That's a pricey bird.
A vintage 1974 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Super Duty 455, known for its Buccaneer Red paint, recently fetched $89,296 at an auction on the Hagerty Marketplace. The car, which boasted just under 54,000 miles and a meticulously detailed restoration, was a limited release; Pontiac produced only 943 of these models in 1974.
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In terms of performance, the Super Duty 455 variant distinguished itself significantly from the standard Firebird. Launched in 1974, the 455 represented the cubic inches of its V8 engine, which was hand-assembled. Notably, the engine was a technological marvel of its era, borrowing elements from Pontiac’s 366-cubic-inch NASCAR engine. This included heavy-duty connecting rods, a completely new block, and modified crankshaft and heads, which cumulatively delivered a reported 310 horsepower.
The model's recent sale attracted significant attention, garnering more than 21,000 views and 39 bids on Hagerty’s platform. According to Hagerty’s valuation metrics, a similar car in good condition could typically command around $85,700, whereas a pristine, 'concours condition' example could go for $103,000.
The sold vehicle was by no means lacking in features; it came equipped with a three-speed Hydra-matic transmission, power locks, power windows, air conditioning, dual exhausts, and heavy-duty stabilizer bars. The interior was adorned in Red perforated Morrokide vinyl upholstery, highlighting the car's luxurious yet muscle-bound heritage.
The Pontiac Firebird, an American classic and a formidable opponent to competitors like the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro, originated in 1967. It started with options for either an inline-six or a V8 engine. The Trans Am was introduced in 1969 as a specialized handling package. However, Pontiac, as a brand, met its end in 2002 due to dwindling sales and reduced market share in sports coupes.
This auction and the impressive price tag attached reaffirms the enduring appeal of this American automotive icon, whose Super Duty 455 version represented one of the zeniths of 1970s muscle car engineering.