Pontiac made several changes to the 1977 Pontiac Firebird Formula including the introduction of a new front end style and the rectangular hood scoops. A new engine option was also available. This 1977 Pontiac Formula is located in San Jose, California. We appreciate Kevin for bringing this project car to our attention. The car is listed for sale here on eBay at a Buy It Now Price of $2,300. There are 11 days left in the listing but it should sell soon at the listing price.
The interior shows the extent of the needed restoration of the car. The dash is cracked and the seats appear to be from a 1981 Formula or Trans Am. In 1981, Pontiac changed their cloth upholstery on their deluxe interior option from hobnail to pimlico material. The car shows surface rust but has T-Tops and an automatic transmission.
The listing states that the Formula is equipped with a rebuilt 400 engine. The factory air cleaner is in the front seat and there are some parts in the trunk. There is not much information on the engine other than that. Many enthusiasts do not know that you could order some second generation Pontiac Firebird Formulas with a Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8 engine. I had one for a short amount of time in a 1978 model and it was slow producing around 145 horsepower. This car is probably equipped with the L78 400 cubic inch engine which was rated at 180 horsepower and 310 lb ft of torque.Hopefully, some upgrades were made during the rebuild because these engine can produce a lot more power with free flowing heads and a good cam.
The new engine option for 1977 was the W72 400 cubic inch V8 engine that was rated at 200 horsepower. This engine is easily identifiable because it came with chrome valve covers. It was equipped with an 800 cfm carburetor, 6x heads, special cam and high volume oil pump. This Formula has a cracked windshield and will need some body work to get it back in respectable condition. I like the way that Pontiac changed the design of the dual snorkel hood scoops over the years. Unfortunately, the last year that they were functional was 1972.
That is a 403 Olds
Sorry, not a 403 Olds
The only good Firebirds of this generation were the W72/4-speed cars. If this was one of those, it would be sold already.
unfortunately just another pile like what’s in the garage. Try getting a smog done on this thing in Calif, good luck. Good parts car I would guess.
I knew Pontiac offered a 350 V8 in the Formula, but I thought it was a Pontiac 350 V8. Maybe that was no longer available by 1977?
I had and then sold the same car in similar, maybe better condition, in 2009. The white paint faded the same way, the interior rough like this one. A Formula clone, but a runner and basic second gen project. Best I could get for the car was $1000 in this condition. The seller’s asking price ten years after my sale seems pretty reasonable.