Hi,
I signed up on this site a short time ago looking for some ideas on local cars. Unfortunately I did not find anything in the area so I started to look nationally.

I finally found a rust free one in a southern state with very low mileage. Did the deal and had it shipped to CT. Its just a plain Formula with the 305 carbureted engine, 700r4 trans and T-Tops. The car only has 13 K miles on it. It had been in storage by the first owner for many years. Its a dream to drive, everything works as it should. New car smell is still there. Being a nit picker that I am, there are just a couple of things I need advise on. On the T-Tops there are some scratches on the black paint edging on drivers side, I assume from bad handling of the tops. Question one, does anyone know if there is a paint code for the black, semi gloss paint around the tops? And second, I want to remove the front marker holes, just hate them. Any suggestions on the best way to repair the flex bumper. I would appreciate any comments.

Louis

 

Car looks clean, where in CT are you? I'm in Newtown.

 

Congratulations! Nice looking Formula

 

Thanks for the comments guys. Purely I live in the Litchfield area.

Louis

 

Nice Clean Looking Car.

 

Very clean Formula!

 

I`m from CT too, did not think there were any 3rd gen left around here.
You got a real nice clean car. On the T-tops I painted mine used Rust Oleum
Satin. Taped off the glass and painted it looks like new.
Good Luck.
Al

 

Hello Al, Thanks for the suggestion. I have used that paint in the past for other things and did not think of it. I like its finish.

Louis

 

I've used the Rustoleum Satin black on the plow frame on my truck with great results, so it should be fine on your t-tops.

Noting the gray (interior matched) dash you have in this car - there is another discussion here on the board of that very topic.

 

Looks like a real fine car,........ Don't take it the wrong way when I go as far as calling it a "cream-puff" !!!!! Good to see that by taking your time you were able to find yourself exactly the car that you wanted. Congrats on your new-to-you Thirdgen !!

 

Very nice formula, have fun with it.
Nice to see a low mile sample.

 

Hi again,

Its interesting that there is a dash discussion. Can you give me a link to the discussion, I could not find it.

Thanks,

Louis

 

Hi John, Cream Puff works for me. I have not heard that phrase in a long time.

Louis

 

we should all try to get together for a cruise one day

 

That sound good if I ever finish my car. There is a car show in Durham May 21,

 

Its been many years since I have gone to the shows. I think it might be nice to get involved again.

Louis

 

Nice Bird! Congrats! I wonder if I saw that one for sale out there.. I was hoping someone would ****** it up..

Gotta love the low mile, original cars.. Congrats!

 

Hi 88,

Thanks for the nice words. There are several low mileage firebirds for sale around the nation. I was looking at one in Arizona, which by the way is still on Ebay. Its an 87 from Canada with kilometer speedo. It has 18 k miles on it. Gentleman has it for sale at 15,500 but will take 12, 500. Absolutely mint. The only reason I did not get serious on it is because it did not have the T-tops.

Louis

 

Well this one looks absolutely mint, and T-tops are more fun! Nice choice..

 

Nice car! Congrats!

 

Thanks Chaz,

Looking at the paint on this car, its amazing at the condition, not one mark or scratch. However, it looks to me like enamel. Doing research on this paint method, I find that the 87 was the first year GM used Urethane clear over the paint. And then for some odd reason they discontinued the urethane and went to another method.
I found this interesting article on GM paints of the 80's:

In the early 1980s, polyurethane enamels were developed. Polyurethanes feature a very hard surface and were initially developed for non-automotive uses such as aircraft. Polyurethanes also use their own enamel reducers and hardeners. Colors are coated with urethane clear coat after the surface was dried. Car manufacturers began to use acrylic urethane enamels to combat the effects of ultraviolet rays and acid rain. Polyurethanes are available as a two-part base coat/clear coat or as a single spray coat that has the clear added right into the pigments when the color is mixed


So now, I assume this is what I have.

Louis

 

The SPID tag should tell you what kind of paint you have.