Just bought a 1999 Trans Am and when we pull up the VIN# it says that it is a formula. What does the formula stand for? Was it anything to do with performance or was it just a trim? Maybe something else???

Thanks in Advanced.

 

i beleive its a trim. would really like to know for sure so ill be checking back to see what others say.

 

Just means it was ordered with the V8 option.

Firebird = V6
Formula = V8
Trans Am = trim package
WS6 = suspension upgrade

 

 

too bad formulas did not come with the ws6 appearance package like some v6's did...

 

WS6 was available on formulas and trans ams, they all had the LS1.

 

What he said......

 

Thanks everyone. Mine acutally has the WS6 trim. It has the trim peices, the hatch, and the ram air hood.

Thanks

 

the formula was the v6 body with the v8 under the hood and could come with the ws6 package. They are hard to find if yours was converted to a t/a that makes me a little sad as a proud dumdumdumdumdum ws6 owner

 

technically wouldnt it be better to have to formula body with the v8? less weight without all the trim pieces?

 

The trim pieces and hatch are actually just a T/A trim package. The WS6 option adds larger wheels, ram air hood, specific tuned suspension and a few other things.

 

I don't think there is much of a weight difference so it's mainly just personal preference.

 

True from '98-'00. The Formula WS6 was discontinued in '01.

 

I've always looked at them as the 5.0 LX of the Firebirds

 

The weight difference is negligable at best. Most people would agree that the Trans AM appearence (especially w/ ws6 hood) is more aesthetically desireable.

 

Formula! What what!

 

Hm... pics? Please? Formula WS6's are beautiful.

 

this is it when i got it (last friday). the wheels are made by pacer but i havent looked at the size...

 

I like my Trans Am.

 

Judging by the pictures I would say your car started life out as Formula, which is the V8 Equipped Firebird. It looks like the previous owner was in the progress of changing the car over to a Trans-Am WS6. It looks like he couldn't find the right wheels so he tried to get something similar.

Look inside your door on the sticker and see if it says WS6 anywhere in the code, if it does then your car may have been a WS6 Formula. If it was it would have looked like a Base Model Firebird/Formula with ONLY the WS6 Hood, not the hatch, ground effects, or both front and rear bumpers.

Or the most logical explanation for all of this, is that when you ran the VIN it came up as a Firebird Formula-Trans-Am, which is most likely how it showed up. This is how the car is officially named, so it may show up on your insurance like this as well. If that is the case, then you do in fact have a Trans-Am.

Sorry if I confused you, just tryin to help!