When the world gave up on performance; the Trans A
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This is the last true muscle car of a dying breed. This could be called the forgotten high performance car. Saddly this is true, but in 1974 Poniac refused to get rid of the muscle car. John Delorean would've liked nothing different. By 74 the Vette had lost almost half of its horsepower, the trans am grew to a under rated 310 or 270. In reality the 310 was like 350 from the 455 big block. This car could out perform anything that came out in 74. Nothing was faster. Nothing would be faster for five years.
This car was either a modest 150hp 350ci, a 400 with 230(used all through the 70's) and a monster 455ci. I've been in the 400 and 455,(with 270hp not super duty) and they were fun. The 455 seems to be better all around. Infact handling wasn't much worse than the late Trans Ams; and they handled wonderfully. Pulling a .84g(74) compared to the 79 that had a .86g. Not bad for a big block, but I wouldn't try to race a newer performance car in it. Still, it was quick; but, nothing like the "SD" Trans Am. That car was made for speed. The stock 455 would hit 60 in 6.8sec(stick) and 7.2(auto); the Super Duty would launch you to 60 in 5.3secs and do a standing quarter of 13.5 with a top end of 145mph. The tight gearing would put the quarter under 12secs of slicks. This is a ton of performance in any time period; but look at the other performance cars of the day. The Vette barly hit 60 in 8secs, and the Ferrari Dino hit 60 in 7.4secs. The Firebird was reliable and fast. The best of both worlds. What I can tell you with both 74s I was in, they are noisey and cluncky. The ride is lacking much, and I couldn't really see this as a everyday driver. I mean it would get unconfortable.(Like most performance cars) The gas milage was horrible, the 400 I was told got 18mpg highway! The 455 was around 9 average. Both ruff estimates, but bad regardless. Neither one complained of any problems, or flaws. So if you want one, I hope that helps.
The 74 SD Trans AM is aruably the best muscle car ever, and one of the most sought after. Fetching over well $100,000 in many cases. Not as handsome as the 60's or late 70's , but makes up for it with spunk.
