Ride in a “ Super Duty “ SD-455 1973 Pontiac Trans Am? Why Not! on My Car Story with Lou Costabile

[@donnis618]

2nd gen trans am's are just bad ass. Really cool owner too who didn't mind getting in it! That's what muscle cars are made for!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Dennis Bagby, 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

[@barcrrt]

Pontiac was first to the muscle party, and last to leave. My favorite brand!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Barcrrt, Nice :-) Lou

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

gotta love em

[@greasyhitchball]

The 62 Dodge Max Wedge was an inch shorter than the 64 GTO and it dominated drag strips. The Max Wedge predates the GTO making it the first muscle car, by definition. It was the first intermediate to have a big block.

[@c.wdervin5987]

i don't know about the first but i agree with the last part.

[@greasyhitchball]

Mopar beat Pontiac to the party by 2-years with the street wedge and max wedge engines, in a midsize body. And, yes, the dimensions and weight of a midsize Mopar were the same as a Pontiac Tempest. According to Motor Trend, a 1964 Tempest GTO did 0-60 in 7.7 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 15.8. The wedge cars running the same bias ply tires were considerably faster.

[@scottbivins4051]

Lou I love this guy he is not afraid to drive and bang these very expensive rare muscle cars around and I love that .

[@loucostabile]

Hi Scott Bivins, Glad you enjoy Tom and his amazing cars. He drives them, hmmmm, who would have thought :-) Lou

[@joemilton7552]

Love the car and love how this guy gets down driving through the city with 0 fucks given. I raced a similar Trans Am in my stage 2 '02 WRX one time, I couldn't hang.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Joe Milton, Glad you enjoyed this one :-) Thank you for sharing your story too, Lou

[@shawnbeck2303]

Hey, Lou! My sister dated a guy who worked a Mobil gas station in my old home town. He bought the car wrecked. The car was white with blue stripes and a 4 speed. I would go to the station at night when he would work on it. Rebulding the front end. I got to ride in it when he finished it 3 months later. She is still married to him to this day! The look of the 71 to 73s are the best looking of all time. It was wonderful to ride in it that day he was done. If I could go back for just 15 minutes. Shawn

[@loucostabile]

Hey Shawn, Thanks for viewing and sharing :-) Good times, good times, Lou

[@KimberlyKulcsar]

Sorry Lou, I thought it was. Beautiful

[@CaptainFALKEN]

And the Pontiac rally wheels are pretty light also for a bonus, heh. :P The SD-455 is one of the greatest muscle cars ever produced. When you have backroads to play on, these cars are ALOT more fun

[@loucostabile]

Hi Captain FALKEN, Agreed, the back roads would be awesome, but today, we only had the city, so you do what you can do. Lou

[@tayzer22]

Candidate for best car ever 👍

[@loucostabile]

High praise Chad Burke :-) Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Lou

[@harddrivin1le-970]

By what standard?

[@gregarioussolitudinist5695]

What I always love to see. A muscle car driven in traffic, in town. A real thrill.

[@loucostabile]

Glad you enjoy this one Gregarious Solitudinist :-) If you'd like to see more cars on the road on this KZbin Channel, type into KZbin search "My Car Story with Lou Ride" and those videos should come right to the top. Enjoy! Lou

[@80Smetalrox]

Pontiac, sure wish they'd come back,,, made some truly cool cars.

[@loucostabile]

Hi 80Smetalrox, Agreed, some of Pontiac's cars had "excitement". Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@Jmeon4eva]

@@loucostabile Yeah, but between Uncle Sam being a jerk, and GM determining Europe was more important with Buick, than America with Pontiac........

[@gabegamer8646]

There are people making new ones that are actually good

[@AmazingBlaze0]

@@gabegamer8646 yea but it’s the body styles

[@ignaciojaramillo8250]

Bona Fide, Top of the Line, Bad Ass, Mopar!!!

[@terraboundmisfit]

I'm a Ford guy through and through but the only GM brand worth considering for me has always been Pontiac. I rebuilt cylinder heads professionally for 20 years during the 80's and 90's and I was very impressed by Pontiac heads did quit a few ram air 3's and 4's. I always thought compared to other makes the 400 was short on cubes but the 455 changed that. The camaro doesn't hold a candle to the Firebird. Beautiful car! Love the 4 speed!

[@loucostabile]

Hi iamfun6996, Thank you for sharing your knowledge on these cars. Hope you see many Ford's on this KZbin Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

i wouldn't admit to being a "ford guy" its similar to saying "im a bit of a fool"

[@Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee]

I’m 47 years old , I was born a year after this year model , the 2nd Gen Trans Am is my favorites. The absolute best years ever . I hope to have one in a few more years when we get our children out into adulthood 😂,, cause I can’t afford both !! Beautiful car !!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Dallas Rife, Happy to read this is a favorite car for you :-) 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

[@wickedfirefly13]

What a cool car! Super Duty... very Vrrrooom ride! This muscle car's got power... it's itching to go fast... love it! Comfy and powerful... best of both worlds! Great car, great vid! Thank you!

