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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
They've been trending higher over the last couple of years. Although these may be priced a little ahead of the market I think it's proof they are finally getting the respect they deserve.
I find it funny that the GTO of the 1960's was a stripped down Lemans, with the big engine, no real frills, and people just gawk over them. Formula of the 1980's is the same idea, but don't get the same attention.
I find it funny that the GTO of the 1960's was a stripped down Lemans, with the big engine, no real frills, and people just gawk over them. Formula of the 1980's is the same idea, but don't get the same attention.
That's because the GTO was a beautiful car. They dropped the ball on the 80s Formula with the black bumper pads. The 91-92 Formulas looked much better.
Much nicer without turbo style wheels and bumper pads imo. I think they got it right with the 91-92 Formulas. A lot faster with speed density TPI and lighter than typical Trans Ams or GTAs these cars should command a higher price
That's because the GTO was a beautiful car. They dropped the ball on the 80s Formula with the black bumper pads. The 91-92 Formulas looked much better.
Personally I would not consider the GTO as being "Beautiful" a 1966/1967 Riviera is a beautiful car, it is a design that has been copied time and time again without being duplicated. Even the 1967 Camaro was a smaller version of a similar profile.
I actually prefer the appearance of the 87-90 Formula over the 91-92, The long nose never really appealed to me as much, the 87-90 just has better balance. The Bumperettes that seem to be despised, if removed it just looks empty.
I will admit the late 60's early 70's generation you have there are my favorite... really don't like the 64 early GTO, just not my thing. The Fastback/psudofastback just looks good.
First one is in £ and that's from my bad math and memory is @30,000$ ....it alot more than 20,000$ anyway.
These cars in 10 years will be @100,000$ easy simply because Pontiac is gone and people who were kids in the 80s will have the money and want to buy one.
The white one was for sale in Maryland for a long long time. Awesome car but it had goofy pinstriping that replaced the formula 350 decals on the door. That dealer must have replaced them. I prefer the look of the 87 to 90 myself, would love a yellow 87 someday!
And to think I had trouble selling my 91 Formula 350 with 82K original miles for $2500. I had it listed for over a year and only had 2 people actually come to look at it. I will most likely just hang on to it at this point.
anyone noticed formula 350 with a 305? people are clueless
The car is clearly a Formula 350, I just think he took another ad and put it to this car. The ad states Formula 350 with 5.0 Liter engine... the VIN is a 350 car tho
The white one was for sale in Maryland for a long long time. Awesome car but it had goofy pinstriping that replaced the formula 350 decals on the door. That dealer must have replaced them. I prefer the look of the 87 to 90 myself, would love a yellow 87 someday!
I looked at both ads, neither of them seemed to have a pinstripe, unless I just missed it.
Of all the 3rd Gen Formula's, I do like the 91/92's the best. I really love the side view of the front that has that hawk beak look. That said, I really can't complain about the late 80s look. Both designs are beautiful.
I do agree on the rise in prices and lack of (availability) for original 5.7L Formula's. I've seen it for about 2 years. Lots of 5.0L's with replacement motors of 5.7L's out there, but few originals. Try and find a low mileage 91/92 5.7L, you can search country wide and only have a handful to choose from. Want a color other than Red, Black or White, you can search for months to find one in "Any" shape or mileage!
Although I like the Boat Tail version of the Riviera the best, John your car is just plain sexy! I've always loved the late 60's 70's Riviera's. Great driving cars and great designs.
I looked at both ads, neither of them seemed to have a pinstripe, unless I just missed it.
The white one had the formula 350 decals removed by the original owner back in the early 90 and it was painted on in a very 1990s script, plus pinstriping down the sides. It has since been removed and decals were reapplied. I have saved pics of it on my other computer I'll try to post them tonight. Same vin number.
The white one had the formula 350 decals removed by the original owner back in the early 90 and it was painted on in a very 1990s script, plus pinstriping down the sides. It has since been removed and decals were reapplied. I have saved pics of it on my other computer I'll try to post them tonight. Same vin number.
I don't personally have any idea where prices are these days but any vehicle is worth what someone will pay. Although I own an 89 IROC I have always liked the Formula 350 the best of all the 3rd gens. Comments regarding the GTOs and I think the LX Mustangs are apropos. Isn't that the core of a hot-rod? Even though I wouldn't consider a Formula "striped down" it certainly isn't the loaded up TA or GTA is it? I think it is a niche car and probably in the end will hold it's value very well. Don't sell em yet!
in the late 80's before I could even drive, I remember seeing a Firebird, Formula, Trans Am and one of my Teachers had a 1988 GTA. For a long time I could not figure out why I liked some Firebirds and not others, even when they looked about the same, Then I woke up and realized that the Firebird I liked the most was the Formula. It was not as Garish as the TA or GTA, but it was sporty. It just struck a chord with me and when I found my Yellow Formula I was delighted,... 9 3rd gens later, they still are my favorite design of any 80's car.
