1972 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO H.O. in Lucerne Blue with One Owner on My Car Story with Lou Costabile

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On "My Car Story" we're in St. Charles IL at The 25th Annual Indian Uprising All Pontiac Weekend on 8-7-15.
We're looking at a 1972 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455 HO H.O. in Lucerne Blue with the Original Owner, in Original condition.
The car's Owner is Larry Seller. Larry shared in 1972, the Car Salesman said, That’s the one you want, it looks like it’s going 100 miles an hour just sitting there.” Larry agreed with the Salesman, and he’s still happy with the decision today.
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[@mikehasit]

This car literally looks like a year old instead of 48 years old. Original owner that preserved it for someone else one day. Thank you Larry for keeping it 100 percent factory original. Kudos to you.

[@loucostabile]

Hi mike prime, Happy to read you enjoy the condition of this car :-) Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy, Lou

[@jeremythompson9895]

Like the styling of the 70-73 Trans Am the best out of any T/A. The 70 1/2 Ram Air IV is probably my favorite T/A of all. A 73 SD455 is a close second

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the styling of this car :-)

[@sergiojacquez2277]

Good choice but the 73 WITH SD-455 has a better engine.

[@joequillun7790]

@@sergiojacquez2277 Jeremy is right. The 70 RAIV car, is more business, with its high compression, and big cam. The 73Sd is more of a torque monster, even with its low compression, and 744 cam, and is better suited to the TH400. A 70 Lucey blue, 4 spd, and no air, is my kinda Pontiac, altho I wouldn't kick a 73 4 spd 455 outta bed either. Tough choice. :)

[@PlymouthVT]

Me too! 70 1/2. Before smog best styling. But this car here is nuts how clean it is.

[@DavidSmith-ht1ye]

Another Awesome job Lou!!!!! I really enjoyed seeing this car!!!! Pontiac built 458 Trans Am's with 455 H.O. and 4 speed in 1972!!!! But only a few of those where Lucerne Blue!!! Most where Cameo White!!!!!! The unreal thing is the car only has 20,000 miles on it. I can not believe it!!!!! This is another unreal car that you have brought us!!!!! Thanks again Lou!!!!

[@loucostabile]

Hi David, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for sharing the details you enjoy. You're welcome, Lou

[@henryadams2316]

The block off on the dash was for the rear window defroster not AC. I have a 72 455 HO 4speed with AC

[@loucostabile]

Hi Henry Adams, Thank you for viewing and sharing your 1st hand knowledge, Lou

[@kcstarkey9140]

Beautiful original 455 T/A. Yes, a time capsule.

[@loucostabile]

Hi KC Starkey, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this "time capsule" :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@fieldinglover]

I have a 70 formula 400 , a 71 esprit that I made a deal with a friend that he could buy it so that he and his 13 year old son could work on together then I will see his son driving it to the car shows when it is finished , but they haven't picked it up yet and I am slowly gathering Trans am fenders , hood , flares, spoilers , gauges ect to build a T/A clone in lucerne blue with the white stripe , if they don't pick it up soon ! I also have a green 72 esprit made into a formula clone so I don't rack up the miles on the 70 , then I have a 75 Trans Am and a 75 esprit for a parts car for the T/A , so you could say I have the sickness and still to this day I go looking at others when they come up for sale !

[@loucostabile]

Hi Doug, Happy to read you have a fun car too :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@tonyhaueter7399]

Alway's wanted!! A 1973 Pontiac Super Duty!! 455 Trans/ Am!!!

[@loucostabile]

Hope you achieve that goal, and you receive yours soon, Lou

[@jeremythompson9122]

The 455 HO was the most powerful Pontiac engine you could get in 1971-72. And I absolutely love the 70-73 Trans Am body style. The owner of this car is a very smart guy to have taken such meticulous care of it over the years. Gorgeous car👍👍

[@craigkosters9852]

Im from St. Charles and I want that car Larry lol, I was a kid when I first saw that same car up the street. It urged me years later at 15 to get a job and buy one. I couldn't get a 455 so I settled for a 400, was wanting the 455 all my life.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Craig, Keep focused, and I hope you're behind the wheel of the right one for you soon, Lou

[@larrysellers7572]

Funny, I grew up in Schiller Park.

