74 L75 RamAir
 

Hi guys,

I recently acquired a 74 formula 455 and in the process of finding out what I can about it (window sticker attached).

Some initial digging on this site tells me that I have a confirmed 1 of 702 L75 Formulas made in 74. Beyond that, I have seen a '160' with factory RamAir but no real confirmation on that anywhere so far. I do not yet have the PHS (in process) and was hoping to get a bit more insight from those that know more than me about the possible unique qualities of the car when taking options into account.

I know it isn't a SD, and am certainly not expecting to have found a rare gem. I do however think it to be a pretty interesting combination of engine and options.

Thanks for your time and insight.

Sorry about the upside down attachment. No idea why it is showing that way as it is right side up on my pc. Save as / rotate to prevent neck pain :)

Fixed

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1579541099

Was this the car that was on eBay last week? If so, I was looking at it, too. Heavily loaded and pretty original, it seemed. Were you able to determine if it was numbers matching?

wow!
that is a very well appointed Formula!!
Congrats!

I thought the auction stated NOM.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=133303354988
Click on see original listing under title.

What you've posted is PHS's Pontiac invoicing, not window sticker.

You are correct in that other than the WU3 total, there is no further breakdown between the 400 and 455.

I would be interested in seeing the air cleaner pictures if you want to share.

Ah! Thanks for pointing that out. The ad originally didn't say that, but I now see that it was updated.

Loaded! And sold a few miles from me!

Congrats on a nice find Alex! I have not been able to find where the breakdown of Ram Air 455 options for 1974 got discussed when I bought my 74, but I recall that we discussed it and that 160 number got kicked around some. But, you are in the right place with this thread. Lots of great knowledge here and I expect some good dicussion will follow. In the mean time, I’ll keep digging for what I have.

From the photos, looks like yours has the hood warp that most of these have, mine included. Beautiful car!

BJ

what's NOM?

Non Original Motor.

Thank you for the comments guys.

On the NOM...Yes it was sold and purchased with the assumption that the #'s don't match on the motor. With that said, the only number that was provided was the 485428 casting. I do not have the car yet and thus all the facts have not yet been determined. This hobby of ours has many levels. Not everyone has the ability to clearly make out a VIN stamp or climb way in there to see the date code. I have purchased more than one car in the past where it was assumed NOM only because the seller was unable to read/confirm what was there. The obvious assumption at this time is NOM, but that remains an assumption until I get my hands on it and confirm it with my own two eyes.

Originality is obviously important when it comes to value, but that's not everything. The car is still cool even if the block doesn't have the right numbers on it.

With that said, there are a few things I am curious about. The Y90 Custom Trim Group. I know that is the deluxe interior but not sure if there is a distinction between what materials were used. These cars could be optioned with just regular vinyl, or cloth with velour inserts on the seat centers and door panels. Does the Y90 just designate deluxe interior with no other codes for cloth or vinyl? I was not able to see anything on the PHS to specifically call this out. I have seen many cars in person with the vinyl, but have only seen the cloth in photos.

Safe-T-Track. This is the limited slip, but what is the factory gear? I think I have seen 3.08 but not certain.

And lastly, this car has two switches over by the cig lighter. One is for the rear defog (C49 on the PHS). Any idea what the other could be?

Power Door Locks


:)

PHS Code - 861
cowltag code - 586
Black Cloth/Vinyl

The cowl tag or the PHS will give the interior trim.


:)

Wow, very interesting that the power door locks are on the dash. I always thought they were on the doors. Thanks for that info.

I like that the dealership it came from was "Chief Pontiac"! :3gears:

I am confident that someone more knowledgeable than myself will speak up if I am wrong;

The 'custom trim group' was nothing about the interior colour/cloth per say, but rather a stand alone option that was required if you wanted a deluxe interior;
The 'custom trim group' denoted the pull straps on the doors and above the glove box, perforated headliner, and included a trunk mat.... or something along those lines.

That's probably true, but the specifics of the custom trim group would be what was on the cowl tag and on the PHS at the top.
(color and style of seats and in 74 the trim appointments)


:)

That looked like a great car!!

Please don't think I am nitpicking. I think it's a great car and was interested as soon as I saw it go up. I was trying to determine with the seller if it was numbers matching before I started talking money him. I was just wondering if you had found out something I hadn't.

I'm looking forward to additional pictures once you get it! It looked great in the photos and I bet was stunning with the D98 Accent Stripes.

Oh, and yes, 3.08:1 was the only axle ratio available with the L75 455 in the Formula and Trans Am in 1974.

No problem at all Rocky. I did the same obviously prior to making an offer but the only certain conclusion I came to was assume the worst, hope for the best.

Once I get it, I will bring it back to original appearance. It may take a while, but the stripe will eventually be put back on the car.

Great looking car. I would follow through with the stripes, and the various missing trim as ordered on this car. Well bought!

I think he should have left off the part about non matching numbers. Cost him some money.

Posting info on Y90 and color combo.

Nice car, and one of my favorite interiors. I love the black with the cloth inserts.

This was posted on Jan 21
The original listing said it ended/sold Jan 18 for $18,500

It then shows it was relisted and ended/sold for $17,500 on Jan 23
Post-dating any posts made by im4darush about the car.

The relisted listing goes a little deeper into some descriptions.
Guessing that im4darush perhaps backed out on the car ?
Not knocking on him, or the car.
But the car was a little less than what most might have hoped for going by the original listing/description.
Quite a few more weaknesses disclosed.
I would have probably walked away from it even before going to do a personal inspection. JMHO