Original 400/4-Speed: 1970 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400
While the Trans Am was the acknowledged performance king within the 1970 Pontiac Firebird range, the Formula 400 offered buyer excellent bang for their buck. The Formula outsold the Trans Am by more than 2:1 in 1970, although the situation would reverse dramatically as the decade progressed. This Formula 400 presents exceptionally well and comes equipped with one of the most desirable drivetrain combinations. It appears to need nothing but a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Gilbert, Arizona. The bidding has raced to $34,099, with that figure falling short of the reserve.
The seller purchased this Firebird approximately two years ago, becoming its third owner. It had already led a relatively sheltered life. They describe the rare, special order Coronado Gold paint as 8/10, suggesting it is of good driver quality but not to show standard. It still shines richly, with no evidence of significant flaws in it or the panels. The Pontiac has spent much of its life in a dry climate, meaning rust is not a consideration. The panels are clean, with the same true of the floors and rails. The seller added 15″ Rally wheels to lift the appearance further but includes the original wheels and dog dish hubcaps. A new grille recently found its way onto the car, while the remaining trim is as tidy as the rest of the exterior. The glass looks spotless, with the Formula making a positive first impression.
The positive news continues when we turn our attention to this Firebird’s mechanical condition and specifications. The car features a 400ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes for those wishing to combine performance and comfort. The V8 should produce 330hp, allowing the Formula to cover the ¼ mile in 14.3 seconds. The engine bay presents impressively, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. It seems the second owner treated the 400 to a rebuild, adding new brakes and a clutch. The seller installed a new dual exhaust and a Posi rear end, wrapped the Rally wheels in tires from the good folks at BF Goodrich and rebuilt the original carburetor. The Firebird drives as it should, with no issues or vices.
The seller didn’t spare the cash with this Firebird’s interior, meaning the successful bidder won’t need to spend a dime. They stripped away the seats and carpet, adding sound deadener before fitting new seatcovers, door trims, and carpet from Legendary. The headliner was in good order, so they left that untouched. The effect is impressive, with the interior looking close to showroom fresh. The original gauge cluster made way for a sports set with a factory tach, there is ice-cold air conditioning and a retro-style aftermarket stereo and speakers. The seller states the speedometer is out slightly, as is the tachometer. Otherwise, everything functions as it should.
The impressive presentation and rust-free status of this 1970 Firebird Formula 400 enhance its desirability. That it is 1-of-2,777 to feature the 400/4-speed drivetrain in a total Firebird production of 48,739 accentuates its relative rarity. It appears to need nothing and should provide a new owner with a satisfying motoring experience. I expect the bidding to pass $40,000 comfortably, and with values climbing, I think that $50,000 is within reach. If it passes the reserve, someone will drive off into the sunset in a car that will turn heads wherever it goes. Could that person be you?
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Comments
IMO one of the best looking Pontiacs made, certainly the F cars…..not hot on int/ext color, put 69 trans am colors on it and wouldn’t get much better…..
It’ll look deadly w the dog dish caps. If only it had no spoiler, to go w those steelies , perfecto.
Great Poncho 👍
15 years ago this was a $5000 car. Though the owners over the years basically rebuilt it? No way would I pay $50k for this thing.
A slight over statement……maybe worth 10K 15 years ago but not 5.
It’s in pretty good running condition and body is straight and interior pretty good.
I paid $1550 for an unmolested well-documented Esprit in need of quarter panels and a paint job, circa 1995, the body work and paint cost $2500, so for about $4000 I had a car that looked brand new and had no issues for the next 4 years when I then sold it for $6500.
So yea, 20-25 years ago these maybe could be found for $5000, but not a Formula with AC and 4-spd, in this condition. I looked at a RA-III version of this came car, a high desert car that needed minor body work and paint and door seals, and that car went for about $20K in summer of 2020. Prices have gone way up since then I haven’t seen anything comparable for under $30K.
Love the color .Sharp car.One of the best looking firebirds especially w/ that hood imo.
I’ve got this cars twin brother
Although with a black interior
Interested in how much it goes for
The black interior with the gold exterior must really pop, this tan and brown interior, not so much – Still a beautiful car though
Nicely done.
The fiberglass hoods on these were a work of art . Had a friend that had one with this drivetrain and it was scary fast . He had a 3:90 rear gear that helped greatly.
That is a beautiful car, nicely presented. Formula 400 was my favorite Firebird. I was not a fan of the graphics on the T-A.
Formula was the sweet spot in the Firebird line-up. Most all Trans Am power configurations were available and the underpinnings were almost identical as well. Ordered in a drab color and without the rear spoiler, they were true sleepers. As they started as base level Firebirds, they were less expensive than the TA as well. Great cars, GM screwed up royally when they closed the Pontiac division.
GM made a good money making decision. Government told them they had to get rid of some divisions to get that bailout money.
BUICK is the #1 selling car in CHINA where there’s a Billion drivers.
In the 1930s the Chinese Emporer rode around Beijing in a big black BUICK. NOBODY had a car then, they all rode bycicles.
So Buick is looked at in China as a prestigious car!
PONTIAC outsold Buick in the states but what corporation would want to lose all those sales in China??
Apparently not a company beholden to the Federal Government and by extension, the Chinese. Just the idea that the Chinese revere the Buick brand, which has been on life support in the US for 25 years is suspect.
Buick r actually made pretty well in the last 10 years or so according to surveys of quality/reliability that I’ve seen.
And, they’re exciting as a mud puddle. But, the US is turning into a generation of car haters. So I guess that’s to be expected.
I like some Buicks, some r pretty qiuck…..I like the Regal look.
ha
Ha what? 😄
Don’t be shy now!
The color’s not for me, but gosh darnit is that thing pretty. The fact that it’s a 400/4 speed makes me think I could live with the color. Beautiful piece of American rolling artwork.
I think Pontiac hit a home run with the Formula 400 Firebivv GB mmm I’ll rd. The Pontiac F body has hands down, imo, the best looking side profile and from the front with those twin intakes.
Love this car, altho the gold isn’t my favorite. I bought a 1970 Formula 400 w/4 speed in 1971 with approx 10k miles, and still miss it! Mine was Carousel Red (some said it was orange)with black vinyl, Ralley wheels, no rear spoiler, 3:55 gears, factory guage package in woodgrain. Still miss that car, altho the body rust issues (due Pa. winter road salt) nearly broke my heart!
I had the same car but mine had auto and no air.It came with dog dish hub caps and later bought American Racing 10 spoke aluminum wheels. Bought new Firestone Wide Ovals for them and kept the originals.Also bought Recaro seats,Momo steering wheel, and Stewart-Warner trio gauge packages,to replace idiot lights. I had to sell it and 2002 Collector Edition Trans Am when I had to go into a nursing home. Didn’t have title to the 1970 Formula 400 so I sold both for 15,000 cash in 2018.Glad I enjoyed going on the Hot Rod Power Tour with it every year with it, and even got in the 2011 issue of the Oct.issue of Hot Rod,with a picture of a guy with a Camaro pace car and the guys from Meguiars Wax in their red Covette,used in their ads.Hightlight of my life getting in Hot Rod magazine,after being on every HRPT since 1998 when I bought a Sport Gold Trans Am,which I sold to get the 2002 CETA.