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Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
I changed the very black oil today and noticed this old A/C filter. Is this a repro or an original piece?
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-p1010176.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-p1010177.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-p1010178.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-p1010179.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
I took the white car out for a spin tonight and went to the local cruise night. Got there extra early to get a good spot.
Don't you just hate it when you show up at the prom and another "lady" is wearing the same dress you are? ;-) A friend who lives in town has this original paint 50,000 mile, Brewster Green and white 73 SD. This is the first time he has brought it out locally in years http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/P1010186.jpg http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/P1010188.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Enrico "Rick" Stein emailed me this evening while I was at the cruise night. Here's what he said:
"Dear Steve, Printed your e-mail this morning and impelled to write back. As I write this it is 9:45 a.m. MST here in Scottsdale and raining. The sight of the old girl in your enclosed photos brought tears to my eyes. To me it is almost incredible that in all the years since I let her go none of the successive owners has attempted to "improve" on the factory original. I can tell from the photo of the rear that even the chrome exhaust tips are exactly where I put them. Additionally, your conformation of the slight flaw in the paint on the right front fender confirms that this car is a rare original, never restored or molested by an ignorant owner. While I never had what is commonly referred in the collecting hobby as the "build sheet" or a "broadcast sheet" I will put my provenance on the car against anybody. In this case photo memory, total recall and obsessive compulsive syndrome serve as well. Depending on class breakdown and other factors beyond your control you should easily win first place in Chicago. In order to give you any edge that I can, along with the original steering wheel which, by the way, is in factory brand new condition I'm sending you the original window sticker as well as a original factory service manual. The steering wheel is being shipped in the factory original box that the Trans-Am steering wheel currently installed came in. Any other pertinent data that I research from my files will follow when I've had a chance to go through them, Anything I can do to facilitate your beating the competition with "my car" let me know. I'll be happy to help." Enrico A. Stein, Jr "Rick" |
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What an amazing guy!
The exhaust tip story he is referring to is the fact that when the car was delivered it showed up with the tips looking cross-eyed, pointed heavily toward the center of the car and not straight out the back. He adjusted them so they point straight back (and incidentally rub the inner quarter on the passenger side.) And the paint flaw consists of a weird couple of pieces of fuzz and hair in a line on the passenger side fender where the assembly line painter must have dragged the air line across the car when it was being painted. |
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While changing the oil, I used the now oily camera to shoot some random detail shots:
The rear drum with the original copper Tinnerman clips still intact, holding the drum in place: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/P1010136.jpg Drivers side front rotor. I had no idea the original wear groove was supposed to be that deep! http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/P1010150.jpg Passenger side rotor: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/P1010147.jpg Front sway bar with label and remains of grey paint on the edge: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/P1010146.jpg Oil pan bolt with shadowed area where the engine paint didn't reach: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/P1010166.jpg The block VIN http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/blockvin.jpg And the trans part tag with the "PQ" code: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/P1010175.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Neat stuff Steve...Keep sharing!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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BTW, I googled "Suburban Pontiac, Glen Head, NY" and look what popped up - the HP article on the other 73 SD Formula sold new at the dealership. It's a blue/white 4-speed.
http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/fe...la/viewall.html |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Rick called this morning with more info. He said he ordered it with an automatic because that is what he wanted. He was not going to be drag racing it and didn't want the constant clutch work around the New York suburbs that the 4-speed would have entailed. He said there were no order prohibitions about A/C not being available with a stick, at the time he ordered the car.
When the car was due to come in he told the dealer that under no circumstances was ANYONE at the dealership allowed to "test drive" the car prior to delivery. Of course when it came in, the service guys ignored the mandate and drove it around town. Rick found out about it and tore them a new one. He said he was "this close" to telling them to "stick the car where the sun don't shine" when he found out that they violated his directive. But at the last minute decided to go ahead with the purchase. Rick drove the car from NY to Arizona in July of 1975 where he started a chain of chassis dynamometer tuning centers. His vanity plate for the SD was "TUNE-UP". He still has his original vanity plate and is sending it along with the steering wheel. He is still looking for the second file he has on the car that will have photos, etc., in it. When he sold the car in 1986 it had 13,000 miles on it. When the second owner sold it, it had 17,080 miles (as written on the windshield inspection sticker from 1992). |
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Funny, my Dad tried to order his 73 Trans Am as an SD but, his car was not built with the motor. He was told that, while he had ordered the SD it was not a guarantee.
