Hello, new member here!

I believe I have an early production 87 Formula 350. My car is all stock and has very low mileage. This is my second B2L 87 Formula 350 and I love these cars.

Looking for some production info:

VIN: 1G2FS2181HN227141

Any good websites that break down all of this info?

Here are some questions I have:

What sequence number did Pontiac start with? ---This would allow me to know if I had an early production car or not.

How rare is the color yellow on 87's (mine is yellow)

What color is the rarest?

How rare is it for the car NOT to have power door locks and windows?--Mine only has an upgraded factory stereo and a rear defroster.

How many 87 Formula 350's came out of the Norwood Plant?

Where is Norwood?

How many 87 Formula 350's (B2L's) were built?

 

The problem with a few of your questions is due to Pontiacs (and GMs) poor record keeping.

Cannot tell you:

how many of a certain colour and how rare they were

how many Formula 350's were built

How many low option cars were built.

Now yellow is pretty rare and so is a car with few power accesories. We just can't give you any numbers.

Norwood is in Ohio though

Now quit teasing and post a picture!

 

Thanks for the responce.

Years ago when I had my other 87 Formula 350--I called GM and spoke to a woman in the Pontiac devision. She told me that there were two thousand "and something" Formula 350's build in 1987(she gave me an exact number). I don't recall the exact number but I think it was in the 2400's. This makes sense as they built a lot of 305 cars both 4bbl and TPI.

I was pretty certain the lack of power options was pretty rare as nearly all of the 87 Formula 350's I see have power doors and locks.

I know how to post pictures but I no longer have a good site to upload pics and link from. Any recommendations?

I have had some way more expensive sport cars than my 87 Formulas, but I've yet to drive a more forgiving (easy to steer with the accelerator petal) car that begs to misbehave.

I'm shocked there is not more info out there on production numbers. Strange.

Thanks, again.--Dan

 

Norwood is in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. My Formula was also built there. I got to tour that plant near the end of the '86 production year. Pretty cool.

My Formula's sequence number is lower than yours, and it's a "late" '87, built in late December, 1986. So yours is likely also a "late" '87 too.

Some "early"/"late" identifying characteristics that I know of are: "early" '87s got the side bolt valve covers and the coil-n-cap distributor like the '86 and earlier model years, and "late" '87s got the center bolt valve covers and the side-mounted ignition coil like the '88 and later models(that's important to know when ordering spark plug wire sets--non-HEI and HEI). There might be other differences, but I don't know what they are.

I'd think it's pretty unusual for the car to have neither power windows nor power door locks. Both were part of an option package, but each was deleteable. However, since most cars were ordered by dealers, they were likely to load the cars with options and probably wouldn't delete those items. Option deletes and 5-speed trannies were more likely to be customer-ordered cars like mine.

I spec'd my order, and I deleted the power door locks, but I kept the power windows(those were just too necessary, IMO). I'd have deleted the A/C and cruise control too, but my dad had a FIT over that, lol, so I ordered them. I knew I'd never use either, and I rarely have. I've always wished I hadn't ordered them.

As for production numbers, I think you'll have better luck finding info from books in bookstores.

And as already stated, I believe yellow is the least common color that was built. I'm sure okfoz will chime in about that one.

 

..

 

It came back as valid

1G2FS2181HN227141

Made in: United States
Manufacturer: General Motors
Model Year: 1987
Make: Pontiac
Carline Series: Firebird
Engine Code: 350 CI V8 B2L/L98
Restraint System: Manual Belts
Assembly Plant: Norwood
Production Sequence: 227141
Carline Code: F-body
Body Type: 2 Door Coupe
Check Digit is Valid

 

fmandan--its real esay to post p[ics on this site--you can upload from your computer directly on this site. Look further down when you post a reply and you'll see "attach file" on the left hand side.

If you got info from GM all the better--give them a call again.
You can get your car PHS documented as well.

Books are (mostly) useless. Many have incorrect or incomplete info.

Camaros have a great book called the "Camaro white book" It breaks down how many of an option were sold.

Firebirds have a "Red Book" but all you get are the option costs--not how many were sold.

