[dadsformula]

I'm another one with a biased opionon because i have a 73 455/M21 Admialty Blue
Custom Dark Saddle, Gauges with Tac, no Air, PS, PB, Tilt, Formula Wheel, Y99
The Car has 24 options. After i sold my GTO, my son and i were not looking for
another Car, but anytime we would see an early Formula at a show, we would
both say that was the only other Car we would concider. This one came along,
and i'm happy to say, it was a great decision to buy the Car. The one point that
has to be made, is that most of these options would be included in the Trans-Am
and i would love to have one some day. I think the looks are personal taste,
and for me, yes that hood does make the differance and is the reason Formula
would be my choice. I would not prefer any formula, without at least the 400,
and the Y99 Suspension over any TA. For pure looks, i gotta say Formula, but
as they say looks are not everything. Ugliest Muscle Car ever was the AMC
Rebel Machine, but that Car did have the goodies.

[RAFormulas]

I can't believe no body has started a new thread with the title.

"Who likes 70-73 Trans Ams better than Formulas"

[71 T/A]

You realize that all you Formula lovers are driving up the cost of my next car - a Formula. LOL!

[2manyT/A'S]

I firmly believe that the values of 70-73 Formula 400 & 455's (stick cars with factory gauges) could equal OR surpass Trans am values. (Ram Air III's & HO cars FOR SURE!)

EVERYBODY likes those cars,probably more so than the Trans am.

Trans am (70-73) values have kind of reached a "plateau",where as the early Formula's have ALWAYS been undervalued & they are definately STILL on the appreciation curve.

In 1970,Formula 400 production was over double that of the Trans am,but I'll bet that the Trans am had a WAY HIGHER "survival rate".

Will be interesting to see where the values go when we come out of the current economic slump.

[superdutybob]

Originally Posted by dadsformula

I'm another one with a biased opionon because i have a 73 455/M21 Admialty Blue
Custom Dark Saddle.

I assume you mean M20 as an M21 was not available in 73. M21 was what the designation was for the 74 BW transmission that is in all 74 SD 4 speed cars. Anybody know differently?

[TH65]

Wow, I never knew the Formulas are so popular.

[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by superdutybob

I assume you mean M20 as an M21 was not available in 73. M21 was what the designation was for the 74 BW transmission that is in all 74 SD 4 speed cars. Anybody know differently?

My old '73 Trans Am was a 455/M21 (close ratio, stamped B).
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=443060

[dadsformula]

It's for sure an M21. (vin no. on the tranny) Did a little reseach and from what i can
find the Close Ratio was the required 4 speed with the 455 in 73. 26 spline input
and TH400 output. 11 inch Clucth and 40 pound Flywheel also. I also believe the
Y99 suspension was required on the 455/4sp. Most of this is from the 73 assembly
line manual. I only know of one other 73 455/4sp and that one is also Ram Air
so not a lot of data to confirm this stuff.

[2manyT/A'S]

FWIW: ALL 71 & 72 Trans ams came with M22's.

It was mandatory with the 455 HO,so LS-5 Formula's would have them if 4 speed was checked off.

[71 T/A]

Here's a nice 73 Formula 400, but $22K?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/73-FO...=p4506.c0.m245

[lighthouseman]

Very nice car (pictures). A little rich for a 73 car, but you never know (wish it was a 70 model).

[bird72]

The image of each has mutated over the years. I go with the true to the times, 70-73 image of each.

Image today among the general "musclecar set" (and the magazines):

Trans Am: The hottest one, the all out muscle car. (and with RAIV, yes technically it was king in 70, in 71-73 no matter)
Formula: Sort of a Trans Am junior, or lil bro.

Images in 1972 say, when I was starting senior year of high school:
Trans Am: Cool Road Car styled after sports car racing, a car a 30-40's gentleman would buy.
Formula: what you would buy if you were going to assemble a street racer. Bad looks, no frills, no extra body parts, and absolutely no sporty car image. You did the engine and wheels like you wanted anyway so that was no concern as long as you had a 400 or 455 in there, modding it was what it was anyway....

[71 T/A]

The Formula was bought my someone who was more likely to hot rod it than a T/A.

[GETRIDAONE]

Kind of out of the time line (70-73) a little but still a Formula. I liked the 70 because nothing else looked like it with the endura front end, dual scoop hood and over the top Pontiac styling. I didn’t pay much attention to last generation of firebirds because of being busy working on my old ones. After seeing them more and more they had the same effect on me. “ I have to have one of those “ After a little research on my 2002 Formula (GMMG Year One Edition) It was a aftermarket hotrod but still had a factory warranty. The Formula production & sales ratio numbers didn’t get any better in 32 years. (see attached)

[dadsformula]

For the 73 Formula or Trans-am with the L75/4sp combo. Has anyone ever
seen a trans other than the M21 Muncie used? It is my unconfirmed
opinion that the M21 was mandatory for this combo. I think pontiac used
this combo with the low 2.20 first gear to keep the RPMS down for the
MPG ratings. The M20 could have easily handled the reduced power in
73, but from my research was never used in this combo. Kinda like the
M22 being mandatory for the 71 and 72 455/HO although in that case the
trans was used to handle the power of the HO. I don'y know if the M20
was used for the L75 in 71/72.

[2manyT/A'S]

1973 Pontiac Accessorizer & selling facts (dated Sept 21/72) states:

36E M20 standard on Trans am ( n/a with 250 or 400 2bbl. $200.00
36H M21 close ratio (available Formula with 400 4bbl. or 455 4bbl ONLY) $200.00

I'll see if I can find my 73 Power Train charts.
They should shed some more light on the subject.

[x-bird2]

best of both worlds, 73 sd formula with y-99 and rallye instrument cluster.

actually, i really wish they'd certified the formula hood ...

[x-bird2]

Originally Posted by RAFormulas

RA III guys get no respect.

But seriously... WTF happened here? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

I can't believe that car sold for so little!

"Modifications include rear spoiler"

hmmm ;~)

i'd actually say it was the auto A/C combo and work needed that kept it low.

[Brewster]

Sorry, but nothing beats wheel flares, the screaming chicken and shaker.

Dont get me wrong I love them both but just appreciate the style of the TA a little more.
If I had a one car garage if would have to be a Trans Am but I have a three car and hope to afford a formula in the near future.
LOL,
Brew

[71 T/A]

As much as I still like things from the 70s, I seemed to have outgrown the screaming chicken, wheel flares and shaker. To me, the Formula hood is timeless.