The Pontiac Firebird has really come into its own in the past couple years. There was a time, not that long ago, that these were just cheap muscle cars. They were some of the last holdouts of an era dedicated to big blocks and speed. In recent times, people has started to give these cars the respect they deserve. This example is said to be highly original, but I don’t know if I would call it an all original survivor. The mileage is said to be correct and documented at 26k. While it’s not really all original, this actually looks like a great Formula and can be found here on eBay in Concord, California with an opening bid of $12,500.
Based on what the seller was able to find out from the original owner, this car has been fully restored. The second owner was a good friend to the original owner and bought it when it was just 2 years old. They used it sparingly, then it went into storage. Eventually, they decided to restore it and had the mechanicals fully rebuilt, fresh paint sprayed and a new interior installed. Sadly, they passed away shortly after it was completed. Their widow decided it needed to go and put it on the market.
The seller purchased it from the widow and went through it to make it roadworthy again. They’ve had it for a little over 3 years and have put about 2,600 miles on it. Overall, it looks to be in amazing shape inside and out. My only complaint is the automatic transmission, but I’m sure I could live with it!
These late ’70s Firebirds were the machines they had previously been. Emissions and other new regulations really put the squeeze on high compression V8s. If you think about it, it’s actually amazing that Pontiac kept producing these cars even with horsepower numbers ever decreasing. It might only have 175 horsepower, but the Formula cars are still fun machines and are likely set to keep going up in value. I love the looks of this one and wouldn’t mind having one just like it! How about you?
Get out your dremel tool and make that hood scoop functional. Then your good to go.
Not to be a naysayer but I think (not sure) without a flapper and and other controls such as a ram air setup water and debris would go onto the engine.
I think the seller meant stock?
How hard to get extra HP out of that setup?
Can you say crate motor replacement? ;-)
Shave the heads, rejet the carb, recurb the distributor advance and if you want even more results put in a mildly hotter cam, an overdrive trans, and a 4.10 gear set in the rear axle. Finally install a set of headers and dual exhaust. In the end the mileage won’t be to bad and and the car will have decent power
Odd that the interior pics are dated 2013. The description is poorly typed. A pet peeve I know but makes me question the accuracy of it.
Fantastic car. How can you go wrong with something like this?
I had a 76 formula 400 with the Super T-10 four speed and it was a fun ride that could smoke the tires at will. This one looks nice but why does a 26 k car need all the paint and interior work? To bad it’s a 350 auto but nice looker regardless.
Drove my ’78 Z28 4 speed year round, back in the day when they were everywhere. Front facing scoop was open to the elements. Used to block it up during winter with a car wash sponge. Nobody could see the sponge when it was in. The under hood temperatures are very high with these smog engines especially when running headers. Every little bit helps to get rid of some of that heat.
I say leave it stock looking but get rid of any smog equipment and stroke that motor with some after market heads and you’ve got a nice weekend street fighter.
And lose the cats of course.
Find a Pontiac Firebird 455 ci,swap the engines and be done with it. Make sure to change rear diff gears to 3:56 or 3:73 limited slip. There ya go. ENJOY!
175 horsepower….jeesh, I always thought there was more than that under the bonnet. Remove those dual nazels and this just looks like a “plain Jane” Pontiac. I always preferred these with the rear spoiler on the boot. Completes the “look”. Nice paint colour of course!
This was the last year for the factory fiberglass Formula hood. I think the available Ram Air option for this hood went away in 73 or 74.
On the TV cop show “Chips” Ponch had a customized gold 73 Trans Am fitted with this Formula hood. The production company had a hole cut in it to fit the the Trans Am shaker scoop too. The car had scoops facing both directions……a bit over the top……..
Like the bullnose more 70 to 73 models
yes it needs a 400 or 455 auto is okay
if there is big ci’s