73 Formula 455 GangGreen
 

We have a new member named GangGreen who owns a 73 Formula that was formerly his brothers car, his brother has passed on and now he has the car.

It is a Y-code VIN car with Automatic.

He has reason to believe it has an SD engine in the car.
So going to help him determine what it is.

Said to be a lifelong California Car.
I'm guessing maybe its a Brewster Green car ? From his screen name.

Here are some details :
"it’s in great original condition, saddle interior, automatic, air, auto windows, console, clock"

In first picture , notice how the PCV valve is routed into the oil filler cap on the driver side valve cover.
= SD only

In second picture , notice the cast characters "LS2" to the right of thermostat area = SD only
LS2 is the designation for SD455 engine ,,,, like Chevy had LS6 as a designation.
Also right next to thermostat area is a date code - for example K122 or E123 etc....

Third picture is where to find carburetor ID on driver side of carb.
This example is 17057274

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/c...5a2af35f/1.jpg

https://stories.hemmings.com/wp-cont...mage-17908.jpg

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...it=2048%2C1536

If you don't have the special pcv arrangement and LS2 intake , probably not going to be an SD , unless its been modified , which can happen.

These further steps will document what you do have no matter what engine it is.
You will have defacto confirmation.

Picture one is the head code ID , #48 in this example.

Picture two is the head date code , H208 in this example.

It should only take a couple minutes to verify your carb , intake , and heads.
After that report from you , i will go into all the ID's on the block.
It is also easy stuff to find and capture.

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...it=2048%2C1536

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...it=2048%2C1536

A thread on SD 455 that is being restored:

SD 455


The head is round port.

Looks like this:
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...4&d=1723136081


There is a 1 and a 6 on middle ports.

The distributor will be different compared to normal distributors.
The hole it goes into is a lot bigger. Probably can't tell installed though. It has a code on it that will tell.

The below the back of the passenger head on the block is a casting number that will ID the SD block also.

Pictures will help tremendously.

Sounds like an awesome car, though.


:)

1973 formula 455 GangGreen
 

Some pictures

1973 Formula 455 GangGreen
 

More pictures

1973 formula 455GangGreen
 

More pictures

Navajo Orange. VIN indicates 455, non-SD. Heads looks like a 71 400.

71 72 73 year model 455 block - Code YC
With the partial 0 character leading the EUN. " ( "
So it might be the original block , but it is not an SD block.
We can help you determine if it is the original block.

71 400cid heads #96
That's a popular 455 build combo with those heads to bump compression ratio.

Intake is a 1972 model.

Appraiser didn't know his azz from a hole in the ground.
But you have a Very Nice Formula 455 in a great color combo.

The rivets on trim tag are not factory rivets .
By that time in 73 production they were actually using the bolt head screws instead of rivets.

The steering wheel collar looks like a corrugated drain hose was utilized as a sleeve.

Definitely not a SD block. Need the partial VIN on block to see what year it is. Hopefully at least a 455.

Cowl tag has rivets that look aftermarket. (should be screws anyway)

I'd say don't trust the appraisal?

Car looks good, some mods to it.

:)

Treed by BVZ!

The EUN on the block is extremely too low to be original .
That is a low count EUN from the beginning of whatever production year.

( 003286 is ultra early in a model year , but your car is ultra late built in 73 model year.

73 Fbody production didn't start until Sept or Oct of 1972 because of the 72 strike at Norwood..
73 Fbody production ended in July or August of 1973.
So your Formula was nearing the end of the model year with an 07B body date
= 2nd week of July 1973

W66 on the trim tag is the indicator for Formula Firebird.

The dashpad , metal dash , console would not be black with a saddle interior.
They would all be saddle tones.
The carpet should be much darker also.

Just little factoids to bring you up to higher knowledge.

I owned a 73 SD TA for 20 years with an untouched saddle interior.

The invoice from PHS will tell you things like -
If the car was originally built with the RamAir Induction option that is on it now.
That was a fairly rare option.

It was possible to order Orange carpet in 1973 , maybe it had that originally and he changed it.
If the Formula wheel was original it will tell.
And will tell which dealership sold the car new.

Here is an Invoice for a Navajo Orange 73 Formula 400 that was ordered with RamAir and Orange carpet.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...2&d=1504906243

Here are some block ID pics.

