[SD73]

Great news! Congratulations! You sure went a long way to get the original SD Oil Cap you've been looking for!

[SD455DJ]

Congratulations Rocky & Jim! I remember seeing that car a long time ago at one of the midwest POCI shows (Minnesota in the early '90's?) and it was georgeous! That is a loaded automatic car right? Steve and his wife brought a few F-birds to the show if I recall and they always had fantastic all original or restored cars, not junk like I've got.

DJ

[Jim Rotella]

Yes DJ, it's the same car that Steve brought to the Nationals a couple of times. We are in the process of cleaning it up a bit and then Rocky will take some pictures and post them. It's in the same shape as it was back then because it was rarely driven. Quietly, I've been on the lookout for a Super Duty T/A for some time now and when this one became available, I couldn't pass it up. Rocky and I have known about this car since Steve bought it from it's original owner (who was also from Nebraska) back in the 80's, so we knew just what condition it was in. Now I've got no choice but to remain neutral in all these Super Duty vs. 455 HO discussions on the 70-73 Firebird forum.

[johnta1]

Congrats, Jim and Rocky!

Neutral?

No way, SD Power all the way!

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by Jim Rotella

Yes DJ, it's the same car that Steve brought to the Nationals a couple of times. We are in the process of cleaning it up a bit and then Rocky will take some pictures and post them. It's in the same shape as it was back then because it was rarely driven. Quietly, I've been on the lookout for a Super Duty T/A for some time now and when this one became available, I couldn't pass it up. Rocky and I have known about this car since Steve bought it from it's original owner (who was also from Nebraska) back in the 80's, so we knew just what condition it was in. Now I've got no choice but to remain neutral in all these Super Duty vs. 455 HO discussions on the 70-73 Firebird forum.

Hey Jim - that is one fine survivor Super Duty Trans Am, congrats again on pulling the trigger on it!

Sure glad that Rocky "persuaded" you to go for it, LOL!

[Jim Rotella]

Yeah Lloyd, Rocky twisted and twisted my arm........Actually it was a no-brainer because Admiralty Blue is the color I always wanted from the day one and the pedigree or background on this car is all there. Also, Steve has been a big help with the purchase and transporting of this car. He's an expert on Super Duty Trans Ams and he knows this car inside and out.

[SD455DJ]

Originally Posted by Jim Rotella

Yes DJ, it's the same car that Steve brought to the Nationals a couple of times. We are in the process of cleaning it up a bit and then Rocky will take some pictures and post them. It's in the same shape as it was back then because it was rarely driven. Quietly, I've been on the lookout for a Super Duty T/A for some time now and when this one became available, I couldn't pass it up. Rocky and I have known about this car since Steve bought it from it's original owner (who was also from Nebraska) back in the 80's, so we knew just what condition it was in. Now I've got no choice but to remain neutral in all these Super Duty vs. 455 HO discussions on the 70-73 Firebird forum.

Jim,

You did good. Real good! It is a very nice TA and in very capable hands. I think you should haul it over to the TA Nats in late August (hint, hint). As for the SD vs HO dyno wars, Dan and I have seen a slight nod go in favor of the SD motor due to better breathing heads and the 301/313 cam when compression was equal at 9.25:1 or above. When the compression is lower (below 9.0:1) they are very comparable in regards to hp and torque. Remember, they both ran E/SA back in the day in the F body. The HO gets to maximize its compression up to 10.19:1 vs only 9.55:1 for the SD in NHRA stock class and that does make a big difference.

DJ

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

Jim,

You did good. Real good! It is a very nice TA and in very capable hands. I think you should haul it over to the TA Nats in late August (hint, hint). As for the SD vs HO dyno wars, Dan and I have seen a slight nod go in favor of the SD motor due to better breathing heads and the 301/313 cam when compression was equal at 9.25:1 or above. When the compression is lower (below 9.0:1) they are very comparable in regards to hp and torque. Remember, they both ran E/SA back in the day in the F body. The HO gets to maximize its compression up to 10.19:1 vs only 9.55:1 for the SD in NHRA stock class and that does make a big difference.

DJ

Great info for the HO vs. SD debate, Dennis.

Thanks for chiming in!

[Brewster]

I dont see it on TAC could you post link to review ???

[Wareagle]

Originally Posted by Brewster

I dont see it on TAC could you post link to review ???

Heres the link - some other cool cars in there too .
http://transamcountry.com/community/...?topic=36831.0

[Held for Ransom]

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/cs...815417348.html

Anyone looking for a lowly '74?

[Guilty]

I know this may be in the wrong year, but what is a 1974 white, red/white, auto, a/c loaded SD TA that needs some work done to it worth? Here's the kicker....... it also came from the factory with a white vinyl top. It is a complete numbers matching car and is a dry southern car too. Any input would be appreciated.
Brian

[johnta1]

White with white top?


That's what Critter needs to match his blue top SD TA.

[455ick]

Hello SD owners

I recently purchased a survivor 73 SD and was thinking about removing the motor and tranny for resto..Since I have not restored a unibody car like this was just wondering if it would be safe or possible to drop the front frame/engine and tranny in one piece?
Just starting some resto research.. also any one know of sources for NOS or good original parts. NOS steering wheel would be first on list??

Thanks for any help
Rick
73 SD White all original #s matching untouched

[74SDformula]

Originally Posted by 455ick

Hello SD owners

I recently purchased a survivor 73 SD and was thinking about removing the motor and tranny for resto..Since I have not restored a unibody car like this was just wondering if it would be safe or possible to drop the front frame/engine and tranny in one piece?
Just starting some resto research.. also any one know of sources for NOS or good original parts. NOS steering wheel would be first on list??

Thanks for any help
Rick
73 SD White all original #s matching untouched

If this car is truly a survivor I would think long and hard before beginning a restoration. A car is only original once. Everybody is different, but I like survivor cars over restored cars.

[PureSD]

[QUOTE=455ick;4045737]Hello SD owners

I recently purchased a survivor 73 SD and was thinking about removing the motor and tranny for resto..Since I have not restored a unibody car like this was just wondering if it would be safe or possible to drop the front frame/engine and tranny in one piece?
Just starting some resto research.. also any one know of sources for NOS or good original parts. NOS steering wheel would be first on list??

Thanks for any help
Rick
73 SD White all original #s matching untouched[/QUOTE

Congrats on your purchase. Was this the one on ebay? If so, very nice original car! If the engine and compartment do not look way scaly, leave it alone and just detail the S*#t out of it. How bout pics?

[Brewster]

Wow, where does one start the interior or that trans-a/c combo ???

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by Brewster

Wow, where does one start the interior or that trans-a/c combo ???

X2!

Seems we've seen that car somewhere here before . . .

IIRC, it's a gennie SD A/C auto that had a stick conversion done to it?

[cliffhanger]

now i basically don't mind red seats with a black interior, audi's pull it off magnificently, just as some toyota(or lexus) sportycars, bmw, but this looks friggin horrible!

surprised there is no floor mats with flames in there

[Larry Navarro]

That car was for sale years ago at the Volo Museum.