This 1971 Pontiac Formula should look fast just sitting there because under the hood is a 461 cubic inch V8 engine built by Butler Performance in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The seller includes the receipts in the ad from the engine build. The Formula is painted in silver with a black interior. The car is sporting a Trans Am hood and shaker scoop to fit the engine and intake under the hood. The seller has the original Formula hood but it does not clear the intake and carburetor. The Formula is listed for sale here on eBay and is currently bid to $16,100 although the reserve has not been met. The car is located in Layton, Utah.
Pontiac introduced the first high back bucket seats in 1971. The faux wood grain dash bezel has been replaced with an aftermarket bezel but the base steering wheel is still on the car. The optional steering wheel was a three spoke performance steering wheel called the Formula wheel. It was standard on the Trans Am but optional on the Formula and GTO. The odometer reading on this car states 16,393 miles.
Pontiac produced the Firebird Formula in three models based on the cubic inch of the engine: the Formula 350, Formula 400 and Formula 455. The 350 cubic inch V8 engine produced around 200 gross horsepower. A buyer could select a 400 cubic inch engine which was designated as the L78 motor and was factory rated at 225 horsepower. If the buyer wanted the optional 455 cubic inch engine, they had their choice of the L75 455 cubic inch V8 engine rated at 325 gross horsepower or the LS5 HO 455 engine rated at 335 gross horsepower. HO 455 Formulas are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. This car appears to have a stroked 400 cubic inch V8 that produces 550 horsepower and 600 lb ft of torque. Butler Performance is known as one of the best Pontiac engine builders in the world.
The 1971 Firebird, Esprit and Formula are easily identifiable from 1970, 1972 and 1973 models because, while they have the same front end, Pontiac added a fake grill behind each front tire. This car is sitting a little high on all four corners but it is said to have had the front suspension rebuilt. The car seems like a good start with a great engine.
Terrible listing. The invoice shows a total $16k of work yet the line items add up to around $5K. How is that possible? There is no picture of the steering wheel nor dashboard and no mention of the size of the engine so i’m not sure how this is known…
That’s because it’s a partial invoice. Look at it again, it’s all labor, no parts are included.
Google Butler Performance, it’s the preeminent Pontiac engine builder in the country and have been for at least a couple of decades. Their engines aren’t inexpensive, they don’t have to be.
Steve R
Do you mean a transmission such as a TH400 with deep cast aluminum pan that’s in it or a rebuilt 8.5” 10 bolt with 3.73 gears. FYI, until the aftermarket came out with new 12 bolts and 9” rear ends the 8.5” (corporate) 10 bolt was the de facto rear end for owners of GM vehicles on a budget.
This car looks well thought out and executed.
Steve R
The invoice page you’re looking at is Page 7 meaning there are 6 additional pages you can ask him for the detail if interested
I am bidding. And I asked for more pics.
Good luck. This is a much better choice than the nasty Formula listedcesrlier today.
Steve R
You’re right about that lol… thanks
Check the video..it has good views of the interior..and that engine is BUILT. Each cylinder firing is like a gun going off.
Saw the same problem with line item totals.
It’s weird my 1969 Mustang had high back bucket seats…two years before Pontiac introduced them ;)
Makes up for Ford being late with turbos, fuel injection, coil springs, hydraulic brakes, overhead valves.
GM used those two extra years to develop high back seats that were actually comfortable.
Steve R
I think GM wanted to only develop more comfortable hi back bucket seats. & putting 2nd gen f-body THICKER high back buckets in the smaller ’69 f-bodys would not be a good idea – the ’69 f-bodies are the shortest of the 4 seat ’69 pony cars & are tight on leg room inside front & back.
As to why the same ’69 buckets were carried over to the 1st yr 2nd gen ’70 model year – maybe because the ’71 hi back buckets were modified vega buckets & the vega & its seats wer not ready yet – until ’71.
Well, it’s wierd the ’67-69 camaro could be had with power windows & roll down rear side windows, but the ’69-70 fastback stang could not be.
Nor could you get a ’69 stang with the ’69 camaro’s 4 wheel disc brake option or liquid tire chain …
http://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/liquid-tire-chain/
Most peculiar of all is that when front door vent windows were eliminated, only GM models got UPPER fresh outboard air dash vents.
Ford, Chryslers & AMCs did not.
Regardless of the write up. This is one hell of a vehicle with the best Pontiac engine builder in the USA. Worth a look!
What kind of transfer case does it have?
Looks like a lot of daylight in them wheel wells. Sitting a little higher than most Firebirds and T/A’s than I remember.
Where is this fake grill behind each tire?
SOLD for $19,800.