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Father/Son 89 Formula Project

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Old 10-02-2016, 02:42 PM
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Father/Son 89 Formula Project

So my son came home with an 89 Formula. Rough is a nice way to put it. As neither of us are mechanics, looks like we will learn together (I learned a couple things on a '47 Ford with a flathead with my old man, difference is he knew what he was doing)!


Nice racing stripe! See the dip your car sticker on the windshield? It should have said don't dip your car if you are a dispsh!t

Hope to show progress on this as we go. It could be slow - he is 15 and I am putting his sister through college. Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas are welcome. This is really a blank slate

Last edited by miterry; 10-02-2016 at 02:50 PM. Reason: more to add
Old 10-02-2016, 02:44 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

More racing stripes
Old 10-02-2016, 02:46 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

Took out the carpet to see the floors, pretty solid overall.
Old 10-02-2016, 03:05 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

Good luck with your Father Son Project,
but correct me if I'm wrong, your car appears to be TA not a Formula.
Old 10-02-2016, 04:00 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

Originally Posted by mantaguy
Good luck with your Father Son Project,
but correct me if I'm wrong, your car appears to be TA not a Formula.
The front fenders were replaced at some point with TA fenders. My son likes them, so the ground effect holes will need to be filled.
Old 10-02-2016, 06:00 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

Being a formula guy myself, I'm fairly sure its a base firebird and not a formula. Even though a title may show it as a firebird formula, that's because they use the same vin prefix.
Either way, good luck with the project!
Old 10-02-2016, 06:09 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

Originally Posted by TTOP350
Being a formula guy myself, I'm fairly sure its a base firebird and not a formula. Even though a title may show it as a firebird formula, that's because they use the same vin prefix.
Either way, good luck with the project!
What would indicate that?
Old 10-02-2016, 06:13 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

Obviously anything can be changed over the years but the flat hood, base rear wing, and no performance suspension emblem on the pass side dash are base bird items. I can't see the swaybars or which rims came with.
If the RPO code decal is still in the center console look for W66 and WS6, then you'll know you have a formula or not.
Old 10-02-2016, 07:35 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

I've seen worse cars then that, I'd say it's a solid base, and a great way to spend some weekends. Everything I know about cars, I've learned from firebirds. Learned how to change a tire when I was 18, now (8years later) I'm doing an auto to manual swap.always learning new things and it's a skill your son and you will both have forever. Good luck with it! Looking forward to seeing the progress.
Old 10-02-2016, 08:05 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

Welcome aboard miterry!

Solid floors are half the battle. Best of luck to both you on this project.
Old 10-04-2016, 08:37 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

Congrats! I wanna come by and check it out some time!
Old 10-08-2016, 01:36 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

Located in Cheshire, just let me know. Always like seeing what other folks have and sharing ideas and info. If you are in the neighborhood, pop in.

Have to say, both my son Alex and I are learning a lot from this forum and its members, really liking the third gen community!
Old 10-08-2016, 01:37 PM
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Re: Father/Son 89 Formula Project

I will have to learn how to make the darn pictures smaller. Probably easier than the bird - but nowhere near as much fun.
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