[dreamn69]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

I bought a fairly low mileage 79 W72 WS6 T/A in the late 80s that I used several years as a daily driver. The intake/carb had been swapped out for a 1972 cast iron intake and matching carb, the stock exhaust manifolds had been replaced with ram air manifolds feeding into true duals with no catalytic converters. It was a pretty decent performer.

Around that same time, I also had a 73 Formula that was running a stock 1973 455 out of a big car. It was originally a Formula 400, so it was equipped with a TH400 and 3.08 limited slip. I didn't build this car, just bought it that way.

Even with the modifications to the 79 T/A, the 73 Formula felt quicker and was more fun to drive stoplight to stoplight. The 79 was clearly the superior handling car.

The only substitute for cubic inches is rectangular dollars.

The TH400/ 3.08 felt quicker than the 4 speed/ 3.23? Interesting. Especially the funner stoplight to stoplight. I have never had more fun in an auto compared to a 4 speed light to light.

[71GP76TA]

Originally Posted by Norwood

Other than tires what would make a 73 handle better than a 70? Radial tuned suspension? Lol

Sway bars.. spring rate..

. RTS... not until nineteenhundredandseventyfour

[Norwood]

Bigger sway bars on a 73 vs a 70?

[Norwood]

Did Pontiac publish spring rates ?

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by Will Kostyk

My interpretation of this thread is that the 75-81 STOCK Trans Am values approach the 70-72 cars at auction. Not "my car is better than your car" as previously suggested. There should be no illusion that the early cars came factory equipped with the strongest street engines Pontiac built. The later cars... not at all . If these weren't significant factors a hemi Cuda would be valued like a 340 ? Preferential equipment, rarity, drives values.. always has. Even the white /blue paint schemes signified what you were driving even at a distance. Same colors as the AC Cobra, probably not a coincidence. Like the Hemi and AC Cobra the 70-72 T/A's just hemorrhage testosterone . The later cars.. well you get it.

Will gets it!!

[poncho-mike]

It was all about the torque.

I generally favor manual transmissions, but at that time I was driving about 15 miles a day in half interstate, half moderately heavy traffic. I just enjoyed the low end grunt of the 455 TH400 combo more than the 400 4-spd.

Originally Posted by dreamn69

The TH400/ 3.08 felt quicker than the 4 speed/ 3.23? Interesting. Especially the funner stoplight to stoplight. I have never had more fun in an auto compared to a 4 speed light to light.

[Tellyshavilli]

Originally Posted by Formulajones

Will gets it!!

Yes he does. I've owned every combination of 70-74 Trans Ams and formulas built and still own the best ones . I've driven but not owned all the 75-81s Tas and it's going to stay that way and no dogamatics here.

[73T/A]

Originally Posted by Norwood

Bigger sway bars on a 73 vs a 70?

Only when comparing a Y-99 equipped Formula to a Formula with out it.I think some of the public think that a Formula has the same handling hardware as a Trans Am.They do not unless someone checked off the Y-99 option.

[Judge273]

Yes, this thread was originally about 71-72 having decent buy numbers. 25-40k.

I have noticed recently some have been bought in the 20k range on FB too.

It was my initial thought now was the time to buy?

I noted in the OP that the 77-78 were actually going for bigger money.

I have learned other things as well...

[Norwood]

I have also learned of the superiority of the later cars over the early ones. I’m truly considering selling in order to pick up a 79.

[4birds]

"Yes, this thread was originally about 71-72 having decent buy numbers. 25-40k"

I agree with you Mike. There are a few of the 71-72's that are available right now at a good price for buyers.
When you consider the cost to round up a running correct numbers 71-72 455HO from carb to pan and a real M22, you're already at 15K.
In my opinion, the 70-72's will always increase in value in the future.

[4birds]

Originally Posted by Norwood

I have also learned if the superiority of the later cars over the early ones. I’m truly considering selling in order to pick up a 79.

LOL!

[necdb3]

Originally Posted by Norwood

I have also learned of the superiority of the later cars over the early ones. I’m truly considering selling in order to pick up a 79.

Make sure you get a 403 car.

[bird72]

engine doesn't seem to know

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p7xog5BKtY

[Norwood]

Originally Posted by bird72

engine doesn't seem to know

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p7xog5BKtY

Lots of fast Oldsmobile’s out there. That WS6 suspension is really working there.

[necdb3]

My comment was in reference to the original post about values as the 403 cars don't bring the money of a Pontiac powered car. I made no mention, nor intended any mention, of performance.

[bird72]

Sorry on my wise guy post. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!


If it makes it any better, I really want an El Camino

[necdb3]

Originally Posted by bird72

Sorry on my wise guy post. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!


If it makes it any better, I really want an El Camino

No worries

[rock]

I had a 79 trans am with a 403 and factory external oil cooler, turbo 350, and 323 posi rear end (all factory stock). That car was quick for its day

[dreamn69]

I would like to see that factory external oil cooler. Never have seen one from the factory or even any mention of one on build sheets.