1972 Trans Am 455 HO 4 spd w/ ac & pw on ebay

[njsteve]

No, it's not mine and I have no connection to it (other than I wouldn't mind having it as a twin to my car) but it will be interesting to see what it goes for. Original engine, 1972 T/A 455 HO, M22 four speed with a/c & pw and the extremely rare plastic front valance (these valances broke easily and were replaced under warranty with a different looking steel one.) Overall it appears to be a very nice, complete car with very minor issues: the unique 455HO-only upper a/c compressor bracket is missing, needs a correct fan clutch and an oil filler cap. Dont know about the carb or distributor (also unique parts and very expensive) Looks like it originally came from up here in Joysey.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-T...bayphotohosting (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-Trans-Am-Super-clean-and-rare-4-speed-A-C-Original-455-HO_W0QQitemZ4616968541QQcategoryZ6427QQrdZ1QQcmdZV iewItem#ebayphotohosting)

[southernfriedcj]

Steve, can you give an estimate of the cars value based on the Ebay representation?

Thanks,
Jim

[njsteve]

From what I see the car looks very solid and original, other than missing its original M22 transmission. Rare interior color. Late production car -got out of the factory just before the GM strike. I emailed the guy and it does have the original carb (thank G-d as you're talking a $2000+ carb and nearly impossible to find!) My guess: under $30,000 would be an absolute bargain. I would think the car is worth about $37K as is. These cars have doubled in value in the past year and half.

If I didn't have mine, I'd be on this guy's doorstep with cash right now. (plus it came from my my neck of the woods up here, originally). There is a concours restored blue 71 on ebay now that is already at $41K with 7 days to go. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...bayphotohosting (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4617321466&indexURL=10 #ebayphotohosting) The 71s seem to get a higher price for the moment (simply because they show up for sale more often) but the 72 is far rarer due to the GM strike that went from April 1972 to then end of the model year and came within an inch of GM cancelling the Camaro and Firebird line.

[southernfriedcj]

Thanks Steve. I'm tempted, but I need to get my EV2 T/A stripped and repainted and get it gone, so I'm kinda on the fence. Of course if I move some junk around the garage, I could open up a couple of bays...........

[DaveBonnell]

I know what the hell caused all of the 70s Trans Ams to double in price over night? I've been looking for a clean 73 or 77 and I'll be damned if I'm gonna pay the crazy money that these cars out of no where are bringing. Guess I'm SOL.

[njsteve]

They're finally catching on as the rest of the market has gone crazy, these cars were ignored. The 73s show up fairly frequently but its hard to find a non-rusted one. The 77s are moving up because of the "Smokey and the Bandit " effect. There are bargains though. One 77 just was bought locally for $600 and it was a nice car, though it had the 403 Olds and an automatic.

[njsteve]

Wow! reserve met and it's at $35K with 3 hours to go. I emailed the seller and informed him that his original selling dealership is still in existance, under the same name up here in NJ. He posted it so at least the buyer will have that info to play with.

[Late BrakeU2]

I think the SD's have seen the biggest move.Last year or two they were 40-50 for a clean one now try and find one under 80k.It's not just the 77's,try finding nice 78-79 Starlite SE W72's under 25k.They made a ton of them,but with the remake of the movie coming(hear Burt will play Jackie's role) last year for the BB,and so many boomers having owned/wanted one back then they are in huge demand.

[Xplantdad]

Not to take this discussion too far off course...has anyone here ever had (OR SEEN) an SD455 Formula? There couldn't have been too many of those made... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Late BrakeU2]

[ QUOTE ]
Not to take this discussion too far off course...has anyone here ever had (OR SEEN) an SD455 Formula? There couldn't have been too many of those made... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I think 43 in 73,55 in 74.. not sure how many are left,let alone with O.G. driveline.Rarely come up for sale.

[njsteve]

I guess I was pretty close with my original value estimate. I said $37K and it sold for $36,600.

[Late BrakeU2]

I'll take this one with a B/S and without a "door prize" for about the same cabbage-
http://www.swcorvettes.com/inventory/1972pontta20k/index.html

Seems like a fair price if the mileage is factual,but it's a dealer..

[njsteve]

I does look nice from where I sit: 1000 miles away. I bet that if it has that Pep Boys plastic fuel filter then it no longer has its original carb. No a/c though. If the body is nice up close, it would be a bargain. Original spare tire too.

[Judge Man]

[ QUOTE ]
I does look nice from where I sit: 1000 miles away. I bet that if it has that Pep Boys plastic fuel filter then it no longer has its original carb. No a/c though. If the body is nice up close, it would be a bargain. Original spare tire too.

[/ QUOTE ]

20,000 original miles and the original air cleaner is gone???? Makes me wonder just after taking a quick look under the hood. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[tirebird]

Well, I for one, which is obvious, am very happy about the runup in prices. I would never sell my Tirebird,.but it's nice to see it's getting it's due.

