I’ve always loved Pontiacs, GTO’s and Firebird’s specifically. I’ve built a pretty decent collection but there are two or three that have been hard to find and this past year I finally found one of them.

My first 3rd gen was a flame red metallic 87 GTA in college- my roommate and best friend had a black ‘88 Formula 350 that was always faster than my GTA. We both loved yellow cars; he had a yellow 76 TA in high school and I had a yellow 65 Grand Prix. While we both loved our cars, neither compared to a yellow Formula 350.

Over the years of collecting I pick up more and more F bodies. First a red 95 Firehawk, then a 79 TATA, then an 89 TTA, 86 Iroc, 91 TA convertible and so on and so on. Lots of badass cars- still never found a solid 87 or 88 yellow Formula 350. They were all rusted or junk. I even thought about building a clone.

Last year right before the TA Nationals my dad found it one in Indiana. Low miles, 350, ran and drove- let’s go. We decided to check out the Formula and hit the TA Nationals.

the car was extremely solid, interior was fantastic, but the paint was several shades of yellow. Fenders, fascia, headlights, spoiler…..all different shades of yellow (love that 80’s GM paint!).

Still, the car was solid. Very solid. We struck a deal and the car was on its was to Houston.

After getting the car it just didn’t run well. A new set of south bay injectors and fuel pressure regulator fixed everything.

then it was time for paint. I took it to a friends shop and begged him not to let it sit. Within two weeks the car was done! Brought it home, put new decals on it and damn she looks good! Not crazy fast, not even in the same world as my wife’s Hellcat but it takes me back to a much simpler time in my life which I love.

I’ve replaced all the missing interior pieces, next up is to do something with the exhaust. I have a spare TOTL for my 95 Firehawk that I think would look right on this car.

 

That, good sir, is a beautiful car.

 

Well thank you, I absolutely love it!

 

Very nice story, amazing collection of cars!! And a beautiful addition to the fleet. So question... your Texas, so how much did you enjoy the TA Nats? I know over the years there have been a few Texans that came. For the folks reading, would you strongly recommend everyone with a love of Birds try to attend?

 

Great find and refresh 1965gp.

With all your Pontiacs, are you a POCI member? Would love to hear your thoughts on the Nats also. I've been several times, including last year.

 

I am a member of POCI, my grandfather started me on that when I was 15 and got my 57 Pontiac Chieftain- a tri power two door hard top. I think I am just over 30 years with them now. I used to go to the convention but the last one I went to was in Dallas and I was really disappointed.

there are two absolute must attend Pontiac events.

the Trans Am Nationals are great- awesome show with factory stock and modified cars. The Tipp City cruise the night after the show is actually better because it is so well attended. It’s probably 2-3x the size of the show.

the other is the Ames Tri Power Nationals at Norwalk. Biggest Pontiac event there is. The ohc 6 group meets there, the Firehawk group meets there as well as the Fiero group and the Nostalgia drag cars.

I cheat a little because my dad lives in Dayton so both trips serve multiple purposes. I usually spend a week working on his fleet of cars.

 

That's awesome. I've always enjoyed learning about automotive history. So to me, it's worth the cost of POCI membership just to get the Smoke Signals magazine. I missed out on being a Pontiac enthusiast while there were still Pontiac magazines in print. I've learned so much from reading Smoke Signals, and it has really made me a MUCH bigger fan of the Pontiac brand than I ever was before. Being involved with my local POCI chapter has been great too, giving me lots of good excuses to get the car out and enjoy it, and I have met a lot of local Pontiac Motor Division retirees who are in the chapter. Haven't been to a National convention yet, but intend to hit one before I die (it on my bucket list).

We've attended the Trans Am Nationals twice before with the car, and one other time as spectators when I didn't want to take the car. We were there last year, and will be again this year. Tipp City is great, the new get together at the mall was pretty darned nice, and I always enjoy hearing from the speakers they have. We added a day to our trip this year, and will be adding one more this year. Met Herb Adams, Bill Davis and John Shinella last year. When I saw Bill and John at Tipp City and they gave my car a thumbs up and spoke with me about it for just a few minutes...man, there was nothing that could have made me more proud. I recommend the T/A Nationals to everyone interested in Firebirds.

I have heard good things about the Ames show at Norwalk, but I've never been. To be honest, that strikes me as a more hardcore Pontiac crowd, and I was never quite sure how welcome a 3rd gen with "corporate" power would be.

Will you be at the T/A Nationals this year?

 

I’m going to try to make it this year. So far I am open that weekend.

Noewalk is great and I would not be worried about taking a third gen- it’s a very welcoming group. I would suggest flying to CLE and renting a car and checking it out.

the Smoke Signals magazine continues to get better and better. A couple times POCI and GTOAA held their conventions together, it was amazing both times. Huge turn out and many, many ultra rare cars. They should really do that every year.