The New, Newer Project: Part Tres...

[njsteve]

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.

[njsteve]

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:




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.





Original valve stem and cap with small dome on the cap.




The jack in its original position

[njsteve]

Here is a panorama of the trunk for you trunk spatter paint aficianados out there:

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Incredible car.

Great find.

Ryan

[njsteve]

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]




In case you missed the story of the Lincoln, here is the linc:

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthrea..._a_L#Post539151

[Dave Rifkin]

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.

[mockingbird812]

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]

[Woj]

Wow, what a beautiful car. Gets the Pontiac juices flowing.

Very nice.

Congrats. Phil Woj

[njsteve]

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.

[67 442]

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..