[@DennisOS2]

Great and accurate report on this iconic 2nd gen F-Body. It would have been interesting to add the design origins of the 2nd-Gen. Bill Mitchell used the Ferrari 250 GT as the spiritual inspiration for the 2nd Gen. Wonder what he'd do today. Really enjoyed this episode.

[@loucostabile]

Hi DennisOS2, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@nachos_70firebird66]

Best grill in my opinion. I have the 72' honeycomb grills on my 1970 Firebird

[@loucostabile]

Glad to read you enjoy this car :-) Sounds like you have a cool car too.

[@60jscott]

Jeez, memory lane there, thank you. In 82 in Lancaster California, I bought a 72, 350, 3 spd, and it sounded just like that one. I sold it in 1984, wish I had not, but hey. Thank you for your post here.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for commenting, and glad this car brought back nice memories, Lou

[@jackhammer2671]

What a beautiful car and all original.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jack, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Lou

[@thomaslenhart1220]

I bought a 72 Formula 350 in 1979, just out of high school. I was told (& given a receipt) that it had a 73 400 from a junk yard because the original motor was blown. I replaced the fuel pump on the "400" and it wouldn't fit. I took the original 1 to the speed shop, the guy looked at it and said "that's from a 455". To this day I'm not sure if it was a SD or not. That car flew, I'd highway race other potent cars and just blow them away. Had never heard of a SD455 when I sold after 2 years of defying death in 1981.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Thomas Lenhart, Glad to read this car / video brings back memories of your 72 Formula :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@stevep6315]

Occasionally I drove my best friends modified 1970 1/2 455 H.O., lucerne blue, lowered all around with Koni shocks to my high school in Concord California, in 1980. Because it was a school with a bunch of hot rods in the parking lot, and it was a pissing contest. The M22 straight cut 4 speed made it whine like a truck. It cost me a couple of bucks to get to school even though it was less than 5 miles away. The car would get sideways if you were a little quick on the clutch, it was safer to start from the second gear. If you jumped on it on the freeway, you could see the gas gauge go down and not come back up. We were getting single digits on mpg. That thing was a monster.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Steve P, That sounds like a FUN car :-) Thank you for viewing & sharing, Lou

[@eurotrash55]

The empty spot on the dash where it was stated, “usually nothing goes there, right?”....that’s for power locks and the rear window defroster options.

[@loucostabile]

Hi freebirdfabrications, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou

[@henryadams2316]

If you had no console the power lock switch would go there. If you had the rear window defroster AND power windows with NO console BOTH switches would go there and you would get the big 80 amp alternator to run the wires in the rear window or the blower to defrost the glass, according what time of month the car went down the line

[@erictalkington5674]

Love these! Love the 73 TA too. After that, not big on the various front ends, not even the bandit style, but these early ones are beautiful. I mean early for that body style.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Eric, Happy to read you "Love these!" :-) Lou

[@chaddskullm]

This is just CarPorn! God Bless you and thank you.

[@loucostabile]

Nice :-) You're welcome and God Bless you too, Lou

[@Predikant]

Timeless beauty personified.