[@loucostabile]

Hi WickedFireFly13, "Comfy and powerful" Well said. Glad you enjoyed this one and you're welcome, Lou

[@jrvbamafan1]

Nice car. My dad had a 78 with the true Pontiac 400 in it instead of the olds 403, and it's always been my favorite car. Riding in it as a kid is what led to me being so into cars as an adult. My dream car is a bandit trans am

[@loucostabile]

Hi jrvbamafan1, Glad you enjoy this one and thank you for sharing details on your Dad's car you remember :-) Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@79tazman]

A friend of mine has a 74 T/A SD455 Red with black interior and that thing hauls ass but I always like the 70/73 body style better

[@loucostabile]

Hi 79tazman, Sounds like your Friend has a cool car too! Thank you for viewing, sharing, and adding to the story, Lou

[@shawnbeck2303]

I believe that's Bucaneer Red! You are talking about! The T/As had cool names for their colors. My friend drove his 2002 T/A into to some floor waters by mistake and the ram air in the front sucked water into the engine. He got the car out o.k. But ruined the engine. Pull that sucker out. Built a 427 fuel injected Corvette motor and put in back in that T/A. That car was wicked fast. Till some parked a Big Dump truck on his street on a very dark night and he stuck it under it. It almost kill him with the sudden stop. Took two hrs to get him out from under that Dump truck! He killed the TA. He o.k now! Shawn .

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

@@shawnbeck2303 relevance?

[@chas4780]

Absolutely beautiful car man. My favorite car of all time. I had a 70 and a 74 . I sure do miss them.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Chas, High praise :-) My pleasure sharing this car with you, Lou

[@1986SSMONTECARLO]

My FAVORITE American Muscle Car of ALLTIME!!!

[@loucostabile]

Hi 2016BMWi8, Glad you were able to find an "ALL TIME FAVORITE" :-) Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@quincee3376]

Mine too !

[@stevestar657]

Great video, thanks for sharing it! I always liked to think that the Pontiac division was the one thorn that the GM brass could never quite grapple with - in regards to Chevrolet being the top performer - and it had to make them crazy no matter how many restrictions and limitations they imposed. The last Super Duty program - being a fine example of this logic, still speaks volumes and it commands respect anywhere one is seen.

[@loucostabile]

HI Steve Star, Happy to read that you enjoyed the video. I agree Pontiac hung in there with us in the 1970's with the TA giving power interested consumers an option for a car to purchase with style. Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@lawrencedelong9748]

Sweet vehicle, I owned the same ( in 1999 to 2001 ) but in Red.. I drove it work every few days to work and the my guys gave me the nicknamed me " Ponch." OH YEA !

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you had one like this too :-)

[@mikeh.753]

I knew an older gentleman who owned a early 70's trans am with a 455HO and it was outrageously fast. I can only imagine how much more power the SD had. What a great generation to grow up during. I'm 60 now and I miss those days of loud gas guzzling motors you knew were built to race.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mike H., Good news! You're on the right KZbin Channel for the cars you enjoy, Lou

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Probably my all time favorite Pontiac trans am! Boy my brother in law bought one of those in the early 80s from the neighbor, boy for just a couple of thousand dollars!! And it was in mint condition! Boy he wishes he has that car now! A very rare collectible indeed.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Anibal Babilonia, Glad you found this one you enjoy as a favorite :-) Thank you for sharing details on the one your Brother In Law had too, Lou

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Thank you! I also wish I have that car too! I remember driving it! It was a beast! The clutch was very heavy to engage boy but when them gears engage! It really goes. Loved that car! And sir you're one lucky guy to own one.

[@tjracing3243]

4 on the floor is a way to build a street cruiser. Nice to see it in its stock condition and driving.

[@loucostabile]

Hi TJ Racing, 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

[@tjracing3243]

@@loucostabile, I'm a big fan of the Pontiac Firebirds. They're rare and very hard to find today. Thankyou for sharing these beautiful cars of my generation. Keep up the good job.

[@markhamrick9078]

Had the privilege of driving a pristine 1974 model back when I was working at a Pontiac dealership in the 80's. Pontiac at its best!! 👍 😎

[@loucostabile]

Nice !

[@bfmcarparts]

Reminds me of the 13 years of memories with my friend's '73 SD. We attended two POCI conventions, swapping cars and driving to local shows, the underhood fire scare of a seized ac clutch, and that last cruise to a convention purring along at 100 mph as the rising sun was peeking over the horizon. After a while he did ask me what the speedometer was reading though.

