"Pontiac actually began working on their second generation just as
the first Firebirds were hitting dealer showrooms. From design to
engineering, Pontiac dominated the divisional rivalry, and this
time around the Firebird would be all Pontiac from roof to road.
The sexy new body was rooted in GM styling chief Bill Mitchell's
infatuation with Italian sports car design. GM chose heavily from
the rounded shapes of Ferrari and Maserati, and it showed in the
smooth flow of fender lines, the curved window glass and raked
windshield. Heacockclassics.com
For consignment, a 1970 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 with a title
verified 80,614 actual miles, however this statement is
questionable as the odometer is inoperable. Heacock continues, "For
those who preferred to have a muscular pony car sans the exterior
adornments, (of the Trans Am), the Formula 400 was just the
ticket."
Exterior
Back to its original color, this time in two stage application,
it's Castilian Bronze Metallic, named for the language spoken in
the north of Spain. In profile, this F-body demonstrates a slight
rake, just how we did it in the 80's, compliments of the staggered
sized 70 series tires, the rears more than two inches taller and
1.5 inches wider. They are on Pontiac Rally II wheels that provide
the right sport attitude. Up front, the iconic dual nostril
configuration rises from the hood and juts forward and some of us
find this more intimidating than a shaker hood scoop! In back, a
three piece spoiler perfectly formed over the latch panel which
itself has pinstriping to match the painted Firebird on the
spoiler. Imperfections include cracking in the paint including flex
cracking on the Endura, a few general inclusions and streaks, a
front fender ding, and a rough spot over the left marker.
Interior
A stitched black nylon insert dresses the F-body doors, with its
door pull, armrest, and on this car, window cranks and both doors
present nicely. The vinyl seats, including the front buckets and
rear 2+2 are covered with orange and black neoprene and cloth
covers, Firebird branded.Anodized orange spokes connect to an
orange stitched black steering wheel rim and fronts the woodgrain
dash with the typical Firebird layout, smart and easy to read and
with numerous small gauges to the right, sporty. A vacuum gauge has
been added and a more modern AM/FM/CD radio. The dash pad is black
and is cracked in several places while the glove box is bright
orange, matched by the trim of the Firebird mats over black carpet.
The shifter handle takes on a more vibrant red color, part of the
Hurst unit and resides in a chrome framed rubber boot. The trunk
has a plaid vinyl mat and also an orange and black fitted carpet.
Wire looms are also covered by orange and a Kicker woofer takes up
some of the floor.
Drivetrain
Orange yields to chrome, Pontiac blue, and polished components
under the hood where we find a gleaming 400ci V8 with 350
horsepower and a 4-barrel carburetor. It's mated to a period
correct Muncie M21 4-speed manual transmission that routes power to
the 12 bolt axle with 3.73 gears and Safe-T-Track.
Undercarriage
Clean conditions prevail underneath where dual exhaust runs through
FlowMaster mufflers and ends at bolt on chrome tips in back. Brakes
are distributed as front disc and rear drum and suspension consists
of coil springs front and leaf springs with traction bars in
back.
Drive-Ability
We fire the 400 up and roll the red ball handle into first to take
this onto the test loop and what we find is an engine that runs
well, good power on tap, nice handling, and of course, a
comfortable cabin provided by the F-body. We note the speedometer,
odometer and reverse lights are not working, but all other
functions on board work as they should, and another great bird
joins our flock! While Classic Auto Mall represents that these
functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot
guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your
purchase.
Plenty of Firebirds were built in 1970, but only 2,777 of them were
manual 400's, and this is one of them, or at the very least, born
with a V8! It's a nice example too with great color, a clean
interior, and a profile that was considered sporty without being
ostentatious or over the top. It's a fairly uncommon bird these
days and this one is ready for some more show and go.
226870N122960
2-Pontiac
26-Firebird Formula
87-2 Door Hardtop Coupe
0-1970
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
122960-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 70 22687-1970 Firebird Formula Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY NOR239376-Norwood Body #
TR 218-Black Deluxe Vinyl Buckets
PNT 67 67-Castillian Bronze
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.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price. All prices are before
state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of
state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and
fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the
vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible
for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer.
Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions
inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the
declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV
office to ensure compliance with your states titling and
registration process.
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!
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