1973 SD Trans Am with 1774 miles

[Charley Lillard]

....
fell off engine years ago

before PHS I guess

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">....
</div></div>

Interesting shot here: For followers of my build thread, I duscussed the factory problem with the polyethylene valances and how they broke immediately upon installation on the cars, due to the inaccurately cut mounting holes that were off by as much as an inch in places. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...6&amp;page=100

Here you can see that the top left portion of the valance that mounts to the bottom of the urethane nose has broken its two mounting points, just like the white valance in my thread, hence the gap. (the area directly under the passenger side headlight). This was caused by the assembly line workers who manhandled and tried to stretch the lower portion of the valance to mount to the underside of the radiator support. All it did was rip away the upper mounting points from the stress. This was the reason GM then issued a technical service bulletin replacing all of the polyethylene valances with the 70/71 stamped steel valance.

[LNavarro]

Incredible time machine! Never thought I'd see a SD with less than 2000 miles.

[1969z280]

Steve, My 73 Formula has the exact same structural crack. When I first got the car, I thought that the previous owner had hit something but it didn't show any cosmetic damage. Thanks for the insight.

Charlie, Awesome T/A! let me get on the list for the future or in case he changes his mind.

Happy New Year! Ed

[scuncio]

Wow is that ever nice.

[Dave Rifkin]

Man that car is stunning and brings back memories; my father ordered a near identical twin to this car late 1972. The only differences would have been my Dad went with crank windows but opted for the manual transmission.
When he placed the order the dealership said that they could not guarantee that he'd receive an SD in the car (I guess due to the connecting rod issues?)
Anyway, his '73 TA was delivered with the standard 455 / 4 speed combo; not the fastest car in the world but, it looked killer and I loved it.

I hope the new owner of this TA adds a few miles to it before putting it away.

[442w30]

Is it me, or does that dealer tag look later than 1973?

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it me, or does that dealer tag look later than 1973? </div></div>

Actually it's pretty funny since 99.9% of the potmetal dealer emblems we see are old, and pitted, and have lost their paint, when you see one that is literally brand new, it doesn't seem real!

[442w30]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it me, or does that dealer tag look later than 1973? </div></div>

Actually it's pretty funny since 99.9% of the potmetal dealer emblems we see are old, and pitted, and have lost their paint, when you see one that is literally brand new, it doesn't seem real! </div></div>

It looks plastic, so I was thinking perhaps it was retrofitted? Plus, the font doesn't scream 1973 to me.

I managed to get an original dealer tag years ago, but then stopped by a few years later to get a backup (just in case). This time they were plastic, although in the same style.

[1969z280]

It never ceases to amaze me! You see a special car like this once in a lifetime, and all some people can do is find fault. A license plate frame... you've got to be kidding me! JMO, Ed

Thanks for sharing the photos Charlie.