Ranking Trans Am's

[Jack]

I thought you all would get a kick out of this...
https://www.hotcars.com/ranking-the-best-trans-am-models-pontiac-ever-made/

[Jack]

I'm surprised 2 - 3rd gens were ranked so high, and no 73 SD.

[aussieta]

i think the work experience kid created that list

[gm muscle]

Thanks for sharing this. It does sound like who ever wrote this is barely older than the last Firebirds made. I'm partial to the '77 Trans Am,  of course...

[roadking77]

Didnt read the articles just the rankings. I think that 69 should def be #1. Come on now, thats the one that started all of this nonsense!  Just for popularity and what the general publics opinion is #2 is the 'Bandit'.  Fill in the rest at your leisure. I like the first pic in the 3rd gen is of an S.E. Not to be confused with the 77-79 S.E.  I really like that maroon one though. Wouldnt mind having one in my garage.

Good list though. Honestly, you could rank them all at a tie for #1 IMO.

[Jack]

Lets start a fun game and list your rankings but include all Firebirds all trims (base birds all the way to Trans Am).

My top 3 are easy for me but have to think about the others:
#1 1970 Trans Am
#2 1973 SD
#3 1967 or 68 convertible

[5th T/A]

My top 3, assuming all are in #1 condition.

1) 1973 SD
2) 1969 TA convertible
3) 1979 TATA with W72


The problem is they have become so valuable your afraid to take them on the road.

I have a friend who owns three 69 TA’s, two hard tops and one convertible. He is afraid to drive them, what fun is that.

[nas t eh]

1. 1969TA convertible
2. Blue 1970TA RA4
3. Green 1973SD
4. 1977 SE

[455sdbird]

Hilarious! 69 Trans am #10, 74 SD 455#9, No 73 SD?? Clueless!

[Jack]

Maybe it's just me but I never liked a 69 Firebird. They changed it so much from 67/68 to 69 that I feel it should be a whole different generation.

[aussieta]

Lets start a fun game and list your rankings but include all Firebirds all trims (base birds all the way to Trans Am).

that makes it hard
it would be a 3 way tie for first place
69 transam, 73sd and 77se

[Updated71]

I've had several 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The only bird I have now is my '71. That said, if I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be a 3rd gen. I had an '87 that I should've never gotten rid of. 

[455sdbird]

There's so many to choose from, to me, its gotta have looks and the balls to back it up.68 RA II, 69/70 RA IV, 71/72 455 HO, 73/74 SD 455, All low options and 4 speed of course!

[roadking77]

1. 70/72  Blue
2. 73 Brewster
3. 77 S.E.
4. 83 Daytona Pace Car
5. 89? Turbo Pace Car

[another10th]

It's fun to dream, but I'll just keep what I got. I can drive and enjoy them without worrying about messing up something valuable. That's what makes my own #1 with me.

[Wallington]

The good ol' Special Edition TA....then shows regular TA. Then boasts about the powerful engine it came with as a result of being a SE. Yep, it's a decal package!

[firebirdparts]

1. 1973 SD Formula
2.  1969 T/A Convertible
3.  20th anniversary

[tajoe]

There's so many to choose from, to me, its gotta have looks and the balls to back it up. 68 RA II, 69/70 RA IV, 71/72 455 HO, 73/74 SD 455, All low options and 4 speed of course!

This kinda sums it up for me. not in any specific order. (Never with A/C. Clogs up the under hood view) Round port motors are so rare, and cool. If I had to put one on top, it would be a toss-up between a Lucy blue 70 1/2 RAIV, or a bucky red, 73 SD. Tough call.

That article really covers all genra, guess so no one is left out. 
Altho I'm a fan of the 3rd gens (w/ powerbulge hoods) not a fan of the motors.

And the 4th gens (WS6) look so cool too, and we all know how much power the LS motors make, but not fond of the massive computer/wiring/sensors under the hood.

