The last year for the second generation of the Pontiac Firebird line was 1981. Pontiac offered the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am as the different models. This 1981 Pontiac Firebird Formula is said to be one of 2,866 Formulas produced in 1981 that were equipped with a 4-speed transmission. The only engine offered with the 4 speed in 1981 was the Chevrolet 305 cubic inch V8. However, the production number of 2,866 Formulas listed in the ad is incorrect. That is the production number for non T-top and non-Special Edition Trans Ams built with a 4-speed in 1981. While there are no official numbers, most research indicates that between 200 to 569 Formulas were built with this engine/transmission combination making this a rare car. A total of 5,927 Formulas were built in 1981. This car is located in Spokane, Washington and is listed here on Craigslist. The seller is asking $17,500. The ad was posted 6 days ago and the seller states that they are firm on the price.
The Formula has been repainted once in its original maroon paint. The interior is dark red and includes the optional deluxe interior which came with the one year only Pimlico seats when opting for cloth fabric. These seats look to be in excellent condition. This car’s odometer shows 91,625 miles. The seller states that the car was part of his father’s collection for the past 20 years. The dash is not cracked but someone has cut the dash for an aftermarket radio and no radio is currently installed. The car features air conditioning and is said to need a new rear package tray.
The Formula could be ordered with a Pontiac 301 cubic inch V8 engine with an automatic transmission, a Chevrolet 305 cubic inch V8 engine with a 4 speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 301 cubic inch V8 engine with an automatic transmission. This car has the LG4 Chevrolet 305 cubic inch V8 engine which came with a 4 barrel carburetor that was rated at 150 horsepower. The Borg Warner T-10 4 speed transmissions in these cars are sought after by enthusiasts for their low first gear ratio.
The seller includes this picture of the car with Chevrolet Rally wheels when all the other pictures include the car equipped with the factory Pontiac Rally II wheels. The car is said to be solid and to run and drive like a Cadillac. It has been family-owned and garaged since 2000.
Nice. Rare formula, love the 4spd, love the stock wheels and colour. Beauty.
Formula’s were always a neat model.
Agree, 4-speed makes it. Question is, for how much longer will manual shift cars bring a premium? Few young people know how to drive a stick anymore, and in the future, they will be the ones buying collectible cars. The high end makers figured that out quite a ways back. Try getting an exotic with anything other than an auto these days.
Wishful thinking buddy. They will ALWAYS bring a premium (and a large one, at that). I will never buy another automatic musclecar as long as I am physically able to push in a clutch. I have learned my lesson. You should hear all of the whiners when you go to sell a car that’s an automatic…”But, but, but if only it was a 4-speed.” Realistically, none of them would buy it either way, but the few that are serious know what the deal is. I don’t remember anyone evr looking inside my car at the gas station, a car show, wherever, and saying “Oh $h!+ it’s a AUTOMATIC!!!”
Your right C-Steve. After the Boomers, we have the millennials & gen R/X who prefer auto’s or ‘paddle shift’. Not even interested in ‘muscle’ cars either. We’ll start seeing the classic muscles start dropping in price in a few more years as the Boomers leave the planet & wives & estate sales take what they can get. Like homes here in the Boise area, better sell now & take the 40% 2 year gain before the bubble bursts & the novelty of moving here, diminishes.
It’s why I’m looking for a ’19 Vette conv with a 6sp, the new style are paddle shifters only, screw that. I’d buy a 911 if I wanted to fiddle with steering wheel levers.
You also forgot to ask – how much longer will cars that don’t drive themselves & that don’t have video screens & power windows will be desirable at ALL to tomorrow’s “drivers”.
Muffler here is mighty close to the ground.
On my ’74 400, the owners manual says it may stall out on 1st cold start attempt! Repeat if necessary!
Very sharp car. Prefer the original wheels. Gorgeous color. Not fast but who cares. With looks like that just cruising would be a pleasure.
Stunning. Find some nice pre-owned, or get the reproduction 15×8 snowflake wheels mounted for that great Pontiac look. This car deserves them.
Whew, someone sure loved their Firemebird,,too bad the rental company doesn’t rent these for my upcoming trip to Portland, instead of the VW Jetta ( or equivalent) I have reserved. THAT would be a fun ride, may cost double in gas, but hey, a pristine 1981 Firebird. Left lane, Molly Hatchet blaring out some highway song, dark sun glasses,,,sounds worth it to me.
Just make sure it’s actually Molly Hatchet and not some other iteration of the band that uses their name, lol. Not one original member left, not a single one. It’s horrible, trust me. The trailer park goes berzerk when they come to the fair though, a perfect ending to the Demolition Derby festivities on Saturday night (no coolers allowed which is an atrocity because you need to be really drunk to pretend you are actually seeing Molly Hatchet.
Ha, that’s pretty funny, but no need to worry, I never heard of any modern bands with that name, nor care to, all I know, is this song was good for about 5 miles,,I played a mean steering wheel,,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K_-D5B7DIg
Howard, there was a NASCAR computer video game that had that song as one of the only ones in the game. I used to crank it up and smash the crap out of the “competitors”.
I think of that game every time I hear that song now.
Wow 5 liters of fury, hit it hard might bark the tires going for second. Outside styling was good plastic inside didn’t hold up well. This one must have been treated well but cheaper than what’s happening with Fox body Mustangs.
Why did they offer the 305 with a 4 speed, but a 301 or 301 turbo on the other Firebirds/Formulas/T/As? This is a nice car. I’m surprised he only wants $16,500 according to the current ad.
Pontiac chose the Chevy 305 to offer a 4 speed in 1981 to meet emissions. There was no 4 speed offering in 1980 for the TA or Formula. The 301 and 301 Turbo were only emission approved with an automatic transmission. It was the same drivetrain as the Z28
Looks like the same car I had in 79 but with black interior & 8” snowflakes wheels! Loved that car!
Love the car, had a few 81 formulas but always 301 automatic. I see Bruce put in his description of the car 305 Chevy V8 and the 4 speed trans being Borg Warner? Im no know it all here but I thought Saginaws were always put behind those 305’s? I’m going by a 1980 Camaro Berlinetta I bought new with the 305 and ordered with 4 speed, that transmission was definately Saginaw.
Brian, thanks for the information and input. Was your Berlinetta equipped with a V6 or a LG3 305 (2 bbl)? The RPO code for the Saginaw was M20, I believe. I always liked the Berlinetta and almost bought a used 1980 Berlinetta in the early 1980’s.
The 1981 Trans Am & Formula came with the LG4 305 (4bbl) which was backed by the Borg Warner T10 (RPO MM4 which was different than the 1978-1979 RPO M21). The unique thing was this transmission MM4 had low first gear (3.42 vs. 2.64 ratio) to give it a nice off the line response.
http://www.pontiacpower.org/BW.htm
They were firm at $17,500, but not firm enough to not raise it to $18,500.