• Seller: Oliver M alone (Contact)
• Location: Omaha, Nebraska
• Mileage: 78,000 Shown
• Chassis #: 2V87WAL118840
• Title Status: Clean
• Engine: 301 V8
• Transmission: Automatic

After a full ten years on the road and in the consciousness of sporty car buyers, the second-generation Firebird finally showed some signs of slowing down in 1980, as total sales fell from 211,453 in 1979 (the majority of which were Trans Ams) to 107,340. Of those, only 9,356 were Firebird Formulas. The Formula has always been slightly more restrained and somewhat less expensive than the mechanically similar (but not identical) Trans Am. In 1980, however, the price difference was just over $200, and the Trans Am’s cachet just couldn’t be denied (50,896 of them were sold, over five times the number of Formulas). These days, that makes it a treat to see a Formula, and I’ve always liked their graphics package (which was designed by a stylist named John Folden and introduced in 1976). This Formula has seen better days, but maybe you’ll see the potential in it as an ambitious project or parts car. It’s being offered as a Barn Finds Exclusive in Omaha, Nebraska, and the seller is asking $3,685 or best offer.

There’s no doubt that this Formula would have instantly boosted the popularity of its original owner. With the aforementioned flashy yet restrained graphics and a particularly appealing “Tahoe Blue” exterior (and blue interior), this might be exactly how I’d equip my Firebird had I ordered one new in 1980 (but alas, I was three years old). The standard engine in the Formula was Pontiac’s 301 four-barrel, which produced 140 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque (at a very low 1800 rpm). It was a far cry from the previous year’s 400 (or even the Olds 403), but Pontiac tried to make up for it in the Formula by giving it a 3.42:1 axle ratio (compared to a tall, tall 2.41:1 in the base Firebird). That alone would make the car feel snappy. The Formula was only available with the Turbo 350 automatic, and this one even has power windows and air conditioning. The Formula also came standard with the “machine-turned instrument panel trim plate” and rally gauges with a clock.

A nice stylistic touch on the ’79-’81 Firebird is the blacked-out taillight treatment and bumper-mounted license plate. As the owner of a ’74 Firebird, I can tell you that you aren’t fitting much in the trunk, but that’s not why you buy a Firebird, then or now.

As the ’80s dawned, it would be penny-pinching and foolhardy to not order the $695 Fisher T-Tops (called a “Hatch Roof” in Pontiac literature). Although the Formula came with the handsome Rally II wheels, this one has the 15-inch “Snowflakes,” which are also a great choice (it was hard to screw up a second-generation Firebird). There’s no doubt that this is a “what you see is what you get” car that will need a lot of work. If you had one like this back when you were younger and want a project or need some parts to finish yours, make an offer.