1979 Pontiac Firebird Formula
The second generation Firebirds lasted from 1970 to 1981. You would be hard pressed to find a make and model that had as many major changes, year to year, over a long period of time. The designers and engineers at GM never stopped working to improve a car that was exciting from day one. It's not difficult to identify the birds of particular years with the exception of '79 and '80. In 1979, the smooth enduro nose took the place of the inset grilles of the previous year's model and this is one feature that endured until the end of the run in 1981.
For consignment, a 1979 Firebird Formula with its matching numbers 403ci Oldsmobile V8 and matching number transmission. The color is unique and some other custom touches have been added, but these desirable F-bodies are always worth a look. Fewer Formulas were produced in 1979 than the base, Esprit, and Trans Am. And while Bandits and Anniversary editions stole the limelight back in the day, these unsung heroes of the second gen are quickly finding an audience and getting more difficult to find.
Note: Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public highways in your area
Exterior
Born as a Platinum Poly car (silver), the car now wears a unique shade of Mopar's throwback hue of Furious Fuchsia. It looks good on the car and covers the hood scoop entry points which would otherwise have been painted in a contrasting color when new. The Pontiac arrow on the nose is shows in silver and the black plastic grille inserts and headlight bezels also present contrast up front. A Pontiac windshield banner looks vintage and brings your eyes to the Fisher T-tops which seemed so normal back in the day but now present as a fascinating design feature. The short trunk lid leads to the iconic three piece spoiler which tops a rear design that is, in this writer's opinion, one of the great American tails. Heavily smoked tail lights meet the gas cap door with the matching horizontal pattern creating a light bar that goes from one fender to the other. The smooth bumper cover is body colored and mirrors the taillight shape flipped upside down. Gone are the Trans Am style exhaust splitters and in its place are straight tailpipes with square chrome tips. 15-inch American Racing Chrome Nuggets wear some vintage Road Hugger Radial G/T tires. The paint is in overall good condition. We note holes where side molding would have been installed and removed at some point. A few paint bubbles, scratches and minor imperfections were also noted.
Interior
Black vinyl door panels greet us with some wear on the driver's side armrest. The bucket seats are also covered with black vinyl with tuck and roll texturing. The 2+2 buckets in the back and the rear shelf mirror the design and color. Some wear is noted on a rear plastic panel. The Trans Am style steering wheel would have been standard on Formulas and this one is a bit rough showing some taped repair and covered in an aftermarket laced cover and it's missing the Firebird center cap. Machined metal applique covers the dashboard which carries over from the Trans Am and houses essential gauges and the heater controls. An aftermarket Optimus AM/FM/Cassette is in the center stack above an ashtray and storage slot. The top of the dash is pretty badly cracked. Fortunately, there are plenty of aftermarket vendors to support any kind of F-body restoration. The center console sits on the transmission hump and houses the automatic shifter in a plastic base. The low pile black carpet is in good condition. The trunk is barren and uncovered and we note the weather stripping is deteriorated.
Drivetrain
The original and numbers matching Olds 403ci V8 is under the hood with a 4-barrel carburetor. It is hooked to the numbers matching TH350, 3-speed automatic transmission. The engine bay shows in driver quality, the 403 cuber was never a beauty queen nor a powerhouse, rated at 185 horsepower. We note the A/C has been removed. Power disc brakes are up front and power drum brakes in the rear. Our consignor states the timing chain and gears were changed 15 years ago but mileage was not indicated.
Undercarriage
Things are relatively clean and dry underneath. The exhaust comes off the manifolds, meets at the engine and travels down a single pipe later splitting to meet a pair of Super Turbo mufflers, and then out the back where we note the chrome tips are starting to rust. Standard was independent suspension with coil springs up front and leaf springs in the back. We note that the catalytic converter has been removed.
Drive-Ability
It's odd to drive this car without Journey's Frontiers album playing in the cassette player which is how I always drove my '79 T/A in high school. But, ill suffered through the task of taking this fuchsia Formula for a spin. What this car lacks in power, it makes up with in handling. That big hood leads the way in pointing this bird in the direction we want to go. It drives just fine and it's an easy car to love. There's been some unspecified suspension work in the past five years per the consignor and we have no complaints.
"Those crazy nights, I do remember in my youth. I do recall, those were the best times most of all..." Journey said it best and if you grew up in the 70's and 80's, this car and F-bodies like it were the cars to have. And now it's time to get back into one. It's time to relive those crazy nights and big city lights. This is the car that can bring it all back!
2U87K9N146924
2-Pontiac
U-Firebird Formula
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
K-403ci 4bbl V8 185hp
9-1979
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
146924-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
02B-2nd Week February
ST 79 2FS87-1979 Firebird 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY N776637-Norwood Body #
TR 12N-Oyster Vinyl
PNT 15L 15U-Platinum Poly
A51-Bucket Seats
CC1-Fisher T-Tops
BL2-Black Secondary Interior Color
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