#1  
Old 10-10-2012, 12:50 AM
mscicluna007's Avatar
mscicluna007 mscicluna007 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 303
Default 1973 Y CODE SD-455 T/A MAGAZINE TEST CAR - RESTORATION

First and Foremost Thankyou to a few People.

James Rotella & Rocky Rotella for their hard work behind the scenes in discovering my cars history.

Leigh Peddel in Australia as he started the PY Thread behind the scenes to help solve the questions I did not have answers to.

And the PY Thread and its members for all the information that has and is coming forward.

Big Thanks to High Performance Pontiac Magazine for agreeing to run the story and helping document the car.

I have been waiting patiently until the magazine went to the shelves to allow Rocky the credit he deserves. He has spoken to countless people and even flown out of state to try and solve this one. Countless Emails back and forth and alot of his own time to help document this correctly.

I hope more information comes forward but for now most avenues may have been Exhausted.

I bought this car as a 73 TA and I was proud to own it as just that. So anything else is a bonus.

I want this thread to be about the Restoration and Getting the car documented correctly to aid with the restoration as best I can. I am keeping the car original as far as I can and what I don't get to now I will get to one day as it will eat me alive not doing it right.

I will be uploading Pictures of the restoration and I think some things might help others with their Restorations with things like the Paint under the floorpans.

The last 3 months I have spent stripping the car down prepping it for summer to try and get in to a Panel Shop that is trusted. It is nearly ready to leave and I hope its out by Christmas.

I will try to answer what I can and I am sure you will help me with this restoration. I had a ten year plan with the car and hopeful to have it done in 5 years. I think I am well ahead of schedule LOL at the moment so I will just keep progressing. I have taken ridiculous amounts of photos prior to and after removal of parts so when they go back in due course they will look correct.

Feel free to comment.



1973 SD-455 Y CODE T/A MAGAZINE TEST CAR

Michael Scicluna

AUS
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-07-04 15.29.31.jpg
Views:	516
Size:	81.4 KB
ID:	299952   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-07-04 15.31.48.jpg
Views:	565
Size:	88.7 KB
ID:	299953   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-07-04 15.38.23.jpg
Views:	424
Size:	65.3 KB
ID:	299954   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-07-04 15.40.08.jpg
Views:	568
Size:	97.9 KB
ID:	299955   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-07-21 11.13.201.jpg
Views:	509
Size:	53.4 KB
ID:	299956  



Last edited by mscicluna007; 10-10-2012 at 12:58 AM.
  #2  
Old 10-10-2012, 12:57 AM
bossbirdta's Avatar
bossbirdta bossbirdta is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Ca.
Posts: 1,038
Thumbs up

BITCHIN'......

Best of luck!!!!!

  #3  
Old 10-10-2012, 05:51 AM
Pepi's Avatar
Pepi Pepi is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sussex, WI
Posts: 1,517
Default

Awesome, can't wait to follow that thread.

__________________
1973 Formula 400 4 spd 04C build date Norwood assembly plant.
  #4  
Old 10-10-2012, 05:57 AM
GRNMTGOAT's Avatar
GRNMTGOAT GRNMTGOAT is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: central vermont
Posts: 445
Default

A good story, just got the mag yesterday.It will be interesting to find out if the motor made it to Aussie ? Enjoy the resto you lucky guy, regards Bruce.

__________________
1970 T/A RA3 #'s match.
  #5  
Old 10-10-2012, 07:03 AM
165th's Avatar
165th 165th is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 1,352
Default

Great story!

Yeah to all those who researched and put the pieces together to recognize this car and get the story out.

And kudo's to you for making the decision to bring her back to her days of Glory. I know it probably wasn't your first thought on what direction to go so I applaud you.

Only here on PY would this have turned out like this!

Good luck with the restoration.

  #6  
Old 10-10-2012, 07:44 AM
LeighP's Avatar
LeighP LeighP is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,637
Default

Waiting on the magazine....hope I can find it locally.

Honored to have just a small part in uncovering the nature of this car's history, and getting a chance to see it in person and talk to Michael.....great to know this car is found, and in pretty good restorable condition.