[chief poncho]

Saw that article on Facebook.  Here was my reply. The only reason the '71 455ho is so low on my list is because I already had the '73 and '70 near the top.  Personal opinion it should be number 2 or 3, but relative to the public and the impact on the car itself, I decided to have a few other high impact models before it.

Poorly written article with some bad information. The 1980 Turbo Trans Am on a top 10 list that also has two WS6 fourth gens that are basically the same car? The '69 coming in at number 10? WTF? Also the 2000 WS6 had 320 hp not 305hp. The 2002 had 325hp. How about this list.
1. 1969 Trans Am RA IV - not only was it the first, it was also had the most hp of any produced (on paper anyway), well technically it was only rated at 345hp in the firebird, but was rated at 370hp in other cars and in the '70 TA.
2. 1973 Superduty - no explanation needed
3. 1970 RAIV - We all know why, again RAIV is all it takes
4. 1977 SE - Thank you Burt Reynolds for making this car iconic, plus the W72 was available (for my own tastes I would rate this probably at number 10, but considered impact to the brand, the car and the public.  Without S&TB, its possible, the TA would have died off much sooner.)
5. 1989 Turbo Trans Am - The pinnacle of 3rd gen and '80s muscle car performance
6. 2002 Firehawk - 345hp, 6 speed manual, looks that kill, as fast as many exotics of the day and the top level 4th gen of the era.
7. 1976 LE - you could still get a 455 and a 4 speed in an American car despite the crushing emissions and gas prices of the day, plus without it, would Burt have even been driving a Trans Am?
8. 1987 GTA - awesome styling, handling, and standard with a 5.7 TPI V8 under the hood - as with all 3rd gens, later is probably better, but I picked '87 since it was the reintroduction of the 350 V8 under the hood.
9. 1971 TA - Awesome 455 HO was on par with the RAIV and later SD engines despite having to accommodate lower compression
10. 5th/6th gen TAs built off of Camaros - yes they are still camaros, but they keep the spirit of the TA alive and offer performance far exceeding anything that came before them.

[tajoe]

Saw that article on Facebook.  Here was my reply. The only reason the '71 455ho is so low on my list is because I already had the '73 and '70 near the top.  Personal opinion it should be number 2 or 3, but relative to the public and the impact on the car itself, I decided to have a few other high impact models before it.

Poorly written article with some bad information. The 1980 Turbo Trans Am on a top 10 list that also has two WS6 fourth gens that are basically the same car? The '69 coming in at number 10? WTF? Also the 2000 WS6 had 320 hp not 305hp. The 2002 had 325hp. How about this list.

8. 1987 GTA - awesome styling, handling, and standard with a 5.7 TPI V8 under the hood - as with all 3rd gens, later is

I like the way you think, Chief, and also agree with most of it. The 87 GTA unfortunately is still a Chevy, flat hood, and stupid looking rear spoiler.  But I do like the looks of the TPI. Reminds me of the old tunnel ram days. (just missing the dual quads on the top.)

[ryeguy2006a]

I've been playing around with LS motors too long. Can someone remind me again what makes the 73 SD so special? I know it came in Brewster Green which is a killer color and the 455 SD being a BA motor.

[roadking77]

If you have to ask, you wouldnt understand. 

[tajoe]

I've been playing around with LS motors too long. Can someone remind me again what makes the 73 SD so special? I know it came in Brewster Green which is a killer color and the 455 SD being a BA motor.

No it didn't. It came in Pontiac blue.
Comparing a SD, to an LS motor, is like comparing Rocky Marciano, to Sugar Ray Leonard. Or Johnny Weissmuller, to Michel Phelps. Or the Temptations, to....ahhh, (?) (some new rapper). Or Pong, to X-box. Clint Eastwood, to Zack Efron. The Zenith 25" color console TV, to these new wide and flat screens. The formers were legendary, and the latter's wouldn't be who/what they are W/O influences from the greats. 

[Jack]

I've been playing around with LS motors too long. Can someone remind me again what makes the 73 SD so special? I know it came in Brewster Green which is a killer color and the 455 SD being a BA motor.

