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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
As far as the next generation, when I went to the TA nats with my 16 year old son he had two comments. 1) Dad, I don't like those cars with that off center bulge...why the heck they have that? 2) those ones with the pointy noses don't seem to look right with the body.
Now, I personally like the "bulge". I do. I am not a fan of dem girls with dem pointy noses though (bloom county reference - said with frat boys voice)
on the other hand I have been into classic cars long enough to hear that collectors like a more "pure and uncluttered look" with the best power and less weight - a more "purpose - driven" car with less weight. those enthusiast magazine comments perfectly tie to the 350 formula or a 305 with 5 speed go fast goodies.
Cars for years have had adornments, holes, bumps and all sorts of things to make them stand out. Take for instance the Hood and side louvers on the Trans Am Hood from 1985-1992, and the SE from 1985 & 1986. They are cosmetic for the most part, the heat extractors on the fenders are nothing more than flash, if they truly remove any heat from the engine or anywhere else it is so minimal.
This is true for the bumps on the 91-92 Z28, nothing more than 3D Eye-candy, the IROC louvers are the same way. The 93-97 Firebird, same thing, the little extractors on the hood were nothing more than solid pieces of plastic for artistic license.
If all cars were all function and all form then all cars would look like this:
As far as the next generation, when I went to the TA nats with my 16 year old son he had two comments. 1) Dad, I don't like those cars with that off center bulge...why the heck they have that? 2) those ones with the pointy noses don't seem to look right with the body.
Now, I personally like the "bulge". I do. I am not a fan of dem girls with dem pointy noses though (bloom county reference - said with frat boys voice)
on the other hand I have been into classic cars long enough to hear that collectors like a more "pure and uncluttered look" with the best power and less weight - a more "purpose - driven" car with less weight. those enthusiast magazine comments perfectly tie to the 350 formula or a 305 with 5 speed go fast goodies.
I personally love the power bulge hood. I'd love to make one to fit my Camaro.
I personally love the power bulge hood. I'd love to make one to fit my Camaro.
You could do it if you were a good metal-fab guy. Personally it might be easier to use a late 2nd gen hood bulge as it was flatter in shape than the 3rd gen version. The shape would be closer to the flatter Camaro hood than the sloped Firebird 3rd gen hood...
There was a truck, years and years ago, at the St Ignace car show that had a bulge hood cutoff from a late 2nd Gen Turbo hood...
I know the angles are different, where the 3rd gen is more gradual, getting wider at the rear, the 2nd gen is a little more angular. The 3rd gen starts almost at the front of the hood, the 2nd gen starts closer the center of the hood. IMHO the 3rd gen fits the hood better, the 2nd gen looks like it was just added on because they had to make clearance for the turbo..
I also believe the edges are sharper on the 2nd gen, the 3rd gen is more rounded and soft.
Heres a 1990 Formula 350 with less than 2000 miles. Pretty steep BIN price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-Firebird-Formula-350-/111775557038?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1a0657a5ae&item=111775557038
Edit: This car was already posted earlier in the thread but not from ebay.
Last edited by kymmee; 09-19-2015 at 11:11 AM.
Reason: clarification
I can definitively state that ALL 3rd Gens have been going up in price - even through the economic downturn in 08-09. For reference, here is a thread that I posted started 12 years ago:
I've been monitoring pricing since that post in 2003 and what I've seen has been a run=up in pricing. Actually, very similar to what was graphed earlier in the thread. While I was primarily focused on the 90- convertibles, I also observed 1LE, B4C, TTA, and Formula 350's.
For this example, I'll use the 90/91/92 Z28 Convertible - something in 'good' condition with around 50-60,00 miles on the clock. In 2003 you could pick one up if you looked in the right places for and asking price of $5500-6500 - something that I would consider the low in the market.
Since then, they have appreciated around $750-$1000 per year, mainly led by very low miles, very well preserved examples that have tended to rise all values. In 08-09 pricing was more erratic and might have dipped slightly, but it's rebounded well in the last 3-4 years. Asking price is now around $14000 for a well preserved example. I'd imagine they are selling for slightly less.
Some are higher (TTA) and some are lower (B4C) for sure. Maybe this has to due with the car being looked at as more of a weekend ride than anything.
well - i just put mine back up for sale. have an opportunity to buy some more equipment for my business. selling would make it easier. posted in the Firebird section and on eBay.
I would not think that $12K-$15K to the right person that really liked Blue would not pick up that car... If it was Yellow it would tug at my heart strings...
