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Dude if you dont buy that car for 8 grand I will lol..thats a hell of a deal for a clean one owner WS6 formula 1LE...looking at the numbers there were only 3 silver WS6 1LE formulas made in 99...pretty rare if you ask me.
The 1LE on this makes it pretty rare. A lot of collectors prefer a regular old WS6 with full power options and that large rear spoiler. But there are enough collectors who want the M6 1LE that it doesn't matter.
For me, the power options that eventually fail can be expensive and a pain to fix. You won't have to worry about T-Tops leaking either. I didn't even take mine off this past year. Is this an AC delete car as well? Do note that the roof/sail panel paint on these cars are prone to bubble up in the warm weather. Something to minimize in the years to come. Leave it in the hot sun for hours and you'll bubble up that roof paint.
I'd say go ahead and mod. It may be rare, but who's going to beat you up because you modified a 19 year old car with 80K+ miles? But that's me... I don't normally peruse the what's it worth section. I'm sure those who do will disagree.
Considering this is about the pinnacle for performance and handling (and rarity) for a WS6 what's the need to modify it any? It's already lightened down by the factory, no annoying power windows to fail, Tremec T56 transmission, and 1LE handling. If the transmission is tight and quiet I wouldn't even consider touching the car for a year, until you get the real feel of it. That will take months. Many enthusiasts got the notion that more hp, beefier trans and/or rear end, and more suspension items means a better car. And far too often they turn a nice running factory car into a clunky pita car to deal with. If the original owner took car of this car, that transmission might just be mint. And that's a rarity by itself by 80,000 miles. There's plenty to be said for a rare survivor that runs beautifully. So give it a few months to figure out just how sweet or not the current factory package is. Rather than modify an extremely rare car, flip it down the road for a profit. Then buy another WS6/Trans Am/Formula that makes more sense to mod. I'd say 80-90% of the remaining cars are candidates. This one....not so much. It all comes down to how well the original owner maintained this car. How about an engine bay and interior photo?
The 1998-99's 1LE are the only true factory packages for this option. SLP later offered their own 1LE performance and handling package on SS Camaro's and Firehawks. Here's a thread on another original car that got modded with similar miles. So many changes, hard to say that's a 1LE any more.
That's my car. I understand your sentiment regarding the fact that it's a rare car. But, as also was said, it's got a lot of miles. So it was never going to pull big money like a sub 20k mile car would.
My feeling about the car is this. After having literally a dozen of these cars since 2005, all being average high build number Z28s or Trans Ams, I wanted something that was different.
However, the factory built these cars to be true performance cars, and it will always be that. This car will always be a 1LE. There are zero visual cues for the car to stand out compared to others. Frankly it looks like a v6 hardtop car with the WS6, badging, and wheels. Most that don't really know these cars never knew they existed, and think it's a 'fake ws6' as they're used to only seeing Trans Am's with this badging.
This car will forever be a 1LE due to the RPO decal, manual windows, and VIN that matches the record of the car for what it came with from the factory. Arguably, these 1LE cars are the perfect foundation to build the ultimate 4th gen to the pinnacle of modern performance.
Ranman24 - I hope you enjoy the car, and do with it what makes you happy. Should you ever decide to sell, the car should easily pull $12k minimum to someone that knows what the car is if it's as clean on the inside as the outside looks.
Also, I have started a pseudo registry for these cars on facebook. It's a closed group called "98-99 Pontiac Firebird Formula WS6 1LE Owners Group". PM me your name and I will look for you should you try and join. I started it to help track down these cars and locations, to see how many are actually still on the road.
I have never been a fan of the formula WS6 as I think they are somewhat unappealling but as far as rarity you found something pretty special here. The 1LE package is actually one of the only somewhat meaningful RPO codes from the 4th gens and not saying it's going to warrant much right now but if these cars ever reach any value point I could see that being a real niche. As far as price $8k for any 82k mile WS6 is a good price let alone a 1LE formula so I would say if you like it your certainly not going wrong. Personally some may disagree, but I think your doing very well with the purchase.
Sweet car, congratulations!!! Personally, I would keep it as clean and stock as possible. 82k isn't overly low miles, but in my opinion the rarity of that car more than makes up for the odometer if its in good shape. That's a keeper for sure!
Great find....
very cool and ultra rare car......I have never seen another RPO..1LE in person...Of any year....Firebird or Camaro....Have been keeping an eye out for 20 years
My 1997 1LE....
Special Ordered it .....Took delivery June 1997...100% original and unmolested..
Most so called car experts...Have never even heard of 1LE and seem to think it is aV6 Firebird with an aftermarket Ram Air hood......
Last edited by two lane blacktop; 11-27-2018 at 10:05 PM.
I hope this is just a weekend toy or 2nd vehicle for you and not your daily driver..this car is something special for a 4th gen fbody..just the fact its a Formula WS6 LS1 car makes it super rare let alone the fact its a 1LE...take care of this car and however you mod it, make sure you keep the original parts in the event you or someone else wants to put it back to stock. Chances are youll never come across another one again.
thx for all the responses yall.been out for awhile taking care of the wife after surgery.yall have awesome cars as well that posted pics.i'll get more pics of the awesome interior and engine soon
10-29-2018, 10:42 AM
