Many thanks to Pat L. for sending us this 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula. While the Trans Am gets most of the attention, the Pontiac Formula was a trim model introduced in 1970 that could be equipped with the same performance options but it had a more sedated look than the Trans Am. This example is located near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is listed here on Craigslist for $15,500. The seller reports that the odometer reads 74,209. The ad was posted a week ago. Pontiac offered multiple models of the Firebird including a base model, Esprit, Formula and Trans Am.

This 1978 Formula has a tan vinyl interior. You can tell the seat covers were replaced but the foam was not not replaced because the seats looks wrinkled instead of taunt. The car was professionally repainted and has a new clutch, starter, alternator, radiator, heater core, thermostat and exhaust system. The seller confirms that the headliner, carpet and seats have been replaced or recovered. The car is said to start and run well.

The ad states that the car is equipped with a 350 cubic inch V8. Most enthusiasts do not know that you could order a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula with a Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8 engine. I had one for a short amount of time and it was a dog producing around 145 horsepower. This appears to be a Chevy 350 cubic inch V8 engine because the alternator is on the passenger side of the motor. The engine is connected to a 4 speed manual transmission.

There are not a lot of good pictures of the Formula posted in the ad. The car is currently equipped with factor 15×7 snowflake wheels. This indicates that the Pontiac Firebird Formula was not equipped with the famed WS6 suspension option because the car would have originally been equipped with 15×8 snowflake aluminum wheels. Over 24,000 Pontiac Firebird Formulas were produced in 1978. This one is restored to a nice driver condition and it fulfills Pontiac’s motto to bring Driving Excitement.