[@loucostabile]

Hi bfccarparts Last, Good times :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@dbvetter7485]

The 455 had so much torque it was hard not to spin the tires. On level roads I usually took off in 3rd gear with no problem. I had a ‘76 455 4-Speed but always wanted a SSD 455

[@loucostabile]

Hi db Vetter, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@opera93]

Thanks…. SD455: Part of reason Finally got monies to order a 77 HURST HATCH SE Tran AM ,in late 1976….. and the “black/ GOLD Loaded 1976 Trans Ams” …. Unfortunately the gas Crisis / Family/ Regulations ,I defaults tom400/6.6L Pontiac::some building up/ Improvements &:many years driving , my Kids (*. Daughter took to HS PROM,ETC)………(** incidentally, before SMOKEY/ BANDIT” dramas…

[@noob5000000]

I love to see a manual transmission in a muscle car.

[@loucostabile]

Hi nood5000000, Glad you enjoyed this one :-) Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@mikebockey4125]

hey bert

[@bandagefreak]

FABULOUS! It would be great to have an interview with Tom on how he got started and amassed so many muscle cars. He's very understated and seems like a really interesting guy. Great show as ever :@D

[@loucostabile]

Hi bandagefreak , Happy to read "FABULOUS!" :-) Tom's on quite a few episodes and discusses how he saw a Plymouth Cuda and fell in love with the design, and enjoyed cars, Lou

[@Lad236]

Love them pontiacs. Had many when i was young late 70s and beyond they were affordable and performance from the factory was exceptional.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Brian 1, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) 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

[@fabioquadrana2930]

Hey, this guy has all the best muscle cars, it's not fair !!!. This is the prettiest Pontiac ever built.

[@loucostabile]

And yet, he drives them and shares them with us, so let's enjoy them :-)

[@PD3a11]

Every Pontiac 400 & 455 have that common engine tick. Still love ‘em.

[@chutoparadinni5474]

Yeah, it doesn't sound like a Piston Slap as some are calling it, andf if it was a Piston slap, it would be normal for an SD455

[@loucostabile]

Glad you "love 'em" PD3a11 :-) Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@jimieljoseph2322]

I love all of the Firebirds, and Trans Am's. I don't care what year they came from and of course I love the Smokey and the Bandit black and gold editions and even the 1976 black and gold before Smokey and the Bandit but this one is a pure beast. No wait let me write it this way...BEAST. Back when muscle cars didn't have to just go fast in a straight line.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jimiel Joseph, Glad you enjoy this "BEAST" :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@JustinTime-pw9oy]

Incredible car. Lucky guy! I had a 1973 Formula 455 with a 4 speed in college and still dream I have it. I wake up so upset when I realize I don't. One day I hope to find a Super Duty to purchase and check it off my bucket list.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Justin Time, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your 1973 Formula :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@paulletchworth8127]

Wished you had taken it out in the country , trans ams are amazing handling cars for the time period nothing was better

[@bryantcurtis2665]

You got that right Paul a handle like a go cart have yourself a happy holiday and drive smart keep the rubber side down NASCAR

[@loucostabile]

Hi Paul, I would have like to taken it to my garage :-) Lou

[@classic-kool]

This car is legendary! Better than a Hemi...

[@loucostabile]

High praise classic kool :-)

[@ottosez]

An opinion. Play nice and respect your fellow car aficionados classic

[@blueflame4509]

Would never sell a TA ever again, miss my 79

[@loucostabile]

Clearly you had good times in yours :-) Thank you for sharing blueflame4509, Lou

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

i dont miss mine,i can see it from the front window.......love these firehawks

[@paulletchworth8127]

Ryan n Karen .Celaschi me too brother I had a silver anniversary and I also had a nocturn blue with gold bird and gold hounds tooth interior , looking back wish I still owned them but I do have a 2008 zo6 that I’ll never sell

[@ronniecochran396]

@@paulletchworth8127 I also had a 79 blue and gold T/A with honeycomb wheels and houndstooth. 403 Olds small block crowned with Quadro junk. Sold it when the second kid popped up. Though at the end of my driveway a relative from my wife's side has one of these SD 455 TA'S . Beautiful and 1 of only 2 I've ever seen at Car Craft in Duqoin Illinois. Called something else and not as big or wild as it was in the 80's. Like anything else anymore.

[@paulletchworth8127]

Ronnie Cochran if it’s a real SD they are pretty amazing engines basically a nascar engine

[@petemedina8446]

That's one baaaaad ride there these cars had some power nice sounding motor loved it.💪💪

[@loucostabile]

HI Pete Medina, Glad you like this one and enjoyed the sound too :-) Me too, Lou

[@richardharris8399]

My first brother in law had a 73 or 74 formula 400. Asked me if I wanted to go for a ride. I didn't know he meant 140+ on the expressway. No bs.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Richard Harris, Good memories and good times :-) Lou

[@sergiojacquez2277]

i took mine to 147 and steering started to vibrate got a little scared so i just let off the pedal till it slow down on it's own wow what a rush.