[@loucostabile]

Well said G O'Neale :-) Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@raymondbogert7880]

WOW BEAUTIFUL PONTIAC GORGEOUS I LOVE THAT BLUE WHAT A BEAST☝️ MAN THEY DONT MAKE THEM LIKE THAT NO MORE CLASSIC ✌️

[@loucostabile]

Hi RAYMOND, Happy to read you enjoy this "BEAST" :-) Lou

[@wdfaws8124]

Beautiful

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@igorslocks]

Love that blue.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Igor's Locks, Happy to read you enjoy this color :-) Me too, Lou

[@JohnnyAnderson1]

amazing car and story! thank you for sharing! Hope mine looks that good again one day

[@loucostabile]

Hi Fullforce LTX, Glad you enjoyed the car and the story. Also hope you're looks this good. Hope you see many more stories and cars you'll enjoy on the Channel, Lou

[@brinkybrinkz]

Love this car! Love the colour. The stripe, dash and tail. I think it may be my new favorite car. I like the 71 Hemi Cuda, but I think this car is my new favorite. This car would be a head turner. Very nice.

[@loucostabile]

Glad you found a Winner on the Channel for you :-)

[@kevn99]

love the lucerne blue! i was 5 when this car was made!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Kevin, I'm a "blue" car fan so I agree on it's a great color :-) Thank you for commenting, Lou

[@M-Maxentius]

my father have a Pontiac Trans am 72 here in Sweden, a real head turner , not too common here.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Marcus, Happy to read your Father has a car like this :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@bluesman7475]

Tried to buy one of these from a guy in my city for years, he would never sell it. I did buy a red 74 trans am new. My first car, kept it until 2000.

[@loucostabile]

Hi bluesman7475, Happy to read your 1st car was a 74 Trans Am...How cool is that! Well done being a great Care Taker, and hope you're behind the wheel of another one soon, Lou

[@yukonjack.]

Great story Lou, wonder if he still owns it in 2023? I'm 57 and still own my 10th anniv 4 speed TA bought it in 1984 @ 18.✌️

[@loucostabile]

Hi Yukon Jack, Not sure if he still owns it. Happy to read you have your car since 18. NICE! Lou

[@bigredc222]

He would have been in his late teens early 20s, I bet it was a high school graduation present, how does a young guy have a car like that and not drive it? It's beautiful. Thanks

[@loucostabile]

Hi C Smith, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) I like driving them, so I'm sure if it was mine there would be more miles on it, Lou

[@larrysellers7572]

I was 19 when I bought it with the idea of keeping it like new. I had other cars to mess with.

[@bigredc222]

@@larrysellers7572 I don't know how you resisted driving it, you were a hell of a lot more mature than I was at 19.

[@MrDjh66]

Thanks Lou love the vids

[@loucostabile]

You're welcome, and I appreciate your kind words :-) Lou

[@billyfoster3223]

Great Trans Am!😁 I have a 1:24 scale die cast model of this Trans Am in this color: Lucerne Blue with white stripe!😁

[@loucostabile]

Hi Billy, Happy to read you have a fun model of one like this :-) Lou

[@fleetwin1]

That is amazing, how did he keep it so nice all these years? I wish my 2009 was half that nicely kept

[@loucostabile]

kramden Hi Kramden, I agree with you how amazing this car is, take care, Lou

[@robertlemieux4101]

It's called taking a hiatus from driving it for 10+ years.

[@opera93]

Wow, thanks... a real Gem of a Real Special TA......this is ***one of the reasons I ordered my **77:!!!!!!!!/Spec ED /Hurst Hatch, thouh interestingly! Not sure why I ordered the 6.6:L Engine(rather than TA Engine).... see “MY CAR STORY, 1977 TransAm, etc.Almost went &boughtm anEARLIER FOR Those 71-76 SD/HO FORMULAS, ETC.... Actually, I would have ordered the Four Speed: I had not realized that Cruise Control was readily retrofitted on these Manuel’s!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Opera, Happy to read this one brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing & sharing, Lou

[@mikehasit]

Time Capsule..... Like stepping back to 1972.

[@loucostabile]

Glad to read you enjoy this episode stepping back to 72 :-)

[@mikehasit]

I run a page on face book called Time Capsule Muscle cars.... And it features many back in the day photos of factory looking muscle cars completely unmodified. And also cars like Larry's awesome Trans Am.

