[frank.g]

Originally Posted by njsteve

It may be time for me to finally go to that show. Maybe we can caravan this time since we are neighbors. I'll either bring the SD or Gramma's car (which is a lot more fun to do burnouts in).

Sounds great. If Gramma's car, will you drive the car out? Or trailer?

[njsteve]

Probably trailer. The brand new 6.5 diesel I installed in the Suburban last summer now gets better mileage pulling the loaded trailer with the car in it (12 mpg) than the Gramma car would get driving empty (8 mpg)! :-)

[frank.g]

Yes. but the Suburban will be much less smiles per mile.

BTW, on these long distance, highway trips, for me, the SD got 17 mpg (with A/C on), the Formula got 18 (but that was with the 2.41 rear).

[Norwood]

Steve, with the shaker your mileage should improve drastically

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by Norwood

Steve, with the shaker your mileage should improve drastically

It's your hand made parts that will make all the difference! :-)

(BTW It looks like everyone is recommending the repro steel hood. If I could only find a seller within driving distance I'd pick one up. There is no way a new hood would arrive undamaged by truck freight)

[unruhjonny]

wowzers!

I thought that any breakdown on the '72 Formula was lost with time!

Too cool that this would only this year come to light!?!

[HO Kenny]

Soooo using fuzzy math; approximately 34% of the 71 HO formulas had ram air. Out of 155 m22 cars 34% of that is about 53.
I know it's not at all accurate and I'll get jumped on, but using this extrapolation method there were approximately 53 455 HO m22 formulas with ram air. Cool!

[Diego]

Originally Posted by frank.g

In 1993 when I got my 72 Formula, I tried to find this breakdown back then. I was told then that it was not available by many people, including Jim Mattison. I believe he mentioned Fred's name in those conversations. From time to time since then, this subject would come up, with nothing new known. So, for me, who has been looking for this breakdown for 24 years, this information is new and very interesting. Thanks, Bob.

Is that the gold car from VA?

[OVERULD]

Very cool new data Bob, congrats on the uber-rarity of your 72 HO Formula! I agree with Doug that the Formulas were the preferred model for dealers to keep on the lot for easier sales. The dealer who sold both my 74s certainly had good taste in what to put on the lot.

[Judge273]

Since lower production, top performance, with the look of speed, is what has value today....

Hence, Certain Trans Ams will carry a higher value over Formula today.

Higher production numbers like esprit which seemed to be the dealer dream car?

Assuming the dealers likes big cost, fast seller cars....

[The Boss]

Not to rain on anyones parade but spoilers and stripes will always command a higher price. Your car Mike & Bob's however are somewhat special in their rarity, originality and colors and could put up a good fight.

[Norwood]

As always I totaly agree with The Boss

[frank.g]

Originally Posted by Diego

Is that the gold car from VA?

Well, it hasn't been in VA since 1993, but yes, the prior owner was from VA.

[weranc55]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Not to rain on anyones parade but spoilers and stripes will always command a higher price. Your car Mike & Bob's however are somewhat special in their rarity, originality and colors and could put up a good fight.

Whats the difference between a gto Ra4 and a Judge Ra4? Some funky stripes, a spoiler and a lot of money.

[frank.g]

Don't forget the "Judge" emblem on the glove box door.

[njsteve]

As Enrico, the original owner of my SD Formula says: "Trans Ams were for kids, Formulas were for grownups. That's why I ordered the Formula."

Can't argue with that logic. Especially when it comes from a 6'8" 285 lb octagenarian. :-)

[OVERULD]

Dilly Dilly, Steve!

I'll just let the signature photo of me and my 74 Formula 455 back in 1975 when I was 20, speak for my maturity level and excellent taste in cars.

BJ

[Norwood]

Or lack of funds at the time to get the T/A

[bird72]

I remember people back in the day who didn't like spoilers! For historical context here is one of them:

Ron Wakefield of Road & Track called the 70-1/2 Trans Am a “super-gook version of [the] Firebird, undoubtedly setting [a] new record in [the] number of unnecessary add-on put-ons.”

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by Norwood

Or lack of funds at the time to get the T/A

I don't know that this is necessarily correct;
I'd wager that Steve's or Bob's Formulas costed more than a same year (same engine) TA;
Extra cost items for a Formula versus TA:
- posi rear end
- upgraded engine
- ralley gauges
- P/S
- P/B
- steering wheel
- recessed wipers
- 15" wheels

I have tried collecting period road tests, and seem to recall that the spoilers and decaling on the TA wasn't universally accepted... but that all changed later in the 1970's!