1974 Pontiac Firebird TransAm SD-455 Hi-Po

Launched in 1967, the Pontiac Firebird was Chevrolet's answer to the Ford Mustang and the distinctive 'Coke bottle' styling was seen by many as a cleaner, sharper and a bit more modern than the Mustang. In 1969, a 'Trans Am' performance and appearance package was offered named after the nationwide Trans Am race series. In February 1970 the second generation Firebird was launched and was offered with a 6.6-litre RAM Air engine that produced up to 370 HP. Chevrolet had managed keen product placement of the Firebird with a Green Firebird appearing in the movie MQ Starring John Wayne. This was the first of many appearances by the Firebird in movies leading right up to its iconic role in the Hal Needham Movie series, Smokey and the Bandit which sent sales of Firebirds into the Stratosphere and secured it as one of the most iconic movie cars of all time.

This legendary Pontiac would instantly get the heart beating when mentioned to those in the know, rolling off the production line with an almost race spec 455ci V8 engine dubbed the Super Duty, available as an option for both Trans Am and Firebird Formulas. This particular manual gearbox Super Duty was restored in the late 1990s and believed to be just one of 272 out of a production run of 1,295 that still exist according to the Worldwide SD Registry. With a comprehensive build consisting of a bare-metal respray by JC Autos, Mopar specialists, through to a full engine, gearbox and drivetrain overhaul, the condition is excellent throughout, still retaining many of the original Super Duty components such as the 4-speed manual gearbox, which was totally rebuilt and the rear axle. Unfortunately, when the engine was refinished, certain components could not be saved including the heads and they were replaced with Alloy Edelbrock items, however the block is the same unit with which it rolled off the production line.

Further enhancements were also made at this time including uprated suspension and brakes as well as the replacement of some interior trim and other detailed components. Believed by many to be one of the last true muscle cars and totally evocative of the life and times of the 1970s to many a petrol head. When production of the SD-455 SD finished in 1974, many said that the muscle car era was over, however, this particular Super Duty offers the chance for the next custodian to re-live those days, an experience that few others will have the opportunity to enjoy.