Amanda's 1974 Trans Am 455-SD Dream Drive

"... on the hills between Silver City & Tyrone."
NOTE: Check out GoFundMe link (end of video) to donate for Amanda's kidney transplant

[@moparedtn]

*Yay Amanda!* Now THIS is what our old car hobby is all about to me - and Jerry knows how much I love a good *story* to go with these wonderful old cars. She'll be the best sort of *steward* for the car in times to come. Kidneys hit me right where I live - as a 6-time cancer survivor, the worst so far was kidney cancer, which almost did me in (my little brother passed 30 years ago from failure, too) - so here's prayers for Amanda! Thanks for bringing us another great story, Jerry my friend! - Ed on the Ridge

[@thewriter2549]

Yes sir, my friend, you get it, and this is what our car hobby is about and what car people are about. We see too many stories about what cars sell for at auction, and people outside the hobby don't get it. Did you notice that in the second half of the story how Amanda was blending into the car hobby with the car people?

[@moparedtn]

@@thewriter2549 Yes sir, you bet I did - and I'm betting she'll find us car folks to be pretty good people overall, too. God bless ya Jerry, you be safe out there! - Ed

[@mrmarcomotor]

God Bless You Amanda! Mark 11: 22-24

[@manher4335]

Oh man. Amanda is a very sweet lady. The dialysis thing I really hit me hard. My late aunt before passing away had to do it. A stressful endeavor, had to like ration a bottle of water on those days. Happy for her keeping the car and wishing her the best.

[@sundancer3700]

My dad ordered one in 74 with the 455-SD engine, honeycomb wheels, and the big phoenix on the hood. Even back in the day there were shortages which held up his order, after a few months it was the wheels holding up the show so he changed to stock wheels and it was built. I only drove it a few times and it was a fun car to drive. At the same time my mom was driving a 1969 red Mach 1 which they gave to me in 1976 when I graduated high school, wish I still had it today.

[@KRELL427]

I owned a 74 formula in high school. I bought it off a family friend who ordered it brand new in Toronto. He also told me the same story. He ordered it with honeycomb wheels only to be later told that he would have to settle for the ralley wheels.

[@thewriter2549]

They made some 455-SD Formulas.

[@alexcallas8222]

It's a small thing, but I appreciate you describing it correctly as a phoenix on the hood. That's what it really is. I hate when it's called a screaming chicken- a dumb name that's stuck.

[@bustersmith5569]

@@thewriter2549 Never heard that before...!!!!!

[@thud9797]

43 Formula SDs built in 1973 and 58 built for 1974. Also all Super Duty Formulas got the Trans Am Shaker hood.

[@williammontana3895]

What a heartwarming story. I wish her a healthy long life and to enjoy that nice sentimental car. Thanks Jerry, you have the best classic car stories with a nice touch of humanity.

[@seymourcake752]

Beautiful story. I'm glad you guys can help her.

[@markpierce823]

This is why I so look forward to Jerry's video and rewatch many from the past. A great story teller that always captures the human element.

[@iamgermane]

That car would not exist up "North" by this time if driven year round. Normally, with muscle cars, people up north do not drive them in the winter.

[@Brock_Landers]

Wow man, that is truly a beautiful original 455 SD!

[@SOLOIIguru]

Jerry heasley is the best storyteller there is on KZbin. Love the humanity he brings to every story he tells

[@SteveBrock-c7c]

Congratulations, dont ever loose possession of the car. Good luck with your health💞

[@buckshot4428]

My brother ordered a 73 SD in British Racing Green. It wasn't fast enough for him so he took it to a speed shop and they worked a little majic into her. He had to go out of the country on a business trip and my Dad had the car for "safe keeping". I asked him if I could take it for a spin around the block. Two hours later I brought it back when it was almost out of gas. That was the fastest two hours of my youth.

[@bluesman7475]

My first car, bought it new. 74 SD-455 trans am, red with black interior. I went back and forth on transmission. I wanted a 4 speed, but wanted AC too. Ended up with an auto. Ditched the 308 ring and pinion for a 3.73 after warranty along with hooker headers and thrush mufflers. B&M trans pack and holeshot converter. Ran consistant 12.20's at National Trail Raceway on street nights. Kept it until 2000. Wish I still had it.

[@julios1968]

Bless to her and hope she enjoys the SD.

