1973 GTO Review

The year 1973 was very well the end of the once great GTO. It would be the last year that it would be featured as an option of the LeMan series as they would be reduced as an option of the compact Ventura GTO, the next year.

There was a new government regulation due to which the Endura bumpers had to be removed from the car and had to be replaced by steel ones; the hood and tail of the car were also given a triangular shape which made it an eyesore.

Standard Features

The final reason for the end of the muscle car was the 1973 OPEC oil embargo. As a result of this, the leaded gasoline was banned and automakers had no choice but to shift from making powerful cars to those with lower emissions. This meant that the cars were made smaller, more compact and fuel efficient as gas had became very scarce at that time. The downsizing of the GTO was not very well received by the public and many mocked it as being the best looking Chevy Nova around.

Just like the 1972 GTO, the 1973 GTO option was offered on two models: LeMans or LeMans Sport. The LeMans line featured a cloth-and-vinyl or all-vinyl bench seat while the more lavish LeMans Sport Coupe was packed with many additional features. As for the engine, the 400 V8 was rated at just 230 bhp while the 455 was rated at 250 bhp (only available with an automatic transmission).

End of the Endura Bumpers

Another federal laws for 1973 demanded that the front bumpers of the car should be capable of withstanding 5-mile-per-hour impacts completely so there is no damage to the body. This meant that the trademark Endura bumpers of GTOs could no longer be used and thus, had to be replaced by the odd-looking heavy steel bumpers in the front and rear.

Collectability

The 1973 model were in existence, with some minor modifications, until 1979. However, their popularity seems to be decreasing day by day since the age old technology used in the engines make their use very unfeasible.

Competition

The energy crisis of 1973 has completely crushed the consumer interest in the muscle cars as they went for more fuel efficient cars. Little promotion was done for GTO and its sales dropped to 4,806.

In Chevelle Super Sport, the coupe remained available, but convertibles were discontinued. The new option for this year was that of an SS station wagon and that too, with a 454-cubic-inch V-8 engine. This new option turned out to be a hit amongst the consumer, albeit for this year only. 327,631 Chevelle were sold, plus 59,108 station wagons. The sale of the Super Sport option comprised of 28,647 Chevelles.

Dodge charger experienced its best sales in 1973. Burton Bouwkamp wrote, “The 1973 Charger sales increase was due to (1) good styling treatment in front end design and roof and quarter window ornamentation, (2) broadened marketing emphasis on Charger as high insurance rates limited the young buyer market, and (3) attractive pricing for the premium (SE) model.”

Plymouth Road Runner’s 1973 model was sported with a completely new sheet metal with a more attractive styling that more closely resembled a four-door model. The restyling helped sales to improve by 40% from last year.

For Sale

Image Gallery

Engine Specifications

Type	Size	Carb	Horse Power	Tourqe
455 HO	455ci	1x4bbl	250 hp @ 4000 rpm	370 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm

Performance Statistics

Model	0 to 60 mph	Quarter Mile	Engine	Source
1973 Pontiac GTO	7.9 sec	15.3 sec	455ci/250hp	Estimate