Is this a rare Formula??
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Teching In
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Is this a rare Formula?? Being into Turbo Buicks most of my driving years, I must say I dont know much about F-body's. WIth that said, I recently gained an interest and a neighbor of mind offer for sale his 88 garage queen original owner 43k Formula to me. He says its rare because it has the stripe delete(no Formula 350 decals, no two-tone paint, solid white car), radio delete, no power windows, locks, or rear defrost. Car is absolutely perfect in every way. However, he says he wants more for it because its a "low option rare car". Is this really a rare bare-bones car, or was he just too cheap to get the power options, stripes, and radio? Just wondering if hes trying to take me for a ride. Also, if it matters its a 350 auto car with hardtop.
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From: St. Clair Shores Mi.
Ask to see his paper work on the car, then look for 1LE/Autocross suspension information if it has this then it is a rare car. Most 1LE cars are 5.0's with a 5spd but they did make a few 350 Auto's from what I have seen.
I'm not an expert with 3rd Gens but most 1LE cars will not have A/C radio or any power options not sure about decal delete though but anything is possible.
I'm not an expert with 3rd Gens but most 1LE cars will not have A/C radio or any power options not sure about decal delete though but anything is possible.
1LE was not available as an option on Formulas in 1988. If I remember correctly, they didn't offer it on the Formula until 1991, but offered it on the Trans Am in 1988.
Also, from what I can see in the stats, if you had a L98 in a car in 1988, that only came with an auto tranny and a hard top. There aren't any stats listed for manual transmission L98's in '88... and I believe I remember the dealer telling me that when I test drove a GTA in 1988. I was but inches away from buying a yellow Formula 350 in 1988 and was going to buy it until I got my insurance quote back (it was more than the payment).
Excluding the Trans Ams, the Formula 350 was the top of the line option, and getting one as a stripper... well, that probably is a fairly uncommon car.
But personally, I would get the VIN and run it by Pontiac and see what THEY say it originally came as. Deleting the stripes and changing the paint would be pretty easy to do... but if I remember correct the two-tone paint was optional, not standard.
Also, from what I can see in the stats, if you had a L98 in a car in 1988, that only came with an auto tranny and a hard top. There aren't any stats listed for manual transmission L98's in '88... and I believe I remember the dealer telling me that when I test drove a GTA in 1988. I was but inches away from buying a yellow Formula 350 in 1988 and was going to buy it until I got my insurance quote back (it was more than the payment).
Excluding the Trans Ams, the Formula 350 was the top of the line option, and getting one as a stripper... well, that probably is a fairly uncommon car.
But personally, I would get the VIN and run it by Pontiac and see what THEY say it originally came as. Deleting the stripes and changing the paint would be pretty easy to do... but if I remember correct the two-tone paint was optional, not standard.
Last edited by DrEvyl; Jul 15, 2007 at 12:59 PM.
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Needs documentation If the mileage is true and can be verified you are looking at a pretty rare survivor as only 13,475 Formulas were produced in 1988 according to the Standard Catalog of Firebird by John Gunnell. Most were automatics (85% of all Firebirds that year) and no options (of the type you describe) are listed for the specifics of that car indicating it might just be a stripped down factory order. Look for the 140 mph speedometer which apparently was standard in all 5.0 and 5.7 engines. The Formula Body/Style number for 1988 was FS2.
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Teching In
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Thanks guys, car is an Auto with the l89 and has the 140 speedo and hardtop. He showed be the build sheet and it did indicate radio, ac, and stripe/two-tone delete. Car was definately not repainted, and if it was it was the best repaint ive ever seen as far as covering tracks is concerned. He really has no reason to lie to me, I just wanted to make sure it was something special. Car has a verified 43k on it and is pristine, garaged for its entire life, all rubber seals good, not a drop of oil from tranny or engine. Thanks again guys, Im going to see if I can find an expert that can verify all of this for me.
It is unique, but those cars aren't very desirable on the collector market unless it is a 1LE car. Most true collectors prefer less than 5K miles, I wouldn't classify that car is a "gotta have" type car. I had a red 88 Formula hardtop that was also not two-tone.
Tony
Tony
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Teching In
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Thats what i figured, there really isnt a huge market for any third gens, except for the 20th TA (definately holding on to mine) and the 1LE, which I have only ever seen a handful for sale. Im going to think it over, if I decide to buy, Ill post some pics of it
BS. They just didn't offer that wonder T5 transmission with the 350. I'll never forget my first test drive in a 1988 GTA while I was in high school. I don't know what that salesman was thinking.
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From: somewhere that doesn't get snow
Originally Posted by Zero4488
Am I correct in saying that they didn't offer the 350 in a t-top? Or is that just some BS I was fed?
also there were 350 GTA verts, although its a rare find because you had to trick GM to get one...
All the cars that GM sent to ASC for conversion to convertibles were 305 T-top cars...... but you could order a car with the 350 and t-tops (t-tops were mandatory for the convertible conversion) and then once the car came in @ the dealer you could then say "oh btw, i want to make that car a convertible" and for around $7000 more than a t-top GTA 350, you'd have your convertible GTA 350. i heard 50 or so of these were made...
heres one i found on autotrader
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=440
