivers side.. Wish still had it..

    • @chutoparadinni5474
      @chutoparadinni5474 Před 4 lety +1

      Not an SD

    • @74SD455TA
      @74SD455TA Před 3 lety +2

      I agree, not an SD. Now if you bought it used there is that chance that a previous owner changed those out to chrome covers.

  • @Predikant
    @Predikant Před 2 lety +2

    As a general rule a lower compression ratio actually decreases fuel economy.

    • @MarinCipollina
      @MarinCipollina Před 2 lety

      Correct. Lowering the compression was about meeting emissions requirements, not increasing fuel economy

  • @trombettafamily9008
    @trombettafamily9008 Před 2 lety

    I like the dual snorkel on the formula better

  • @stardustdreamfactory1947
    @stardustdreamfactory1947 Před 8 lety +4

    Proof that low compression muscle cars were still possible. Rumors were these guys actually made around 370 net hp vs. the advertised 290 net hp - with unleaded 87 octane fuel no less. Plymouth carried over into 1975 with the 230 net hp 400 in the Road Runner and the 220 net hp 360 in the Duster (secret options). The Plymouths were available w/o cats and true dual exhausts if you knew the right sales people apparently. Factory Muscle Cars literally died afterwards unless you built your own.

    • @jeffwilson4243
      @jeffwilson4243 Před 6 lety

      Stardust Dream Factory the SD 455 is supposed to run on 91 octane

    • @jeffwilson4243
      @jeffwilson4243 Před 6 lety

      That's what my sticker on my glove compartment door says

    • @jeremythompson9122
      @jeremythompson9122 Před 4 lety

      The 340 and 360 Dusters and Demons/Dart Sports were pretty quick little cars still too even in 1972-74. Probably the quickest cars you could still buy other than an SD455 Trans Am because of how lightweight they were. The 1972-73 Mopar 340 and the 1974 360 still made pretty good power even with compression ratios in the 8's. After 1971 Dodge/Plymouth and Pontiac were the only brands who were still even trying to build muscle cars anymore over the next few years. Neither Chevy or Ford had anything even remotely close to being considered a real muscle car after 1971 or 72. The 72 Gran Torino Sport was a sharp looking car but they were heavy and the top Ford engine option in 1972-73 was the 245 net horsepower 351 CJ...not a very powerful engine for a car that size

  • @arthurdduda8233
    @arthurdduda8233 Před 8 lety +1

    I'd take one of these over a 30 year anniversary edition or a 2002 any day whoever was running Pontiac at the end was a schmuck and it's a shame that even tho Pontiac was going down gm didn't keep the trans am alive and improve the quality and performance. . hats off to dodge and Chevy for keeping muscle and style going, and for real, not just ripping people off with special badges and decals like Pontiac did with the trans am at the end. .

  • @SteveHolsten
    @SteveHolsten Před 6 lety

    Damn, it's a shame that more of the Super Duty engines weren't ordered. I wish I had one each of the 4-speed & TH400. The only reason for that is to get one with A/C!!!

    • @74SD455TA
      @74SD455TA Před 4 lety

      The A/C in those cars was a joke. Never worked right, blowing thermo limiter switches all the time, it was heavy and required a lower rear gear ratio. I know, I had a new 1974 Forumula 400 with air back then.

  • @siemenstraffic
    @siemenstraffic Před 7 lety +1

    Those Uniroyal are the factory tires! Too bad Coker tire don't make them

    • @74SD455TA
      @74SD455TA Před 5 lety

      Those tires were dangerous even when brand new. Slipped belts, horrible. I know, I had them but only for a short while. Still have an original one from 1974 which was the spare.

  • @arnienelson6415
    @arnienelson6415 Před 3 lety +1

    In High School My Best Friend Had the '74 Trans Am 455 HO. The SD 455 would beat it by a nose.

    • @chutoparadinni5474
      @chutoparadinni5474 Před 3 lety +2

      No HO from the factory in 74, most likely a Y code 455

    • @arnienelson6415
      @arnienelson6415 Před 3 lety

      @@chutoparadinni5474 Really, on the shaker hood it said 455 HO. Is this one rare then? It did not have that black bumper either.