[@danaglass5394]

Glad she got to keep it

[@455Olds88]

Probably one of the best car stories I've heard about in awhile and for one hell of a car!!!

[@thewriter2549]

Thank you. She wants the car to keep and drive. Nice

[@fieldinglover]

It's amazing what cars mean to people , they can bring back great memories of family and friends and can make an older person feel young again just by going out to the garage and working on it or cleaning and going for a drive and Pontiac V8's have a sound that you know when you hear it , I hope this lady well and a long life to her as well

[@thewriter2549]

Well said!

[@manher4335]

Yes!!! Cars & Nostalgia!! Heart warming

[@mikebroszczak5767]

God's blessing to you,

[@Merylstreep1949]

Excellent video ❤ The SD 455 coming out when it did in the last gasp of muscledom is just as bad assness as when the Hemi was introduced in the 60s pretty much making bookends of the high points in the factory muscle story

[@mariospensieri941]

Just sold A 76 455 TA Out in Colorado 2Yrs ago Had it since 1989..... Lots of memories... 😢

[@scottjones5455]

Drove my mom's 455 Toronado when I first got my license. Man, talk about bad gas mileage, but it was cool to burn off the front tires. Early 70's.

[@Xplantdad]

Very cool video, Jerry. My brother and I test drove a brand new Admiralty Blue 1974 Trans Am at Mike Salta Pontiac in Long Beach, Ca. in 1974. My brother wasn't able to make the finances work, so he ended up not getting it. Glad that Amanda gets to keep her fathers 74. We also wish her luck on her transplant. My now 33 year old daughter had a kidney transplant at Mayo on Christmas Eve, eve in 2016. She was on hemodialysis for about 5 years-as the peritoneal dialysis didn't work. She had a CVC (Central Venous catheter) and for the last two years, we (my wife and I) did the dialysis at home on the NXStage machine-as it's more gentle on the body and especially the heart. Speaking of the heart, my daughter also had a heart transplant in 1990 at the age of 5 1/2 months. That transplant was done at Loma Linda in California. We are grateful to both donors and their families-and we're good friends now with the family who donated the heart to my daughter. My daughter loves car related things and has accompanied me across the US to car shows like MCACN, where she says that she has "many adopted dads" in the car community. Car folks are the best. We wish nothing but the best for Amanda-and if she has any questions about transplantation/side effects of the meds/Mayo Scottsdale-we'd be happy to help. We also live 25 minutes away from Mayo. Let me know. Bruce

[@keithreiffenstein9909]

I had a buddy back in high school that had one that looked just like that one, man that mother would fly!

[@timdunmyer4549]

What's going on with your Shelby restoration? We haven't seen a video on it forever.

[@thewriter2549]

I'm almost caught up to do Part 5. (The filming and video editing takes longer than the restoration!, since I make them detailed.) I'm could be encouraged with a bunch of Super Thanks.

[@Merylstreep1949]

Hopefully we will see a positive follow-up on both Amanda and the Trans Am ❤

[@jeanlawson9133]

I have a 74 Trans Am 455 SD story , but I will leave it at that So as not to take away from your story..... Awesome story you have thanks.

[@thewriter2549]

It won't take away, it will add. We would all like to hear the story.

[@amandaportillo3879]

I would love to hear your story. PS I'm the Amanda from the story 😊

[@burneswhitehead3020]

I bought my parents a 55 Chevy. We are poor people I am disabled. I was lucky enough to do something nice for Mom and dad. After a few years my dad passed he really loved the car. We had plans to show it as it is still a running project. I know how she feels

[@darold1966]

What an amazing group of caring people. You go!

[@adaboy4z]

Ahh dude in the orange striped shirt with his foot on the rear bumper leaning on it, irked me!! I'm glad she got her Dad's car. I too got one of my Dad's cars a 58 Bel Air.

[@julios1968]

Yup no respect.

[@Crotal_Karma]

Yeah, I would have called him out on it. Like wtf?! It's not yours, and you're doing that right in front of the actual owner?! Then he helps pull it out of the garage by pulling on the rear spoiler! Like really, dude?! Does he really not know any better?! Wow! 😠

[@classicreaction5340]

Looks like everyone that was involved with getting that car out of the garage was an amateur vulture. Tearing apart the console to try to get it to go into neutral when the linkage is under the hood is another huge red flag. Guys with zero knowledge shouldn't be touching this car.

