1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO - M-22 Close-

You are looking at a 1971 Pontiac Trans Am with matching numbers 455 HO and M-22 close-ratio Rock Crusher transmission. This is one of only 885 1971s with the four-speed. The 1971 Trans Am is rare and desirable for a number of reasons. It was the first year with the 455 HO, rated at 335 horsepower and 500 lb/ft of torque. It was also the last year before horsepower ratings began decreasing due to emissions restrictions. The 1970 Trans Am had a Ram Air 400 with considerably higher compression; ten more horsepower, and 55 lb/ft less torque. The Rock Crusher transmission was only offered in the Trans Am in 1971 and 1972. The 1972 Trans Am was rated at 300 horsepower. In the early 1970s, the Trans Am was a true performance car, and comprised a small percentage of the Firebirds produced. Their identification decals were modest relative to the later models. The early Trans Am cars drew attention to themselves by the sound of the highly-tuned engines, while the later cars drew attention with gaudy graphics. By the late 1970s, after a starring role in the Smokey and The Bandit movies, Firebird and Trans Am production rose considerably. More than half (110,000) of the 210,000 Firebirds produced in 1979 were Trans Ams. As the Bird Decal (sometimes referred to as the \Screaming Chicken\") on the hood grew