[@proper_gander3608]

Watching television, one day, lying on the floor when I was 19, I felt the earth begin to tremble through my stomach. A few seconds later the earthquake arrived outside my house. One of my flatmates friend, Dave, had turned up in one of these! White, with a broad blue stripe up the middle and an aquamarine coloured interior... WOW! I was blown away. Went for a drive. Wheelspin in 3rd gear at 60mph. Side pipes and a couple of cherry bombs. 6mpg and a new clutch every 500 miles, Dave said. In the UK, these are as rare as hen's teeth. Thank you for bringing this to life again for me. I drive a Pontiac Ampera now which I'm sure takes some of the styling cues from this beautiful monster, but none of the guts...

[@loucostabile]

Great story :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing Philip, Lou

[@Allrone]

The 73 SD455 probably the best car I ever had, ordered from the factory. This thing they call drifting, well back then I didn't have a name for it, but the car was wonderful at it! The real-life slot car!

[@loucostabile]

Hi John Halderman, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car you ordered from the factory :-) 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

[@74SD455TA]

The worst word in the English language was "I had".... well in my case...I HAVE a very rare SD455T/A. Strong!

[@irishpat64]

Poncho Power!!! Thx to you and tom lou!!

[@loucostabile]

Hi IrishPat64, Glad you like this Pontiac :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@danhoyland142]

Hey Lou I’ve been watching your vids for a few years now. I’m really happy how much your channel has grown.

[@loucostabile]

Hey Dan, Thank you for watching the videos, and make sure you watch the commercials too (or at least the ones you can) so I can keep sharing with you. Glad you're along for the ride, and my pleasure sharing with you, Lou

[@Fubarfighter]

I have to agree. My cousin bought one of these SD-455's new in Hunter and Saddle with a 4-speed. I had a 67 440 GTX and this was all of that in terms of power and HANDLED like I had never experienced. They were bias ply G-60's. Probably the best Pontiac ever.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Fubarfighter, Thank you for sharing details on your Cousin's car. High praise on "the best Pontiac ever" :-) Lou

[@shawnbeck2303]

That's not Hunter green it's Brewster Green! Shawn

[@Fubarfighter]

@@shawnbeck2303 just my description. I believe the SD-455 on the scoop was in lighter green. He ordered the car with the smaller bird decal in the nose instead of the big one on the hood.

[@Thekarlskorner]

My favorite Firebird! I ordered a '74 Formula back then, but the car never came in. A shortage of engine parts I was told. The SD 455 with a four speed in Brewster Green is my goal to own some day!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Karl, Happy to read this is your favorite Firebird :-) Hope you're behind the wheel of that SD 455 with the 4 speed in Brewster Green soon! Lou

[@timc7720]

Nice! I had a 70 455 4 sp. Awesome car. I wish i still had it, especially after i've seen what they go for now.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Tim C., Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@Eremon1]

My favorite make/model of car ever. Nothing will replace the TA/Firebird in my heart. I'm mixed on them being gone...on one hand I want them back on the other I know they'll just be built like the rest of the shit they make these days. That is one beautiful car! Drive her and take care of her. They're not built to sit.

[@loucostabile]

Glad to read this one is your favorite :-)

[@CharliesHammondOrganvideos]

I agree. I wish they would come back. But as you said they would be made just like everything else

[@joemasters2270]

If I can't own a 2nd Gen TA w/ a SD 455, then at least driving one just once is certainly on my bucket list!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Joe, Hope you're behind the wheel of the right one for you soon, Lou

[@dave1956]

When I was a kid we used to visit my aunt and uncle who lived on the south side of Chicago. I would walk the two blocks to Western Avenue where all the car dealers were located. About a block from their house a twin Trans Am to this one parked on the street. I always thought “what a waste of such a beautiful car” having something like this first of all in the city and secondly parking it on the street.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Dave, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your visit to your Aunt & Uncles to see the car dealers :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@audieconrad8995]

There was just somthing about Pontiacs...

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@wjack4728]

Great car! Had a buddy in HS that had one just like this one, same color. He'd take it to the Gainesville, Fl. drag strip and get 12's with it, but he had special tires for the drag strip and he had done some work to the engine.

[@loucostabile]

Hi wjack, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Buddy in High School's car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

indestructable con rods and more air flow heads than a 426 hemi = i just love the super duty 455 engine i mean it was built to go super hard ! worth a good look !