    • @chutoparadinni5474
      @chutoparadinni5474 Před 3 lety +1

      @@arnienelson6415 Must not be a 74 then, the 455 HO was 70 D port, and 71-2 round port, and then again 75, but totally different engines as far as compression/smog, in 75 the HO was just a sales ploy to get more buyers, in reality it was a Regular 455, same as the ones used in station wagons and others, not High Output round port like 71-2.

    • @arnienelson6415
      @arnienelson6415 Před 3 lety

      @@chutoparadinni5474 Could this have been a half year? '73 1/2? It was Red with The Clucking chicken 455 with the HO on the shaker and that was stock, he just added a slot 4 shifter. It was fast because 3 of us could tailgate that car down the street in the snow. We called that "Skeetchen", out here in the west they call that "Hookey Bobbin"!

    • @74SD455TA
      @74SD455TA Před 3 lety +1

      @@arnienelson6415 No

  • @sornord
    @sornord Před 9 lety +2

    I recall reading (and research would confirm/debunk) that, alone among the GM makers, Pontiac lowered their compression ratios by opening up the combustion chambers in the heads vice dishing the pistons or destroking. Put some closed chamber heads on it and you had an immediate return to 1970 and earlier compression ratio and power with no other engine mods needed.

  • @vipergts488
    @vipergts488 Před 6 lety

    Beautiful car. Just wondering why it has the drivers side rain drip moulding but is absent on the passenger side. Love the SD cars.

    • @davewil3
      @davewil3 Před 4 lety

      Isn't that interesting. My 1974 SD-455 also has drip molding missing on passenger side! I purchased way back in 1974 with 1000 miles on it and did not notice this for over 10 years. I wonder if any other long time owners have come across this.

    • @sarahawkins1917
      @sarahawkins1917 Před rokem

      ​@davewil3 maybe that's how it was built 🤔

  • @trackpackgt877
    @trackpackgt877 Před 3 lety

    Looks like Pontiac figured out before anybody else that to pass emissions and make power it's all in the heads just like my 2010 GT 281 cubic-inch makes 335 horse it's got a set of heads on it bigger than a old Hemi. Pontiac was ahead of their time back then

  • @bkehlin
    @bkehlin Před 3 lety

    Is that Buccaneer red? I like that color, and I'm thinking of painting my '77. My wife says she likes it being Silver now, but she doesn't like the car at all because it's so hot inside while driving. Should I keep it silver or paint it?

  • @kranmaster
    @kranmaster Před měsícem

    Say this engine had been produced in 1970, any idea of the performance numbers it might be capable of producing with a higher compression ratio and without all the emissions equipment?

  • @dw6148
    @dw6148 Před 9 lety

    Can you guys please do a video of a third generation Camaro? Thanks

  • @biggerdaddy2
    @biggerdaddy2 Před 6 lety

    A buddy had a 74 SD455 formula with RA hood. Very bad ass

    • @chutoparadinni5474
      @chutoparadinni5474 Před 5 lety

      No Ram Air Shaker in 74

    • @74SD455TA
      @74SD455TA Před 4 lety +1

      @@chutoparadinni5474 The SD455 Formula came from the factory with the TransAm hood because Pontiac would have had to recertify the car through the EPA if they wanted to use the Formula hood so they opted for the T/A hood. Time was closing fast on one of the most prolific muscle cars ever made.

    • @chutoparadinni5474
      @chutoparadinni5474 Před 4 lety

      @@74SD455TA and it wasn't Ram Air as he mentions, after 72 it was not longer functional.

    • @74SD455TA
      @74SD455TA Před 4 lety

      @@chutoparadinni5474 The way "Old Ben Canna" it could be, not saying that it is, is that the guy put on the Formula hood which could be had with ram air in 1974. Very few Formula's had the real ram air hood so I doubt that was the case. Or he was simply saying maybe, perhaps, that the guy that had that Formula SD455 just cut off the rivets and opened up the shaker scoop.Either way, you are correct that the T/A after 1972 it was discontinued due to noise concerns. Noise concerns, give me a break. Stinking government. I will say on my SD455T/A, I have 2 shaker scoops, one opened up with a nice screen on it, and the other original one closed for the sake of authenticity.

