One-Owner 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula

Description

From its beginning in 1967, Pontiac engineered the Firebird to be a driver’s car, and not only for drivers of the highest performing variants. John DeLorean’s performance requests for the new model filtered all the way down the base car, and everybody involved with the Firebird’s production wanted to deliver a holistic driving experience.

By 1978, late in the muscle car’s second generation, styling changes were limited to only slight revisions, like the 1978’s now-black grille surrounds. The T-Tops were still the Hurst design, featuring screwed-in plastic pieces that held up the headliner. Continuing through the interior, cruise control appeared on the options list, and an AM/FM radio with digital readout was offered, although it still had an analog tuner. On the other hand, while the similarly styled Chevrolet Camaro offered only nine paint colors, the Firebird palette grew to 14.

Firebird sales for 1978 saw growth from bottom to top, starting with the base Firebird and moving up to the Espirit, Formula, and high-end Trans Am. Formula models are the rarest, with only 24,346 sold — just under 13 percent of all Firebirds built that year.

The consigner of this example, located in Ontario, Canada, is the car’s sole owner. He purchased it new when he was a senior in high school, and in recent years the Firebird has been garaged and “driven around the block a couple times a year.”

Highlights 

• A rare, single-owner example 

• Powered by a Chevrolet 350 cu-in V8 rated at 160 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque 

• Finished in Ember Mist Metallic paint over White vinyl interior 

• Repainted in 1989 

• Headers and dual exhaust were added in 1984 

• The chassis number (2U87L8N194733) decodes as: 

  • 2 – Pontiac 

  • U – Formula 

  • 87 – Sport Coupe 

  • L – Chevrolet V8 350 4 bbl 160 hp 

  • 8 – 1978 

  • N – Norwood (Ohio) assembly plant 

  • 194733 – Serial number 

• Formula package (" ... for driving buffs who wish Sunday drives would last until Tuesday") includes: 

  • Optional engine upgrade 

  • High-back padded bucket seats 

  • Luxury Cushion steering wheel 

  • New interior with console 

  • Black accented grille 

  • Body colored sport mirrors 

  • Rally II wheels 

  • Rear spoiler 

 Features 

• RWD two-door hardtop coupe 

• Three-speed automatic transmission 

• Motomaster Turbo Lazer tires P255/60SR15 

• Wood dash 

• Concord AM/FM radio 

• 140-kph speedometer 

• 0-60 mph in 10.5 seconds 

• 0-100 km/h in 11.1 

• Two Firebird badges on dash 

• Cigar/cigarette lighter and ash tray 

• Rear defroster 

• Dome light 

• Wheelbase: 108.2 inches 

• Overall length: 196.8 inches 

• Width: 73.4 inches 

• Curb weight: 3,457 pounds 

 Known Imperfections 

• Multiple paint chips up front 

• Paint scratches above driver’s side headlight and on front fender 

• Paint scratches and peeling on rear bumper 

• Rubber seal under wipers is missing 

• Wear on steering wheel 

• Wear on vinyl seats 

• Corrosion on lower interior of passenger door 

• Corrosion on passenger door jamb dogleg 

• Rust hole on front underside, just behind the bumper 

• Small leak located between the motor and transmission indicates rear main seal may need to be changed 

• Air conditioner was removed years ago 

• Brake light is on  

• Checked master cylinder and found one chamber dry; refilled a couple of months ago and it looks to be fine 

• Exhaust may need work 

• Gas tank leaks from top of tank on start up only 

• Had bodywork done 35 years ago to repair damage above driver’s side front tire 

Included 

• New Vehicle Inspection document dated 10 October 1978

• Three original Rally II wheels with tires (cannot locate the fourth) 

• Spare tire 

• Jack 

• Delco radio 

• Turn signal lenses 

• Owner’s manual 

• Maintenance schedule 

• Color photo showing car when new 

Ownership History

This consigner of this 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula bought it new on 10 October 1978 from Pine View Pontiac Buick Ltd. In Woodbridge, Ontario, and he has owned it for nearly 50 years. The car runs and starts, and it is driven only occasionally around the block.