1973 Pontiac Firebird 326 V8 Engine Trans Am

Although this real-deal WS4 Firebird T/A was born with a venerable 455 4-V V8 from the factory, at some point a 326 V8 was swapped-in (the casting and date code decode to a '66-'67 326, and those are 140 heads). It certainly still shows like a 455 under the hood underneath that uber-cool bright red hood scoop, which is a marked contrast to the Pontiac Turquoise engine underneath. Most of the details here are quite correct to 1973, from the long black intake house, the engine braces, and the big radiator shroud up front. It's running great and has been freshly detailed so it has a crisp, bright look that only helps this car stand out. You'll note that the scoop is purely cosmetic and the engine actually draws air from the inner fenders, but there's no reason not to love the shaker look. The TH400 3-speed automatic transmission is correct for the car and is a willing partner that shrugs off the small blocks impressive power and torque curve, twisting it back to a 10-bolt rear end. The chassis is very solid, with remnants of correct red oxide floors, a big sway bar out back, and a newer H-pipe dual exhaust system that sounds amazing. Power steering and power front disc brakes greatly improve the ride experience, and factory Rally II wheels look right on the early T/A and carry 225/70/15 BFGoodrich T/A white-letter radials all around.