1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula

A beloved symbol of 1970s car culture.  An icon of disco era design.  A redneck's red-letter regalia.  It's gaudy.  Garish.  Tacky.  Even vulgar.  And we love it.  This is the story of Pontiac's Screaming Chicken, the largest and most recognizable decal in automotive history.  Lost to time is the name of the man that first referred to the graphic as a “Screaming Chicken”.  The nickname came quickly.  By the late 1970s, even Car and Driver was using the label.  No doubt derogatory, over time the epithet has become one of endearment, although the brand's hardest purists still hate it.  That bunch landed on “hood bird” four decades ago and refused to budge.  Others go with “Rising Phoenix” or simply “Firebird.”  The ignorant usually refer to the massive flaming fowl as an Eagle or a Hawk.

For consignment, something only seen once here at our temple of classic hallways, an 80's Firebird Formula.  Yes, we hear and see the Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am's of yore and our share of 1990's models, but this mid 80's design was “Da Bomb” in this writer's opinion.  Restored to factory specifications by our consignor with a slew of new parts, this flip up headlight bird is sporting a mere 3,000 miles on the restoration, so don't let the reading on the odometer scare ya.  Read on now that I've got your interest.

Exterior
Bathed in repray of the factory correct black, I'm melting like a hot tire in the staging lane when I view this unique, hidden headlight version of the Formula.  Body matching neoprene for the front bumper and clean body matching flare-less rockers as we move to the rear of this beauty.  Here we see a greenhouse glass rear deck, and a spoiler on the trunk lid top.  On our way back I had to stop at the offset reverse scooped hood and smoked glass removable T tops, which have like new seals and is a nifty option to have.  On the rear, the horizontal flush mount strip of lighting and Formula decal badging sits just above the rear neoprene body matching bumper.  Now showing, the correct multi-spoke 16-inch wheels wrapped in all season rubber radials.  I think it's that long snout and hood combo I'm in love with.

Interior
Like new light gray velour broadcloth seats in high back bucket form flank a dark gray center console.  This gently rises to the dash where we see a black front dash with plenty of round inset gauges.  This is all fronted by an original steering wheel.  Within the console is the shift lever, handbrake, power mirror controls and window toggles.  An AM/FM/Cassette radio is neatly installed from the factory.  In back more light and dark gray velour broadcloth in the form of a split seat, (by the hump), and split back rear bench setup.  New gray carpeting is all around and is well protected by heavy duty rubber mats.  New door panels use the shades of gray along with some molded black plastic for the door pulls and actuator panel. There is plenty of room to throw your stuff in the fully opening rear greenhouse space, also covered in clean gray carpeting.  Up top is a new headliner that splits the factory smoked removable roof panels.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is the correct 5.0 Liter V8.  It is fed the precise amount of air and fossils via a tuned port injection set up with new fuel injectors, a new fuel pump and new fuel lines.  Bolted to the back is a T5 5-speed manual transmission with a new clutch and throw out bearing.  On the back a 10-bolt 3.08 rear axle is on.

Undercarriage
Some surface rust is noted in the usual steel structures, but new floor pans and rockers are rust free and have a wearing off finish of undercoat.  In front we note independent coil spring suspension, and on back torque arms with coil springs.  Completely new power disc braking is on all 4 corners, and a single exhaust with a Magnaflow muffler and dual outlets is now installed.

Drive-Ability
I'm ready to go on the prowl with this menacing bird as I slip inside bound for the test track.  Here it did well, with nice acceleration, good handling and bias free panic stopping.  All functions were working as they should and it was an overall good test drive which left me with a smile on my face…( Some I just say sheesh, but not this one!).

Now showing, fully restored with a 305ci V8/EFI, Magnaflow exhaust, and a new broadcloth interior this sinister black Formula version of the Firebird is an eye catcher and a performer.

1G2FS21F0KL263694

1-USA
G-General Motors
2-Pontiac
FS-Firebird
2-2 Door Hatchback
1-Manual Belts
F-5.0 Liter EFI V8
0-Check Digit
K-1989
L-Van Nuys, CA Assy Plant
263694-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 300 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.