1974 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Super Duty

• 455 cubic inch V8 with 4-barrel carburetor

• Last high-performance statement of the muscle car era

• Iconic hood graphics and body details
  

The Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty could rightfully be called the end of an era as US auto manufacturers fought stricter emissions and fuel restrictions. This Firebird features a 455 cubic-inch V8 called the Super Duty, a term reaching back to Pontiac’s early 1960’s NASCAR days and was the most powerful engine in Pontiacs line up. A design team led by Herb Adams, outfitted the car with the 455 which had been previously emissions certified in other more sedate Pontiac passenger cars. With most car makers fitting smaller and lower powered engines during the early 70’s, Pontiac held on to the shrinking performance market; however, in 1974, only 943 Trans Am 455 Super Duties were produced.

As with previous Trans Am Firebirds, it had upgraded handling, suspension, and horsepower, as well as minor appearance modifications such as exclusive hoods, spoilers, fog lights and wheels. Most notably, the car could be ordered with an optional hood graphic in contrasting color of a Firebird spreading its wings across the hood.

The Super Duty engine was hand-built with a heavy-duty block, forged aluminum flat top pistons, and Rochester 800 cfm four-barrel carburetor. The engine was rated at 290 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 390-pound feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Compared to the 1973 Chevrolet Corvette LS4 454 with the Turbo Hydra-Matic, the Super Duty was significantly more powerful and faster.

Exterior features of the Pontiac Super Duty were a non-functional hood scoop (introduced in 1973 to cut down on noise), a new aerodynamically shaped front end, black rubber 5-mph bumpers, and new slotted taillights.

Specifications:

Engine: 455 cu in V8, OHV

Transmission: Turbo Hydramatic automatic

Horsepower: 290 bhp

Torque: 390 ft lbs @ 2600 rpm

Performance: 0-60mph 5.4 seconds; ¼ mile 14.5 seconds