Some great options help to define this clean, low mileage 1991 Pontiac Firebird Formula, which has the classic hallmarks of an original owner wanting to check the boxes of the most desirable performance-related options offered that year. It’s also just a very pretty specimen that has clearly been loved, with low mileage of just 31,932, and great colors of red over grey cloth. Under the hood is the desirable 5.7L fuel-injected V8 paired to an automatic transmission. The bidding has already cleared the reserve price here on eBay, currently pegged at $9,200, and the Firebird is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
I knew a girl in high school who had this exact car in hunter green, and in retrospect, it’s ironic to me to think about what she had parked among the rows of beaters and modified Hondas. To be sure, most of the attention went to the lowered Integras and Civics with buzzy exhausts and homemade cold air intakes, but here was a stock Firebird that could destroy them all. Not that she ever drove it like that, of course – I have a feeling she had a cool old man who knew his daughter wouldn’t abuse his second or third car. Regardless, this one brings me back, as you can tell, and I always loved the aerodynamic nose treatment on the Formulas, and the nicely integrated rear spoiler.
Now, let’s talk about options. In addition to the 5.7L TPI V8, the original owner also checked the following boxes: engine oil cooler; four wheel disc brakes; and the desirable limited slip rear axle with performance ratio. To me, this is one of the most fascinating aspects of a used car because it tells you a little bit about the first owner and what they were trying to build when they ordered their pride and joy. The equipment here should make the Firebird an extremely pleasant driver with the ability to hike up its skirt and boogie when the time is right. Underhood remains nicely detailed with no signs of aftermarket modifications – another bonus.
The interior isn’t particularly special, but it is in mint condition. The gray cloth buckets show no real signs of wear, and I’m guessing the backseat has never been sat in given the seller mentions the first owner just used it as a “toy.” If it were mine, I’d absolutely find some of the factory Recaros that Pontiac installed in these Firebirds over the years, retrimmed in gray leather, to give it a set of buckets more fitting for such a pristine example with the right performance options on board. Overall, these are still such bargains as a cheap muscle car with great looks, I’m always surprised by how cheaply they sell for. But for how much longer?
If possible, buy the best car you can find and afford. This car seems to fit that bill.
These 350 Formulas were fast for the day. I had a friend with a similar car, except for the color, it would run high-13’s at the local track. Their driveability hold up well when compared to what’s currently being offered on new car lots.
Performance cars of this era are coming into their own. The people that bought them new are around 50 and the nostalgia factor is drawing them back. We’ve seen it before with tri-5 Chevys, 60’s muscle cars then late-70’s Trans Am’s and Z28’s. This will be no different. clean 5.0 Mustangs and Iroc’s are hard to find and becoming more expensive. Since this is a no reserve auction the buyer may score a bargain.
Steve R
20 year olds were not buying the 5.7 performance versions of these cars new unless they were very wealthy.
Twenty five year olds with good credit were. I guess mid-50’s doesn’t count as “around 50” anymore.
Steve R
My point being young guys couldn’t afford the insurance on these 5.7 cars.
I can’t remember any young guys buying the IROCs when I worked at the Chevy dealer in 1987 and 1988. Most of the buyers were quite a bit older.
20 yr olds TODAY aren’t even buying pony cars with 6 cylinders, if they even have a driver’s license!
& look at the std equipent on the sticker of this formula! …
A/C, radio w/cassette, expensive wheels, rear spoiler, tilt wheel, vanity mirrors, front console, floor mats, aux lighting – none of that should be std equipment!! How much more fluff is std on new pony cars?
Plus, on this formula’s sticker, option pkg #2 is a ripoff.
& $1045 more for 45 extra cubic inches?! Used to be about $75 more for a bigger engine! WTH.
Odd exhaust system – why not true duals when there are 2 cats? Dumb.
I believe this banshee type front nose made the car longer than the 1 with the prev nose – same with ’78 camaro’s front end vs the ’77s. Must be fun parallel parking it.
My friends and I all had Mustang GT’S and IROC’s in our 20’s
Steve, did you buy them new at the dealership?
I knew a couple guys (and one chick) who drove vehicles like this when this was new & I was in my early 20’s. They lived at home & worked full time to pay for their cars and insurance, but they did it. The rest of my friends drove old and battered muscle cars & look alike muscle cars. I drove luxury cars, economy cars, and the occasional work type truck. I did have a car here or there that fit in with what my friends drove (had a 307 1970 Chevelle that ended up with a 1969 427 out of a Biscayne cop car & a 1975 Monza with factory 262 & a 4 speed that ended up with a 400 small block) but for the most part my taste was different than all of my friends taste.
This is a really cool Firebird, I am thinking maybe I should grow back my mullet & buy a Leno type tuxedo again lol.
I had a good job in 1991 tried to buy a used 1990 IROC needed a co-signer, I was 21, parents wouldn’t co-sign for me, ended up buying a brand new 95 Z28 LT1 6spd, car was quick, but the looks of the 4th Camaro just didn’t do it for me had it only 2 years. Fast forward to this March found an 89 Trans Am with 60k miles for $8500, previous owner was an Fbody fanatic, car is immaculate. I’m now 49 and I bought it as my 31 year late graduation present to myself and have been grinning ear to ear ever since. It’s got some mods and runs really well for the 5.0 TPI. For people like me it’s the nostalgia. The LT1 definitely runs better, I have that in my 93 40th Anniversary C4 but I honestly have way more fun in the T/A.
Kincer;
Way to go lad!!!! Yours was one of the best comments on this site in the past few weeks. Have fun with the Trans Am, and start looking for next years “gift to yourself!”
I had a 87’ GTA 5.7 that I bought slightly used (27,000 miles) in 1990. Paid $9995. I was 23. I absolutely loved that car. Sold it a few years later with 265,000 miles.
The low end torque and 700r4 are a pleasant combo. Lots of fun
I liked the later version of the 3rd gen ‘Birds with this style nose. Never was a fan of TPI, had an IROC and the power was not like the later LT1’s. Guys in their later 20’s/ early 30’s were buying these car when new. At least in the northern NJ area they were.
The front and rear overhangs look longer and longer as every year goes by, just too out of proportion. Same for the Regal GN/GNXs (and of course, setting the bar – the Superbirds/Daytona) – love the idea and loved them in the day, but all of these look so odd now.
Not to mention the long front overhang of the monte ss.
Haha, yes you are right! about the Monte Carlo SSs, and I even had one of those for a few years. Seemed okay at the time, but looked up a picture – and yep, over hang a’plenty.
If the original owner checked all the performance boxes, why is there no handling package? Was there a WS6 or similar offered that year? Seems like it’s riding high on soft springs. They should have just continued with the 70-72 formula design and refined it. That was a beautiful aggressive sporty design
just sold my 1992 bird last year ,was the original owner, had 70,000 miles on it look just like this one except it had the ground affect on it and it was a v-6. It was my wife car she the only one that drove .so you can say it belong to a little old lady. it got great gas mileage . but if it had the v-8 i could of more for it .
Pretty sure the decals on the lower part of the doors should say “Formula 350″…a repaint maybe?
@Stevie
Better be careful in this day and age, people are easily offended and may find your use of the term “chicks” highly offensive. Probably best if you apologize.
The proper term is “broad”.
Lol I apologize. Thank you for correcting me.
I was 27 yrs old and bought a brand new 87 IROC-Z 5.7…. Wasn’t rich, but had a good job. $20,000 in 87 was a lot of money back then tho!!
SOLD for $15,100.