[@darylsmioth1904]

Pontiac put the best cams in their cars back then, all lopey.

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@peterhogan9537]

I love this.

[@loucostabile]

Glad you "love this" :-)

[@Tonewheeldude]

Fantastic

[@loucostabile]

Glad you enjoy this car :-) Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy.

[@runslaTe]

love these things

[@loucostabile]

theo raptis Hi Theo Raptis, It's a cool car. Feel free to take a moment on KZbin.com and type in "My Car Story with Lou Costabile" and I hope you see other cars you'll enjoy also, Take care, Lou

[@runslaTe]

ok..will do ..thanks

[@MrDjh66]

Yes someone out there should know great vids by the way lou

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for the compliment on the videos. I really appreciate the kind words, Lou

[@rustytimetraveler]

UNFRKNBLVBL! LOVE IT! 23k miles :'( Wo!

[@loucostabile]

HI RustyG57, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@quincee3376]

Beauty!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@quincee3376]

@@loucostabile btw, at 4:42 u ask about that small rectangle. I really don't think it was an A/C vent. Maybe an A/C switch but i was watching Muscle Car of The Week on KZbin and they had a T/A with A/C and it had round black vents ABOVE that rectangle but the rectangle itself wasnt a vent. Unfortunately the camera cuts away too fast to see the " knob " thingy in its place but i assume it was an A/C switch but def not an actual vent. Hope that makes sense, lol.

[@ralphfurley404]

@@quincee3376 I've always seen the rear defrost switchfor those that had rear defrost at least in the later models the AC is on the heater ac cluster if the car had ac

[@quincee3376]

@@ralphfurley404 thanks.

[@bluesharp59]

Thumbs Up and gave a like.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you :-)

[@bluesharp59]

@@loucostabile You are welcome also.

[@mikehasit]

Wonder if that engine has been painted or is that original paint too.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mike, I believe it's original. Lou

[@larrysellers7572]

No, it was detailed.

[@MrDjh66]

I have a 73 TA with power windows and I wish it had power door locks

[@loucostabile]

Sounds like a cool car :-) Thank you for sharing, Lou

[@MrDjh66]

I thought that block out plate was for rear defogger

[@loucostabile]

Hmmm, not sure, maybe one of the Viewers can share knowledge, Lou

[@Grit489]

yes that's for the rear defogger for sure,the Ac was in the heater controls.

[@blh7068]

2 switches fit in that space. Rear defogger and power door locks.

[@rogermurph101]

blh7068 71F-bird power door lock button was on the door.

[@blh7068]

No sir...not 2nd gen cars 70 through 77 . On the dash.

[@edcain3676]

Larry Must Live in An Area Of Country That Has Long Winters,I Could NOT OWN A PIECE OF PONTIAC MUSCLE HISTORY & Put That Few Of Miles on It.O f Course,It Makes It Worth CONSIDERABLY MORE FOR IT TO BE An ORIG.OWNER CAR & A SURVIVOR !!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Ed Cain, I like driving the too :-) Lou

[@larrysellers7572]

North of Chicago.

[@ag4713]

How do you keep this in that condition all these years

[@loucostabile]

Tender loving car :-)

[@larrysellers7572]

I stored it for 10 years without driving it, then I just took it to car shows.

[@whiteoak60]

How about the black walnut sign!!!!!

[@loucostabile]

:-0

[@tektondude1]

20,000 says he never even learned to drive it,too bad.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@larrysellers7572]

The car (Lucy) did what I wanted it to do.

[@Ladco77]

I don't believe that's an OEM valance under the front bumper. I've seen a lot of them but the one on my '72 TA, the holes were not enclosed at the top. example: assets.hemmings.com/story_image/[e-mail]?rev=2

[@loucostabile]

Hi Ladco77, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@henryadams2316]

Mine has the openings, bought it from Pat Clark Pontiac in 1995, had 3 plastic ones before they crack in the Vegas heat, the last one was steel, $25.00 bucks from them

[@larrysellers7572]

The original plastic one fell apart, bought a new plastic one, didn't fit, now there is a fiberglass on on there now, which I had to modify to fit. That was the design that came on the car.