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read " i just love the super duty 455 engine" :-)

[@geraldscott9446]

Absolutely beautiful car. So glad to see it wasn't ruined with huge diameter GHETTO wheels with no sidewalls on the tires. I am so sick of seeing beautiful vintage cars being ruined by that GHETTO crap. I had a '75 Trans Am once, sold it to buy a '77 Corvette. Not sure if I made a mistake or not. These older cars can be insured as collector cars in my state, which exempts them form emissions testing, so you can put all the power you want under the hood.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Gerald Scott, Glad you enjoy the beauty of this one :-) Lou

[@512bb]

My 73 Brewster Green SD-455 4 spd T/A was one of my all time favorite's but couldn't turn down a great offer a few years ago. Now I am getting ready to sell my very rare 79 Alantis Blue Macho T/A 4 spd with only 19.000 original miles, someone is going to get something very special & of coarse I will be sad again.

[@loucostabile]

Hi scott satren, Great cars and clearly you've received wonderful memories. What state do you live in, we should video your 79 Macho if you're local :-) Lou

[@512bb]

Hi Lou, IThanks Lou, I am in San Diego, C.A.

[@bryantcurtis2665]

Super duty 455 best muscle car engine ever. Basically a NASCAR motor retuned for emissions 🤪🤪🤪🚙🔥🔥🔥💨💨💨💨

[@loucostabile]

High praise for this engine :-)

[@quincee3376]

My absolute dream car. Beauty !!!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read this car is a Winner for you :-)

[@kevinpatrickmacnutt]

Seems very refined and contemporary especially compared to the Mustangs and Javelins of that era. The dash looks remarkably well laid out for the 1970s.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Kevin MacNutt, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Lou

[@kd1s]

My very first car was a 1976 Trans Am - brown with the golden chicken and scoop on the hood. It had a 455 and 4 speed manual transmission. A bit too much for a 16 year old with a lead foot.

[@jimbiasella3693]

Mine was a 77.400 with headers and a 2 barrel.used to love smokin 5.0 mustang's in high school.had 87cc heads ran great with that 2 barrel.

[@jimbiasella3693]

@Jimm Crowe not every Trans am is identical.I used to smoke 5.0's vettes camaros etc.heads,gear ratios,fuel distribution, theres alot that comes into play.

[@fredanddebramacdonald2445]

Depends a lot on gearing, and if you have a wide or close ratio four speed, or the stall of the converter in an automatic.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

trust fund kiddie?

[@loucostabile]

Hi kd1s , Happy to read this car brings back memories of your 1st car :-) 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

[@geezowie]

Had a friend, years go, that was shopping for an SD 455 and, because decals and badges are cheap, he told me the only valid way to be sure you get a REAL SD 455 is to get the serial number off the ENGINE block. I guess they all look the same on the outside but SD versions are beefier with 4-bolt mains and whatnot. At the time. my friend had checked motor numbers on 3 different cars and none were valid. Don't know if he ever found an authentic version. Hope this guy did his due diligence when the bought this one (obviously a restoration) ... it looks delicious and badass.

[@loucostabile]

HI Wayne Carter, Glad you like the looks of this one :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing some tips, Lou

[@blh7068]

Not that you wouldnt want to do that, but indentifying the 5th digit in the vin as X first probably would go a long way towards authenticity.

[@clevlandblock]

The VIn will show an "X". the intake manifold will say "LS2" the exhaust manifolds are ram air type, the exhaust port castings on the heads are large,straight, and don't pinch down, the driver's side valve cover should have the SD label.

[@rustyaxelrod]

I used to mess with Pontiac stuff years ago. I think the SD blocks had a pyramid shaped “power tower” cast into the top of the bell housing near the distributor. Both 400 and 455 engines.

[@jimbiasella3693]

You can tell looking at the center exhaust ports,the beefed up valley around the lifters,the intake ports.it wasn't just the block which was built like a race engine it was the heads made by a.r.e. and flowed better than hemi heads.

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

My friend owned had that year in 1975... That thing was honking ass fast and left rubber for 2 blocks through all the gears!

[@loucostabile]

Good times, good times :-)

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

The good times come back when I got into a 1987 Buick GNX.. Jesus said yeah. Spend the money boy. You only live once!

[@jenkemjones68]

Love the sd-455 TAs.Just wish I could go for a ride in one like this guy has.I hear they are very torqued cars.

[@loucostabile]

HI jenkem, Happy to read you love this car :-) Hope you get a ride in one soon. 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

[@jenkemjones68]

@@loucostabile Thanks.Subbing now.

[@wkanost]

My folks had a 76 Buick limited with a 455 and that motor, although the hp was diminished, had gobs of low end torque! I can only imagine how crazy fast a small car like a Pontiac Trans Am would feel with the high performance version of that same motor.

