Rare Turbo: 1980 Pontiac Firebird Formula

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During the late 1970s, vehicle manufacturers were investigating many ways to extract improved performance from their formerly more muscular models. Pontiac chose the forced induction route, adding a turbocharged version of the 301ci V8 to the Firebird model range in 1980. This Firebird Formula is from that first production year, and its presentation is hard to fault. It wears a classy paint shade, features a striking interior contrast, and was the fastest version to wear the Formula badge that year. It needs a new home, with the seller listing the Firebird here on Craigslist in Keller, Texas. They’ve set their price at $28,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder PRA4SNW for spotting it.

The Second Generation Firebird was reaching the end of its production life by 1980, and Pontiac didn’t splash the cash on any items that couldn’t be carried over to the new model waiting in the wings. Therefore, styling changes were virtually nil. This car looks magnificent in Code 84 Charcoal with contrasting stripes. It would undoubtedly turn heads due to its deep shine and seemingly flawless panels. The seller uses the word “great” when describing its condition, and I can’t think of many better terms. The plastic and glass look flawless, while the underside shots confirm this Formula is as solid and rust-free as the day it rolled off the lot. Its location makes that unsurprising because the climate in Texas is ideal for steel preservation. It rolls on the beautiful Turbo wheels, which are worth examining further. These wheels represent a situation where form and function meet. They are more than good-looking because the fins are designed to improve brake cooling. That’s an essential consideration for any classic with performance potential.

The Red vinyl upholstery inside this Firebird provides a striking contrast to the exterior. Once again, there is little to criticize. The same climate that protects steel can often exact a high toll on vinyl and plastic, but this Formula has dodged that bullet. There is slight stretching on the driver’s seat, but I would mark the interior harshly if I considered it a genuine fault. The remaining upholstered surfaces are spotless, the dash, pad, and console are excellent, and there is no carpet wear. Someone installed an aftermarket stereo with speakers in the door trims and rear parcel tray, but I see no other additions. The listing is short on details, but it appears the new owner receives air conditioning and a tilt wheel.

I’m disappointed the seller supplies no engine photos because that is one of this car’s key selling points. The turbocharged 301 was the most powerful motor offered in the 1980 Formula. The driver receives 210hp and 345 ft/lbs of torque. This feeds to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission. Pontiac didn’t offer a manual option, which I’ve always considered a mistake if outright performance was the goal. A ¼-mile ET of 16.1 seconds doesn’t sound dazzling, but it was within buyer expectations during that period. The seller recently had the Firebird tuned by renowned specialists, TTA Performance of Kenosha, Wisconsin. They fitted a new exhaust and water injection, meaning the buyer may have a few additional ponies at their disposal. The car rolls on new tires, with the seller claiming it runs and drives better than new. It is ready to provide its new owner with instant motoring gratification.

Pontiac sold 107,340 Firebirds during 1980, with 5,927 buyers selecting the Formula derivative. However, only 1,245 buyers went the extra yard by specifying the turbocharged powerplant. That makes this a relatively rare beast, but rarity doesn’t always equate to high potential value. Market volatility has seen some classics climb while others plunged. The 1980 Firebird Formula Turbo has remained rock-steady. The buyer’s price is at the top end of the market, but its condition may justify that figure. It has been on the market for a short time, and it will be fascinating to see how quickly a buyer pops out of the woodwork.

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Comments

  1. Nevadahalfrack NevadahalfrackMember

    Incredibly clean for a 43 year old ride! Noticed too that it’s been “Tuned by TTA Performance with new exhaust and water injection”-that should help it scoot when you put the boot to it-and from a dry part Texas besides.
    Nice find!

    Like 7
    • Melton Mooney

      It’s surprising and impressive that someone could build a business around a rare 40-year-old oddball like the turbo 4.9. I’m glad they have, though, because the one time I raced one of these on the street it needed all the help it could get.

      Like 2
      • Stan StanMember

        Healthy torque. Just not enough hp 😪 delivered by these 301 Pontiac mills.

        Like 1
  2. jwzg

    TTA Performance does some really nice work. The owner has a TTA that has been deep into the 12s in the 1/4 mile. For an engine that barely turns over 5k rpm, that’s pretty stout. Hey likes to use the Holley Sniper or FITech injection units in place of the carb. I wonder if this TA has one.

    Like 4
  3. CCFisher

    A Formula is a Firebird in a designer suit. A Trans Am is a Firebird in a leisure suit. I doubt a 4-speed would help performance much. Early turbos didn’t respond well to the on boost / off boost / on boost throttle modulation of a manual transmission

    Like 4
  4. Melton Mooney

    Water injection? I haven’t heard that phrase come up since the 80s. Must be a non-intercooled turbo thing.

    Like 5
  5. Cooter CooterMember

    CC you are spot on about all the automatics paired with turbo equipped vehicles. Ever see a Grand National with a manual? That is why you never see a manual paired with one, it only slows the process of acceleration.

    Like 3
  6. 455RAIV

    Very Nice Turbo Formula – The 301 Turbo’s were originally designed to run on premium unleaded and 10-30 synthetic oil – the 301 Turbo Designer said they ran Great set up up like this :) but GM Mandated cars to run on Regular 87 octane :( which was silly for this application – Thank Goodness for TTA Performance :)

    Like 7
  7. Art Engel

    Nice car and rare! I used to prep these at the Pontiac dealer and I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between the normally aspirated 301 vs the turbo 301, the performance was pretty dismal either way. If they had 210 horsepower I never felt it. The 79 T/A 400, 4 speed was substantially quicker and felt like it! That being said this one is my favorite color combos and the Turbo Formula production #s have to be extremely low.

    Like 2
  8. Chris Cornetto

    I had a brown one with t tops and I do believe a VW micro bus could give it a run for its money. Mine was beat by a 302 Zephyr. a stock 78 one…Yeah, dumped that load on a dreamer and did fine. I bought a 79 with the 400 4 speed. posi with four wheel disc’s. That was a decent unit and not an embarrassment. I wonder if there are any 78 302 Two door Zephyrs left because I would buy that over this….lol

    Like 0

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