Over the past few years, we’ve seen the values for ’70s Pontiac Firebirds go way up. So, when a ’71 Firebird Formula 400 survivor popped up on the BF Classifieds, I knew we needed to take a closer look! Reader Frank C is helping the owner sell this beautiful 7,600-mile Firebird and thought one of his fellow readers might be interested in owning it. He sent us a link to more photos of it and boy, it is in amazing shape! You can see the full gallery of photos here.
While the Trans Am trim level is more desirable, the Formula 400 is no slouch. It’s 400 cui V8 was rated at 300 horsepower and could be paired with a 3-speed, a 4-speed or an automatic. This car was optioned with the automatic and just about every other option available. Initially, Frank was going to leave the car in the garage but decided to go ahead and get it running. It sounds great and seems to run well.
After getting it out of the garage, Frank cleaned it and it looks great inside and out. I’m loving the Sandalwood interior with the bronze exterior. The interior really does look amazing and supports the mileage well. Frank claims the inside still smells like new and I can believe it! It looks like Sal, the owner, not only had good tastes but took great care of this car.
I’d love to own this Pontiac, it really is a beautiful car. Sadly for me, bidding is already well over $30k. Hagerty values a top condition car at over $50k, so I think this one has a ways to go before bidding tops out. It sure would be fun to have though! Be sure to take a closer look at the auction here on eBay in Trumbull, Connecticut. And if you have any question about the car, please leave them in the comments and Frank will do his best to answer them.
As I’ve pointed out before, it seems like there were as many 70’s Firebirds put away as C3 pace cars. Yawn. Next….
Apparently the low-mileage Firebird and Camaro floodgates have opened. Perhaps it is a sign of spring? Maybe this flooding of the market will lower the prices of these commodity items.
Yawn back- rather have this than any Corvette or Camaro. Just sayin!
Thank you . I’m the seller and is a great car
Nice to see it runs and drives as well as stops. Nice Find.
1971 – Only year for that style fender vents on a Firebird
Thank you josh for doing the article it’s a real nice car amazingly preserved . So much fun to drive. Yes it goes well, yes it stops well, and yes 47 year old bias ply tires ride like rocks. Burnout machine while just rolling by.
I follow you guys on YouTube and i was this popup and I’m like I’m going let y’all post it before I go on YouTube to look it up again. Looks amazing and sounds great. Good luck to the new owner
That’s a sweet one! If I where get a Firebird it would for sure be a 70-73 Formula and put a rear spoiler on to complete the look. The back end of the Gen 2 Birds and Camaros looks unfinished without it.
Wow
Nice to see one that hasn’t been abused or rusted out. 1970 to 73 Firebird Forumla are the best looking cars IMHO. I love Pontiac’s. They aren’t a dime a dozen anymore. If I had the money I would seriously consider buying it. These are cars are only going up in value.
I remember in 1976 as a sixteen year old kid, walking into a car lot, asking to test drive one of these. We “WALKED” in,didn’t even have a car. It wasn’t the fastest car on the road, but potent enough, two 16 year old boys. should not have driven it off the lot, unchaperoned. Times has certainly changed. Flash forward 52 years, and if I was to walk into a car lot. I would be asked for my drivers license, at the very least.
Hi all I’m Frank. I’m selling the car. It’s really an amazing fun car to drive. The story behind it equally as amazing. I really wish he had driven it and beat on it, but now that will be for owner number 2.
My name is Salvatore Longo, the one and only owner of this treasured piece of history. I have enjoyed an amazing relationship with this tangible piece of art for the past 47years. I have enjoyed many hours of cleaning glass, defying dust to accumulate on it’s finish, polishing, waxing, armouraling the tires, cleaning the engine compartment, and simply stroking her sleek body sculpture. It has been an amazing relationship which has continued to grow stronger with each passing year. As with a child, we begin to realize that they are no longer youngsters, but are growing older. However, unlike animate objects, I felt that it would more controllable for me to the slow the aging process of this family member by simply tucking it away and only driving it on special occasions. Consequently, the 7,625 miles are unrealistically low logically speaking, however each and every one of those 7,625 miles represent very special and significant events in my and family’s lives. First dates, weddings, a long weekend ride and sleepovers, taking our children home from the hospital, and later allowing my wife and son to drive the car. The car has only been driven by me, my wife, and my youngest son. It has only had us three, and two other passengers in it over the past 47 years. White towels covered the seats and floor mats, and continue to do so. The interior and trunk emanate the aroma of that new car smell. The spare tire, jack, etc., have not been out of the trunk. This car is a trophy of my dedication and love to preserving the original integrity of the vehicle because I never intended to market to it. I just enjoyed caring for it.I could go on and on, and those who know me realize that I tend to do exactly that. I simply would like all who are interested, to know that this is not a sales pitch, this simply is intended to provide anyone who interested with a bit of information as to why this vehicle remains in this unbelievable condition after all these years. My dearest childhood friend, Frank, has a son named Frank Jr. Why not!!! That’s what we Italian’s do…use and reuse the very same family names. Well Frank Jr. and his family are treasured extended family and he has gracefully and diligently taken this monumental effort to canvas the gallery in order to determine if that special individual is out there who would appreciate the importance and history behind this well rested and cherished beast of a car. You really must see, hear it, and drive it to understand that is a 47 year old New Car. All inquiries must be be directed to Frank as described.