[@loucostabile]

Hi wkanost, Glad this one brings back memories of your folks car :-) Lou

[@runslaTe]

Super clean Super Duty

[@loucostabile]

It's a good one :-)

[@Ontariosound]

My favourite car 🙏

[@Ontariosound]

I would put 12:1 pistons in it and a Hooker header/Flowmaster exhaust. Hell yes 👍

[@loucostabile]

Hi Ontariosound, Happy to read "My favourite 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

[@adammiller2246]

I had a 1973 Formula 455 SD with a rear spoiler, twin scoop hood with ram air, and stock cam and carb. 4 speed manual, close ratio. Firebirds had that distinct exhaust sound. When he started the engine up, I was about to have an orgasm!. I remember that distinctive exhaust growl. And yes, the car had no problem spinning the tires. I am kicking myself in the ass for selling it! I do have a 1999 Chevy Camaro SS 350, that SLP Engineering worked on. They changed the heads to high flow with all the trick hardware, exhaust headers, with midway X pipes, High flow cats, ignition upgrade, high flow intake, a larger cam but small enough to make the engine shake a little but did not make the car too wild, Panhard bar, Koni shocks BIG sway bars in front and back, custom wheels, with WIDE tires, different front pulley, Car pulled 11s every time I ran it. ( I ran it only 3 times. I do not like to abuse my cars).

[@loucostabile]

Hi Adam, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) 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

[@billyfoster3223]

This and the '74 SD Trans Am's are the coolest, along with 1996-97 Ram AIr Trans Am's!🛠️😀 Great video, Lou!😁😀

[@loucostabile]

Hi Billy, Happy to read you enjoy this car :-) Appreciate the kind words on this video, Lou

[@billyfoster3223]

@@loucostabile Thank you.🛠️

[@gnrrailroad1531]

Had a ride in one in buccaneer red in the early eighties. Didn’t realize how rare it was.

[@loucostabile]

Hi GnR Railroad, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your ride in the red car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@gnrrailroad1531]

@@loucostabile Thank you Lou. Enjoy your videos!

[@enerrivers4392]

My dream car!!! My dad promised me a car when I got my license. He was a Buick loyalist & trade his landyacht every 2/3years. Rat fink neighbors would tell my dad what I'd be doing with his new RIVIERA GS STAGE 1. After getting my license he got me a 1970 GS 455Stage 1,4spd A/,C fully equipped. All I did was change the tires to Camaro sized Radials .It wasn't my Poncho S.D, but it was gr8 for long trips,it had a bench seat,yet, it was a 4spd. My dad was able to get the build sheet from the very same dealership he got his cars from. 3.42:1 limited slip with A/C. Antenna in the front windshield, reception STUNK. 8track time. I was a fool getting rid of it in '78. Trans Am 455 SD was the way to fly.....

[@loucostabile]

Hi Ener, Your Dad bought you a 1970 GS 455 Stage 1 4 Speed! WOW! Lou

[@enerrivers4392]

@@loucostabile Yeah, but I wanted a Trans Am 455 SD. But, bc of the rumors on how I abused his car in 1974 he got me a used GS 455 Stage 1. I got used to it. In '78 I traded it for a 78 Vette L82 4spd. The dealer didn't give me a grand . But, Now, I wished I had kept it. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[@aidanfeighery6634]

Beautiful car. Some corrections regarding the interior if I may: 'Custom' interior, 'Burgundy' colour, vinyl seat covers (no leather in a 2nd Gen Firebird).

[@loucostabile]

Hi Aidan, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of 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

[@aidanfeighery6634]

@@loucostabile Hey Lou, thanks for your message. Much appreciate the work that you do to showcase these cars to the world, and of course a big thank you to the owners. Cheers mate

[@Wooley689]

This is my favorite of all the trans am bodies, could have had one in High school until Pop decided all my brothers got into trouble with their muscle cars, so I lost out.

[@loucostabile]

HI Wooley689, Glad this is a favorite for you. Well now is your time! Hope you get yours soon, Lou

[@Pablo-cp9nc]

I love Poncho’s…..and Mopars too. Sometimes I think if Pontiac was still alive when Mopar upped the anti with 707 factory horsepower they would have fired one back over the bow! Legend has it the EPA hated Pontiac because of this car.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Pablo, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. 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

[@barneybaker2049]

Man, back in my younger day I had A "69 Firebird 400 cid ,4 spd trans posi. So I know how much fun it was to slam down the "GO" pedal. Watch the rear tires just smoke up the place !!!!!!!! Wish I never sold it . No T/A , but was a super fast ride.

