1973 Formula SD 455 Update
 

I ran up to Steve's yesterday to check on my Blue Formula and to discuss the final sample/prototype of the trim ring, and because he had sent me some photos of the Body after media blasting. So I thought I would share what has been done already.

I have given some thought as to how deep I wanted to go with the Bodywork on this car because of how good a shape it was already in, but I decided to go from the ground up so as to prevent having to do any rust repair a ways down the road after I had already invested a lot in paint. It was possibly unnecessary to go this far, but I like piece of mind.

Since the car is in such great shape, Steve and I are hoping to get it done possibly within a year. The car was missing only a few things, and with Steve's help, we have already sourced what we will need.

James

Here are a few more.

James

This car deserves it. Looks and sounds like its in better shape the any of us thought. It'll be sharp when its done.

I agree completely. here are the fenders, Door, and Core Support. All in great shape!

James

A few more...

Beings there were so few of these cars built. Its kind of interesting to see the production breakdowns.

You car deluxe interior?


33 automatic cars: •cameo white=8
•golden olive =1
•bucaneer red=1
•ascot silver=9
•verdant green=1
•florentine red=3
•valencia gold=1
•admiralty blue=5
•brewster green=1
•navajo orange=1
•burma brown=2

10 four-speed cars: •cameo white=1
•bucaneer red=1
•ascot silver=1
•porcelain blue=1
•florentine red=4
•admiralty blue=2

Interiors: •white std=3
•black std=5
•saddle std=1
•white cust=3
•black cust=16
•saddle cust=7
•burgandy cust=7
•beige cust cloth=1

Other options: •N98 Rally II wheels=23
•P05 Honeycomb wheels=7
•D80 Rear spoiler=15
•C08 Cordova top=6
•Y99 Handling package=33
•V32 Rear bumper guards=7
•A31 Power windows=12
•AU3 Power door locks=7
•C60 Air conditioning=25

Nice Project James....Hopefully it will get done quickly in time for MCACN next year.

Amazng progress already. And some beautiful sheetmetal under there!

Mine will be there for the Vintage Certification judging and for a reunion with the original owner and his wife. It would be great to have it's twin there!

NJSteve,

We will just have to see how it goes, but MCACN next year would be nice.

71GP76TA,

It is Deluxe Interior(Black), Automatic, Non-AC, N98, D80, and Y99. I am sure I forgot something.

V-32... If the rear bumper is original to your car.

Mines... black standard interior with hub caps and an automatic.. C-60 and Y-99

Too bad MCACN is on the other side of the country.

71GP76TA,

Your right. Maybe I will have to reproduce the rub strip for the bumper guards since I cannot find them. MCACN would be a hike from where you are if you were going to bring a car, but an easy flight if you just wanted to see it. I have not gone to it yet, but I am told it is one of the best.

James

It is THE BEST show in the universe. Bar none. I'm trying to get Bob Ashton to have a SD Formula class next year. We'll see what happens.

P.S. It's in Chicago, that isn't the other end of the country from California...it's only half way there. :-)

If they put together a SD Formula class.. I might have to go... Though it won't win the show... I'd bring the car....maybe even drive it out there... if the weather is nice..... :D

Giving me a time warp seeing my work under the primer reappear.
Glad to see her again. I still haven't forgotten about getting you a source list on all the HPP articles I did with it. Neck deep in a project for the past month --should have the time to compile that around the New Year.

The front core isolators are home made, and I suspect the article I did on making them led to them appearing as repops 1-2 years later.

Yes, the rubs strips for the bumper guards drove me nuts trying to find a source.

The rear bumper is the original but needs hammer work on that hard ding in it and the pitted spots. Worth saving vs a BB replacement.

Pass quarter is getting replaced I hope!

Be aware the core support is the original '73 top plate mated to a '72 upright and lower section with modifications made to the upright section to match the '73 style. Was subject of one of the articles, ran in HPP 1999 or 2000 and showed the differences between the 70-73s.

Hello Jim,

Yes the passenger quarter is going to be replaced along with the trunk drop on both sides, and while the quarter is out, we will probably do the outer wheel well to boot. It really is in fantastic shape!

No hurry on the article index. I have plenty going on to keep me busy.

I hope all is well with you.

James

outer wheel wells were both new reproduction replacements, however neither side mated really well with the quarter lip radii. More of an issue with the wheel well stamping than the quarters.

Awesome. Subscribed! Good luck with the project. :)

Among the more "oddball" options on this one is AM with 8-track. No FM or stereo. I did find an 8-track for it, had a blaupunkt in the dash when I got it. Like most, if not all SDs, it gets to be a one off once your run its color, interior, auto and non-AC.

A picture of her in the time warp mode. 1998 in a Tennessee garage where she'd been sitting for around 10 years. A ton of rust and bondo under 3 paint jobs including the original.

Did you know it was an SD Formula when you bought it?

Yes; I'd checked all the numbers on it through a 3rd party who then bid on it for me during the estate auction.

Previous owner, John, who would have been my brother in law except that he passed away from skin cancer in early '98, knew it was an SD when he took it in trade at the dealership he worked at. He bought it off the dealership the day the person I believe to be the original owner drove it in to trade it in '83 or 84.

I could never be certain who added the Trans Am parts, I know John bought the Turbo wheels for it as well as a stripe kit. I have Polaroids of it with the front spoiler and wheel flares in the correct shade of cameo with the IIs or Cragars on it. (can't remember which rim at the moment.) I don't think John knew it was a Formula, my sister and law always referred to it as a Trans Am. Never was able to track down owner no. 1 or id them, selling dealership was a dead end for information.