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If memory serves, a friend of mine and me went to look at a Formula 350, it was a Red with the silver lower. My Friend and myself both felt the same way about the Firebird line. We could not figure out why we liked some Firebirds and not others as much, when we got there we looked at each other and said, "It's the Formula we like." At that point we realized there was actually a different model.
I got my driver's license in 1979. Even though there were a lot of the old school muscle cars around the late 70's weren't very exciting for a car guy. In fact it was down right depressing. The 79 or 80 Mustang GT was the first new car that came from the factory with a Holley carburetor. That was exciting. A hint that maybe just maybe performance was on the rebound. Prior to that the only car I saw with "HO" on the hood was a Citation X11- ouch! I remember sitting in the 82 Firebird at the dealership thinking it was the coolest car I'd ever seen. The dash with all the Torx head screws looked like an airplane cockpit. The aero styling was futuristic. It was a little disappointing that the 350 had gone away but they almost had us fooled by swapping over to the liter sizing. 5.0l seemed to be acceptable and at least equaled the Mustang. I couldn't afford one at the time but my friends could. We were still chasing Mustangs and having a hard time keeping Daytona turbos in check. When they finally put the "Corvette" TPI 5.7's in them a few years later it closed the gap a bit but still, the TA's and the Z's couldn't quite take the Gt's. It wasn't until the Formula 350 came out that we were back on top. What many may not remember was the 80's was the rebirth of the factory performance wars and the Formula 350 was a player in it. Styling yes, performance yes, but it's this role in history that makes the Formula 350 the real deal in my book. Yeah, third genners aren't much when you compare them to the late 90's and todays muscle cars but to my generation they mean much, much more. Performance was back and we couldn't be happier!
Like you John, I was not really a fan of the ground effects on the GTA/Trans Am's etc. The look has grown on me for some models, but at the time I just really liked the clean lines of the Formula body. Just like the early 3rd Gen Corvettes, the designers just really nailed it for an aerodynamic style car. In my opinion, the designs compared to the best of the european coach builders at that time.
I think prices for clean low mile original ones is going up. But there are still some ragged out ones selling pretty cheap. I am glad I purchased mine when I did, almost 2 yrs ago. The popularity has risen. I got a lot of people stopping and talking to me at the Pontiac Nationals about mine. You know the story, "I used to have one of those, back in the day. I'm sorry now that I sold it."
The guy I bought mine from, wants to buy it back. But even selling it for a profit, doesnt interest me at this time. I like it too much.
Like you John, I was not really a fan of the ground effects on the GTA/Trans Am's etc. The look has grown on me for some models, but at the time I just really liked the clean lines of the Formula body. Just like the early 3rd Gen Corvettes, the designers just really nailed it for an aerodynamic style car. In my opinion, the designs compared to the best of the european coach builders at that time.
At the time? These cars still look good and modern (except the headlights) on the road.I even say these cars look better than Testarossa.Nothing built in the 80s rivals the look of the Trans Am...maybe Lamborghini even that lacked the aggressive front the Firebird has.
I think prices for clean low mile original ones is going up. But there are still some ragged out ones selling pretty cheap. I am glad I purchased mine when I did, almost 2 yrs ago. The popularity has risen. I got a lot of people stopping and talking to me at the Pontiac Nationals about mine. You know the story, "I used to have one of those, back in the day. I'm sorry now that I sold it."
The guy I bought mine from, wants to buy it back. But even selling it for a profit, doesnt interest me at this time. I like it too much.
Of course he wanted it back - that's a great car. I think we'd line up to get that if you ever offered it up for sale!
Like I said, it was used for reference, when someone mentioned that the Original 64 GTO was "Beautiful" I disagreed and said that other cars of the era were more "beautiful" and used my first car as a reference. Just like the 87-92 Formulas are "beautiful" in my opinion. I also like the late 60's & early 70's Lemans Based GTO's. Everything was in context. The discussion was not about the Riviera...
to ME This is not a beautiful car, it is a good looking car, but I would not classify it as being "beautiful"
I agree. Many revered cars from the 80's fall into this category for me. So many of the car designs in the 80's were into sharp and drastic edges along with unusual shapes for that modern look. Cool yes, interesting yes, but beautiful, only once in a while.
My buddies and me are getting real well known
Yeah, the bad guys know us and they leave us alone
I get around
Get around round round I get around
From town to town
08-11-2015, 07:43 AM
the VIN is a 350 car tho 
