I never even really noticed but my 1989 L03 Firebird says "FIREBIRD/FORMULA" under the model. This is an Illinois title if that helps. The car had the L03, with a 700r4, 2.73 (i pretty sure) open diff , 15" rims, and a rear sway bar. The vin is 1G2FS21E0KL224580 (i hope thats safe to post, if not change it or let me know mr. moderator).

Personally i don't care one way or the other. Except that it might help me sell this car faster. If you asked me I would say this was just about as slow as you could make these cars without putting less than eight cylinders in it.

 

I believe since the Formula was an option,for 3rd gens,on the base model states tend to group them together.It's a similar situation to Camaro Sport Coupe and the Z28 being an option on it(my SC title doesn't designate Z28).

As for Formula content I'll leave that to Okfoz or another Firebird expert.But to me she looks like a regular Firebird(weren't 16" wheels part of the Formula package - door decal will tell what she originally had if it's still readable).Or the SPID decal on the glove box door or rear compartment in left rear will give content(make sure VIN matches your car).

 

I'm pretty sure that the Formula's were equipped with the WS6 suspension package, the 16" concaved rims, rear wrap-a-round spoiler and the offset bulge hood

But it definately didn't mean that it was fast!!!

 

Yours isnt a Formula. A formula in 3rd gen was basically a TA without the GFX. They still came with the wrap around spoiler like the TA, they had a unique asymetrical scooed hood like earlier TAs, they could be had in 305 TB, 305 TPI and 350 TPI. They were firebird-like in the inside options not having leather or power seats. But you could get fully optioned or basic. They had the WS6 suspension also. Also the wheels were like the 15x7 turbo techs the firebird and base TAs had, but they were brighter, 16x8s (front and rear offsets are different like GTAs) and had faux rivits around the edges. Also the silver center caps were unique to formulas.

 

Not all Formula's had wrap around rear spoilers or the Power bulge hood.I have an 88 here no rear wrap around spoiler(just normal bird spoiler),flat hood 305 TBI(originally) 5-speed trans black paint and F41 suspension.Has the origial Formula stickers on the car,left front bumper,doors and I think the rear bumper.Want a real easy way to tell???? Look at the sway bars.The formulas have the biggest you can get from the factory.The Formula was always the better handling car.This also holds true for 2nd gens also,they have bigger bars than the Z/28's.
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Also,yours could be a Formula........Maybe it was re-painted and the stickers weren't replaced.Measure your sway bars.

 

You can't tell by your VIN because the LO3 engine was available to both, the Formula and the base model bird. So you'd have to go by the options listed on the SPID label. W66 is the "Formula Option." But judging only by your car's exterior, it's not a Formula.
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Yes, from the factory, they did--all of them. But convertibles had the 'vert spoiler, similar to the base model spoiler.

 

this is what a Stock Formula looks like from the factory.

 

This one had a flat hood and normal spoiler.

 

The stock flat hood is in the garage.

 

I don't know,you decide.I'm no expert but the car is in my driveway.


RPO codes from the car.

 

LAFireboyd stated the Formula option code as W66.I don't see it on that SPID list.But if you look at the VIN it doesn't match the VIN you stated for your(it's the SPID for a '88 Firebird)) car so it's still a mystery.Also I'm not a 3rd gen Firebird expert by no means.


Edit:Opps I should pay more attention as that's Latrobefbody's SPID.Need to pay closer attention to the post's content and the poster.

 

OOPS! Looks like someone bought the sticker kit for a Firebird and made a Formula. Like I said B4...the aero-wing AND the asymetrical hood were standard on a W66 (Formula). 2 senerios. A wrecked Formula was fixed and they just found the cheapest replacement parts (base spoiler and hood which are a dime a dozen) OR a base Firebird with a sticker kit....which is what we have here.

 

Also to be a Formula am I understanding correctly that with the W66 option the WS6 suspension package was part of it?The SPID latrobefbody posted has F41 which is the sport suspension but for the base Firebird(similar to F41 for a Camaro SC,Berlinetta or LT).

 

As owner of a formula i can this- look at the spid sticker, if it doesnt have w66 (formula option code) it isnt a formula. Plus all formulas had the WS6 suspension LO3, LB9, or L98 engines. Cosmetically they got the bulge hood, 16x7.5 turbo rims, wrap around spoilers, and depending on the year "Formula" call out letters on the doors. The fender badge "Firebird" was deleted. They also had "Formula" decals on both the front and rear bumpers, and no ground effects. Inside all formulas got the rally instrumentation (tach, oil pressure gage, voltmeter). Thats about all i know- hopefully okfoz chimes in...
Derek

 

I checked to make sure the VIN on the SPID matched the VIN on the car to make sure I didn't have one from another car.They match.

I can admit i'm wrong.I just found this thread interesting when I was bored earlier.I read the replies and looked outside and thought it would be interesting to share my thoughts "I have one,no wrap around,flat hood".It says Formula never been repainted that I can tell and am a bit of a body man myself.

I was never really into the "history" part of these cars until recently.

Like I said,i'm no expert.Always went with the quick way to tell a 2nd gen Z/28 apart from a fake Z,look at the leaf springs and bars.Same with birds and formulas on 2nd gens.I just assumed this car was one because it has the huge bars front and rear,quick ratio box,"performance suspension" badge on the right corner of the dash and the decals(i know how easily it is to put them on a car).It all added up,but I did not know the fact that all Formulas had the power buldge and the wrap around.

So to anyone I may have caused chest pain to,sorry.

This is a learning experience,glad I opened my big mouth and put forth effort to jam my foot deep in my throat.

I have been soley a 2nd gen person up until 2 years ago when my friend pulled up in an 83 T/A and thought,got to have it.Well,I've had it for 2 years now.I have learned alot from this site.Alot of people with alot of info.

HMMMMMMM......should I dig deep and find out if my car is a T/A before I claim it is?

NAAAAAAAAAAAAAA it's a T/A.

 

Don't feel bad I've done it many times as it is a learning experience for all(case in point I did it in this thread).It's so easy for people to pass off a car unless you do your homework(I know dirty word but saves money)beforehand.This has gone on for years when cars change hands and they get modified and only certain models had specific items to distinguish whether they genuine or not(you mention 2nd gen Formulas and they are a good case as they "look" just like a base 'Bird/Espirit except for the hood).The old adage a question not asked is stupid because you don't learn.

 

I should have dug deeper,like decode the RPO's before opening my mouth.

I went by the 2nd gen way to tell quickly,I learned you can't use the "2nd gen way" on 3rd gens.

The VIN was on both doors and "other" places stamped on the shell.So the VIN plate and doors weren't swapped.

Base bird with nice options I guess.

Oh well,it's so rotted,but lots of nice parts.

That's why we call them "donor cars"

Hey coolram62.....remember talking to me late last year? I said you had a nice dog.

My wrong has been righted.