[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by David Holmberg

Me too! I worked at Charlie Sturgil Pontiac in 79/80 and drove every car that was delivered to the lot. (One way streets caused anything leaving the service dept to go around the block to get to the sales lot.)

The 73-77 TA's weren't that impressive either, mostly because of gearing and factory tune ups. The 78/79 W72 cars were quicker.

From 78 to 84 I owned and raced
71 TA HO 4-speed white/blue int
73 Brewster Green TA 455/auto
78 Y88-W72-WS6 TA, Auto
80 Turbo TA, stock, then a low 14 sec 400, then a 455.

If the 6x based 400 of 77-79 wasn't so good, why has it always been so popular in the NHRA stock classes? It hasn't been a secret for 20 years.

And Car and Driver tested the 79 TA at 15.10

I just saw a HPP retro test from a old mag and it ran 14.96 & 15.04
Considering the weight, converters and emissions and gearing that was hauling ass in that era.