No it didn't. It came in Pontiac blue.
Comparing a SD, to an LS motor, is like comparing Rocky Marciano, to Sugar Ray Leonard. Or Johnny Weissmuller, to Michel Phelps. Or the Temptations, to....ahhh, (?) (some new rapper). Or Pong, to X-box. Clint Eastwood, to Zack Efron. The Zenith 25" color console TV, to these new wide and flat screens. The formers were legendary, and the latter's wouldn't be who/what they are W/O influences from the greats. 

Had to look up Zack Efron but you made your point Joe... although I don't think I can go back to a 25" color TV.

[chief poncho]

I've been playing around with LS motors too long. Can someone remind me again what makes the 73 SD so special? I know it came in Brewster Green which is a killer color and the 455 SD being a BA motor.

Two major things actually:

1. It was probably the best all around performing Pontiac engine ever put into a street car up to that point, and it had the best flowing cylinder heads of any production Pontiac V8 engine ever produced.  Add in the forged rods and pistons, the beefed up block, capability for dry sump oiling, and you had the baseline for a serious performing engine with small modifications.

2.  And probably the biggest reason, it represents the last gasp of the musclecar era before the 70's and early 80's malaise.  When everyone else was downsizing their engines, killing off their performance offerings and otherwise giving up on performance, Pontiac dared to build a capable big cube 13 second monster, 2 years after everyone thought it wouldn't be possible.  That is probably the biggest reason the SD 455 still holds such stature in the automotive world.

Here's a good article on the SD455.  https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/pon-0505-inside-455-super-duty/


 BTW, great comparisons tajoe!  Oh and I think he meant the car could be ordered in brewster green, not the engine.  But brewster green could be had with a standard D-port 455 in '73 too.  You didn't have to get the SD engine to get that color.

[Wallington]

Rarity and value aside, I never liked the 69 T/A.

[tajoe]

Rarity and value aside, I never liked the 69 T/A.

It definitely didn't hold a candle (styling and handling) to the 70 1/2 T/A, that's for sure. But it was Pontiacs premature attempt at SCCA racing, and the pony-car market. But it did have a decent drive-train, whether it was the std RAIII, or killer RAIV.
One of my many dream cars would be a 69 T/A with a RAV tunnel port "400" motor, backed by an M-22, and a 4.33 12 bolt posi.
I like the 1st gens for their light weight, and shorter/smaller bodies for dragging, and the 2nd gens for the open roads.
(But hey, that's just me)

[Jack]

Rarity and value aside, I never liked the 69 T/A.

I'm the same way... I actually think they are ugly. But kinda agree with tajoe.

[ryeguy2006a]

I've been playing around with LS motors too long. Can someone remind me again what makes the 73 SD so special? I know it came in Brewster Green which is a killer color and the 455 SD being a BA motor.

Two major things actually:

1. It was probably the best all around performing Pontiac engine ever put into a street car up to that point, and it had the best flowing cylinder heads of any production Pontiac V8 engine ever produced.  Add in the forged rods and pistons, the beefed up block, capability for dry sump oiling, and you had the baseline for a serious performing engine with small modifications.

2.  And probably the biggest reason, it represents the last gasp of the musclecar era before the 70's and early 80's malaise.  When everyone else was downsizing their engines, killing off their performance offerings and otherwise giving up on performance, Pontiac dared to build a capable big cube 13 second monster, 2 years after everyone thought it wouldn't be possible.  That is probably the biggest reason the SD 455 still holds such stature in the automotive world.

Here's a good article on the SD455.  https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/pon-0505-inside-455-super-duty/


 BTW, great comparisons tajoe!  Oh and I think he meant the car could be ordered in brewster green, not the engine.  But brewster green could be had with a standard D-port 455 in '73 too.  You didn't have to get the SD engine to get that color.

Thank you for that very detailed explanation! That's the answer I was looking for.