[@loucostabile]

Good times, good times :-)

[@jeremythompson9122]

My favorite Trans Am ever made. I'm a Mopar guy but always really liked Pontiac because they built the first true muscle car(64 GTO)...and the last(74 Trans Am 455SD) She sounds mean as hell

[@loucostabile]

You have great taste in cars Jeremy :-)

[@joequillun7790]

Tom, you are one "crazy guy!". I like the fact you use the car the way it was intended. A 4 speed SD, doesn't get any better than that. I absolutely love the 70-73 T/As, and will regret selling my 73 soon. :( Thanks for sharing, and the ride-a-long. Wish you had one on the open road, where these cars really shine.

[@loucostabile]

Hi joe quinlan, Glad you enjoy this one, and hope you get a T/A from the early 70's back soon, Lou

[@fredwaters3420]

Beautiful SD! Thanks for the video Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Happy read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) You're welcome Fred!

[@briansmith8361]

Life long car enthusiast here. I'm into many different types of cars from all over the world, and many of my favorites are sophisticated Japanese or European performance cars. Even so, I have a soft spot for certain American muscle cars, especially this one. Not only do the SD 455s look and sound good, they actually handle well (not often a muscle car trait). And in 1973, performance in American cars was starting to suffer. Emissions, the oil crisis, safety regulations, insurance rates, etc all had a role in that. And yet, here was brave, bad ass, and somewhat defiant Pontiac basically saying "not only will we meet these standards, at the end of the day we will still have a fast, agile muscle car even after the Chrysler boys euthanized the Hemi". This was the last great classic muscle car!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Brian Smith, 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

[@Joe-gp9ii]

Wow I wanna drive that I've had couple a 77 n 79 but that's a TA BROTHER MY DAY IS BETTER AFTER THAT RIDE

[@loucostabile]

Hi Joe, Hope you're behind the wheel of the right one for you soon, Lou

[@briansalisbury4764]

I remember being 12 years old and the same exact car that is this video same color and everything, pulled up next to me and my dad and I freaked out. I never seen a Trans Am before and this thing sounded so bad ass. Always wanted one, I bought a 71 Camaro RS in 78 and eventually a gutless, well handling 84TA. But not this car.

[@loucostabile]

HI Brian, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the car that pulled up next to you and your Dad :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@gmoney1061]

More Trans Ams Lou, more! Keep them coming!! 🤩👍🏾😎🥳

[@loucostabile]

Hi Gmoney, Those are good ones :-) If you type into KZbin search "My Car Story with Lou Trans Am" you should be able to see the one's I've videoed, Lou

[@gmoney1061]

@@loucostabile Thanks Lou! 😎👍🏾

[@markkimball1569]

How I’d live 4 that ❤. Had a t/a 78. White w red interior too This must be rush !! 🤘🏼

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mark, Happy to read you like this one, and glad to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) 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

[@xjssts7127]

Awesome car.Sounds good sounds like a real muscle car.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy this "Awesome car" :-)

[@kevinmanning4880]

Great video! Always enjoy your work, Lou, thank you!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Kevin, Happy to read "Great video!" :-) My pleasure sharing with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@rodneyoverbeck8800]

The crack in the dash,makes me cry

[@loucostabile]

Hi Rodney Overbeck, It happens...

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

being ocd would make me want to kill myself.who fucking cares,its a sd455 trans am

[@garymartin7842]

Just right, I wouldn't change a thing, very tasteful TA

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@crankychris2]

Tasty! A 4 speed manual really fits this car.

[@loucostabile]

Yummy :-)

[@NewtonWashinton]

1973 i did not know about this car or i would have bought a new one. Good video Lou Thanks

[@loucostabile]

Hi Newton Washington, Glad you found out about this one. Glad you enjoyed the video, and you're welcome, Lou

[@blh7068]

You would have been extremely lucky to get one. There was so much uncertainty regarding availabilty in both timing and quantity, (especially with the 73s), you would have had to put in an order for one when the initial news broke. Then, hope what you ordered actually got built. There were probably a few that wound up on dealers lots by way of customers backing out/ not taking delivery, but IMO, i doubt there were very few if any SD cars that were allocated as dealer inventory.

[@loucostabile]

Hi blh7068 71F-bird, Thank you for viewing, sharing your knowledge, and adding to the story, Lou

[@blh7068]

Lou, THANK YOU for all that youve given us car buffs. Some of the best stuff on the internet, imo. Keep it up!

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

pays to not have your head in the sand

[@TheFRiNgEguitars]

He's driving it easy. That's how Pontiacs drive. You can get into it without breaking a sweat.

[@loucostabile]

Hi TheFRiNgEguitars, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. 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

[@user-glennbob]

Love it !! BEST year T/A there is !!!

