Finntroll

Hey how ya guy's doin. My first post here as I just traded one of my vehicles for a 1989 Firebird Formula 350. I was just wondering a few things about the car that I can't seem to find. Did all the 350 TPI come with WS6 package?

What is the difference between a "Formula" and a "Formula 350", i'm assuming its the engine and 350 is the biggest. Also I read somewhere on these boards that not many Formula 350's with factory t-tops were made. Mine has T-tops. I'm just wondering overall about the rarity of the combinations in my car. I don't know jack about 3rd gens, i've seen many similar year firebirds and formulas and NONE of them have the denoted "Formula 350" decal on the door, only "Formula". Any information or numbers would be nice. I practically stole this car for what I paid (it didn't run upon receiving it and all it needed was a fuel pump). I don't think the people who sold it realized what they had so hit me back and let me know! Thanks alot.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

All Formula's came with WS6. The Formula 350 door badges were only used from 87-90, 91-92's just state Formula regardless of engine. The only difference between the Formula/Formula 350 was the engine, however the L98 required an additional performance package which included parts that wouldn't have been required on the 305. The 305 could have the package added, but it wasn't standard equipment.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... TTops + 350 is nice, but it's not 'oh my god, call Barret Jackson' (Rare). "Rare" is a buzzword for idiots and bench racing. In the numbers these cars were produced there really are no rare thirdgens. Also, since GM didn't keep track of option combination production numbers, there's no way to whittle down a relative rarity of options.

Generally speaking, most thirdgens were at the lower end of the expense scale. The cheaper the options the more common the car, to a point. People like comfort and luxury, so those options aren't unsual. Complete option delete cars are pretty uncommon, the same as fully loaded, higher sticker price cars. So for 1989, your most common Firebird would probably be a base model with either a 2.8 or 305 V8. A Formula or Trans Am with the base 305 would be a little less common, a Formula or T/A with a 305TPI more uncommon. The most unsual 89's would probably be GTA's with the L98, or the TTA. Formula 350's for 89 would be more common then the GTA because they cost less and were popular.

Have fun with the car, if it's in decent condition and hasn't been molested it'll have a decent value and it definitely has collector potential due to being a fairly high performance car for the time period.

okfoz

YES, and you should have the N10 Dual cats in 1989... Although some of the early cars may not have had the N10. Technically ALL Formulas & GTA's from 1987 - 1992 had the WS6 as standard equipment. Also they would have gotten the Performance gear ratio. YOur car should have:
- 3.27 gear,
- G80 Ltd slip diff,
- N10 dual cats
- J65 4 wheel disc brakes
- MK0 4 Speed Auto
- KC4 Engine oil cooler
- WS6 Perf Suspension
Yup, you got it, The Engine. Basically its a throwback to the 70's, when they had Formula 400, Formula 455 etc... Basically its the top engine for 1989 Except for the LC1 Turbo which was on the TTA Pace cars...

The ONLY number I have heard of on the 1989 Formula 350 cars wqith T-tops is about 1030 or something... In reality I know there were 42 made into convertibles by ASC, unfortunately there is no other breakdown, Pontiac & Chevrolet does not release "Option combination sales figures" When you consider that there are about 20 options, if you were to do the breakdown for each possible combination it would be in the Millions, so it does not make sence, the trees are grateful. As another note only 1989, 91 & 92 The Formula was available with T-tops and a 350. Although some 350/T-top cars may have been made by Pontiac, they are Far and few between in 1987, 1988 & 1990... NONE have been confirmed in 1990.

For the most part the 350 Formulas are probably the most unusual for the Formula line, in 1991 & 1992 however the "350" was no longer on the doors, the decal was located on the hood. In contrast From 87 - 90 the Formula 350 should NOT have a hood decal with 5.7 Litre.

Visit my site, there is some info you might find interesting there: http//www.3rdgenformula.com

Finntroll

So I payed 600 bucks for this car and it didn't run. The people who had it we've known since it quit running 3 years ago and they didn't know crap about cars and tried fixing several things to no avail. We asked several times if they wanted to get off it and they always said no till finally just last week they came down hard up for cash and wanted to sell it. Now that it had been sitting we figuired its gonna need more than the engine work. So for 600 bucks cash they walked and we pulled it down to the house and jacked her up. Put a new fuel pump and filter in the car and got the old gas out of the lines and it fired right up.

It came with some 120-130 mph rated tired, not sure if they are stock or something someone put on them but they run about 120 dollars per tire where I live also. It dosen't need anything major, the big point was that it didn't run so they figured it was a lost cause. Little did they know when we cruised past their house to the gas station. So I guess the point is, is this car gonna be worth building up and putting TLC into? It has minor things wrong, we've already delt with the "major" things. New fuel pump, cap, button, plugs, brake line, calipers. Interior is fair, body needs painted from sun damage eventually. Is it worth my money?

okfoz

I think its worth fixing up, nice ones are becoming hard to find... Especially cars that are well optioned like this one appears to be.

Depending on the actual condition, AND if you do the work yourself you could probably re do the entier car for around the current market value. For $600 I would have been all over it, I have done that before with Formula 350 cars that did not run...

To give you an idea, I purchased a Formula 350 - 150K miles, pretty beat up, I don't think a panel was not dented or scratched. It did not run. $700.

I got it running for around $600, did some other things like headliner, front brakes etc. And then sold it for $2200... THis car was pretty rough around the edges, I could have held out for more, but I did not want to mess with it any more.

John

Drew

iTrader: (58)

It's hard to judge value from a description. You don't mention the mileage. A few snapshots would also help. Depending on the condition it could be worth a premium. A fairly clean, average mileage, Formula with glossy paint and the options you have is a $3,500-6,000 car. Considering everything you definitely got your money's worth.

stuba

Huh... I wonder if my car is worth as much as how you guys are talking... Its always nice to know you got a good deal, like me!