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In the end it was 20k. The car was disassembled and was stripped to bare metal. The only spot was w rust was the bottoms of the doors. New metal welded in and sealed. All the glass was removed. New glass less the hatch was put in because the old stuff had some scratches. New door hinges were also done. The car was originally red so everything was painted. It took 5 months. The guy who did it only does resto/custom work, no collision. He told me because it is gloss black he was coming to make it perfect. He did. It's like a mirror. I couldn't be happier w it. Everyone who's seen it in person is blown away. Even under the hood is gloss black. I got quotes from 7k-25k. I'm glad I went w this guy. He initially quoted 17k and went a little over. In the end I'm super happy, it looks better than I was expecting. It came out perfect. He even put a slight rubberized coating on all the areas that can get stone chips from the road.
I have to say, talking w the paint and interior guys throughout this process was eye opening. The body guy had a 60 Porsche that he said was gonna be almost 200k in body alone by the time he was done. There was a 60s suburban getting started that was just a body on the floor. He said it was minimally 100k in body alone. I had an interior guy make me door panels to match my carpet/seats. He had 3 Porsches and a 29 Rolls Royce phantom(paint was 400k!). He was making new interiors for all of them. One Porsche was brand new @1.4m. The owner didn't like the all black interior w yellow stitching. So it was getting a new interior w black stitching for 70k.
Ive seen similar numbers w fabricators.
The truth is, these people are extremely skilled. Their skills come from hard work and years of experience/education. The knowledge and skills they have enable them to do what they do. The jobs they do are desirable to people and worthy of the financial compensation. I'll be honest, I was surprised w the prices but once I saw the process and end product I got it. And, materials are expensive.
I have to say, talking w the paint and interior guys throughout this process was eye opening. The body guy had a 60 Porsche that he said was gonna be almost 200k in body alone by the time he was done. There was a 60s suburban getting started that was just a body on the floor. He said it was minimally 100k in body alone. I had an interior guy make me door panels to match my carpet/seats. He had 3 Porsches and a 29 Rolls Royce phantom(paint was 400k!). He was making new interiors for all of them. One Porsche was brand new @1.4m. The owner didn't like the all black interior w yellow stitching. So it was getting a new interior w black stitching for 70k.
Ive seen similar numbers w fabricators.
The truth is, these people are extremely skilled. Their skills come from hard work and years of experience/education. The knowledge and skills they have enable them to do what they do. The jobs they do are desirable to people and worthy of the financial compensation. I'll be honest, I was surprised w the prices but once I saw the process and end product I got it. And, materials are expensive.
Paint and body work definitely isn’t cheap, especially if you demand quality work. We’re restoring my Dads 72 240z and he just spent about $3500 for having partial quarters and rockers repaired followed by about $9k for prep and paint. This was done by a guy I went to high school with so I’ve known him for 35 years. He owns a reputable custom body and paint shop and I felt like he gave us a really good deal. Car turned out great. He has a couple cars in there right now getting upwards of $50k in paint. It ultimately comes down to how nice you want it to look and how deep your pockets are!
Paint and body work definitely isn’t cheap, especially if you demand quality work. We’re restoring my Dads 72 240z and he just spent about $3500 for having partial quarters and rockers repaired followed by about $9k for prep and paint. This was done by a guy I went to high school with so I’ve known him for 35 years. He owns a reputable custom body and paint shop and I felt like he gave us a really good deal. Car turned out great. He has a couple cars in there right now getting upwards of $50k in paint. It ultimately comes down to how nice you want it to look and how deep your pockets are!
wow, pretty impressive, my quote was 12 to 15k, guess it's not that crazy
1991 Pontiac Firebird Formula 5.7L V8 TPI (350 cid / L98) engine with auto THM700R4 (hydra-matic 4L60) transmission.
The first owner bought this car from Hallet Pontiac-GMC Truck dealer, in Miami / Florida in 1991.
He bought the car as a new one with the Kobel Predator Ground Effect Kit installed by the dealer.
The salesman was Gene Miller, they did a good deal.
I am the second owner and I have owned the car for almost 25 years.
Last edited by Red-Devil; Oct 10, 2024 at 06:59 AM.
My ride. Pontiac Firebird Formula 350.
This is authentic matching numbers car;
Vin, engine, transmission, rear axle, etc. numbers are authentic.
Body is also very clean for mileage and year.
Well maintained motor/transmission and engine makes great oil pressure.
The car runs perfect and the a/c blows cold.
Will cruise without any shaking or pulling.
No leaks under the car.
The underbody is also without rust.
All electrical equipments works, Hatch Pull down, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, etc.
Everything works in this car and there is nothing wrong with it, and the best of all, the car is accident-free.
Let's take a deeper look at Formula 350.
All the original papers are stored, such as Owner´s Manual, Maintenance Schedule, Warranty and Owner Assistance Information, all the original keys including the VIP Credit Card Key. The Owner's manual is also on the C-cassette, for listening when driving.
Original VIP ”Credit Card Key”
Have you seen this before?
Is it a well known product?
Operating instructions are on the tape for Pontiac Firebird Formula and Trans Am GTA by Pontiac Division.
Original Owners Manual is also on the C-cassette for listening when driving.
Is it a well known product?
Have you listened it before?
Last edited by Red-Devil; Oct 13, 2024 at 07:24 AM.
Let's take a deeper look at Formula 350.
Car is in excellent shape.
Interior is also in nice shape.
Seats are great and also the dash is clean, not cracked.
Interior is grey cloth, not torn or sagging and it is super glean. I would rate it at a 10.
looks great! MO bird! Are you close to STL? Heard about Firebird fest put on by I55 firebirds?
Yeah I'm in the STL. No I haven't heard about the Firebird Fest. It's been about 9 yrs since I owned a 3rd gen. I just got this one a couple weeks ago. I've owed 6 of them over the years. 7 if you include my 88 IROC Z. The 91-92 Formula is my favorite.
Just put on my new Hawks GTA 17's wheel and tire package. I haven't put the acorns on the lug nuts yet need to drive it first and re torque. Little more beef on the bun than factory 16's.
Last edited by johnc9909; Apr 2, 2025 at 09:45 PM.
Reason: spell check
Just put on my new Hawks GTA 17's wheel and tire package. I haven't put the acorns on the lug nuts yet need to drive it first and re torque. Little more beef on the bun than factory 16's.
Did the same with one of my 92s. Lowered about an inch or so
