This car is a 1973 Formula 455. This is one of the 553 Formulas for 1973 which was equipped with the Ram Air option. This car was originally purchased new in London Ontario at Sinclair Motors. I do have several original dealer invoices and other paperwork including protect-o plate. In the 1980's the car was passed on to the son of the lady who had originally purchased this car. I purchased the car 9 years ago from the son. This car has undergone a complete frame off restoration that took over 4 years and approximately $32000.In 1973 there were approximately 46000 Firebirds made and this included Trans Ams, Formulas etc right down to the base models. Within this number there were approximately 10000 Formulas which included Formula 350's, Formula 400's and Formula 455's. However the Formula 455's only represented about 700 of the approx 10000 formulas making them somewhat rare. Further to this if you do some research you will learn that the ram air option for 1973 was intended to be DISCONTINUED but since parts were still available at the factory there were 553 ram air equipped Formulas produced (350's, 400's and 455's). So, not only is this car one of the approx 700 Formula 455's produced, it is also one of the 553 ram air equipped Formulas making it quite rare. Please do your own research and you will see.
As for the restoration, the body was stripped to bare metal and restored with new quarter panels and Arizona rust free doors and fenders. All original parts that were used (inner fenders, rad-cradle, etc) were acid dipped, e-coated, painted, or where appropriate, were media blasted, e coated and painted etc. After being stripped to bare metal, the body was then treated with all the appropriate primers, sealers then finally BASF basecoat and clear coat. The clearcoat was then polished for a glass like finish to show off the original Burma Brown Metallic color. While the body was being done, the frame was stripped to bare metal and rebuilt with all new control arm shafts, bushings, ball joints, coil springs etc. The original numbers matching 3.08 non posi rear end was rebuilt with the original gears however a posi unit was installed in place of the non posi carrier. The non posi carrier comes with the car. The original numbers matching THM 400 transmission was rebuilt with a stock converter and is installed in the car.The original numbers matching 455 was rebuilt and is now 0.030 over with forged aluminum pistons and the crank was turned 0.010 / 0.010. The original intake is on the engine with a rebuilt 1972 455 carburetor. The numbers matching carburetor comes with the car but will require a rebuild as it has not been in service for over 25 years. The original numbers matching 4X cylinder heads also come with the car however currently installed on the engine are a pair of rebuilt 6x-4 heads that slightly increased compression. The interior was the deluxe interior in dark saddle and the seats are the original unrestored seats of this car.They are in excellent condition witht he exception of a small tear in the drivers seat back. The carpet and headliner were replaced with saddle as was the dash dyed. The car originally came with a 160 mph speedometer and the fuel gauge with idiot lights. I have installed the tach and speedo out of a late 1970's Trans Am. I do still have the original gauges and they come with the car. I have a brand new B&M Megashifter installed in the car but the factory shifter comes with the car. The steering wheel was the standard 3 spoke Pontiac steering wheel and that is included but currently installed is a Formula style steering wheel on a tilt steering column. The car originally came with rallye ll rims.
Almost every available item from AMES, GM dealer , The Parts Place, NPD, etc was purchased for this restoration including trim, lettering, weather strip, carpet , bezels, clips, shocks, brakes ,windshield, taillight bezels, cables, hardware, headliner, etc. The rear chrome bumper was re-chromed.As for the Ram Air, the car still has its original ram air breather.To list every part replaced or refurbished on this car would make this too long to read so please email me with your specific questions. I have thousands of dollars of receipts for parts that went into this car. I have driven this car approximately 1500 miles since its restoration and I might add that was only on sunny days!This show ready car will only appreciate in value and can be bought for a fraction of what an equivalent 70-73 Trans Am sells for.
