Here’s a question for fans of the loud, tape-striped cars of the 1970s: Which one had the best graphics package? I’m a fan of the 1976 and up Formula Firebird. A little more subdued than the all-out Trans Am, the Formula had a simple rocker panel design that spelled out “FORMULA,” with similar decals on the decklid. It’s a subtle stripe package for the 1970s, and it added up to a Firebird that signaled sportiness without being too extroverted. This 1979 Formula, which is being offered for sale here on eBay in Columbus, Ohio, has a claimed 27,253 miles on it, and we can thank busy Barn Finder Curvette for sending us the link. The asking price is $24,995.
The 1979 Firebird was wildly popular, with 211,453 finding their ways from Pontiac lots to happy homes. Staggeringly, over half of those were Trans Ams; people apparently didn’t want subtlety in their new car in 1979, so only 24,850 buyers chose the less-expensive Formula, making it the least popular Firebird that year. The Formula had also lost a little of its bite over the course of the decade, with this 135-horsepower 301 two-barrel being the basic V8. Luckily, the 301 in this example looks and runs great, and the air conditioning blows cold—there’s no “recharging” needed. The battery and alternator are “newer.”
The second-generation F-Body was well-known for its staying power, as the basic design changed little from the time of its introduction in 1970 through the 1981 model year. The engine turned dashboard sits in a housing that would be recognizable to anyone who’s ever owned a 1970s Firebird of any trim level. The black interior is in outstanding shape, and the only part that’s not pulling its weight is the radio, an aftermarket unit that is “inoperative.”
Here’s the odometer reading, which is verified by the title, according to the selling dealer.
Any car located in Ohio, or any rust belt state, deserves a look at the undercarriage, and while this one is far from being detailed, it’s also far from being rusty. Perhaps it’s the low mileage, or perhaps the car was stored during the winter; either way, it looks solid. The transverse muffler was not uncommon underneath second-generation Firebirds; however, this is a simple single exhaust system. Regardless of the 301 up front, a Formula deserves a mellow dual exhaust system, and that might be all I’d change about the car.
With a newer “driver-quality” paint job in its original “Atlantis Blue,” this is a nice-looking example of a car that isn’t as flashy as a Trans Am, but still looks sporty and muscular. While its little 301 can’t quite live up to that look, few cars from the late 1970s could; therefore, it might be time to forget smoky burnouts and simply fix the radio, pop in some ELO, and go for a cruise.
The 301 is unfortunate but not totally uncommon. 14,009 of the 117,108 1979 Trans Ams had it, or about 12%. I can’t find a breakdown on how many of the 24,851 Formulas did, but I imagine the percentage was quite a bit higher.
You have to remember, we were just coming off the first oil embargo and there was another one in 1979. That didn’t really kick in until later in the 1979 model year but there was trouble in the air. Iran was in turmoil and inflation and gas prices were skyrocketing and seemed to have nowhere to go but up, so people were seeking fuel efficiency. You could get a great 1960s/early 1970s muscle car for under a thousand dollars during this time period, so it was a good time to be in high school, provided you could pay for the gas.
So I guess this and the diesel Tornado that was on here the other day were truly products of their time, good or bad! For that reason , I probably would not modify it. It is a historical artifact. A piece of American history in its own way.
I’d throw that engine in the trash and put a big fast one in, that is if I knew anything about cars Love the blue.
As long as you don’t put a hood tach and dog dish hub caps on it, we’re good, LOL!
Never been a big fan of the post 76 headlights. The plastic bumpers always looked weird. This small engine auto Formula wasn’t the good one but I guess that’s reflected in the price. I had a 50% rusted 75 Firebird in 85 and it was lots of fun for 3 months and then rolled it over into the woods in NJ. My buddy bought a 76 400-4-speed WS6 Formula which was awesome (back in the day). Crashed that into a stone wall while trying to run from the cops to not get a speeding ticket. Still got the ticket but got a couple more and his car was destroyed.
The car would be fun but I’d swap the motor and transmission for something newer and redo the brakes and suspension.
ELO – Out of the Blue is fitting here…
Always liked the cleaner look of the Formula. The 301 is unfortunate, but a reliable, smooth engine nonetheless. No cat and duals will help make it a bit more enjoyable, at least sound wise.
Boats would not even use those motors for anchors. To unreliable.
Love the color. It appears to be the same color, or very close to the color of my ’85 WS6 T/A. As I recall, they called it something different and it was one of the first clear coat paint choices.
If this car was fully loaded with all the good options, I’d be interested.
301 kills it. dealer listing so there’s no bargain here. needs a 455 poncho in it.
The only V8 engine worse in a late 2nd gen F-body than the wimpy Pontiac 301, is the gasping and wheezing Chevy 267 V8. Horrible.
That 301 is much maligned but was the last of the Mohicans so to speak and can be made to perform much better than stock. Long live Pontiac!
Very clean Pontiac here and I like the color combo. Working A/C and the radio area is not cut up. I here a lot of mostly bad stories about the 301 engine but this is clean!
Formula was a cleaner look than the Trans Am but there was an even better option. The rocker panel FORMULA graphics were actually an option (W50), the Formula Appearance Package and included a few additional tape stripes. If you didn’t order the billboard graphics and avoided the very common rear spoiler you ended up with a base Firebird coupe with just Rally II’s and a small Formula decal on the lower front fenders behind the wheels. I ordered a Formula like this in Starlight black with black cloth interior and the L78/W72 engine and 4-speed transmission with the mandatory WS6 suspension, 4 wheel discs and 8″ Snowflake wheels. After 4 months GM finally came clean and said it couldn’t be built as they were out of the 400 Pontiac engine that was integral to the L78/W72 option. The dealer offered to order me the same car with a 301 and a 4-speed or a 403 Olds and automatic, those were No Bueno in my book. Finally, the same dealer relented and sold me the 10th Anniversary Trans Am on the showroom floor for MSRP probably just to get me to leave them alone. That T/A had the 400 and 4 speed and lots of other stuff I didn’t care that much about. Unlike a lot of those cars that got put in a warehouse as an investment, I left the dealer in a cloud of tire smoke and ran the wheels off that ‘bird, drag racing, auto crossing and generally having the time of my life. I always wished I’d been able to obtain that Formula as a sort of “Q-ship” stealth car but it was not to be. Great cars however, this one is just a Nunzi built 400 away from awesome!
Now if this car had a 400,and 4spd plus the WS6 option it t would be a rare Firebird. The 301 was a $%#@ ,but it did serve its purpose. I knew a neighbor that ordered a stunning 79 Trans am,black with blue interior but ordered it with the 301 and a 4spd. I thought she was nuts. When it came in ,I gave her a ride to the dealership,pulled into parking lot and people were all hanging around her car. When they realized it had a 301 they started laughing. She looked at me and said I think I made a mistake. She kept the car for 20 years and finally sold it. She really loved the car though and cried when it drove away.
“Mom” had almost a twin to this car. Dad traded her 77 T/A for the Formula and she was very happy with it. Her white 77 T/A had the optional W72 engine I think it was and that made for a pretty strong performer as my Brother and I would confirm. Her 79 with the 301 was very disappointing to the us boys with its total lack of performance. But, Mom was very happy with 301 Formula and I believe someone could be with this sharp car also but don’t expect much for performance.
So much nicer then a TA.