[@loucostabile]

High praise :-)

[@charlie8970]

Still one of the most beautiful cars in the world

[@loucostabile]

High praise for the looks of this car :-)

[@clyde7059]

Sweeeeet! Gotta love the sound of that 455. Thanks again, Lou. :)

[@loucostabile]

Hi clyde7059, Happy to read you enjoy this "Sweeeeet!" ride :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@blackwaterdogs4256]

VERY sweet car....I miss those days !

[@loucostabile]

Good times Black Waterdogs :-)

[@mattharvey968]

first car as teeanager was a 73trans am, and later in life had a 79transam. sure miss that 73TA!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Matt, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your cars :-) 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

[@mattharvey968]

@@loucostabile sure will!

[@789morton]

Tom is the man !!👍

[@loucostabile]

Agreed :-) Wonderful toys.

[@robbyturbo109]

Best Pontiac perhaps 🤔

[@loucostabile]

This is a good one for sure.

[@robbyturbo109]

@@loucostabile Lou I’ve got a 1991 mercury grand marquee colony park ls that is the last year Ford made a full size wagon and my serial number is a 000 so it may be the first one made that year with 90,000 original miles would you like to feature it sometime?

[@retiredpipefitterart5239]

I have a one owner 78 TA 4 spd Martinique blue Swapped in a .030 over 455 E heads and other enhancements Always get thumbs up and compliments whenever im out for a cruise. Talk about an ego boost

[@loucostabile]

Hi Retired pipefitter Art, Happy to read you have a FUN car too :-) 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

[@retiredpipefitterart5239]

@@loucostabile My dad owned Pontiacs Must be in the genes

[@wdfaws8124]

Hmmm, it probably wouldn't be very long before I got a ticket.

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@jasonmeehan1269]

Thanks lou,great video as always. love all the little details you always show. I'll have to remember low tire pressure next time I'm sideways round a corner or jumping from the lights.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jason Meehan, Happy to read you appreciate this video :-) 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

[@MyNetpro]

love this beast ! ive lived the trans am dream i had 2 a 75 and a 1990 beautiful cars !

[@loucostabile]

Hi Andy Knauer, Happy to read you "love this beast !" :-) Glad to read you've had two of them. 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

[@geirmyklebust]

Awesome cars, love my 73 Firebird Formula 400, old California car.

[@loucostabile]

HI Mykle Bust, You have a fun car too :-) Lou

[@jamesbarrineau8769]

My first car was a 73 TA HO 455 with auto.back in 1981 I was 19. Next was a 78 TA Hurst T Tops auto..Lord I wish I still had them !!!!

[@loucostabile]

Those are some great first cars :-)

[@chutoparadinni5474]

No HO's 455 in 73!

[@bradjacobs1844]

Thanks for driving these cars the way they were meant to be driven. Too many owners of muscle cars won't rev it over 2000 rpm. Very sad way to own a car.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Brad Jacobs, Glad you're along for the ride :-) Lou

[@MrChristianbowman82]

It sucks you have to be in retirement age for most people. I think everyone that wants one should be able to own a muscle car!

[@loucostabile]

Hi MrChristianbowman82, Some young people figure out and are determine to find ways to build wealth and get the chance to have them. I think the good thing about getting one at retirement age is you appreciate what you have and can take care of it. Thank you for viewing and I hope you see many cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@barrypfost2963]

Had a 68 camaro ,same body set up no 455 but i drove it for 18 years! For $500.00

[@debonairecatalina6570]

I got my 65 Catalina convertible 3 years ago as my first car and I'm getting some real work done on it

[@jess4metoo]

Lou Costabile Well said! You don’t takes things for granted when you’ve earned them.

[@davidmoon529]

Waste of your money any stock muscle car did like low 13s in a quarter, todays 6cyl sedans will beat them easy, you just cant melt the tires off tgem cool but a waste

[@tscooter22]

Looking at the tuneup sticker... Most kids born after 1980 most likely have no clue what dwell means.

[@SeeOurWrecks]

Most kids born after 1980 can Google the answer in about 10 seconds though... anyway, nice car :p

[@tscooter22]

Thanks! ...But do you know how to set it? :-p Yeah, yeah, Google is the champ, but that doesn't make up for experience. It's relatively simple with the right gauge. Now, tuning/rebuilding dual or triple Weber carbs is another story. heh

[@SeeOurWrecks]

Off the top of my head, Dwell can be checked with the engine running or cranking. Decrease dwell by increasing the point gap; or increase dwell by decreasing the gap. Dwell angle is simply the number of degrees of distributor shaft rotation during which the points stay closed.

[@tscooter22]

Four Webers on a Cougar? Well now, that is unusual.

[@robertjohnson4401]

The good old days. Hook up the dwell/rpm meter. Set to dwell function. Set to 30 degrees dwell with an 1/8 hex wrench. Done it hundreds of times. Best to replace points every 6,000 miles or so as they were not very reliable. And of course the timing light that is not used anymore.