[FormulaDon]

Hi I'm new to this forum.

I have a 73 Formula 455 which has a 73 455 motor but not original to the car but the car is 1 of 507 made with the 455. Restored runs and drives perfect. It is Red with Factory A/C, PW and TH400. The previous owner installed T-Tops from a 78 T/A and looks factory. So that is not correct.

I have been approached by someone to trade their 75 T/A 400 with the original motor and drive train even up for it. He wants a Red 70 to 73 Firebird. His is Silver.

Both are in excellent shape and everything works well.

Question is..which is more valuable or are they equal is price to trade?

[65madgoat]

Welcome to the forum. I'd venture to say they are about equal with a very slight nod to the 1975 due to it having the original motor - although 1970 to 1973 are special and in my opinion the best looking 2nd gen style. The t-tops in the 1973 may in my mind hurt value to most there, but in this case if he is ok with it, and you are fine with a 1975, then go for it. At least a 1975 is smog exempt in California so opens the whole US to a potential buyer there down the road with no smog issues.

[72projectbird]

A 73 Formula 455 is a pretty cool car, but having tops cut into it is gonna kill the value. That said, of all the year 2nd gen TAs out there, 75s are usually the least valuable.

At this point, as much as I'd want to keep the 73, if I knew I could get out from under a car that had tops cut into it, without having to put cash on top, I'd take that exit.

[kingbuzzo]

I have a 74 but would switch to a 73 in a heartbeat. 75's will eventually appreciate as they are undervalued imo.

You could always re-roof your 73 or keep it and it would still be a 73.

Some 75's on the internets rn for comparison reasons only:



https://www.musclecarsforsaleinc.com...am-c-13405.htm

https://www.beverlyhillscarclub.com/...am-c-16773.htm

[67Lemons]

I don’t look at cars for value personally but I’d consider which is more fun to drive, for me I’d rather drive a 455 than a 400 so I wouldn’t care about non original motor or t-tops as long as the experience of driving it was better.

[RocktimusPryme]

Probably close, the 73 is probably the more desirable model, but the 75 being original maybe closes the gap? the 74-76 cars always seemed like they weren't quite sure what they were to me.

[turbo69bird]

Maybe just me but I’d never trade a 73 straight up for a 75. No comparison. Not in style not In Value. 75s all are all over like horse poo . Just do a market place search they are easy to find. A roof is an easy fix I’ve been looking for a 70-73 body that’s clean and it’s much harder to find than a 74
And up

[jhein]

I'd keep the 73. Easy choice.

[Gary H]

Absolutely stay with the 73' Formula. A rarer and more desirable car IMO.

[65madgoat]

In going back to original poster's question of which is more valuable - although in my mind a 1970-1973 f body is way better looking and more desirable than any 1974-1976 (although a 1976 SE is pretty neat), this 1973 is not numbers matching and the roof is hacked.

Hard to say this 1973 is more valuable than a numbers matching 1975 Trans Am. Just saying.

[65madgoat]

No doubt a 455 1973 Formula is rarer and more desirable to most.

But one without its original motor and a cut roof? With 1973 455 Formulas going for $35k to $46k on average - with the original motor - where does this then stand?

[Skidmark]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

Probably close, the 73 is probably the more desirable model, but the 75 being original maybe closes the gap? the 74-76 cars always seemed like they weren't quite sure what they were to me.

The shovel nose has grown on me over time.

[Big Bear]

Have the roof changed and sell the t-bar roof to help offset the cost. You have the most desirable early design that is a proven reliable car with the right options.

[65madgoat]

$5k to $10k to change a roof on a car maybe worth $35k that is not matching numbers?

[b-man]

So you have a fully restored ‘73 with T-tops that aren’t correct.

How much does correctness matter to you, and do you like the T-tops?

If you like the T-tops then why trade? As long as you’re able to store the car inside and drive it in fair weather the leaky T-tops aren’t really an issue.

If the T-tops aren’t your thing then I guess trade, I don’t see a huge difference in value between the two cars.

[jhein]

Another very important thing is that your 73 is your car. You know it. The devil you know vs the one you don't.

[nas t eh]

What don’t you like about your 73 that would cause you to think about trading. Does it have full gauges, a formula steering wheel, the T/A suspension and posi? Rear spoiler? Ram Air? If it has those options or they were added you aren’t gaining much going to the T/A ( engine turned dash bezel, spoilers, fender vents and a bird on the hood). Pontiac made a lot of T/As in 75.

[Held for Ransom]

One thing that is annoying on the '74/'75 Firebirds is the header panel filler piece getting brittle and breaking apart. I can live with a nose where the paint crazes.
My vote, '73. Also, there's something about the wrap around rear window.

[TAKerry]

If its money that youre after, just sell the 73 as is and be done with it. Keeping an eye on value is not a bad idea but speculating on old cars as an investment is not a good idea. I agree with most comments that a 73 formula should be more valuable than a 75 ta. However your 73 has had modifications which do it no favor thus negatively affecting the price range. I disagree that 75 t/a's are readily available, I think they may be on the low end of the desirability of a second gen though. You need to make this decision for yourself, not on a general opinion. It shouldnt matter which is more valuable if you are comfortable with the trade. If you have hesitation towards it, than maybe its not the right deal!

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

A 73 Formula 455 is a pretty cool car, but having tops cut into it is gonna kill the value. That said, of all the year 2nd gen TAs out there, 75s are usually the least valuable.

At this point, as much as I'd want to keep the 73, if I knew I could get out from under a car that had tops cut into it, without having to put cash on top, I'd take that exit.

While I agree, changing a roof back to stock is Not the end of the world.
Structurally the 73 is the best of 70-73 body shells due to factory welding changes at Fisher Body.