Pic one is the date code - at the back near distributor .
Usually can jam a cellphone camera in there with flash on and capture it.
I038 on this example.

Pic two is the block casting number - at rear of block on passenger side.

Pic three is the partial VIN - down low on front face , passenger side.

Since the car was out in Cali , the replacement block may be from a Cali built car.
Fremont cars will have the VIN in a different spot - up higher towards the top - on the same flat face - on passenger side.

455's have actual 455 in raised numerals cast on one or both sides - around freeze plug vicinities.

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...it=2048%2C1536

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...it=1536%2C2048

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...it=2048%2C1536

The #96 heads increased the comp ratio to around 9.5 : 1
The stock #4X heads would have been about 8 : 1

The 1973 intake would have had an EGR valve
Probably why he switched to a 72 intake.

He may have bought that engine already built by someone in the specialty Pontiac sector , and turned in the original engine to save the core charge.

If you post a picture of the underside of the ram air air cleaner, I might be able to tell the year.

1973 formula 455 GangGreen
 

More pictures

1973 formula 455 GangGreen
 

More pics

1973 formula 455 GangGreen
 

More car pictures

KEEP THAT CARB.


:)

John I'm pretty certain that is one of the "restamp restoration" carbs from PY catalog back in late 80's to early 90's . Notice it has no date code - or pick code .

I bought one back then for a 7040273 - stamped the same way.
On top of that - mine is a Carter Qjet - not Rochester.

They were said to have been built to correct application specs and sold outright.

GangGreen that 7043270 is the application number for 73 SD Automatic.
Its not real , but I'm sure it works as good as a real one would.

I bet your brother really cherished that Formula.
Sharp car in great condition.

Thanks, BVZ. I didn't look real close, just saw the number.
Later saw it didn't have date or 'pick' letters.


:)

1973 formula 455 GangGreen
 

Vin# 2U87Y3N142276
Head- # 96 , from 1971 400
Head date- E1711
Intake- E142, 1972 ( intake)
455 Block- 003286YC
Quadrajet- # 7043270
Body- 07 B body date = 2 nd week of July 1973
WR66- formula

I believe this is what you guys are saying, putting in a file, yes my brother loved this car, only had it for less than 10 years but made me promise to bring it home. Beings the appraiser is wrong, what should we insure this car for, in your opinion?

On the block where this is - 003286YC, down lower by the timing cover is another stamped set of alpha/numbers. Looks like 23N1xxxxx with x=digits and the 3 and N may be different.


That would be the vin of the car the engine came from.


:)

The retail market value with what I can see - I would guess 28-32k
With original engine and interior corrections maybe 40k
Others are welcome to share opinions.

They only made 43 examples of 1973 SuperDuty Formula's
33 Auto & 10 4spd
If it were one of those 33 Automatics in its current condition with matching numbers engine
You would be looking at 100-125k , perhaps more.

There was only one built in Navajo Orange , it is Automatic.
Special ordered new by a lifelong Pontiac celebrity named Nunzi Romano
He still owns it
His would probably be 150-200k due to his status , maybe even more.

Would be entertaining to hear what the appraisers value was on the car.

John or Ransom might be able to tell how many Y-Code 455 Formulas were built.
Maybe even break it down into 455 Automatic with RamAir.

Corrected and added my thoughts.


Air cleaner looks like a '73 RA unit but vacuum hose routing is incorrect. Was there a tag on the drivers side?


https://www.phs-online.com/order-info-packet/

You can order Pontiac invoicing from PHS that will let you know how it originally was made. Takes a few days to get by E-mail and the $110 cost is high, but if you want to insure for 35-40K, it's nice to use for appraisal.

Formula 455 Auto = 503
Formula 455 Manual = 227

I have seen numerous Automatics , but think have seen but one documented Manual
Where'd they all go ?

GangGreen is there an EGR valve on the passenger side of your carburetor ?
Or a block off plate ?
Will be right around the choke mechanism.

I can see what looks like ...724 ..on the intake in one picture.
Probably a 491244
Early early 1973 intake

With G of 72 date

I thought it was a C date , and Green called it an E date.
Not a clear picture

I know '73 had several different numbers. I thought the 491244 was always a misread.


