The 1970 model year heralded the arrival of the second generation Pontiac Firebird, debuting midway through the year to critical acclaim for its sleek European inspired styling. Pontiac expanded the Firebird lineup into four distinct submodels: the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am. Total Firebird production for the shortened 1970 model year reached 48,708 units, with the performance focused Formula accounting for 7,708 of those vehicles. This example is located in Leetonia, Ohio. It is listed here on eBay with 3 days remaining in the auction. The Formula does not have its original engine and is currently bid to $10,600 and the reserve is not met. We appreciate Curvette for sending this listing to us to review.
Factory engine offerings for 1970 spanned multiple displacement tiers. The base Firebird utilized a 250 cubic inch inline six producing 155 horsepower, while the Esprit carried a 255 horsepower 350 cubic inch V8. The Formula 400 featured a standard 400 cubic inch L78 V8 rated at 330 horsepower. Performance purists could option the high breathing Ram Air III V8 generating 345 horsepower or the range topping Ram Air IV producing 370 horsepower. Under the twin scoop hood of this Formula is a 389 cubic inch V8 sourced from a 1966 Star Chief. The non-original engine is paired with an automatic transmission conversion completed in 1985.
Showing 91,622 miles, the vehicle includes its original window sticker and factory dealer invoice from June 1970. These documents confirm the car left the factory in Michigan painted Verdoro Green with a 400 V8, a four speed manual transmission, factory air conditioning, and a Safe-T-Track differential. The car now wears an older Black Cherry repaint over a custom purple interior.
Graded as a Condition 3 driver by a certified third party appraisal, the car balances honest mechanical wear with verified provenance. A recent Blackstone Laboratories oil report confirms healthy internal engine wear, backed by bottom end work in 1987 and top end service in 2001. Additional updates include side exit exhaust with Jones Flow Path mufflers, Fluid Film rust protection, power front disc brakes, and a Rally tachometer. Known defects are disclosed openly, including oil pan and transmission fluid weeping, dried rear window trim, seat upholstery tears, and minor paint cracking. Overall, this 1970 Firebird represents an accessible, well documented cruiser built to be enjoyed on the road.
I see a money pit here! I was interested before I read that so much non-original changes had been made! The deal breaker was the manual to auto change.