My first new car.
1973 Pontiac Grand Am
455 CID 250 HP
Quadradjet 4 Barrel Carb
3.23:1 Positraction Rear
Daul Exhaust
400 TurboHydramatic 3 Speed Trans. with Dualgate Shifter
15" Rally Wheels w/ GR70-15 Firestone Radials
Bucket Seats
Sunroof with manual crank
What we have come to know as the 73 Grand Am was originally intended to be the 73 GTO. Several GM photos have surfaced with the GTO badges adorning the rubber nosed A-body.
Unfortunately for GTO fans, this did not come to pass. When the 73 models debuted, the GTO name was affixed as an option package on the LeMans.
The Grand Am rolled out as it's own distinct model, with a Grand Prix based interior, and a handling package bettered domestically by only the Corvette and the Firebird/Camaro. Deep bucket seats with lumbar supports, as well as the more refined Grand Prix dash and thick padded steering wheel made the Grand Am a driver's kind of car. The 15 inch radial tires on 7 inch wheels and huge front (1.12") and rear (.94") anti-sway bars added to the driving experience. The availability of the 455 engine with four barrel carburetor and dual exhaust made for a very competent package.
---187 Grand Ams were built for '73 with a four speed manual
transmission. The four speed was available only with the 400
motor. Those wanting 455 power were limited to the Turbo-Hydramatic
400 transmission. This 187 number includes approximately 20 4 door 4-speeds,
and the Grand Am Registry has accounted for two of these.
---Early factory brochures and road tests make mention of the
Super Duty 455 motor as being available in the Grand Am as well
as in the Grand Prix and GTO. This did not come to pass.
At the last minute it was decided that the SD would be available in only
the F-body line up.
---A single Grand Am wagon was produced by Pontiac for 1973.
Part of a feasability experiment, it is now in the hands of a
Michigan collector. Curiously, this car is also one of very few
with a factory ram-air induction set-up, which was proposed for
the Grand Am, but scrapped due to inability to pass noise regulations.
Engine And Transmission
Engine Trans Axle Ratio HP
455-4bbl TH400 3.23:1 250
Dash Instrament Bezel Made from real wood: African Cross- Fire Mahogany
European Style Steering Column with builtin Headlight Switch
Disclaimer: Pictures are not original, but are exact resemblances of my orignal car. VIN # 2H37Y3P29****