Correct numbers on the standard Formula 455.
533 RA's (WU3) made. No breakdown on 400 vs. 455.

In this picture it "looks like" partial number .9724.
The 7 is probably a sloppy 1
Wallace lists the 491244
,..............and the 492744

I get to cheat using a tablet and do the pinch-out to zoom in.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1725312498

GangGreen , the way the date codes work is the first letter is the month
A - Jan
B - Feb
C - March
D- April
and onwards

Next two numbers are the Day of month

Last number is always the Year

Then you have to know when the production breaks are for model years.
And other factors. lol

Your Heads are May 17 1971
On top of that we know they are 1971 model heads by the #96 casting number.

Your block could be 71 72 or 73
We know that from the leading " ( " in the EUN .
You can close that gap if you find the partial VIN.
You can pinpoint that gap if you decipher the block date code.

Would be of best scenario to verify it , and have it be a 73 model block.
Might match up with the early 73 Intake.
Its not going to be the matching number engine , but it would be year model and application code correct replacement.
That does win back some lost points in value.

Hagerty doesn't even list value for 73 Formula 455, skips from a 400 to SD455

Formula 400 in good condition 17k
Formula SD455 in good condition 116k

Y-Code Trans Am 455 in good condition 29k

I'd say this car is probably in-between good and excellent

I noticed that with Hagerty valuations. Odd.

What I have seen with respect to values for a 1973 Formula 455 is them being close to or around regular 1973 Trans Ams prices --- with the lower production 1973 manual trans Formula 455 easily equaling or bettering the standard 1973 Trans Am (non-SD).

I pretty much agree with that.
If its a factory RamAir equipped car , would value it pretty equal to a Y-Code 455 TA Automatic.

I tried to buy a loaded 73 Formula 455 RA Auto car about 30 years ago with a locked up engine.
Florentine Red (burgundy) with Deluxe OxBlood interior.
It was for sale , but he thought it was a gold mine.

I think we have stumbled on the reason why the appraiser proposed/declared it to be a SuperDuty.
He probably used the Hagerty value guide , and didn't apply research/logic.

Probably handed GangGreen a 6-figure appraisal quote.
ouch

Green,
the Y-Code 455 was rated 250hp
the X-Code SD455 was rated 290/310hp ... (Hagerty and some others use 310 , but that version didn't go into production line cars)

Another reference is
Y-Code = L75
X-Code = LS2

Here is an L75 Formula 455 invoice

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...AQ&oe=66DFD689

1973 formula 455 Ganggreen
 

Sorry, been super busy. I will try to post the appraisal tonight so you guys can see what he did.

1973 formula 455 Ganggreen
 

Appraisal and pictures

1973 formula 455 Ganggreen
 

A couple more pictures and appraisal

Thanks. Bob needs to have his appraiser's license revoked ��

Surprised noone (appraiser too) mentioned how a 1973 Formula with an SD-455 would have come with a Trans Am hood....

Not many people would know this fact, you really have to be a very knowledgeable Pontiac Firebird person. That excludes lots of car appraisers.

That said I would want my money back on that appraisal, because it is not worth anything except for documenting the condition of the car with the pictures.

Further if you insure the car with an agreed value policy, you don’t need an appraisal anyway. I’d say $40-50,000USD so you can fix it or replace it if it is damaged/lost.

I would not value it any higher than a 1973, Y code, auto Trans Am

I would if certain options were there. You need PHS in this case. They made 3,130 TA L75/auto and 503 Formula L75/auto.
Appraisal from that company is worthless.

Rarely is not always an indicator of demand. My observations have been that Formulas do not get the Love when compared to an equivalently optioned and year TA. I guess a no console/ column shift TA would be a good exception.

I think the worst part is that for the past year , dear old Bob White has mislead the owner of this Formula into misbelieving a family heirloom is worth 180-200k.
And then we innocently bring the value into reality.

I think its time for Bob to retire.

Even on the elementary side , he missed the wrong colored interior pieces and lists them as original.
Includes the non-original wheel flares as original .
And no idea what he means about an overhead console.

Would call Bob and offer to sell him or any of his collector friends the car for 100k , as a token of appreciation.

40-50k agreed value on an insurance policy sounds like pretty realistic coverage.