It seems there’s always a Camaro or Firebird tucked away with low mileage, so it becomes a matter of personal preference as to which one to buy. This 1987 Firebird has under 10,000 original miles and its handsome color combination and wheel package make it a desirable specimen for me. Find it here on eBay with bidding over $6K and the reserve unmet.
The honeycomb-style mesh wheels really set this one for me, along with its combination of Flame Red Metallic and Champagne Metallic paint. The body appears mint and the gold pinstripe complements the paint combination nicely. Despite being in Ohio, there’s no rust and the hood decal shows no sign of fading – sun-fade and salt exposure are both apparently none-issues despite living in the rust belt.
The four-speed automatic is paired to the 305 V8 engine – certainly no rocketship but it will do nicely for cruising. Not that I advocate modifying a stock car like this, but an exhaust would certainly enhance the visceral qualities that are otherwise lacking. Door panels, dash, and carpet are all similarly mint. The seller notes that inside the cabin, the heater core has been replaced.
The drivetrain is said to present well with no odd sounds or leaks. The seller has performed a fair amount of recent maintenance using GM parts, including four new drive belts; new tires; new battery; front wheel bearings inspected and packed; and a cooling system flush along with a fresh thermostat. The smart work has been done here, not leaving anything to chance even on a survivor-grade car like this Firebird.
No need to restore any of the raggedy ones out there when you have your choice of clean ones for pretty cheap.
I wouldn’t consider this one cheap. It’s already reached $9,100 without meeting its reserve. That’s a lot of money for a base model Firebird with a 305 and an automatic. Above it’s current price I’d hold out for something more interesting.
Steve R
Really surprised a non GTA model is generating this much excitement.
Call Dwight Schrute.
I love the color on this one.
I really like these when they were new.
I always found with the Pontiacs of this era (and later) there was always a fine line between garish and tasteful… this Firebird walks that line very nicely. The colour combination, lace wheels and spoiler look great on this one.
Unless your name is Tammi, Donna, or Nikki this car is not for you.
I think I remember you picking on these cars before on this page. I don’t mind. Scott
Guilty as charged. I am drawn to the horrible confluence of over-the-top GM styling, poor quality,cheap materials, and anemic performance.
Sorry, but there is something not right about this car. The Firebird decal is nowhere near in the correct position on driver’s side sail panel.
Yep sumthin funny….
Old formula wrong wheels and some crappy after market decal kit
Used to own 89 Formula 350 in this great red color, in some angle looked almost like bronze/copper kind. Sort of remember it was Flame Red Metallic? That was almost two decades ago.
Even with 350TPI it wasn’t that fast. But great fun to drive because of limited slip rear, I used it year round. It was the easiest car ever to do long slides in the snow, you could get it to an 90degree angle and just ease off throttle and you were back on track. When it had rained I used to leave the traffic lights at this long bridge that went over railroad tracks so that I punched a little bit on the throttle so the car went just a bit sideways. Then I had that small slide all the way up to the bridge, all the way staying on my lane. Fun as heck! Good torque on that TPI but if fell flat on it’s back after 4500rpm.
Was thinking of LS+tremec swap but it was too rusty and would have needed a new rear end also, those Australian disc brake 9bolt rear ends were almost not being able to handle even the stock 350..
And yeah, this one is way overpriced.
Oh and I wouldn’t even consider anything less than that 350TPI on these things. Lesser motors just not enough power. I always liked the styling of these cars. Mine was without t-tops, didn’t want them (by the way really hard to find a 350TPI w/o t-tops in Finland back in the day..Got lucky on mine, made a great deal paying around 25% less than they were usually going).
Actually, the 5.0 tpi with the 5 speed was pretty quick…just 2 tenths off the 350 and more fun to drive. A solid 14 second car which was pretty fast for the late 80s-early 90s. The Formulas with this combo had the twin converter exhaust, 3.42 posi, oil cooler, and 4 wheel disc brakes. I had a 90 and used to hang with or beat many mustang GTs and irocs back then.
“The drivetrain is said to present well with no odd sounds or leaks.”
As I approach my 66th rotation around the sun, I am striving to attain that standard.
Ended: Sep 29, 2018 , 6:49PM
Winning bid:US $13,500.00
[ 47 bids ]
I have a low mileage 83 TA with t tops and in excellent condition I won’t sell it but I am not disillusioned to think it is worth 13 k
This car is now in Brazil. I Bought it in 2019 at Hershey´s meeting.