I think what Ron refered to is the RTS (Radial Tuned Suspension) upgrade.
The RTS is the actual suspension package for this particular car.
RTS was not an upgrade though – it’s just to differentiate that the car was tuned to handle radial tires vs bias tires at the time and ultimately just started to look out of place after everyone adopted radial tires.
During that era, it was offered on any Pontiac that came with radial tires and exclusively on cars that only came on radials, in many cases making the non-rts badged cars more rare.
I.E- think back to seeing “Fuel injection,” badges lol
The correct code for pre-1978 to signify a beefier than stock or RTS offered suspension configuration was based around the uses W72 code and WS6 (post-78) codes, and depending on year they were optioned together.
RTS (Radial Tuned Suspension) in 1974 included the following:
- GR-70-15 radial tires
- Front anti-roll bar diameter shrank on the Trans Am from 1.25" and grew on the base model from 1" both to 1.125".
- Rear anti-roll bar diameter also shrank on the T/A from .875" and grew on the base model from .625" to .75".
- Stiffer springs - 330in/lb fronts and 125in/lb rears up from 300/100
- Heavy-duty, revalved shocks
- Altered bushing durometers
Car in game is a 1973 though – the RTS did not become mandatory on the Firebird/Trans Am until 1974 because it came exclusively with radial tires.
The 73 TA had Radial Tires as part of the package and it was the birth of the Radial tuned suspension package. It just didn’t become a literature package until the following year. Sorry, but @PlageBLN is right.
Do you have a “Definitive Collection” book on hand? I used to breeze through them as a teenager…
I am pretty sure that in 1973 there was no RTS on the Firebird only the option for radial tires. Just the Trans Am had it for 1973 if you got radial tires not the white wall, bias tires. I think in 1974 it became factory equipment on the Trans Am and an option on the Firebird in the form of “Esprit,” or “Formula.”
I shared a link to a site above that lists everything from 70-81 (all 2nd gen) Firebird/Esprit/Formula/Trans-Am. It’s as close as you are going to get to that book, as it’s information is pulled from every year’s manufacturers brochure for these cars.
That being said, the 73’s list of options does NOT include anything marked as Radial Tuned Suspension or W codes that would dictate the RTS/Handling package. Trans Am’s in 1973 included heavier duty springs and sway bars as part of the V87 package (Trans-Am order code). Also, standard tires in '73 were F-60-15 (Goodyear) on the Trans-Am, which in fact were bias-plys. The only radial was an optional whitewall tire that was a radial, and how many whitewall T/A’s have you seen?
Per that website, the first reference to RTS/Radial Tuned Suspension is '74 and does not have (at that time) a W code. The standard code was TGK.
It’s at the point where it’s not worth the argument. What I have said, I have said. If anyone doesn’t like it that’s ok by me. I’m good with it. Moving on…
So your not willing to accept the actual manufacturers information? Why?
The page I linked states that:
Quoted from Gary Lisk’s Second Generation Trans Am site, 1973 page: “Chassis wise, Pontiac introduced “Radial Tuned Suspension” to the world.”
The English and German Wiki pages about the car also state the following:
English - The 1973 Trans Am introduced “Radial Tuned Suspension”. When ordered, it included 15-inch radial tires. This delivered a more comfortable ride while also providing better cornering.
German - In 1973, Trans Ams and Formulas could be outfitted with a Firestone steel-belted radial tire handling package for an additional $59 without a space-saving spare tire, which cost an additional $79.
But yeah…you’re right and we have our peace.
W72 had started up as the “Trans Am Performance Package,” for 1977 and was using UPC code WS6 – then in 1978 they broke the two codes apart but was always paired to the 6.6L that was 49-state legal until 79. So many different hoops lol
I can do the same for it not having RTS (listing websites). What’s your point here?
I might order a 15 inch radial pizza. But no white “side wall” sauce.
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Make sure to get extra butter!