This 1979 Pontiac Formula is described as an incredible survivor. The car looks to be in excellent condition and has just over 84,000 miles on the odometer. In 1979, Pontiac offered four models of the 2nd generation Firebird – the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am. This car is located in Miami, Florida, and is being sold by a dealer. It was initially listed here on eBay, but the auction expired with a high bid of $19,601. This was too nice a car to pass up, so the car is still listed for sale here on the dealer’s site. No price is listed on the dealer’s website, and they encourage interested parties to contact them. Update: This Formula has been relisted here on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $23,781.
This Formula is equipped with the Oldsmobile K code engine, the base engine in the Trans Am in 1979. The K code stood for the L80 403 cubic inch V8 that came only with an automatic transmission. The L80 403 cubic inch V8 was rated at 185 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. The L37 301 cubic inch V8 was the base engine for the Formula and was available with an automatic or manual transmission. The high-performance engine option that year was the L78 W72 400 cubic inch V8 engine. The 400 cubic inch V8 was only available with a Borg Warner T-10 4-speed manual transmission and came with 3.23 rear gears, WS6 suspension, and dual turbo mufflers. It was only installed in 367 Formulas in 1979.
The red deluxe interior looks nice, and the dash does not appear cracked. The Hobnail cloth interior shows wear on the front seats, but the carpet and door panels look nice. Both Legendary and PUI make replacement fabric for these seats. This car has options including T-Tops, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, and AM/FM radio. The original radio has been replaced, but the seller does have an 8-track unit.
This Formula is equipped with 15×8 snowflake aluminum snowflake wheels. If these were the wheels that came with the car from the factory, the car was equipped with the WS6 or WS7 suspension package, which came with bigger sway bars, tuned shocks, a quicker steering ratio, and 15×8 snowflake wheels. The car also has LED headlights and received recent brake work, a tune-up, and an A/C charge. There were 24,850 Formulas built in 1979.
Always have preferred the clean appearance of the Formula over the Trans Am. Would a stick 400 be better? Maybe…
Cool Formula 😎
Nelson, I’d take the hi-po 400 pkg w 4spd over the rest of the lot.
My roommate special ordered a 1978 Formula new. White, no stripes or graphics, 403, Auto trans, A/C, electric locks and windows. Stock Firebird wheels and steering wheel, blue velour interior. Was certainly one of a kind although not what I would have ordered. He waited 6 weeks for it to arrive. Drove it 2 years till the rear wheel arches begin to rust out. And the car never left West Texas. Same thing had happened to my new 76 Camaro. Cheap steel I guess. Often wondered what his Formula would have been worth now considering it’s off beat special order. I have to admit, it did look better without the stripes and graphics.
Almost passed over this one while scrolling BF but took a moment to look at the dealership pics. WOW! This is one clean specimen. Def worth a second look.
Nice car. You can pretty much guarantee it’s overpriced based on the dealers website stating, “email for price”. When a seller won’t give you a price up front, especially if it’s their profession, they want too much. They know what they will turn down, so they know what they will accept, they should just put it out there and stop wasting potential buyers time.
Steve R
Typical dealer move .
Find a sucker who will over pay and fund their paychecks & their business . Capitalistic greed at its finest.
That has nothing to do with “capitalistic greed”, I’ve worked and know people that mirror your sentiments that will screw anyone over in a heartbeat if it benefits them, it doesn’t always pertain to money either. Some people are just built that way. It’s better to recognize the signs and steer clear.
Steve R
True, there is all types of greed and selfishness when it comes to treating others, even strangers on the road.
The 403 was no bargain, underperforming anchor, this is not a fast car by any means, but she sure is pretty
Always preferred the Formula over the Trans Am. Sad thing was, Pontiac also made a Sunbird Formula. Both nice cars. I loved that Pontiac brought the Formula package back for Fiero’s and Firebirds in the late 80’s. Yes, they made a Formula Fiero, look it up