The Formula edition of the Pontiac Firebird arrived in 1970 with the debut of the second generation of the popular “pony car”. It was a performance compromise between the base Firebird and the Trans Am. With muscle cars on the wane, by 1979 the best the Formula could muster was a 301 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor. This 66,000-mile example is presented as a survivor car, though the front half of the paint doesn’t match with the back, suggesting a partial repaint (earlier accident?).
Firebirds got a styling refresh in 1979 that may have helped positively with sales. 1979 production numbers set a record, but that was largely attributable to the success of the Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am. Just shy of 25,000 Formulas were assembled in 1979, including the seller’s grey-on-grey edition. We’re told that this Firebird has received no modifications in its 45 years and a lot of components are still original, like the exhaust system.
The seller bought this Pontiac to restore, but it has been sitting for several months and no movement has been made in that direction. So, he/she has decided to test the waters for a resale. The interior is as it was the day it was built and appears to be in excellent condition. The factory spare tire with the inflation bottle is still in the trunk and has never been used.
Though the engine compartment is rather dirty, we’re told the Formula runs great, including the automatic transmission. Nothing more than surface rust is on the car, but we still wonder why the paint is mismatched. Located in Merrick, New York, this survivor-quality pony car is available here on craigslist and the asking price of $13,000 is said to be firm, no negotiating, Thanks, Mitchell G., for another great tip!
The 301 wasn’t the best the Formula could muster in 1979, it was the worst. The Formula was available with the same engines as the Trans Am.
Fisher on the money here.
The hot model was the 400ci 4sp.
Came w 220hp/320tq, 3.23 gear⚙️ 😎
Looked all over the SE in winter 1978 into early spring (pre-internet) looking for a L78/WS6 Formula, no color preference, the more muted the better. I was really hoping to special order exactly what I wanted (black on custom black cloth, no rear spoiler, no Formula appearance pkg. radio delete. A/C, intermittent wipers and tilt were my only planned options). However no Pontiac 400 engines were available by that point. Eventually I ended up buying a 10th Anniv, T/A off the showroom floor at Hallett Pontiac in Miami. By summer it had no takers at the 5k dealer markup over the near 11k MSRP so they accepted my offer of full list. Unfortunately, I bought the T/A to drive, not as a garage queen and put about 60k miles on it in 3 years. Re-jetted the carb., recurved the distributor, opened up the hood scoop and deleted the catalytic converter. Autocrosses, Drag Racing, a bit of street racing, Spun a rod bearing one night burying the speedometer on a desolate stretch of the Florida Turnpike. Only got beat once, a ragged looking but potent ’71 Corvette with a 454 took the T/A down. Fun car but still wish it had been that special order Formula.
I will bet there might be some negotiating on the price.
Even though they were slugs ,I always loved this body style, next to my 69 firebird
Was hit in the snoot awhile back, no fairytales here, probably why the motor looks so grungy, nose might’ve been off for a while, 301 is no gift, it’s gonna be negotiable down the road cause it needs paint and a 400 motor
Paint match up is brutal. Should of had it blended. Fender isn’t even close to the door and quarterpanel.
Car looks great, just paint looks like blended in . Interior looks like great shape , hard to find anything decent these days around that . Have a trans am with that motor runs great . Original cars so hard to find these days nice to see original radio/body .
Came to clarify the engine choices which Stan has handled for us. The car looks straight and complete. A visit to the alignment rack before signing would be a good idea.