Vehicle Description
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
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