I kinda wish I had waited and bought a 3rd gen Formula---but they are really hard to find in Canada. And I only would have went with the 305 TPI/5 speed.

But then again--my car is very rare too and its yellow!

 

Sunstorm yellow Formula 400

 

If you haven't already, checkout okfoz's website... www.3rdgenformula.com

It has some historical information.

 

Thanks guys--Yes I have looked at 3rdgenformula.com--the site as some useful info and its well organized.

Here is a picture (lets see if this works)

 

Some of you may remember the car when it was for sale on Ebay. The auction ended and it didn't sell. I then contacted the seller and we agreed on a slightly lower price than what he was asking.

Also, I like the fact that it looks identical to the below advertisement:

 

BEAUTIFUL! Any pics of the interior?

That's the exact car I'd like to own.. with a T-56 swap

 

..

 

That car is just beautiful

 

can you take a picture of the VIN for us? perhaps it's just got some rust on it.

 

There's no way this is an Van Nuys car, the paint is too perfect on it

 

Thanks for the positive words guys.

I am picking the car up on the 26th of July, so I don't have any way of taking a picture of the VIN at this point.

There shouldn't be any rust on this VIN!

I have been searching for an 87 Formula 350 with low miles for a few years. I found a few, but this one is exactly what I wanted.

The car has about 4000 miles on it.--Yes 4000.

At this point and time I plan to keep it stock and make sure its everything I remember it being. I am actively doing research on which bolt-ons are best--but I will only mod the car if I'm sure I plan to keep it for many years. --And the mods would be very mild at best.

For now its a Bone-Stock Weekend-Only Toy.

I'll take more pictures and post them when I take posession of the car.

--Dan

 

All I can say is damn thats nice! I remember that car on ebay

 

#1 Welcome to the boards...

THe Formula...

I do not have exact production numbers, but Yellow seems to be one of the rarest colors for the Firebirds. In 1992 there was only 26 either Formulas or total Firebirds made, either way its not a common color. In 1987 Since Pontiac has never officially released the info the numbers are not available.

THERE IS HOPE: I was talking to a Pontiac person who was into some of the Historical stuff at the 2003 T/A nats in Dayton, and he said that Pontiac has the info, they have all of the Vins, associated with the RPO's but have not put it in electronic form to decode how many of each were made. I asked for a copy He said no-way would Pontiac release all that info. I tried right?

Your questions:
The production number starts at 200,001 Chevrolet starts at 100,001. You have the 27141th car off the line at that particular plant. As a side not I just purchased a Formula 350 that has production number of 16692. To give you some perspective, car number 46234 was shipped on 06-24-1987 from Norwood, OH. Firebird car number 30810 was shipped on 06-26-1987 from Van Nuys. I own both of these and have the dealer invoices. If you get a dealer invoice (used to be free, but was abused and now is $50) it will tell you about some of these things.

Again, back to the above pontiac file problems the info is NOT released... I would guess between 500 and 1000 of the Yellow beauties were made in 1987, but its ONLY A GUESS. in 1988 it is much more uncommon, and I would guess less than 500 were made, as I am knowledgeable of about 6. Yours would be about the 20th 1987 Yellow Formula that I am aware of, which of course meanse nothing in the end.

As far as Formula's (87-90 vintage) I would have to say Silver, I have seen only one, I would have to chased the guy down, but he was going the opposite way on the expressway at 70 Mph. Silver on T/A's and GTA's seem to be a little more common, as I have seen several of them. AS for Total production, keep in mind that Yellow was a Formula only color for 1987 & 1988, and there were probably less yellow Formulas made than all the Silver cars put together.