Anyway, he ordered it as Buccaneer red, white deluxe interior and 4 speed. When we go to pick the car up at Haines Pontiac we see it in the service area being "tuned up". A few short minutes later we hear this car burning out from the lot and someone was beating the balls outta the car. My Dad was not too happy with the dealership when the car returned. I bet that scenario happened a lot with these types of cars. |
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My dad was the one that did the prep and test drive on Steve's Hemi Charger. My dad, or my Grandfather were the only ones that did the preps on the hi performance cars at Suburban Dodge for just that reason. When I went to work there years later, I was the one that prepped the Shelby Chargers and Daytonas and turbo cars.
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I talked with original owner Rick again today. He confirmed that the oil filter in the photos is the oil filter he put on in the late 1970's or early 1980s. He only used factory parts to maintain the car. I sent him the link to the SD455 Registry and he was surprised that they built so many 73 Formulas with the SD455. He thought there were only a handful so the 43 total number came as somewhat of a surprise.
This evening I used a flashlight and an inspection mirror to look under all the seats and did not see any signs of a broadcast in the springs or on the floor. I pulled the spare tire out and used the mirror to look behind the cardboard bulkhead liner and did not see anything in there either. I don't want to needlessly pull that back seat since the bottom cushions are so hard to remove and replace without damaging the vinyl. |
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Here's something interesting I noticed about the spare tire. What I thought is mildew is the protective film that is sprayed on the white letters. You know, that blue stuff that is on the sidewalls of modern new tires when they arrive. It seems to be on both sides of the tires.
In addition to the tire, the jack does not appear to ever have been used. - there are no paint chips where the post would mount in to the base. Here's some photos: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-p1010037.jpg The unpainted spot by the center cap opening appears to be a result of the method by which the factory must have had the rim held in a fixture when it was painted. The other NOS spare I have has the very same unpainted notch. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-p1010240.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-p1010241.jpg Original valve stem and cap with small dome on the cap. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-p1010243.jpg The jack in its original position https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-p1010246.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-p1010258.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-p1010259.jpg |
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Here is a panorama of the trunk for you trunk spatter paint aficianados out there:
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-p1010250.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-p1010245.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-p1010246.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-p1010247.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-p1010248.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-p1010249.jpg |
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Incredible car.
Great find. Ryan |
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The white car now has a new garage mate. I still have to move things around so both of my Grandparents cars can sit next to each other, once again. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-p1010264.jpg In case you missed the story of the Lincoln, here is the linc: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthrea..._a_L#Post539151 |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Steve,
Congratulations again on getting such a beautifully maintained '73 SD. Not that it's any of my business but, seeing that the car is something that could be used as a benchmark car for other 73 SD owners to use as a reference and the fact that it has such low mileage, are you going to be able to truly enjoy it by driving it? I don't know you but, you don't strike me as one who would buy a car and let it sit as a conversation piece. Then again it would almost be a shame to put too many miles on such a wonderful car and risk something happening to it. |
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Looks just <span style="font-size: 17pt"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">smashing</span></span></span> Steve! Gonna bring it to MCACN? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]
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Wow, what a beautiful car. Gets the Pontiac juices flowing.
Very nice. Congrats. Phil Woj |
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Oh yeah, I'm gonna drive it! It is almost at 19,000 miles as of yesterday.
And yes she is going to MCACN. I had the black car set for the barn find class but had to revise the invite for the Class of 73 SD455 Display. I bought it because Bashton was complaining that he didn't have any SD Formulas for his display. I do still need a couple of old Firestone 500s GR70x15 for display use, if anyone has some sitting around. They were common on the mid-1970's Corvettes in case anyone is not using their old spare tires. |
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I believe the white stuff on the tire is a mold release in making the tire. If you use a hair drier to heat the tire up it will melt back to a nice black finish. I have to do this on my original tires for my 442 once in a while..
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Interesting. The white letter side actually has the blue stuff on the letters but you are probably right about the blackwall side.
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Damn Steve, your threads are NEVER boring to read and full of information. My offer still stands..........! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]
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Which offer? I can't remember it now... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]
Here's a couple more shots: The DOT code on the spare. The rust colored dots are not rust but seem to be a residue of tire lube used to mount the tires when new. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-p1010261.jpg The jack base and hold down parts: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-p1010251.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-p1010252.jpg A wheel weight with a white paint mark where it was supposed to be placed: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-p1010253.jpg |
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I started perusing the original documents this evening and there is a ton of stuff! It actually surpasses my old Hemi Charger in terms of a paperwork archive. There are two copies of the order sheet, a handwritten yellow pad of the options and costs, the hand written purchase order, the typed sales invoice, the two page window sticker, the original loan agreement for $2200, the paid off loan agreement, the satisfaction of lien certificate, a 1973 Pontiac brochure that lists the SD455 as an available option in the Lemans, and Grand Am, the Pontiac Wide Track records booklet with all the various warranty pamphlets, the two owner's manuals, the odometer statement, a letter from Pontiac congratulating Rick on his purchase, and even the adding machine tape denoting the sales price minus the loan amount:
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...rig_papers.jpg And all of Rick's New York registrations from 1973 to 1975 and the Arizona registrations as well. It even lists the original license plate 956-LYS. I just ordered a reproduction of that plate from the same place that made the replica Ontario plate for my black car. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-orig_regs.jpg I also have all the registrations and sales transfer docs from Rick to the second owner and third owners as well. It appears that Rick sold the car with 16,165 miles. The second owner sold it with 16,744 miles and the third owner sold it to me with 18,878 miles. |
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And here is the Pontiac Historical Build Invoice:
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-sd_phs_1.jpg |
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What a great story.