__________________
Regards,
Leigh
Pontiacs I’ve owned….
1960 Laurentian 283
1963 Laurentian 283
1976 Trans Am 400
1977 Trans Am 400
1951 Chieftain Flat head 6
1967 Firebird 400 convertible
1967 Firebird 400 coupe
1979 Trans Am 403
1971 Formula 455 (clone)
1969 Firebird 350
1968 Firebird 428 manual.
Sydney, Australia
  #7  
Old 10-10-2012, 08:25 AM
The Boss's Avatar
The Boss The Boss is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Newtown, CT
Posts: 15,454
Default

Very cool car, can't wait to see the story come full circle!

__________________
Some guys they just give up living
And start dying little by little, piece by piece,
Some guys come home from work and wash up,
And go racin' in the street.


Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - 1978
  #8  
Old 10-13-2012, 01:26 PM
1qikta's Avatar
1qikta 1qikta is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Woodstock,Ga
Posts: 2,085
Default

Just got my issue. Great story.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC06515.JPG
Views:	375
Size:	113.6 KB
ID:	300226  

__________________


Nothing is impossible if you break it down into possibilities. It's all a matter of "Want to".
  #9  
Old 10-13-2012, 08:44 PM
se428bandit's Avatar
se428bandit se428bandit is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Savannah, Ga
Posts: 1,866
Default

Received my magazine today,that is a great story on that car.Looking forward to seeing that T/A restored.

  #10  
Old 10-16-2012, 02:00 PM
Formulajones's Avatar
Formulajones Formulajones is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,794
Default

I don't subscribe to that mag anymore, but it sure is neat to hear that another cars cool history is documented.

  #11  
Old 10-16-2012, 03:53 PM
mscicluna007's Avatar
mscicluna007 mscicluna007 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 303
Default How it all unfolded

This is where Alot of the detective work started on discovering the cars history.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=704249

Leigh was a great help along with the Rotellas and the members of the thread also.

  #12  
Old 10-16-2012, 07:49 PM
Brewster's Avatar
Brewster Brewster is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: North Woods of Wisconsin
Posts: 4,809
Default

Great read and look forward in watching the restoration.
Cheers!

  #13  
Old 10-18-2012, 02:19 AM
mscicluna007's Avatar
mscicluna007 mscicluna007 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 303
Default Bonnet and Shaker

So the Eagle had a coat of Paint but luckily when I bought the car I was given a GM Replacement Decal that is still intact and very useable.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-07-04 16.24.48.jpg
Views:	219
Size:	65.2 KB
ID:	300696   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-07-04 16.25.57.jpg
Views:	207
Size:	66.0 KB
ID:	300697   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020406.jpg
Views:	217
Size:	41.3 KB
ID:	300698   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020399.jpg
Views:	207
Size:	44.2 KB
ID:	300699  

  #14  
Old 10-18-2012, 02:29 AM
mscicluna007's Avatar
mscicluna007 mscicluna007 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 303
Default 455

So this is the block I have a 455 WT 485428 Casting Block.

Going by the numbers It belongs to one year model car only and thats a 1973 firebird T/A or Formula Manual Vehicle so if your car is missing its motor than I might have it.

It has a partial VIN and how this made its way here may answer some questions that I was seeking.

This is a complete motor with correct casting heads and Carburettor and manifold.

Only the distributor was replaced with a Mallaroy twin point dizzy.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020114.jpg
Views:	235
Size:	59.2 KB
ID:	300700   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-07-04 15.40.12.jpg
Views:	214
Size:	82.7 KB
ID:	300701   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-07-04 15.40.17.jpg
Views:	214
Size:	82.8 KB
ID:	300702   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020118.jpg
Views:	222
Size:	84.1 KB
ID:	300703   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020123.jpg
Views:	266
Size:	80.7 KB
ID:	300704  


  #15  
Old 10-18-2012, 02:32 AM
mscicluna007's Avatar
mscicluna007 mscicluna007 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 303
Default Heads and Intake Manifold

