We’ve recently seen a few low-mileage classics at Barn Finds, and this 1979 Pontiac Firebird Formula is up with the best. Although it rolled out of the factory in Norwood, Ohio, it is a Canadian-delivered car. That means that although its odometer reading is 19,116, that figure represents kilometers, which equates to around 11,878 miles. It is a tidy survivor needing a new home. Therefore, the seller listed it here on Craigslist in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They set their price at $28,900, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finders Rocco B. and T.J. for spotting this gem for us.

My first thought when I realized where this Firebird started life was to wonder whether it had any existing rust issues. I’m not saying every car in Canada is a rust bucket, but when a model is already prone to such problems, it pays to be sure. However, the news with this Formula appears to be nothing but positive. The area around the back window looks okay, the trunk pan is solid, the floors are clean, and the prone rear valance is faultless. I think that covers most of the bases in that respect. Its Camel Metallic paint looks excellent, with a deep shine and no visible flaws. It cloaks panels as straight as an arrow and is perfectly contrasted by the Gold factory stripes and decals. The trim is excellent, the tinted glass is flawless, and the spotless Rally II wheels wear sparkling trim rings.

The 1979 model year was the last when buyers could order their new Firebird with a large capacity V8, but this Formula misses out on that. Its engine bay houses the more conservative 301ci unit that produces a modest 150hp. That feeds to the road via a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, with the original owner adding power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. As you might expect from a car tipping the scales at 3,569lbs, performance is far from scintillating. The journey down the ¼-mile would take 18 seconds, with the V8 running out of breath with the needle nudging 119mph. We’ve discussed the odometer reading, and the seller doesn’t indicate whether they hold verifying evidence. However, it might be hidden away with the original Owner’s Manual, dealer paperwork, and other documentation included in the deal. The seller recently replaced the tires and performed a service. The Firebird runs and drives perfectly and has no mechanical needs.

To complement the exterior paint shade, the original owner ordered this Firebird with its interior trimmed in Camel Tan Hobnail cloth. They added air conditioning and an AM/FM radio but chose to forego such extravagances as power windows or power locks. The interior presentation is as impressive as the exterior, with only a dirty mark on the carpet near the driver’s left foot as a fault worth noting. Otherwise, the upholstery is immaculate, there is no cracked or crumbling plastic, and I can’t spot any aftermarket additions. This interior would undoubtedly receive positive comments from any enthusiast who learned it is original and unrestored.

Although it was becoming evident that the Second Generation Firebird was reaching the end of its life by 1979, that didn’t prevent 211,454 buyers from slapping down their cash to park one in their driveway. The rarest variant was the Formula, with only 24,851 people taking one home. Today, enthusiasts focus more on the Trans Am, which has become one of the icons of the North American classic scene. The Formula is less recognized, and many ended their lives as T/A clones or served faithfully until the almost inevitable rust claimed them. This car is an amazing survivor that has avoided those pitfalls, and its odometer reading places it in rarified company. The seller’s price is at the top end of the market, but if the odometer reading is confirmed, the figure is not unprecedented. It has only been on the market a short time, and although I doubt the seller will drown under a flood of inquiries, I think it will eventually find a new home.