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Wow, and congratulations. This car couldn't have gone to a better owner. Thanks for taking us on a journey and sharing this cars history.
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Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Which offer? I can't remember it now... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]
</div></div> To come to work for me and work your magic....... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img] |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Here is today's conundrum. Looks like there were two different styles of the infamous Firestone 500 Radial.
My original spare and two of the unmounted tires are dated 18th week of 1973, confirming their original equipment status. The NOS spare tire and honeycomb rim are dated 40th week of 1973, possibly a spare for the 1974 model year. Note that the early 73 tire has a white "F" logo and the later 73 tire has an embossed black "F" logo. Anyone out there have an early "F" Firestone 500 GR70x15 or two they want to sell? These came on Corvettes, too so if anyone knows any Vette guys out there, please forward my request. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-p1010241.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-p1010277.jpg |
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This ebay one is not RWL [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img] http://www.ebay.com/itm/Firestone-50...-/251080811207
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But these are possible ones
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/pts/4035792893.html <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Firestone Steel Belted Radial GR70-15 on a 15X8 Corvette Rally Wheel - $500 (North Raleigh) This is a brand new, never been down, Original spare out of a 70's Corvette. It is a Firestone Steel Belted Radial. Size GR70-15. It is on a factory GM 15x8 Rally Wheel. Call or email if interested, Andrew 919-669-1706 Location: North Raleigh it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests Posting ID: 4035792893 Posted: 2013-08-30, 1:43PM EDT email to a friend </div></div> http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...m=261209072420 http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...m=290970824327 http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...m=121070150180 |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Another one
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/pts/4025862823.html <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Original Firestone 500 - $450 (Milwaukee) I have 2 original GR70 Firestone 500's mounted on chevy rally wheels. Not reproductions! They still have the ink stripes on them! Took them off a 1973 Corvette. These were the first radial tires released back in the day. Never been driven on! Location: Milwaukee it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests Posting ID: 4025862823 Posted: 2013-08-25, 9:52PM CDT Updated: 2013-09-10, 9:13PM CDT </div></div> |
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Thanks Kevin. Looking at the photos, unfortunately most of them are the later model versions without the white "F".
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I had the person in Milwaukee send me this pic of his tires.
http://imageshack.com/a/img854/6681/jvr4.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Thanks, I wonder what the Raleigh one is. Steve, the Milwalkee tires certainly look like the ones you are looking for, right?
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Yes, they are the correct ones with the white "F" logo.
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Weren't those white logo 500 radial tires throwing their treads,so Firestone destroyed & reissued them with the black logo,but it was too late as Corvette said good riddance?
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Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes, they are the correct ones with the white "F" logo. </div></div>
Good luck getting them! |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr70</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Weren't those white logo 500 radial tires throwing their treads,so Firestone destroyed & reissued them with the black logo,but it was too late as Corvette said good riddance? </div></div>
No, the black logo is still the same recalled tire. The exploding Firestone 500s killed over 250 people before Firestone stopped stonewalling NHTSA and agreed to the recall. In the early days the dealers were told to blame the customer for hitting a curb or underinflating the tire. Numerous stories abound of tires being replaced by dealers after the customer was charged full price, and the replacement 500 exploding with a couple miles of the tire store on the way home. Sound familiar...like the Ford Explorer/Firestone underinflated tire fiasco from several years ago??? The Firestone 721 was the official replacement. If you google Firestone 500 you will get an eyeful. There was one recent posting on a Corvette site where the guy's original spare that had never been out of the spare tire well made a loud boom one day and the guy pulled the well cover off and saw that the tire self destructed - like the steel belts were under tension and finally let go. I am just looking to complete a set for static display at MCACN (with the appropriate road flares, flashing lights, and danger cones set around the tires). |
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I doubt the car could have gone to a more deserving caretaker.
GREAT JOB STEVE & CONGRATULATIONS! |
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