This 1974 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 looks pretty solid but with only 4 pictures in the ad here on Craigslist, it is hard to tell. There are no pictures of the engine compartment or interior. The seller is asking $19,000 and the ad has been up for two weeks. Pontiac built 4 versions or models of the Firebird – the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula and Trans Am – for its 2nd generation (1970-1981). This car is located in Seattle, Washington and is said to have 85k miles on the odometer. We appreciate Scott for sending us this tip.

Pontiac built the Firebird Formula in three sub-models based on the cubic inch of the engine: the Formula 350, Formula 400 and Formula 455. The L30 350 cubic inch V8 engine was the low performer and produced 155 horsepower. This car has the 400 cubic inch engine which was designated as the L78 motor. It was factory rated at 225 horsepower and was probably the most popular option. If the buyer wanted the optional 455 cubic inch engine, they had their choice of the Y Code 455 cubic inch V8 engine producing 250 horsepower or the ultra rare Super Duty 455 engine rated at 290 horsepower. I recently saw a 1974 Super Duty 455 Formula up for sale and the asking price was close to $80,000.

I usually would not include this picture but since there were only 4 pictures in the ad, I included it. As you can see, the car was probably repainted at some point because the Formula 400 emblems are not mounted behind the front tire. You can also see the varying body line gaps which were commonly varied on production cars in the 1970’s. The only yellow paint offered in 1974 was Code 51 Sunstorm Yellow. Vinyl accent stripes were available on the base Firebird, Esprit and Formula via the D98 option. These stripes were not available on the Trans Am.

The 1974 Firebird was the last year for the small back window. After 1974, Pontiac Firebirds came with a larger wrap around window. Out of 73,729 Firebirds that were built in 1974, Pontiac built 14,519 Formulas. Only 702 cars has the Y code 455 and 58 ca,e with the Super Duty 455. The interior of this car looks to be black vinyl with the Deluxe interior option which came with horsecollar seats and upgraded door panels. The engine on this car is backed by an automatic transmission. and it does have air conditioning but it is not working.