[@skeetersaurus6249]

Curious about one thing...but in talking it through, I may have found the answer (not mentioned on this video). In '72, the HO's (and all Trans Am and GTO engines, for that matter) were topped off with PMD original chrome valve covers. I also noticed the 'exhaust paint burn line' was really low on those heads. I kept saying during the video 'that engine is either not original, or it has been gone through'...but then I got to remembering when Tetraethyl lead was taken out of gasoline (around 1977), and the heads on older cars were quickly destroyed unless you had them reworked with 'hardened valve seats'...which would mean a 'topside valve grind'...so the real question is, 'did the owner have the heads reworked with hardened valve seats...and as a result, have the chrome OEM valve covers replaced with 'painted covers', at that time???

[@loucostabile]

Hi Skeeter Saurus, I would not be able to answer your question. Hoping a Viewer can share knowledge, Lou

[@MrDjh66]

The power door lock was on door panal

[@loucostabile]

Hi MrDjh66, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou

[@blh7068]

Later 2nd gen cars, yes. Earlier ones, 70-76(77?) No. The switch was on the dash, next to the rear defogger switch. - 3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqZwF8VU5kg/VV9GcKQFmzI/AAAAAAAAIP0/1pEZ0CTiNQY/s1600/1974%2Bonly%2BTA%2Bdefog%2Bswitch.JPG

[@blh7068]

Power locks became a common accessory on the later 2nd gen cars...and that coincided with the move to putting the switch on the door. Hardly unreasonable to think that was the case for all 2nd gen cars. Keep in mind It was a rare option on the earlier 2nd gen cars, so its unlikely youll see one with factory power locks anyways. But thats where the switch was on those earlier cars.

[@ralphfurley404]

About 8 inches away from the door lock pull the extra weight to save 8 inches of reaching 🤔🤔🤔

[@desolatesurfer8651]

Is that the stock 125 horse power engine?

[@loucostabile]

Stock 125 HP's :-)

[@sergiojacquez2277]

Really??????

[@larrysellers7572]

Uh no.

[@jess4metoo]

OMG 😲

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jess4metoo, Glad to receive a "OMG" from you :-) Lou

[@boostedbilly7308]

The guy breaks but I just let it sit for 10 years letting Cars sit like that is worse than driving it what a shame

[@loucostabile]

Hi Boosted Billy, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@larrysellers7572]

I had other cars I drove and beat up.

[@harrysultan7437]

how much

[@loucostabile]

No idea.

[@jjayyyyy]

@@loucostabile I had a 73 Firebird Same exact color. Got a great feeling watching the vid. I miss that car!

[@tektondude1]

not driven enough to even be able to handle it.

[@loucostabile]

:-(

[@hellounknown2274]

open the hood Larry, shut the hood Larry, start it up Larry, hop out Larry, I'm Lou..I drive a gremlin..

[@loucostabile]

Hi Joel Unknown, There you go being negative again Joel, REALLY, HAVE SOME FUN! P.S. Here is my car :-) ALL AMERICAN "Big Blue" Enjoy, Lou kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYfbf5dtpdWEaMk

[@edcain3676]

Lou Costabile : U Got Him ,LOU !!! LOL

[@DennisOS2]

Great and accurate report on this iconic 2nd gen F-Body. It would have been interesting to add the design origins of the 2nd-Gen. Bill Mitchell used the Ferrari 250 GT as the spiritual inspiration for the 2nd Gen. Wonder what he'd do today. Really enjoyed this episode.

[@loucostabile]

Hi DennisOS2, Thank you for viewing, sharing your knowledge, and glad to read you enjoyed this episode :-) Lou