The 2nd generation Firebird looked good in just about whatever color they left the Pontiac factory. This 1979 Pontiac Formula left the factory in Code 63 Sierra Copper which was not available on the Trans Am. I think it looks pretty good with the deluxe camel interior. This car was originally sold in Lakewood, Colorado and has traveled an estimated 87,000 miles since new. The seller is asking $27,500 here on Facebook Marketplace. The car has been listed for 5 weeks and is located in Porter, Texas near Houston.
The interior shows well and the only things that stand out are the black seat belts. They should have been tan from the factory. Also, someone added an aftermarket stereo and cut speakers into the console. This car has the deluxe interior which came with upgraded seats and door panels. The other options include air conditioning and an automatic transmission. The seller states that the car won first place in the 2022 and 2023 AutoRama.
In 1979, the base engine for the Formula was a L27 301 cubic inch V8 with a 2 barrel carburetor, producing 140 horsepower. An optional L37 301 cubic inch V8 with a 4 barrel carburetor delivered 150 horsepower. I had a friend in high school that had the L37 equipped Formula. It handled well but was pretty slow. In California, the Chevrolet LG3 305 cubic inch V8 with a 2 barrel carburetor provided 133 horsepower, and the LM1 350 cubic inch V8 offered 160 horsepower at high altitudes. This car is equipped with the optional Oldsmobile L80 403 cubic inch V8, paired exclusively with an automatic transmission. It produced 185 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque in stock form. The top performance option was the L78 W72 400 cubic inch V8, only available with a Borg Warner T-10 4-speed manual transmission, featuring 3.23 rear gears, WS6 suspension, and dual turbo mufflers, and installed in only 367 Formulas.
This car looks well cared for but is missing or was not optioned with the FORMULA decals (W50 Appearance Package) along the bottom of the doors. That might indicate that it has been repainted at some point. The car rides on aftermarket tires and factory 15×8 aluminum snowflake wheels. The build sheet indicates that the car was optioned with the WS6 Special Handling Package which was the only way to get the larger wheels from the factory. While the car might seem a little pricey, it is in great condition and looks like it needs nothing.
Nice clean silhouette in a subdued brown BJ.
Gentle 😌 cruiser w the upgraded 403.
First place at the Autorama, two years in a row! Does he mean the car show, or the car wash?
Nice example and the 403 had 2.41 gears as standard so what you lost in acceleration you made back with quiet highway running and decent millage
Robert. Imagine a 3.08 upgrade would be a nice combination, move off the line briskly, and retain the polite highway manners, with a small penalty in mpg.
3 to 3.3 is the best ratios for most cars.4.11s are nifty but a headache anywhere but the street or track. Pretty car but I have always hated those wheels. Other formulas had nicer ones. I would trade those out for something better looking.
I raced the street class on Wednesday nights for years, you’d be surprised how many regulars ran 3.08 – 3.42 gears and run through the lights at the top of second gear and still get decent mileage driving to and from the track. The gear split on the 700r4 isn’t ideal and the 200r4 didn’t hold up well over time.
Steve R
Here’s a nice looking “Old School” Bird! Love it and I’m not a FB guy.
The black belts are correct. Color keyed belts were sold as optional Deluxe Seat and Shoulder Belts. Great looking car. I can see why it’s a show winner.
I was about to say the same thing about the seat belt color. It was indeed an option. Odd, you would have thought this would have been included with the deluxe interior seats and such. Just the same, this is a great looking example of the Formula which I prefer over the Trans Am.
what Auto Rama is he talking about?If he’s talking Detroit, I go every year and we show my son’s Mustang.I don’t ever remember this car taking any awards, in any class.But could be another Auto Rama somewhere else than Detroit, but hey we always have Ridler award here, what fantastic cars.
They have one in Houston TX every year… car is in Porter TX… about a half hour drive to Houston.
Wondering if tariffs are going to up the price by at least 25% if going into Canada ?
No… you would pay the 5% import duty. Like its been forever.
It is a nice looking car and priced right. It looks very clean and well cared for. No it is not a muscle car but the seller is not asking muscle car money for it. If I had room in my garage I would condsider this car. There are not a lot of Formula’s made and that is appealing so some.