The Pontiac Formula has also been the stepsister to the Trans Am. Many consider it a gentleman’s muscle car because it is not as flashy as a Trans Am but it can be ordered with the same performance options in most years. The four primary models of the second-generation Firebird (1970-1981) were the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am. The Formula came in 350, 400 and 455 submodels, with the 455 discontinued after 1974. This 1975 Pontiac Formula 400 is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The asking price is $18,000 and the car is listed here on Craigslist. We appreciate Jack M. for sending us the listing to review.
The brown interior on this Formula 400 was referred to as the 63V1 Saddle and was the standard bucket seat set up offered by Pontiac. They called the vinyl Madrid Morrokide which sounds kind of fancy but it was standard on all models except the Esprit. The car is not heavily optioned but does have an automatic transmission and AM/FM radio. The ad does not have many pictures and the ones in the listing are at poor angles. There is no description for the car except that it does not have a headliner. From the pics, it appears the dash is cracked.
Pontiac’s 1975 Formula could be ordered with a 350 or 400 cubic inch V8 engine. The standard or base engine was the Pontiac L76 350 cubic inch V8 engine and 4 barrel carburetor. The L76 350 V8 was rated at 175 horsepower. The only optional engine was the L78 400 cubic inch V8 engine that was rated at 185 horsepower.The 455 cubic inch V8 engine was only available in the Trans Am for the 1975 model year.
Of the 84,063 Firebirds built in 1975, only 13,670 were Formulas. This was the first year of the wrap around rear windshield on the second generation Firebird. The paint on this car is damaged and faded. If it is the original paint, it is Code 49 Alpine Green. This angle shows the dual snorkel hood scoops which were no longer functional in 1975. The wheels on this car are Pontiac 15×8 aluminum snowflake wheels that were not introduced until 1978. The car has been listed for 2 weeks.
I love that color. Seeing what T/A’s are going for? I understand the asking price. But I’m waiting for the comments about those speakers being cut into the door panels! 😱
Good car, looks like a good starting point for some cleanup. Seller appears to have sprung for new seat covers, but that’s about it. If it had a 4 speed, it might attract some tire kickers at about 1/2 the current ask. With automatic, I expect it will need about a 60% drop in price. Just my opinion.
Only my opinion but . . .
4 speed = gentleman’s muscle car.
Automatic = son’s graduation gift.
Love that color! Nice car. GLWTS
From the looks of the hood and headliner, this thing has been sitting somewhere very moist for quite a while. I wonder how it smells inside?
needs a headliner. that all the seller can say. how about it need paint as the hood is peeling.no pics of the motor. how does it run? classy color combo and the late model wheels work well on it. don’t understand how they could hack up clean door panels for speakers. how ghetto is that? spend a couple bucks and do the headliner.
I did the same thing with my 1971 SS Camaro. Where were you going to add speakers? You couldn’t put them in the dash, nor the kick panels, put a couple in the panel between the rear window and back seat, but it the mid-1980’s. Nobody would likely do it today, but back then it wasn’t given a second thought. That’s why, better to just leave them, their presence isn’t going to be a deal breaker if someone really wants this car.
Steve R
Exactly. I did it to more than one car back in the day. I loved the stereo that would blast you out, i’m sure it contributed to my hearing loss today. Didn’t give it a second thought, like you said.
If this has lived in Indiana all its life, under-carriage pics are a MUST!
Pictures in tree shade hides a lot of paint defects.
Didn’t these have a 7.6:1 compression ratio or something? Regardless, you’re probably looking at Hyundai Elantra level performance. Though the good news is it would respond pretty well to modifications, after you milled the heads to get the compression up.
Unfortunately you can’t mill the heads enough to measurably increase compression, a head swap is the way to go. Pontiac forums or enthusiast sites will generally have charts on which OE heads will give you what compression ratio.
You are right, these were definitely more of a cruiser than outright performance car.
Steve R
I’m surprised at the value of these mid/late 1970s “performance” cars given their lack of performance, but I guess they invoke a lot of good memories for people who now have a lot of money. This was a pretty good time in American history.
This car would be a nice place to start for a rebuild . 6x heads 650 carb and duale 2 1/2 exuast , will work nicely. The color looks good but needs a repaint. Along with a new interior . The mileage is 116000 . It would be fun to drive as is for a while , but needs the work in short order. This car as is , is Werth more like $12000 . good luck to the seller
Looks more like a 8 or 9k car. No where near 18. And who on earth thought putting speakers in the door panels was a good idea???