I love dark blue cars. Heck, I like any shade of blue except baby blue (like the Pontiac Skybird). But that is my personal preference and maybe a reason this car caught my eye. This 1975 Pontiac Formula 350 is located in Long Island, New York and has been relisted at $22,000. The car has 68,000 miles on the odometer according to the seller. The engine compartment and interior looks immaculate and the seller states that the car has no rust and runs great. It is listed here on Craigslist but has not sold after 2 weeks of being posted. Many thanks to Mitchell G. for sending us the link to this ad.
Pontiac’s second-generation Firebird (1970-1981) had four primary models: the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am. The Formula came in 350, 400 and 455 submodels, with the 455 discontinued after 1974. This car retains its original Pontiac L76 350 cubic inch V8 engine and 4 barrel carburetor. The L76 350 V8 was rated at 175 horsepower, while the optional L78 400 cubic inch V8 engine was rated at 185 horsepower.The 455 cubic inch V8 engine was only available in the Trans Am for the 1975 model year.
The interior of this 1975 Formula 350 is white and blue and looks sharp. The two-tone white and blue interior is striking with the wood bezel and black trim. The seller states that this car has air conditioning, automatic transmission, rear window defogger, and a rear spoiler. At some point, T-Tops have been added, as they were not available until 1976 and only on the Trans Am model. Do you think the aftermarket T-Tops add value or distract from this car?
I think this car is painted Code 26 Bimini Blue but correct me if I am wrong. The car looks to sit correctly and is optioned with a rear spoiler. The spoiler was only standard on the Trans Am. This Formula 350 looks pretty good riding on 15×7 Rally II wheels with aftermarket tires. The seller states that the car has been garage sat and from the prior ad, we know that is was parked for several years. So, what will it take to get this car sold?
Agree w you on that great shade of blue BJ. Looks even more sharp w that white interior.
That is a very clean and sharp survivor with A/C and the belt is there! The ralley wheels always look sharp on these Pontiacs!
This is the 4th time it’s been featured on this site since September of 2024. For whatever reason the market is rejecting it for the asking price, considering it located on Long Island New York, which is a short distance from millions of people that says something. Good deals don’t last.
Steve R
If it was only a 455 formula I’d be all over it like a cheap suit!
This has been up on here a couple times in the past few years. To note, the T-tops first appeared as a late option on the Trans Am in 1976, it was not available at any point in 1975 so was converted at some point in its life.
Nice car, but the price is a bit high for several reasons, in my opinion:
1. 400 or 455 are more highly valued than 350s in this year range.
2. 4 speed manual is generally more desirable
3. Aftermarket T-Tops are a bigger gamble than factory, due to uncertainty about replacement gaskets and parts.
4. 1975 has some style differences that reduce the buyer pool – many like the earlier non-wrap around rear window better, and many don’t like the government mandated bumper “nodes” sticking out the front.
The seller has priced this as if it were a 72 400 or 455 4 speed, but it is a 75 350 auto. I do like the blue on white color combo. If it was a 4 speed manual, I bet there would be a lot of buyers who would get past the later window and bumper issues.
In 1973 we had a customer at the Pontiac store that bought (I think he ordered the car) a new red Formula 350 with a 4 speed. After signing all the paperwork he came back to the parts department and ordered a Trans Am hood, screaming hood chicken, scoop, rear spoiler , front spoiler and 2 front fenders and extractor. He really wanted a Trans Am but his insurance company was going to lay him away for owning a Trans Am. He calculated that what he spent on all the body and paint work. Was equal to what the insurance difference was for two years. He also had to have the opening flap on the scoop, which was last available in the 1972 Trans Am. (Actuated by an automatic transmission kick down switch) At that time it was tough to find all the pieces for that ser-up.
In other words he could have enjoyed the T/A for what he spent on the mods. Unless he really wanted fuel economy with the look.
I’d be afraid to buy it because of the aftermarket T-Tops. I would bet it would almost be impossible to find replacement parts for them. I do like the exterior and interior color combo. A big block would entice more people to pull the trigger on this.
Nelson C, I think that his point was that on the third year and after the actual cost of ownership was far less with insurance cost. ( and as to your point, better fuel economy)
nice car but has been for sale on various sites over the past year. just can’t seem to catch a buyer
I will leave a second comment which is the radio is missing BUT nobody took a sawzall and cut that area up which is nice to see!
Hey, I thought t-tops didn’t come about til the ’77 model year???
Anyone???
They are aftermarket T-Tops, likely “Hurst Hatch” or “Cars & Concepts”.