  • @saltydog4759
    @saltydog4759 Před rokem

    The best looking trans am of all

  • @gnrrailroad1531
    @gnrrailroad1531 Před rokem

    The gubmint bumper

  • @ericou812
    @ericou812 Před 8 lety

    would you do a video on the cosworth vega...mini muscle car

  • @Ackharrystowing
    @Ackharrystowing Před měsícem

    I have two 74 super duty cats now have owned 5 over years not as rare as you say

  • @therazgriz9
    @therazgriz9 Před 4 lety

    Well i love this car for everything power, body, interior except no AC

    • @74SD455TA
      @74SD455TA Před 3 lety

      A/C in these cars was a big negative, heavy got in the way of things in the engine bay and never worked very well. A/C meant a 3.08 rear axle vs. a 3.42 rear axle for the non air cars.

  • @chrisamazonia3138
    @chrisamazonia3138 Před 4 lety

    j'avais exactement la même..même couleur en boite auto .. le problème c'est qu'a 3000 tours tu étais a 130 sur l'autoroute ...

  • @brianfusco5753
    @brianfusco5753 Před rokem +1

    who would trust 40 plus year old tires on the road if there origanal,that may equal one less SD 74 trans am in existence

  • @erickort1987
    @erickort1987 Před 7 lety

    hey buddy,have you ever seen a trans am without the decals? like in the movie ...eye for a eye,i heard trying to find one is like finding a needle in a haystack,,,try to find one

    • @chutoparadinni5474
      @chutoparadinni5474 Před 5 lety

      Actually there's more than people think, especialy 73-75, it took a while for some consumers to like the Hood decal.

  • @BrewBlaster
    @BrewBlaster Před 7 lety +1

    What's not to like?

  • @quincee3376
    @quincee3376 Před 5 lety +1

    What were the 0-60 and qtr mile times on the 74 sd455 compared to the 73 sd455?

    • @chutoparadinni5474
      @chutoparadinni5474 Před 5 lety +1

      Too many variables, loaded car? manual? auto? driver?

    • @quincee3376
      @quincee3376 Před 5 lety +1

      @@chutoparadinni5474 good point. But I'm just wondering comparing Apples to apples . I always hear the 74's shaker hood was closed off and that the 74 had more pollution regulations but the engine was exact same as 73. Same tranny too. I always hear 75 is where the huge drop off starts but 73 being a bit quicker than 74 both being stock.

    • @chutoparadinni5474
      @chutoparadinni5474 Před 5 lety +2

      @@quincee3376 everything was the same in both years as far as emmisions, SD parts, etc.. And don't buy all the BS about their tested times, too many variables like I said, and some early times were from pre released cars.

    • @quincee3376
      @quincee3376 Před 5 lety +1

      @@chutoparadinni5474 thx!

  • @captmaverickable
    @captmaverickable Před 3 lety +1

    Still on 50 year old tires!?

  • @ronevans6662
    @ronevans6662 Před 7 lety +1

    Wow! There's an ultra good chance this is the 4-speed I owned in the Eighties! Serial number of my SD was 2V87X4N168943. Built July 30, 1974.
    The car was sold new at Royal Pontiac in West Vancouver, British Columbia. The original owner was killed in an accident and I purchased the car from his widow in 1987. I put under 1,000 miles on it and then sold it to a buyer from California in 1988. Had 13,000 miles on it at that time and the Uniroyal tires were original.
    Can someone confirm this is the same Trans Am? I'm happy it ended up in a good home, but I now sure wish I had kept it (although I did own 3 other SD-455's after this one, but all were automatics).

    • @74SD455TA
      @74SD455TA Před 6 lety +1

      With regards to this car and yourself thinking that it may be yours, while I looked up your cars VIN on the SD 455 Registry, it did not say whether or not your VIN had rear defog like this car does. I know there wasn't a spot to put that entry in there but if yours had rear defog, yeah there is a real good chance that this is your car. Myself, I own VIN #129978. Its a real monster, set up the way Pontiac envisioned with a Nunzi style Ram Air IV cam, re-jetted carburetor and timing advance plus I have 2 shakers, the one I use has the plate removed and it is open. I have owned mine for going on 10 years now. As I look through the SD Registry, mine is a 1 of 1 (known to exist) in that it has white standard interior and a THM400. Only 4 options, 23,000 original documented miles and mine also was exported to Canada. Options are, SD-455 engine, tinted windows, roof drip moldings, and a center console. It is a radio delete car as well. All original except the paint and the headliner which was replaced because it had a small bubble in it. You need to search for another one today. I am so happy to own one today. I commend you for the care you put into yours. I bet the other ones you owned were really nice too.