These are the 4x heads that fixed my back for a good two weeks after I tore a ligament carrying them one at a time of course.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	20120707_101711.jpg
Views:	209
Size:	76.5 KB
ID:	300705   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-07-07 15.17.47.jpg
Views:	210
Size:	62.8 KB
ID:	300706   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020173.jpg
Views:	195
Size:	94.6 KB
ID:	300707   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020176.jpg
Views:	201
Size:	105.0 KB
ID:	300708   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020219.jpg
Views:	202
Size:	88.6 KB
ID:	300709  


  #16  
Old 10-18-2012, 02:34 AM
mscicluna007's Avatar
mscicluna007 mscicluna007 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 303
Default Shaker Setup

Shaker setup great to see it all their
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020227.jpg
Views:	176
Size:	81.0 KB
ID:	300710   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020226.jpg
Views:	175
Size:	95.9 KB
ID:	300711   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020224.jpg
Views:	182
Size:	90.4 KB
ID:	300712   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020223.jpg
Views:	209
Size:	101.0 KB
ID:	300713  

  #17  
Old 10-18-2012, 04:44 AM
LeighP's Avatar
LeighP LeighP is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,637
Default

Nice thing about this car is that surprisingly, an huge amount of the original car is still present.....seems the only thing that was removed was the SD itself.
Given it's gone through many owners, a lot of whom were not Pontiac collectors, I am truly surprised it was not modified, chopped about or otherwise destroyed. Even the original Rally IIs are still on the car.
My 76 T/A had the same multi owner treatment, and a genuine 455 Starlight Black 4 speed T/A ended up, by the time I bought it, as a light blue, 350 SBC powered auto with almost none of the original options still fitted....sad, but not unusual.

__________________
Regards,
Leigh
Pontiacs I’ve owned….
1960 Laurentian 283
1963 Laurentian 283
1976 Trans Am 400
1977 Trans Am 400
1951 Chieftain Flat head 6
1967 Firebird 400 convertible
1967 Firebird 400 coupe
1979 Trans Am 403
1971 Formula 455 (clone)
1969 Firebird 350
1968 Firebird 428 manual.
Sydney, Australia
  #18  
Old 10-18-2012, 03:36 PM
mscicluna007's Avatar
mscicluna007 mscicluna007 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 303
Default

I think the 70's was too well known for racing and the cars probably saw the drag strip much more than they would today.

  #19  
Old 10-18-2012, 04:38 PM
mscicluna007's Avatar
mscicluna007 mscicluna007 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 303
Default Interior

This was probably the worst area. The original carpet was thrown out and a custom one fitted some time after conversion back in 1981. The Dash is a fibreglass dash in RHD which has now been pulled from the car as I am now prepping the car to return it to LHD.

The seats not much was left off as they had detiorated and had basic repairs over the vinyl. Their is obviously no build sheets tucked in any crevice and trust me I have looked everywhere.

The rear frames were in poor condition.

I have since sourced a good second hand set.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	$(KGrHqQOKk!E6033WtTkBP26V!eTQg~~60_3.jpg
Views:	211
Size:	96.6 KB
ID:	300766   Click image for larger version

Name:	$(KGrHqVHJC8E+WwjKDdoBP26UGN6)g~~60_3.jpg
Views:	166
Size:	68.3 KB
ID:	300767   Click image for larger version

Name:	$(KGrHqJHJBQE+Jlb3UunBP26VS)(oQ~~60_3.jpg
Views:	158
Size:	71.6 KB
ID:	300768   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020307.jpg
Views:	145
Size:	53.7 KB
ID:	300769   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1020363.jpg
Views:	160
Size:	57.0 KB
ID:	300770  


  #20  
Old 10-18-2012, 04:47 PM
mscicluna007's Avatar
mscicluna007 mscicluna007 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 303
Default Deluxe Black Seats

I obtained these seats last weekend. Travelled 900kms from home to collect and 900 kms back to home and they were well worth the trip. Much better condition than mine.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-10-16 11.21.20.jpg
Views:	143
Size:	54.1 KB
ID:	300772   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-10-16 11.21.06.jpg
Views:	126
Size:	53.5 KB
ID:	300773   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-10-16 11.20.07.jpg
Views:	120
Size:	58.2 KB
ID:	300775   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-10-16 11.20.17.jpg
Views:	116
Size:	74.1 KB
ID:	300776  

Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:59 AM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017