Here's a nice 1989 Firebird Formula convertible on ebay. Lots of nice photos, I'm saving them in my collection. The only thing that would make it better for me would be a 350 in it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Pontiac-Firebird-Formula-Convertible-ASC-1-16-/121091938527?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c31a458df

 

Drop one in, shortblocks can be made cheap, everything else can swap in

 

Nice car!

 

That's a nice car, to understate it. I don't think I'd let the fact that it doesn't have the 350 keep me from getting it, If I had the means.

 

I have a 89 formula 350, its light blue, gray interior, dark blue top.

 

Wish it was a 5-speed

 

I wish I was little bit taller, / I wish I was a baller / I wish I had a girl who looked good / I would call her / I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat / and a '64 Impala ...

 

Looks nice. But all I can think of is the stuff you can't see. Like rust (NJ) and leaks (more rust). Looks like it's had an injector swap?

 

Normal NJ rust would been seen on this car in the pix, I doubt this was driven in the winter or on salty roads. Its a 1,000,000 times better that the white 350vert that was in wisconsin as far as rust goes.
Inj swap, 134a clips holding pass door map pocket shut, tires and the front bumper looks like it has a bit of a gray tint to it. Not bad 4 a car that old..

 

I like that car alot and i think we would like all non 350 3rd gens if they had 350's in them lol

 

thats too funny, now i have to go to youtube and listen to that

 

Here is some stuff to get you going.

Ordered by Burns Pontiac in Marliton, NJ on 4-20-89
Burns Pontiac only ordered 2 cars, both LB9 Formulas
Car came originally with the tan top
ASC Sales Order Number: 10070
Car was shipped on 6-27-89 from ASC to Burns Pontiac.

John

 

To be honest, I do not see any rust in the normal areas, The bottom of the doors look really good, the rear wheel wells look good..

The only things that quickly I see are the following:
1) the ASC sticker is worn
2) Missing Plenum cover for Distributor
3) The dent in the Drivers Fender
4) The patches in the top over the driver seat.
5) It is missing the black rubber trim piece from under the center stop light (mine is the same way)
6) The front bumper does not match exactly, however keep in mind that this was not uncommon as the bumpers, mirrors & other small pieces were not painted on the car. They were either shipped in painted by the distributor or they were painted at the assy plant prior to assy.

John

 

I also see the plastic seat belt guides that screw into the front seat headrests, and the map pockets on both the drivers and passengers doors. I don't believe either should be there? Cool car, though.

 

My 89 formula 350 asc vert has both of those things.

 

So were the door pockets added by ASC? I've never seen a thirdgen with them before.

 

Its a 85-89ish firebird thing.
They went to a plastic cup holder/map pocket in 90ish-92.

 

My 89 Formula 350 has both of those things as well...

Also BTW, for anyone interested in this car, it was one of 2 1989 Formula LB9 with the tan top... Interestingly both went to the same dealer.

John

 

Posted from Thirdgen.org App for Android

 

I suspect that the pockets were some sort of option, much like the cup holders for 90-92. I have had several cars with them.

They were Not available on Camaro AFAIK.

IIRC, when you remove the door pad upholstery, you will find the holes in the cardboard backing for some years....

John

 

All the GTAs I have seen in junk yards and in person have them.

We also have different plastics around the handles. Not the square ones on the rest of the cars.

 

The pockets were on the GTA as well, but the rectangular pockets I have gotten them off of 1985 Trans Am's for example...

Further note: In 1987, the "GTA" or Ultima door panels were available on the Base Firebird and the Formula as well. For this one year the panels were available on the Custom Interior option. Keep in mind that there were 3 levels of interiors on the Firebird. The Base seats, which most Firebirds and FOrmulas have, the "Custom" which was similar to the base seat, but it had the extra seam leg support, was optional on the FIrebird and Formula, and Standard on the Trans Am and the Deluxe seats which was standard on the GTA and optional on the Trans Am.

With that said, I believe the pockets in 1987 on the Deluxe "GTA" interior panels may or may not have had the pockets. I looked at a V6 car with crank windows and the GTA door panels that did not have the pockets... I will have to check, but I believe that both my 87 Formulas with the Custom interior has the pockets.

John