It was obviously ordered to be built for speed not comfort. Again, the exact number is N/A, speculation would be a guess and it is difficult at best to get a reasonable number.
Unknown, I can tell you that a total number of 53,013 Firebirds came out of Norwood, and 35,610 came from Van Nuys.
Ohio, near Cincinnatti
How many 87 Formulas had certain engines
We know that ONLY the Firebird came with a V6, (Formula, TA & GTA did not have this engine option) So we can eliminate 34,914 Firebirds having a V8, leaving 7638 Firebirds with the LG4 (The base firebird was not available with TPI)
That leaves 18322 Formulas and T/A's with the LG4
According to a now dead link, The T/A & GTA's combined had the following production: 12,402 5.0L (LB9) and 7818 5.7L (L98)'s That leaves:
5667 Formulas had the 5.0 (LG4) 4bbl
3931 Formulas had the 5.0 (LB9) TPI
3562 Formulas had the 5.7 (L98) TPI

12655 T/A's with the LG4
9124 T/A's with TPI 305 or 350

The info was taken from several web-sites, I checked the numbers with the "Standard Book of FIREBIRD." The numbers seem to be pretty close, since the book used precentages instead of actual numbers.

any other questions?

John

 

Wow...all I can say is Thank you. It sounds like I may have found someone who likes these cars more than I do!

Seriously, I've loved these cars since the day my best friend bought his 87 Formula 350 off a used car Ford Dealer in 1995. Now, this will be my 3rd Formula 350. (my second--87).

Here is a quick look at my First 1987 Formula 350:

 

And a quick shot of my 2nd Formula 350:

A 1991 Formula 350.

 

Oops... Here it is:

 

have you ever thought about checking into seeing if that is your car in the advertisement? thought it would some thing cool to check into. also NICE CAR!!!

 

that looks just like this one I found for sale:

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...y&cardist=1740

found my Firebird Redbook.

13,129 Formulas were made in 87.

11,380 5.7 TPI were put in GTAs and Formulas (I assume regular T/As as well)

Pontiac should get their *** in gear. If they have production breakdown info.... Publish it already! Chevy has done a much better job in that respect.

 

Oh yes I know of that car...

The link above will take you to a very clean car owned by a guy named Bernie. I actually called him already about his car before purchasing my Yellow Formula. Bernie is the original owner and still has the window sticker etc for the car. It's a great adult owned 87 Formula (in my fav color no less)and its located in WI near Milwaukee. This guy is a top quality guy to deal with --or at least I got that impression when speaking with him. --Dan

 

That looks just like the car I just bought a little better condition... but same colors, 1 of 416? I wonder where HE got his info...

John

 

Ya, I'm not sure about his 1 of 416 claim. Well, actually I am sure he is mistaken. Nevertheless, a really nice guy. --Dan

 

I guess I have to ask, 1 of 416 what?

It could refer to almost anything, the number of Blue Firebirds or Formula's I guess... I know it s not the number of Formula 350's because that was originally set at a limited production of 1500 units, the cap was later removed, because of such good sales.

Or maybe it is the number of Formulas that were loaded, with the 350... who knows.

John

 

this is a little late, but i just read the post... im curious, was the Silver/blue color along with the medium charcoal grey rare for formulas? I have yet to see another formula with my color scheme (exept for the one on the top left corner of this page) as my car. i have seen solid maui blue cars, just never the two tone... i think it is a very nice color just curious as to if it was rare and about how many other cars have it as well. thanks for your input,
Derek

 

Most of the 88 & 89's in the Maui Blue seemed to have the stripe, there were not a hole lot of 1990's made so I cannot say for sure if I have ever seen one in the color.

The Stripe was standard on Formulas from 87-90, it was deletable for a credit of $60 or so, and most people opt to have it removed when they re-paint the car, just because its an extra expense.

I also know that the dark charcoal color on the white and yellow cars is about $100 per quart, and that did not include the clear coat & primer, it has pearl in it.

John

 

Here is one:

 

wow that looks nice, but is missing that lil red stripe inbetween the blue and grey, but very nice indeed, thanks for the info okfoz

 

The stripe changed over the years... I think the Maui Blue stripe was originally Blue/Gray/Black in 88. (88 was the first year for Maui Blue). In 89 & 90 it went to a silver fade type of stripe.

that is a pic of an 88


JOhn

 

Well scratch off one silver formula mine was originally silver and was probably fairly unique from what options it had. Silver, 305 Tpi, 5speed, 3.08 drum rear, performance sound option, Ttops,16 inch flat faced formula wheels, no rear defroster,no power locks, no power windows, deluxe interior.