Pontiac produced four models of the 2nd generation Firebird. They included the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula and Trans Am. T.J. found this 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula listed here on Craigslist. It is advertised as a survivor with a 4 speed transmission and only 24,955 miles. The seller is asking $39,900 and the car is located in Eugene, Oregon on the banks of the Willamette River. This car was just listed and is a striking example of a beautifully designed car.
This beautiful survivor is pained in Code 15 Platinum paint on the exterior. There are no pictures of the interior but it appears to be a cloth red interior. The car does not have air conditioning and is being sold by a dealer. As far as other options, it is hard to tell from the pictures except under the hood it appears to have cruise control and power brakes. In 1978, cruise control was not allowed for manual transmission cars so maybe this was added later.
The Chevrolet LG3 305 cubic inch V8 engine was rated at 135 horsepower and 240 lb ft of torque with an automatic transmission. With a 4-speed manual transmission, it produces 140 horsepower. This engine was not available in high-altitude areas and featured a 2-barrel carburetor. It came with either a 2.41:1 or 3.23:1 rear axle ratio. Other engines available in the Formula included the L78 400 cubic inch V8 engine which was the standard engine on the Trans Am and the W72 400 cubic inch V8 engine which was the optional performance engine that produced 220 horsepower. In California and high altitude destinations, the L80 403 cubic inch V8 engine from Oldsmobile was the standard engine in the Trans Am and optional engine for the Formula.
Pontiac produced 187,287 Firebirds in 1978 and of those 24,346 were Formula models. The production numbers for Formulas with Chevrolet engines totaled 16,978 which included the LG3 305 cubic inch V8 and the LM1 350 cubic inch V8. This car rides on factory 15×7 Pontiac Rally II wheels and aftermarket BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires.It looks to be in great original condition, if you can convince the owner to sell with enough dollars!
Seriously…three pictures of the trunk, and none of the interior? I suppose if one was interested, they could ask the dealer for more pics, but $40k for an anemic engine…
If the seller included pictures of the interior you would be able to tell this was a low option car. I have a hunch there is no console, PW, PDL, or tilt. If the drivers side of the column is shown you’d probably be able to tell for sure if the cruise control was added based on the turn signal lever.
The selling point is the 4spd and low mileage. With a 305, it’s basically an appearance package with a hood, rear spoiler and a handful of decals. There are a lot of other options for significantly less than the $39,900 asking price, for anyone willing to put in some effort.
The dealer’s website includes some better pictures. The car does have a console and intermittent wipers. Still way overpriced for a 305.
Agreed on the price. I would MUCH rather have the 44k mile Persimmon 1975 Formula with 400 featured here a few days ago, automatic and all. I keep going back and looking at that one…
4spd and the shorter gears ⚙️ are required here to move this bird along, they weren’t liteweights. Nice looking automobile.
The dealer site provides more pictures including interior pictures. No PW or PDL, but it does have a console. The build sheet is included in the pictures. It was an “ordered” car in VT. https://www.armaniautos.com/vehicle-details/1978-pontiac-firebird-formula-coupe-8245b2c1bc214178a3c95502351bceeb
Silver on red is second best to the Bandit cars.The price of Bandits and especially the SE’s is dragging up the ASKING price on all Firebirds ,but they aren’t really bringing it .Nice car ,but the wrong side of $20k for sure.
Is the interior color (red) overspray on the cowl panel the way they came from the factory? Seems odd to me.
Best colors. 4 speed. No air. Where I live we don’t need it ND it’s just dead weight anyway. These original R12 systems do not like 134A. Ask me how I know. Bit pricey, but unlikely to find a better one.