Jschick

Hi there i have recently acquired a 1970 pontiac firebird formula, The rare part is what the former owner told me. He told me that this formula has a 3 speed manual shifter that was supposedly a factory do and that this car is one of 14 made that year has anyone ever heard of such a bird. I have done some research and i know that the formula came with a four speed manual shifter and the basic bird came with a 3 speed manual but i am pretty sure that he didn't lie to me (he is a friend of mine) but if you had ever heard of such a car or know the production numbers of a 3 speed formula please let me know. If it is really a rare car i will take the time and money to restore her. Thank you.

I may have pics soon

eseibel67

iTrader: (10)

You have a rare car. 15 made according to this website:

http://www.transamworld.com/fbird-history-php2.php

NC01TA

Not according to the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. On page 609 the book states that 1970 Formula 400 models came with the 400 ci 4 barrel producing 265 HP and linked to a three speed hurst floor shift. Total production of this set up was 2,777. Certainly not rare but not common either. Total production of the Formula was 7,708. Don't forget they also made a Firebird Esprit that year too with a 350 ci V8 and 3 speed manual as well. I hope you didn't pay a premium for that car.

EchoMirage

iTrader: (3)

might be 'rare', or moreso unpopular, but it doesnt make it worth anything more. a 3sp certainly isnt a desirable trans. its a base model, low performance option. if it came with a factory M22, THAT would be rare and way more desirable.

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

I'd just tell everyone you have an uncommon car

What was your original plans for the car?

Jschick

My original plans were to fix her up and sell her or if it was a rare car just sell her for a collector to restore or even keep her for my own prized possession

Jschick

Thank you to all who posted i am no longer in the dark on this car and i do believe that this is in fact a rare car but i want to take the vin no. somewhere to be confirmed as a rare car (this due to esebial's comment and site confirmation) but where would i go to get such info from the vin and i know that carfax is useless for this information does anyone have an idea where i would take this car vin

69LT1Bird

iTrader: (1)

Go here and get the information.

http://www.phs-online.com/

mannyman84

iTrader: (2)

if its a classic its rare...

1CAMWNDR

iTrader: (21)

Remember, rare doesn't mean valuable or desirable or restoration worthy.

EchoMirage

iTrader: (3)

its amazing how many people dont realize this

LS1W66

The hole in this statement is that the Formula was only avilable with 2 different 400 engines. One rated at 330 HP which was the base engine and the other 345 HP which was the Ram Air III engine.
The 265 HP 400 was a 2 barrel engine and was most likely optional on the Esprit NOT the Formula.

Jschick

O.k so i have one more question for everyone. Is this car worth saving she has a lot of rust and has been parked for a long time I'm getting that she is rare and that she is a classic but she worth saving? Opinions anyone?

EchoMirage

iTrader: (3)

no.....its not 'rare'. its not going to be worth ANY more then a TA of the same year. its a BASE MODEL transmission.....the LOW PERFORMANCE option. its nothing special, nothing so 'rare' and valuable you can restore it and put 5 kids through college from selling it. you dont have a 69 TA or 73 brewster green SD. this is the kind of car people use for parts, or to cut up and modify to their own tastes.