Show car for the 1974 Chicago Auto Show

[joe74ta]

Have a look at this little butty!
This is a one of one 1973 Trans Am Pontiac Show car designed by Bill Mitchell & John Schinella.
It went under the hammer at the Mecum auction in Indianapolis last weekend.

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(Photos: David Newhardt)

In 1973 Firebird Chief Designer John Schinella proposed a bold new hood graphic for the Trans Am. Knowing that his boss, GM design guru Bill Mitchell, liked the famous Black and Gold livery of the John Player Lotus Formula One cars, Schinella had a ‘73 SD455 Trans Am painted in dramatic Black Metalflake, decorated with gold pinstriping and a Gold-leaf version of his Firebird hood motif, and presented it to Mitchell for his approval. Mitchell was instantly smitten; he liked the look so much that he ordered the car placed on display at the 1974 Chicago Auto Show, where it received rave reviews. Soon thereafter Mitchell began using the one-off Chicago Show car as his personal driver.

Mecum is proud to offer that very same Bill Mitchell/Chicago Auto Show 1973 Firebird Trans Am, the only one of its kind and a true part of Pontiac history. Completely original, unrestored and in remarkable condition, this is the car that launched an automotive cult that still thrives thirty five years later. The new Special Edition Black and Gold T/A boosted Firebird sales over the 100,000 mark for the first time in 1974, three years before it got another shot in the arm from the surprise hit movie “Smokey and the Bandit”.

Complementing that incredible Black ‘flake paint is a Gold-Beige interior equipped with all the optional equipment one would expect of a major show vehicle: power windows and locks, a tilt three-spoke Formula steering wheel, console, AM/FM 8-track stereo, Gold engine-turned instrument panel and console trim, full gauges and air conditioning. The Bill Mitchell Trans Am is also equipped with a 290 horsepower 455 SD V-8 with a unique detail, in that it uses unitized ignition built before the introduction of HEI.

With a long career as a Pontiac promotional ambassador, parade car and show vehicle, and a strong, knowledgeable following of enthusiasts, this is quite probably the most intriguing, high-profile Trans Am in the history of the model. Such authorities as Don Keefe, Tom DeMauro, Jim Wangers and its creator John Schinella agree on its overriding historical significance; the car has been noted or featured in no less than twelve magazines (nine in the past year!) and thirteen books, and is instantly recognizable.

Highlights:

- Original unrestored car that has stood the test of time
- 1 of 1 promotional concept
- Show car for the 1974 Chicago Auto Show
- Bill Mitchell's personal car
- Pontiac 50th Anniversary car
- Promotional Trans Am territory promo & parade car
- 455/290 HP SD engine, one of the first Super Duty cars made (pre-HEI)
- The original one-of-a-kind hood graphic designed by John Schinella and hand-applied in Gold leaf!
- Power windows
- Power brakes
- Power steering
- Power door locks
- Air conditioning
- Tilt steering
- Custom trim group
- 8-track
- HD battery

The final wining bid on the Car was $145,000 US.;11