Had a friend that worked at a Pontiac dealer in 71, and I fell in love with these. Always thought the Trans Am was pretty gaudy, and preferred these. This is a beautiful car, but must admit, I’m surprised the reserve has not been met, with bidding over $36K. If I remember correctly, these were at about $4K new. I don’t mean any offense, but that’s almost 10 times the cost new.
Hope it finds a new home, where both buyer and seller are happy.
Why would you expect the cost of this car in 1971 to have anything to do with its value today? That $4000 in the year 1971, adjusted for inflation, is the equivalent of $25180.50 in 2018 dollars. How can that be, you may ask? Well, it’s all because of inflation. Take a gander at this chart from our friends at inflationdata.com:
https://inflationdata.com/articles/charts/decade-inflation-chart/
There are many frequent Barnfinds posters much more qualified to explain why this car has already been bid up to over $30k. Let the discussion continue! I’m just happy to make a contribution, however small. Good luck Frank, I wish I could afford this machine!
I had a 1972 formula , ram air , radio delete, 4 speed.1975. Bought as a repo , sold 5 months later at 3X cost… I believe Pontiac was on strike ( GM) late 1970 so not as many made as you might think. No rear spoiler, please . That was for you Chevy guys and ladies. Great car, slow out of the hole but once that 400 got goin, no fear. Miss the days and the car. Hope whoever buys it drives it. Ride or die.
Beautiful car and a compelling story, however how does a car that spent it’s life being pampered, polished, covered, and for the most part dormant manage to acquire bubbling rust spots (from the inside out) near the door handles? See images # 7583 & 7584.
This car still spent its life in connecticut. Garaged but still a wet climate. This in conjunction with less then perfect manufacturing and paint still resulted in a very small spot .
An amazing one owner low mileage well kept car
it is a very nice car and I would take it over a T/A any day and prefer no rear spoiler as well. as for the option list while it is nicely optioned with a great color combo it is far from loaded, but many people prefer manual windows. Me I would like power windows and tilt wheel other wise this is perfect!
Very nice car! I’d be interested to know what mileage documentation you have??
For mileage verification , that’s a great question. The car was always a ghost to me growing up. I saw Sal the owner often but never the car. We do have registrations going back to new. It’s been registered the whole time. I think mileage may appear on multiple Years docs.
What has seemed more important to those whom have inspected it is the original condition of the car. Based on the area of the country and the harshness of the weather this car would have never survived in its current condition. Carpet. Pedlals. Steering wheel, All perfect, all almost appearing untouched.
Well that and the note above written By the owner whom I posed the question. “ why didn’t you drive it”. Look above he try’s to answer it. We had dinner tonight, and he is still trying to answer the question. The buyer can look in sals eyes and ask him if the miles are correct. If the eyes are dry that day when his car is delivered they can choose for themselves to believe him.
I do. Yes this car thing if full of b.s. so much so we all get jaded. This time it’s the real deal.
Frank
Sounds like an amazing treasure. Thanks Sal and Frank for your comments Ana heartfelt words. I’ve owned some serious muscle and have treated them all like this. Just with more miles put on. I’ve had my 69 Camaro for 32 years and couldn’t imagine parting with it. Hope you get every penny you can for this rare car. It’s like a member of the family leaving.
The seller and I had dinner last night. We discussed all of your comments. He is really happy so many have taken an interest in his car. With that said he told me to lower the reserve and sell the car , so I did.
The next bid will hit reserve. Its now a solid deal for anyone who would like a great Firebird Formula with an amazing history.
Drivers door jam. Painted door latch and rusty bolts and I mean rusty. Hmmm
Rear inner wheel house in trunk pics show bleeding rust spots, I’ll bet you could poke a screwdriver through without much, if any effort. Pitted chrome, over-spray on the tail light bezels. The owner’s warm, fuzzy and folksy story has appeared to have won over bidders so far to the tune of 36K without the reserve being met. This car isn’t the virgin it’s being pitched as. This seller wants all the money for a marginal car. Someone out-there is coming up on an epic case of buyers remorse. This 62 yo body man says be careful.
I ended up successful buyer of this original, untouched beauty. It is as described, I have had the completely checked out. Mileage has verification of 6926 miles in Sept of 1995. Documented on state of CT inspection receipt. As for paint and overspray, in 1970 these cars never came off the production line in perfect condition. Everything on this car checks out. And no the rust spots in the trunk can Not be piled through with a screwdriver.
Comet, I see what you are seeing. It wipes off with a wet rag. Its from the mat touching. I attached the pic. I should have thought of taking a pic after I wiped it, but I figured it was pretty obvious that it was from the mat. My mistake. It’s so hard in pics to show how clean a car is.The overspray is, well GM quality from 1971 with the exception of the trunk edge which as it states in the ad was done pre delivery due to scratches. Maybe in shipment. .
It’s now been inspected by 2 guys, both are active bidders , and seemed to be very knowledgeable. They checked the block number, head casting, rear end casting, and transmission numbers. All are as they were new. In fact the original sales contract has the “motor number” and wow same number as 47 years later. Pretty cool to me, but anyway apparently it is passing the sniff test from those that have looked. If you are in Connecticut or the surrounding area I would love for your to take a look and most important a drive. Again we have all become very jaded. Believe it or not it’s your choice but it’s an amazing car.
Thank you.
Frank
Sold. $37,101. Congrats to the seller and the buyer. I think both came out well.
RAKTRCR Thank you