I have always been a fan of yellow cars and drove a 1979 yellow Trans Am in high school. This Sunstorm Yellow 1974 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 is located in Seattle, Washington. The seller is asking $18,000 for the car and from the pictures, it looks like the car has been sitting for a while. The second-generation Firebird (1970-1981) came in four models which were the Base Firebird, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am models. This Formula 400 has an automatic transmission and reportedly has 85,000 miles. Thanks to Curvette for the tip. This car can be seen here on Craigslist and was just listed today.
This car does not have a lot of options but it does have the upgraded custom interior offered in 1974. The code 961 custom black vinyl interior had extra support from the “horsecollar” seats and upgraded door panels. This car also has factory air conditioning but the seller states that it is not working. A picture of the engine compartment would be nice to see if all the components are under the hood.
There are not pictures in the ad of the engine compartment but the listing does state this car is a Formula 400. Pontiac produced the Firebird Formula in three sub-models, differentiated by engine displacement: Formula 350, Formula 400, and Formula 455. The L30 350 cubic inch V8 engine delivered 155 horsepower. This specific vehicle is equipped with the 400 cubic inch engine, known as the L78 motor, which had a factory rating of 225 horsepower. For those selecting the optional 455 cubic inch engine, choices included the Y Code 455 cubic inch V8 with an output of 250 horsepower, or the Super Duty 455 engine, rated at 290 horsepower. Only 702 cars has the Y code 455 and 58 came with the Super Duty 455.
Pontiac produced 14,519 Formulas in 1974 and that was more than Trans Am production of 10,255 units. Overall, Pontiac produced 73,729 total Firebirds for the 1974 production year. This car looks like it is riding on later model 15×8 Pontiac aluminum snowflake wheels that have been painted flat black. The car looks solid enough but pictures of the undercarriage and, again, the engine compartment would be helpful.
Price could certainly be competitive but the lack of photos makes it impossible to know. I certainly don’t live close enough to check it out.
I like yellow and I like the look of the Formula package AND I like the Pontiac 400 engine.
Hopefully, it’s clean and someone gets a nice car.
Featured on this site on June 8th, with an asking price of $19,000. Needs more pictures and a thorough in person inspection.
Steve R
Poor quality photos are an unfortunate and all too common plague. As a professional photographer I fully understand that the common man just does not “see”. You can’t hold it against them. It takes a little extra awareness.
The next time the sun is fading and the tree tops or the corn tassels are graced with peak fleeting light take notice. It doesn’t last long. Your eyes might just pop in a way they never have before and you will forever see the world more completely. It only takes one miracle view to resonate within and educate your eyes.
$18k is optimistic for a car celebrating “my engine needs rebuilt” eve, the lack of functional A/C and whatever gremlins are not mentioned notwithstanding
Agreed with other comments about needing more photos of the drivetrain and undercarriage!