[@Snake.br549]

Be sure you chain that motor down on the driver's side because the motor mounts break and stick the throttle wide open it's happened to me on a test drive with one of those 455 trans ams

[@classicreaction5340]

No key, so they tear the console apart to try to put it in neutral? That's not how it works guys. There's linkage under the hood near the brake booster that attaches to the bottom of the steering column that locks the transmission in gear when the key is out of the ignition. It would have taken about 5 seconds to unhook that linkage. Anyone with any sort of experience with 70s GM F body cars would have known that instantly. It's scary to see all these vultures around such a special car. Hopefully Amanda gets some help from a professional with good intentions.

[@Lethal_Venom]

Nice to see that she wants to keep it

[@74SD455TA]

Unfortunately it was that beat up. It happened, thats how it was. Great car! I do own a 1974 SD 455 T/A....always will

[@SamSammy-i4b]

A friend bought one in 1975 we went to a school parking lot to hang out, he starter doing burnouts and smoke shows , then he got the front tires off the ground , we were in shock on stock tires

[@patgamble3217]

I don't know how old this video is but .this video is beautiful nice going all of you's for helping Amanda .🙏👍😇

[@thewriter2549]

Less than a week since it was pubilshed.

[@peterhoulis1184]

Keep it as it was your dads and have a history with it , good luck with your kidneys

[@shawnhuff3920]

I was born in April 1974 fifty years ago wow ❤

[@samryan7954]

Owned a '71 Pontiac Trans Am 455SD 4-speed.

[@tkdterp8]

I can't wait to see this future videos on this one!

[@DanielLopez-me9mh]

Love the SD trans am those were the best engines made

[@williamroberts4049]

I test drove one like that in 1976 the Chevy dealership wanted 3200.00 for it

[@goodbonezz1289]

That is HER car.

[@kellyfennell4559]

I had a 73 wish I could find one again it would go

[@rwright3395]

Im so happy for you Ms . Please enjoy it . I would like to have a 72 model

[@jamesvarner7198]

Love the Dogs in the back lol HAY YOU GET AWAY FROM THE CAR NOW LOL

[@ericcrawford326]

I hope you follow this through. I would love to see her start up and drive her dad’s car.

[@thewriter2549]

First, she is putting her resources into the kidney transplant and doing her best to hang onto the dream drive and keep the SD-455.

[@jamestaylor3737]

That thing is killer, I hope she’s very careful with it.Keep it original.

[@qft4300]

Totally enjoyed the content - New subscriber from Australia

[@thewriter2549]

Awesome, thank you!

[@dannywilsher4165]

I had a white 73 455 SD. Loved that car!!!

[@thewriter2549]

Really, that model year SD-455 is very rare. 252 in the Trans Am and 43 in the Formula.

[@dannywilsher4165]

@@thewriter2549 Wow, I didn't know what I had back then. Just another one of those "wish I had never sold it" type of deals. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@iamgermane]

That car would not exist up "North" by this time if driven year round. Normally, with muscle cars, people up north do not drive them in the winter.

[@mogynamite008]

Very nice for 1974!

[@mikeg3335]

Very glad for you...

[@joshnic6639]

Where is part 5 of the Shelby restoration?

[@thewriter2549]

Not edited yet, but I am catching up, so I'm thinking within 2-3 weeks.

[@joeharwellauthor9317]

Spectacular car.

[@BC-ev4hl]

I test drove a white 75 TransAm with the 455 HO. was thisclose to getting it but couldn't get a loan... Sigh sigh sob..

[@paulhewson4600]

I had A 1975,,,identical.

[@rickj1983]

The guy at 13:44 definitely knows his cars.

[@MidnightinSavannah]

Those guys from that shop have no clue about a TA. All 1974 TAs came with an 8 grand tach and 160 speedo. Somebody into Pontiacs needs to guild her the right direction.

[@bigshot9557]

How do we watch more videos of your Shelby restoration

[@thewriter2549]

Hope to edit Part 5 and publish by the end of this month. Parts 1 through 4 are on the channel.

[@gleamtarrest6310]

Well did She drive the Damn thing or ? Who Knows!

[@thewriter2549]

This is her dream drive. She must have a kidney transplant to be able to do this.

[@Wei55_und-stolz]

The colour Navajo orange?