I know I have a Camaro, but I do know that they come in Pontiac Blue, not Brewster Green. 

[tajoe]

BTW, great comparisons tajoe!  Oh and I think he meant the car could be ordered in brewster green, not the engine.  But brewster green could be had with a standard D-port 455 in '73 too.  You didn't have to get the SD engine to get that color.

Thank you for that very detailed explanation! That's the answer I was looking for.

I know I have a Camaro, but I do know that they come in Pontiac Blue, not Brewster Green. 
[/quote]

My comment was intended to be a joke, just kidding. Some might call it "British humor". Sorry

[nas t eh]

I think there are a number of reason why the 73SD cars were so special.
Besides the motor itself, that has been mostly explained already.
73 is the first year for the big bird on the hood, the first year for Buccaneer red paint and the only year for Brewster Green.
73 is the last year for one of the best looking front ends on any Firebird and last year for the chrome rear bumper. It is the first year for the new deluxe interior and the optional 1 color only cloth inserts.
73 is the last year of low production volume as well with only about 3900 TAs produced and of those only about 1250 SD’s
Pontiac would sell about 25,000 TAs in 74.

[Jack]

Other things I like about 70-73 in general us the rear small glass, smaller chrome tail lights and the entire rear end... I never liked the tail lights on the later years and thing overall (looks wise) the 70 to 73 are so much cleaner. I also prefer 70-72 nose over 73, but I bet only we can tell the difference.

[roadking77]

Jack, we had a large 25" console tv, me being the youngest, I was the remote clicker!  Never had a remote wired or not in the family but all of us kids pitched in one year and bought a 'portable' with a wired remote for mom and dad's bedroom. I do remember our switch from black and white to a colour tv. Also remember the TV repair coming to the house to work on the sets on what seemed like a regular basis. As a young person I was amazed at his folding tool box and all of the little tools in there.

BACK to TRANS AMS,

I too am not particularly fond of the 1969 cars, T/A or not. That doesnt mean I would kick one out of my garage though (and I still dont know who this zac fellow is).

[firebirdparts]

I do love the 70-73 styling.  My further comment on the 73 SD was that as Herb Adams always talks about, they were running in 10th place overall at 24 hours of Daytona when the nose of the crank broke off.  So they were serious.  They had filleted the diameter transitions on the crank, but they didn't do that on the nose.  They "could not pay for" a steel crank. In that case, I think they were actually running dry sump oiling.

[tajoe]

Hey Joe, I kinda remember that story. Was that eng. in a newer body, like a 79-81 nose? A grey car? I'll have-ta start rummaging thru my old mags, to see if I can find it. 

[banone1977]

What about the 1976 50th anniversary of Pontiac?
What about the 1979 10th anniversary Trans Am?

[5th T/A]

Regarding the 73 and 74 SD Firebirds.

I purchased my 1973 TA new in February of 73. It had the standard 250 horsepower motor, automatic with 3.08 axel ratio and AC. As stock I was disappointed with the acceleration but thrilled with the handling. I ran it stock at the strip turning consistent 14.9's with trap speed in the 90's. Several months later I raced another 73 TA. His shaker said SD455 but I don't know if it was a real SD or not. I can tell you it had a different exhaust note, more bass and slightly louder. We raced from a roll up to 60 or 70 MPH, he walked away from me.

In 1973 Car and driver tested a 73 SD TA with no AC, automatic and a 3.42 axel ratio. It ran a best of 13.8. Who knows if it was if it was a legit car or played with before it was given to the press. For 1973 when high compression engines were gone these were very impressive numbers.

About a year later I ran into a guy with a 1974 TA with an SD engine. I looked under the hood and verified it was a real SD. It had AC so I assumed it probably had a 3.08 axel. I have to say the performance was very disappointing. Honestly it felt pretty close to my stock 1973 TA with the standard 455.

Today its very easy to far surpass the SD 455 engines power, but I still would love to have a real 1973 SD TA or Formula.