This 1981 Pontiac Firebird Formula is advertised as a 44k mile original car. For the second generation of the Firebird (1970-1981), Pontiac offered this model in four different configurations – the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am. A total of 5,927 Formulas were built in 1981. This 1981 Pontiac Firebird Formula is said to be one of 569 Formulas produced in 1981 that were equipped with a 4-speed transmission. The only engine offered with the 4 speed in 1981 was the Chevrolet 305 cubic inch V8. It is a 2 owner car that spent most of its life in Iowa and is now in Sandusky, Michigan.
Most 1981 Pontiac Formulas came with a naturally aspirated Pontiac 301 cubic inch V8 engine and an automatic transmission. However, there were two other options – a Chevrolet 305 cubic inch V8 engine with a 4 speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 301 cubic inch V8 engine with an automatic transmission. This car has the LG4 Chevrolet 305 cubic inch V8 engine was rated at 150 horsepower and was fed through a 4 barrel Rochester Quadrajet carburetor. The Borg Warner T-10 4 speed transmissions in these cars are sought after by enthusiasts for their low first gear ratio.
This car does not have a lot of options except for a deluxe interior. The deluxe interior had upgraded seats and door panels. The car does not have power windows but does have air conditioning. The seller states that there is a small crack in the dash which is unfortunate because removing and repairing the dash is time consuming and sometimes costly. However, the car does look to be in excellent condition and the seller states that he or she is not in a rush to sell.
The Formula was distinct from other Firebird models because of the twin scooped hood. From 1973 to 1981, the scoops were closed. This car is listed here on eBay with 2 days remaining in the auction. It is currently bid to $13,200 and has a Buy It Now price of $21,500. I have a 1979 Pontiac Formula and removed the scoop inserts and my friend carefully cut out the factory scoop so now the car has cold air induction. Of course, I need to add an open element air filter to take some advantage of the functioning scoops. This car is very nice and painted in Code 77 Dark Maroon. It would be a nice driver and fun with the 4 speed for tooling around. Just don’t get into any drag races with Camrys!
You can also go to the auto wreckers and find a smaller diameter air cleaner lid Bruce. This will let some of that cool air in and maintain a stock appearance. It will also let you enjoy the sound of the secondaries opening, when you mash the loud pedal down!
Um,,,I believe this car was posted in May of 2022 from Spokane, looks like flip city. The Formula always lived in the shadow of the Trans Am, with the goofy screaming chicken, this was more for a less showy of a person. Okay, it was no 455, even in castrated mode, but not too bad. 0-60 in 9.8 sec. and the 1/4 mile at 17.4 at just over 80, but neck snapping performance wasn’t the Formulas gig. I bet with a 4 speed, it was a blast to drive, in summer, and still could get decent mileage. For some reason, I liked the Firebird and not the Camaro. Sadly, the Formula was least popular in ’81, with just under 6,000 sold. The biggest seller? Yep, the Trans Am at over 34,000 cars, even though the Formula was almost a grand cheaper($7854) than the Trans Am, ($8400) You know who we can thank for that. Even though the movie came out in 1977, Bandit had a profound effect on Trans Am sales well into the 80s. That’s America for ya’.
Just watched the movie for the 50th time last week ! As a youngster it was all about the TA and the driving. Nowadays I just marvel at Jackie Gleason’s performance. THE perfect character as Buford T Justice. Most of his lines were ad-libbed and just flowed naturally ! RIP
I think it was one of Gleasons last performances, he really played the part well. I read somewhere, the Trans AM was so popular, they couldn’t make them fast enough. The producers of SatB ll wanted like a dozen to wreck, and GM could only provide like 4(?) Good old Hollywood, which, and you didn’t hear this from me, isn’t doing so well.
This car was on Facebook here about a month ago, was for sale for awhile, around Chelsea, Michigan and I believe it was around 15k or near that.
The heck with the T/A, I want the truck!!!!!!
You could order 73 and 74 Trans ams and Formulas with the HD 455 4 speeds. 77 thru 79 you could do both in the W72 4 speed version. The Formula was considered the gentleman’s muscle car and was actually a few pounds lighter. I owned an 77 Trans am W72 400 automatic and could whip all Z 28, Mustangs and Vettes by 3 lengths or better. Not even arguable… the last muscle cars of the old era.
You had a 50 cubic inch advantage on the Z28 and 98 cubic inch advantage on the Mustangs. It makes sense that you won. How did you do against 454 Chevelles or 454 Corvettes?
No H8 Jack. He was comparing his car to the similar year offerings. A modern Hellcat could also clean his clock. Take a deep breath or get some of that medical grade stuff
Purchased in 1980 for graduation and had to have a new set of Western turbines under the fenders!
I don’t recall mentioning early 70’s big block Chevelles or Corvettes?? Pretty sure I specifically said 77-79 Mustang, Corvette and Z28 versions. All fine cars by the way. Would love to have a 2 tone blue 80 Z28 with the air induction hood. With a few bucks you can convert one to a little land rocket. Still looking for the right one as a matter of fact!
They didn’t build 454 Corvettes and Chevelles 77 thru 79. As for 77 back to 73, well ask a SD 455 Trans Am owner that question. You will get the same answer!
If you read what I wrote, I mentioned the big cubic inch advantage that you had over your rivals. You definitely should have won all of those contests. People didn’t all automatically take their big blocks off the road when the calendar hit 1975. You would be the underdog with 50 less cubes than your competition.
Makes sense to me Jack.
Your comparing apples to oranges, Just like this 301 Formula would easily get smoked by a 350 Z28.
Again 77 thru 79. Was talking about the end of an era. Not dating back any further. Yes I wouldve been blasted by an older LS6 454. But not the later versions. And you can build a 350 to whip em all! Except the LS6! I have a ZZ4 350 in my 79 Vette pulling 420 ft pounds of torque. Look em up. Nice crate powertrains.
Right handsome looking Formula there. I like the toned down appearance. Didn’t know that the interior was two toned with the red color.
I love all these whooping up on this and that stories… but any stoplight race depends on lot’s of things, most importantly the driver and his or her skill set. Most of us could never shift like Ronnie Sox or Bill Jenkins. The tune of the car, the road… heck anything can beat anything when it comes to a bit of stoplight to stoplight race. Now take them to a real track and you get real results.
AHH YES! Bill Jenkins and the line of “Grumpy’s Toys” This man made the Vega more famous than Cosworth ever dreamed. And you’re spot on about the racing stories, we all have our experiences, and it would be great if we could all gather at a corner bar and share stories!
A large part of the satisfaction of owning a beautiful car like this is the anticipation you get when you’re walking up to it in a parking lot, or just seeing it in your garage. (The only car I ever bought without regard to ego gratification was a Corolla, and I only leased that one.) This is a timeless design in a great color combination and wonderful condition. Whoever gets this one will have many happy returns on his or her investment.