1973 Pontiac Firebird

1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 350 The Formula was a street machine from the start, designed that way, and the enthusiasts knew it. When the Camaro dropped its top of the line Z28 model, Pontiac Firebirds continued to gain a large support base and to be produced. The second generation Formula continued in production through all model years, (1970 to 1981). A small but loyal following quickly grew up around the Formula namesake, elevating the model to cult status among enthusiasts and performance advocates. Thx goingfaster.com   For consignment, a 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula showing 165,621 miles, but the true miles are unknown due to a title exemption. This is a one family owned car, presenting with its numbers matching 350 and numbers matching Saginaw 4-speed manual transmission.  Exterior The Endura nose starts off the color palette, which is paint code 29, Admiralty Blue, here in two stage application. That nose is quickly upstaged by the twin nostril intake on the hood, a feature that likely was the catalyst for many Formula purchases and continues to be. These scoops rise from hood and taper back to eventually blend with the flat plane of hood and louvered cowl. The F-body profile was so good, it lasted from 1970 through 1981 on the Firebird, characterized by the long nose, short rear overhang, long doors, and sloping rear window often terminating a deck lid that becomes a rear spoiler. A pair of sport mirrors are body colored and straight polished exhaust tips are reserved for the Formula model. A screaming eagle denoted performance, so they put one on each fender, while 14-inch Ansen Sprint wheels add to the sportiness and wear 225/70R14's with a late 2022 date code. The paint and metalwork are quite good here with imperfections noted as some color difference and more metal flake in the hood which is also misaligned leaving a large gap up front, paint runs at the character line near the wrap around chrome bumper in back.  Interior Swing open the long doors and find black vinyl door panels with decorative stitched borders and storage pockets in very good shape, followed by tall bucket black vinyl seats looking nice and in the back, sporty 2+2 seating is in good shape with molded side walls that lack the usual ashtrays. The familiar Firebird performance steering wheel is up front, leading not to a spun aluminum dashboard, but a woodgrain covered panel in this, the more civilized sports car. It houses just the speedometer, the fuel gauge, and idiot lights in the round. The stock AM radio is in place along with an 8-track player just under the ashtray. The center console houses the Hurst shifter and the cover, the plastic indicator plate, and the shifter itself are in excellent condition, as is the black loop carpet and stitched headliner above. The trunk is barren and clean. Drivetrain Under the hood is a clean, numbers matching rebuilt 350ci V8, rated at 175 horsepower and fueled with a 2-barrel carburetor. It's mated to the numbers matching Saginaw 4-speed manual transmission sending power to the 10 bolt rear axle with 3.08 gears. The car has A/C, power steering, and power brakes and the engine bay presents as original. Undercarriage Stock looking and clean underneath where dual exhaust flank the driveshaft and run through stock style muffler before exiting through bevel cut chrome tips. Power disc brakes are up front and power drums in back while suspension consists of coil springs and leaf springs, front and rear respectively. At some point, the underside was coated and it resulted in a clean presentation.  Drive-Ability We're F-body fans around here and dual scooped Formulas always get our attention! The 350 starts quick, idles smoothly, and sounds great. On the test loop, it exhibits good power, straight tracking, F-body handling, and on point braking. On our checklist, we note the reverse lights and clock are not working, but all other functions operate as they should. While Classic