20 of the Fastest Muscle Cars Ever Built

November 30, 2016

1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Quarter Mile Time: 13.54 Seconds

Smokey and the Bandit made this car a favorite among kids and men everywhere, but it was the 1973 Pontiac Trans Am SD-455 that came at the worst time possible for muscle cars. OPEC, the federal government, and “Big Insurance” were all against car brands mounting powerful V-8 engines into small two-door cars increasing smog and burning precious gas. Once the price of gas skyrocketed towards the end of the decade, the muscle car was near extinct.

The first edition Pontiac Trans Am SD-455s were produced for the 1973 model year and only 252 were built which is why they are seldom spotted in the wild today. Over the past 40 years, only a handful of these beauties survive and of those lucky owners, only a few were eager to test the car’s remarkable handling and quarter-mile speed runs.

Amcar

Truth is that the SD-455 was a straight-up race engine. Here are some of the features.

Ram Air IV heads
Standard 7.5-liter unit generates 250 horsepower at 4000 rpm
370 ft-lbs at 2800 rpm.
Nitrided crankshaft
Reinforced block
Forged pistons
Forged connecting rods
Dry sump oiling system

This amazing piece of American muscle is highly coveted, often sought after and though they are difficult to find, especially with all of their original mechanical components, and body panels in good condition. If you find one of these, buy it!

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