johnwitzke

Early stages of fabricating the very rare 1973 A body Ram Air air cleaner. The 1973 Pontiac engineering development mule SD-455 GTO would have had this set up

Now the story begins with the first SD-455 decal on the driver front fender. Also the bench seat with 4-speed shifter. Still a long way to go with this build. Need to be completed by Oct 1 for a model show

I used them on my 1973 GTO I have under construction. I cleaned scrubbed the tires with soap and water. I applied the decals and used decal setting solution and let them dry.

The 1973 GTO was available with a manual transmission only with the 400 engine, the 455 was automatic only. The SD 455 would have had both transmissions.

I changed direction on the build once I found out the SD-455 engineering test mule was Florentine Red with possibly a white interior. I am creating as close as possible what could have been that car. Information about that car is very sketchy at best.

Beginning work on the interior. This will be a 4-speed car with the shifter in front of the bench seat. I found an adhesive back suede material from Scale Motorsports that I used for the carpeting rather than embossing powder

This photo is possibly the SD GTO. This factory photo has only appeared in Jim Wangers book Glory Days. This was not the same GTO that was in Hi-Performance Cars Magazine article where they named it car of the year.

Started the BMF process.

Added the unique 1973 Ram Air under-hood ram air pan. I am in the process of fabricating the air cleaner lid as well

So I have been doing some additional research and have found out some interesting facts about the Hi-Performance Cars Magazine 1973 Car of the Year GTO. A good friend of mine that knew Joe Oldham confirmed that the 1973 Pontiac GTO with a SD-455 motor was in fact Florentine Red. It was also thought to have been a 4-speed car. The GTO was an engineering development test mule. This was a 1 of none car as the SD-455 motor was only available in the 1973-74 Firebird Trans Am and Formulas. Like the SD GTO, Pontiac also built one 1973 Grand Am with the SD-455 engine and was also an engineering development test mule. It was a white car with burgundy interior with an automatic transmission. Unfortunately the car doesn't exist anymore but the engine does. After the press review was completed and the journalist left, Joe was asked to stick around while Pontiac brought out the SD-455 GTO for him to view. Other than Joe Oldham, no other car journalist seen it, nor do any photos exist. While not 100% sure of the interior color, we do know it exterior was Florentine Red. So with that said, I have decided to make the 1 of none 1973 SD-455 GTO. I had another interior tub made along with a bench front seat. it will have a burgundy interior. I will put a correct style 4-speed shifter add the proper number of pedals and transmission.

Decals have arrived. GTO on the fenders and trunk lid will be white. the body stripe will be applied. There are various interior and under hood decals that I will use.

Polished Florentine Red. No clear coat. Trying to replicate a factor finish. Next will be the masking off the engine compartment, front wheel wells and interior roof and side panels for semi gloss black paint. Work continues on the interior detailing, it will be time for the cardinal red carpet. I will post a photo of the completed interior later.

Golden Olive is a great color and a good choice.

Interior color was changed to Black with red accent carpeting. This was a factory option. Paint used was MCW semi gloss black lacquer.