1973 Pontiac GTO

[johnwitzke]

8 minutes ago, DoctorLarry said:

Did you give up on the red carpeting?

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.    

[rickcaps55]

Wow that's looking awesome the white will look great with the body color can't wait to see it done my kit came last week it's sitting on the bench and i do not have a clue witch way i am going with yet. one thing for sure with this 73 kit and my resin 74 kit from Missing link i now have all the GTO's from 64 through 74.

[rv1963]

That is some beautiful work on your GTO, I will be following your build, well done.

[Bainford]

Stellar work, and very cool subject. I'm really digging the 455 4-speed. Were '73 GTOs normally available with a manual trans?

[johnwitzke]

7 hours ago, Bainford said:

Stellar work, and very cool subject. I'm really digging the 455 4-speed. Were '73 GTOs normally available with a manual trans?

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.  

[johnwitzke]

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 

Edited August 17 by johnwitzke

[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

[johnwitzke]

Bumpers have been chromed.   Brilliant chrome, produces a lot of reflection.  Once they have set ups for a week or so, I will clear coat them.  

Edited August 25 by johnwitzke

[johnwitzke]

Interior update 

[meechum68]

This is awesome!! I have enjoyed your progress!

 

[Bills72sj]

On 8/16/2025 at 7:15 PM, johnwitzke said:

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 

Your rear seat passengers better have some VERY skinny legs. LOL

[johnwitzke]

Some small details being added to the body including all decals and taillamp detail.  Since it appears the 73 Super Duty GTO was not assembled on the assembly line like the 73 Super Duty Grand Am, it is unclear if a SD-455 decal was on the body.  So I removed it and added a 455 CID decal.  The photos I have of the possible car doesn't appear to have the SD 455 decal.  This Super Duty GTO and the Super Duty Grand Am were the only two factory cars with the unique Ram Air set up.  Unfortunately, both of these cars were dismantled and destroyed by Pontiac.  On a side note, I will be building a second 73 GTO, that Hi-Performance cars magazine identified as the Super Duty car.   The second car was Valencia Gold with white bench interior with a M20 4-speed manual transmission.  So, there are two possible colors for SD 455 GTO.  Was the car Florentine Red as mentioned by Joe Oldham memory, or was it Valencia Gold as the magazine calls it out. Either way, I am building both to make sure I have a replica of the 1 of none 73 Super Duty GTO.  Oh, I did have the Michigan Manufacture license (13M 251) plate made.  Additionally I have a 1973 Grans Am that I will build as the 1 and only SD 455 Grand Am.  I am waiting on decals.  The colors and options for the Grand Am is know as there is a build sheet for the car.