[@garysmestad3079]

Buccaneer red

[@stoveguy2133]

I looked at a 74 SD in 1995 for $2500.

[@christianbarron1418]

Jerry , I live in El Paso and would like the contact information for Jacobs shop in this video. I would like to take my 1966 Mustang to them for some repairs.

[@thewriter2549]

He is not in that business. He is busy building cars for movies. Remember late in the movie when he mentioned that his brother worked on these movie cars?

[@christianbarron1418]

Thanks for your reply

[@vl2230]

This is a good one 🙂

[@JohnnyButtons]

My ultimate dream car is a 1974 Trans Am or Formula ❤

[@dave-uf8ir]

😊

[@dougcoleburn1579]

Really great

[@buixrule]

My dentist back in Jersey in the early 90's had a red 74 SD455 Formula 4 speed. You want to talk about rare?

[@thewriter2549]

Rare oh yeah, Formula with the SD-455? You betcha, 43 made in Formula and 252 in Trans Am. Pontiac started the muscle car era with the 389 GTO and ended it with the 455-SD Trans Am.

[@thud9797]

Only 10 SD Formulas in 73 with the 4-speed

[@Motorhead-y3]

Wow

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@peterGriffin-ug7jv]

To bad it wasnt a 4 spd

[@thewriter2549]

I think an automatic more suits Amanda, and the car also has air conditioning, great for El Paso area.

[@peterGriffin-ug7jv]

@@thewriter2549 yea i know

[@huck01955]

Jerry how is your Shelby coming ?

[@thewriter2549]

Finished last summer (2023).

[@huck01955]

This 1 Jerry Part 1: 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang Restoration- Disassembly ? I have only seen 2 videos on it .

[@thewriter2549]

@@huck01955 The channel has Part 1, 2, 3 and 4. I have not edited part 5 yet.

[@huck01955]

Thanks Jerry I thought I was mixed up some how . I have watched all you videos for a few years . Thanks for taking you time to answer me . I was very excited for you from the first video . I cant wait to see number 5 . Hope you have a great week . Cheers Joe

[@crazyhorse8508]

Ammo nyc would be the guy to detail and bring this car back.

[@SaniAkhtar-hm1nt]

Hello good morning 🌄

[@thewriter2549]

Hello 👋

[@SaniAkhtar-hm1nt]

@@thewriter2549 hello wo are 💐

[@SaniAkhtar-hm1nt]

@@thewriter2549 hello wo are.💐

[@ludedude5228]

Nice car , But the Formula Fitebird with the 455 SD was even rarer and ridiculous to find with a 4 speed $$$$_$$

[@jayhays8267]

@9:01 - Um, what was that sound!?! do I dare ask?

[@edwardhettiger4623]

I had a stepbrother with a 73 super duty. It was so ogul very fast

[@pinkkitten_nails]

Sweet car

[@grayman618]

He stores it with windows down.. no cover. What is wrong with people...

[@amandaportillo3879]

No he didn't. It was in a garage since the 1990's with a car cover. My Dad was well versed in muscle cars as this was probably his 5th muscle car thank you very much.

[@PeterHernandez-lg2eh]

Con mucho corazon

[@thewriter2549]

Si, with a lot of heart.

[@PeterHernandez-lg2eh]

Que Dios siempre te quide

[@thewriter2549]

May God always love you. ¡Muchas gracias por ese sentimiento!

[@kellyfennell4559]

No bird on hood mine had a bird

[@kybble]

3 kidneys a human body only has 2?

[@chrisparker7214]

Now those are cars not like all that electric crack that's coming out

[@kaptuna1]

using J hooks?? come on

[@1112223333111]

ok...

[@Mitch_B67]

Well that was a waste of my time.

[@RexCars1]

Jerry " Hoof In Mouth " Heasley....You find some of the COOLEST Cars.. and your a Great Narrator BUT.... they way you structure your vids ?? OMG SOOOOO Frustrating !! ( hope there is a part two ?? ) .. YIKES..

[@thewriter2549]

In what way is the structure frustrating? I jump right into the story then proceed with no fluff to the resolution at the end. I can't watch most KZbin videos because they go into detail explaining WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO. Just show it, do it. Did you watch to the end of this video?

[@jerrymullins3518]

Amanda, light up your tires. 😅

[@Scano41]

Wow