[njsteve]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I does look nice from where I sit: 1000 miles away. I bet that if it has that Pep Boys plastic fuel filter then it no longer has its original carb. No a/c though. If the body is nice up close, it would be a bargain. Original spare tire too.

[/ QUOTE ]

20,000 original miles and the original air cleaner is gone???? Makes me wonder just after taking a quick look under the hood. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice catch on the air cleaner, very observant. That's another $2000 part missing from the car. If it has the late model base it must have the late model shaker as well....another high $$$$$ part to locate.

[southernfriedcj]

[ QUOTE ]
I guess I was pretty close with my original value estimate. I said $37K and it sold for $36,600.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, you didn't think I was gonna pay more than 37k after I asked for your estimate did you? The car will be in Athens Sunday. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jim

[Xplantdad]

Congrats Jim!

[njsteve]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I guess I was pretty close with my original value estimate. I said $37K and it sold for $36,600.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, you didn't think I was gonna pay more than 37k after I asked for your estimate did you? The car will be in Athens Sunday. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jim

[/ QUOTE ]

Well that scares me that someone out there actually pays attention to what I say??!! Good luck on the car. Looks like an amazing piece. A year from now that will be looked at as a bargain price. (It's double what I paid for mine back in November, 2004) Feel free to email me some photos. I will be happy to trade info if you need help. Also I emailed the seller that the original dealership is still in business up here in Jersey. He posted the address info in the auction. Maybe I can stop by one of these days and check it out for you.

[njsteve]

I just found this listing on ebay. This is listed as the correct a/c bracket for the 455 HO engine. I have my doubts. Compare it to the attached photo which is the original bracket from my car. Note the cutout and the rolled edge for the heat riser tubing to pass over, which the ebay piece doesn't have.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/71-455-HO...1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/71-455-HO-gto-trans-am-a-c-bracket_W0QQitemZ4619498937QQcategoryZ34202QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

By the way, I just re-examined the photos of your car from the auction. It is also missing the front a/c bracket that attaches to the two front intake bolts. (This at least is a standard piece from all Pontiac V8s and is cheap) I can look around in my parts and see if I have one.

[nova67]

I worked at Hoffman Pontiac Maywood Ill. from 73 to 78 saw one sd 455 Formula 4spd. It was used and was like a pewter color w/red interior. Our factory rep bought it.

[Xplantdad]

Didn't the SD455 Formula Firebirds come with the shaker hood? Or was it a combo of the Formula hood and the shaker?

I'd love to see a picture of an actual car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
Didn't the SD455 Formula Firebirds come with the shaker hood? Or was it a combo of the Formula hood and the shaker?

I'd love to see a picture of an actual car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

SD Formulas have the shaker hood, similar to the Trans Am. A few years back there was a silver with red interior '74 SD on TraderOnline. I wish I had been smart enough to buy it.

[Xplantdad]

Thanks for the info Dave...I think I remember an SD Formula on Ebay, too?

[Charley Lillard]

Here you go.

[MosportGreen66]

Man thats bad... is she yours Charley?

[Charley Lillard]

Nope..

[Xplantdad]

Thanks Charley...that is COOL! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[GM-26]

You gotta love the "Belted T/A's". I bet <font color="red">"GTO_DON" </font>has a few pairs. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/195917-tn_73formulapixfeb%5C%2706001.jpg

[southernfriedcj]

[ QUOTE ]
I just found this listing on ebay. This is listed as the correct a/c bracket for the 455 HO engine. I have my doubts. Compare it to the attached photo which is the original bracket from my car. Note the cutout and the rolled edge for the heat riser tubing to pass over, which the ebay piece doesn't have.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/71-455-HO...1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/71-455-HO-gto-trans-am-a-c-bracket_W0QQitemZ4619498937QQcategoryZ34202QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

By the way, I just re-examined the photos of your car from the auction. It is also missing the front a/c bracket that attaches to the two front intake bolts. (This at least is a standard piece from all Pontiac V8s and is cheap) I can look around in my parts and see if I have one.

[/ QUOTE ]

Steve,
When you get a chance let me know if you have a bracket. I picked up the car this weekend. It needs a few small cosmetics, but it runs like a champ. I also got a spare '72 455/4spd block, a set of rebuilt heads, a set of exhaust manifolds, and an aluminum intake(nice to have some spares). The 1100 mile round trip was tiring, but worth it. To top the week off, I sold one of my Challenger T/A's the first day it went up.

Jim

[njsteve]

I looked through my parts and couldn't find one. Post some photos! If its a WD or a WM coded 4 speed block it is worth a bunch of $$$$ maybe $2500? for mint, standard bore example. The same goes for a set of 7F6 heads $2000? Original uncracked exhaust manifolds and a 72-only intake, $500 and $500? You just transformed a good purchase into a bargain.