Pontiac built 24,850 Formula models in 1979 out of a total production of 211,453 Firebirds. This example is located in Long Island, New York and is said to have only 66k miles. The silver paint is different shades indicating a respray of the front end and the rear body panels are showing surface rust. It is said to have mostly original paint. The Formula is listed here on Craigslist for $11,000 and has been listed for about two weeks. Many thanks to Rocco B for sending us this listing.
The black deluxe interior has held up well over the years and looks to be in nice shape. For 2nd generation Firebirds, Pontiac offered a base interior and custom interior. For the custom interior, a buyer could order cloth or vinyl and it came with upgraded seats and door panels. This car has 19BH1 black hobnail custom interior. Even the console which usually takes some abuse looks nice. The trunk comes with a space saver tire and looks factory.
In 1979, the base engine for the Formula was a L27 301 cubic inch V8 with 140 horsepower from a 2 barrel carburetor. This car has the optional L37 301 cubic inch V8 with a 4 barrel carburetor delivered 150 horsepower. In California, a Chevrolet LG3 305 cubic inch V8 provided 133 horsepower, while the LM1 350 cubic inch V8 offered 160 horsepower at high altitudes. The next step up was the optional Oldsmobile L80 403 cubic inch V8, producing 185 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with an automatic transmission. The top performance option was the L78 W72 400 cubic inch V8, available only with a Borg Warner T-10 4-speed manual transmission, featuring WS6 suspension and dual turbo mufflers, installed in only 367 Formulas.
The dual splitter exhaust appears to be hanging a little low. The Formula rides on Pontiac Rally II wheels which indicates it has the standard and not the WS6 suspension. This car looks well cared for except for the paint. It is optioned with the W50 Appearance Package which has the graphics along the bottom of the doors. If the undercarriage is solid, this car might just need a paint job and some under the hood detailing to be sharp.
For some reason, to me, the ’79-’81 formulas look better with that front end than the ’79-’81 t/a’s do.
Thanks BJ. One of the great models the Formula.
Thanks Stan. It is a great looking car. Here is my 1979 Formula.
Very Sharp BJ. 😎 👍
Car looks very original , do not see typical radio, cracked dash, or worn seats.Looks like an easy re-spray or enjoy it as it is car. wish it were closer nice example.
I had a 79 T/A, silver on silver, blue bird and graffics, 301, auto. 301had been replaced with a mild 400, th350 had shift kit and an 1800 stall, 3.42 posi headers and true duels. T-tops leaked and rusted out the floor pan, parted out for double what I paid and gave the red 81 parts to a friend of mine.
A better starting point than that Esprit featured elsewhere here for 24K.
pull the lame 301 out and put a 455 in it. body looks nice enough for an upgrade
The seller either tried hard to take really bad pictures, or did a really good job of making a car of questionable condition look good by taking bad pictures on purpose.
No air no thank you.