Why? The price he's asking is already a great price for this car. In today's market, I don't know why this hasn't sold yet, but if I had the storage, I'd consider this as a great bargain.
What few Formula 350's I've seen of any color and in this kind of condition, have been in that price range. Don't think they will be dropping much more. Put this in Mecum Chicago or other markets that 3rd gens sell well in, and I could see it get to 20k+.
What few Formula 350's I've seen of any color and in this kind of condition, have been in that price range. Don't think they will be dropping much more. Put this in Mecum Chicago or other markets that 3rd gens sell well in, and I could see it get to 20k+.
there were only a couple real nice low mile formulas i seen at the mecum auctions last year and they did ok i guess ..
1990 350 formula with 1,800 miles got up to 18,000
1990 5.0 5 speed formula with 15,000 miles got up to 11,000
I know, its hard to gauge. There are very few Formula's of low mileage that go up for sale at all! 305's seem to be around the 9 - 12K range and relatively common compared to 350's. You have to search nationwide to find just a hand full of 350's to even look at. The ones I've seen seem to trade at the 12 - 17 range.
Of coarse this is the asking price. It seems those that have them are willing to wait to get their number. And why not. With so few low mileage examples up for sale, I'd wait too.
Even though TA's are more popular and command a better price on average, those who want a Formula 350 know there are far fewer of them left to choose from. Most 350's I see for sale are either clones or have been driven into the ground and need restoration.
Most 350's I see for sale.. have been driven into the ground and need restoration.
Well, they weren't built for parking in a hermetically sealed bubble. The Formula is a driver's car. They're meant to be driven hard and they respond well to the abuse, considering...
I know, its hard to gauge. There are very few Formula's of low mileage that go up for sale at all! 305's seem to be around the 9 - 12K range and relatively common compared to 350's. You have to search nationwide to find just a hand full of 350's to even look at. The ones I've seen seem to trade at the 12 - 17 range.
Of coarse this is the asking price. It seems those that have them are willing to wait to get their number. And why not. With so few low mileage examples up for sale, I'd wait too.
Even though TA's are more popular and command a better price on average, those who want a Formula 350 know there are far fewer of them left to choose from. Most 350's I see for sale are either clones or have been driven into the ground and need restoration.
I just bought a '91 Formula 350 out of Omaha, NE with 12,038 miles on it for 10,500. Needs a little paint work on the roof from some toxic bird poop and replace the original tires but otherwise a perfect car. Everything works.
I just bought a '91 Formula 350 out of Omaha, NE with 12,038 miles on it for 10,500. Needs a little paint work on the roof from some toxic bird poop and replace the original tires but otherwise a perfect car. Everything works.
Better post up some pictures of it! Keeping the original tires?
I picked up an 88 Formula 350 w/ 74k miles on it for the wife for $5500. Paid $1100 to ship it to California.
Had been repainted the original color, wheels changed, but stock other than that. The interior has no major faults to speak of. Lots of detailing ahead of us, but the engine bay should clean up well. Replacing all the rubber / wear items. That's the original radiator hose.. lol
I picked up an 88 Formula 350 w/ 74k miles on it for the wife for $5500. Paid $1100 to ship it to California.
Had been repainted the original color, wheels changed, but stock other than that. The interior has no major faults to speak of. Lots of detailing ahead of us, but the engine bay should clean up well. Replacing all the rubber / wear items. That's the original radiator hose.. lol
I'm still running original hoses on my 89 formula and it has 240,000 miles on it. Even the SLP serp belt for the underdrive pulley has 200k on it. Think it has to do with the fact I open the hood when I'm done driving it.
On a side note, my cuz just picked up a 1 owner blue 91 formula, hd top, r6p, 305 tpi 5spd car with 64k miles and all the documents you could dream about for a steal of a price.
It hasn't sold because he's asking too much for it. Big difference between somebody's delusion and reality.
I don't think he's out of the ballpark... It's a great example, and you have desirable packaged Camaros selling for 20k+
Originally Posted by TTOP350
I'm still running original hoses on my 89 formula and it has 240,000 miles on it. Even the SLP serp belt for the underdrive pulley has 200k on it. Think it has to do with the fact I open the hood when I'm done driving it.
We did replace the serp belt already, as it was not OE, and splitting. Dayco brand (we put in OE Delco)
I'll keep the hoses for posterity's sake, but I don't want them failing in our high temp summers. The car will be driven a decent bit by the wife. Nice to know they can last, though.
09-17-2015, 07:05 AM
LOL !
