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#1
08-02-2015, 08:16 PM
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70 Formula 400 Build: The Sequel
I bought another Formula 400 a while back. I had been looking for another car, (although I was not planned on buying another project), but when I stumbled on this one, I couldn't say no. You just don't find them like this too often anymore. The car was all together when I saw it, but it had a mid 70's 400 in it with a dead hole, so the car had been sitting for about four years.
I bought the car "as seen" in the pictures below. I then bought some additional parts from the seller, including a complete 1970 Firebird 400 engine (WT code) which date coded perfectly to the car. The engine had previously been rebuilt, although I don't know exactly how many miles its been since the rebuild. I also purchased a set of original (not repop RA exhaust manifolds, a correct 7040563 carb, a 70 Formula air cleaner, a set of 14 inch rally II wheels (generic codes) with like new radial t/a's, and a bunch of other parts needed to make the car as correct as possible. For now my plan is to get the engine swapped in so the car is running, then swap out the incorrect parts as I go. The seller is a heavy duty mechanic and engine builder, and since he has a pretty well equipped shop at his house, as part of the deal I am doing the work at his place and he is helping. Therefore I have not brought the car home yet, although it is getting close. Just like my last Formula, this was built in Norwood but sold new in the San Francisco bay area. Not my favorite color combo, (Palomino Copper with dark brown interior), but at least the car is well optioned. Last edited by eaglesan13; 08-02-2015 at 08:24 PM. |
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#2
08-02-2015, 08:18 PM
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More pics. Correct 1970 only hood and core support, correct early fenders and fender wells. The fender wells, hood hinges, and alternator have been chromed
Last edited by eaglesan13; 08-02-2015 at 08:29 PM. |
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#3
08-02-2015, 08:19 PM
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The interior is in pretty decent condition, although it will need a little work. Check out color on the tach, the red line is not faded much at all. Deluxe inerior and deluxe seatbelts. The odometer reads 64K miles, which the seller said is original.
Last edited by eaglesan13; 08-02-2015 at 08:27 PM. |
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#4
08-02-2015, 08:22 PM
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The jack assembly (including the correct short lug wrench) was still in the trunk. I also got the original JS code rally II spare tire/rim.
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#5
08-02-2015, 08:24 PM
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What the plan on this project? Congrats!
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Mike/Illinois |
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#6
08-03-2015, 09:39 PM
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I'm not sure yet. Right now the plan is to get it running and go from there. On another note, the guy I bought it from used to own your Sundance Formula, although he is not the guy you bought it from.
Quote:
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#7
08-03-2015, 11:20 PM
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Quote:
Cool to see a well optioned 70. Looking forward to seeing this one get back on the road.
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71 Starlight Black Formula 455 L75 88 Flame Red Metallic GTA Notchback |
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#8
08-04-2015, 06:48 AM
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Quote:
Was he the one who painted it and rebuilt engine?
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Mike/Illinois |
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#9
08-03-2015, 10:13 PM
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Quote:
Quote:
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keith k 70 Trans Am RA III / T400 / Lucerne Blue / Bright Blue 70 Trans Am RA III / M20 / Lucerne Blue / Sandalwood 70 Formula RA III / M21 / Lucerne Blue / Bright Blue |
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#10
08-03-2015, 10:48 PM
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Another of those fairly rare instances of a Norwood-built car destined for California delivery. Keith, I believe you had a '70 Esprit that was a Norwood-built CA car. Anything in common with this car? Trying to find a common thread.
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#11
08-03-2015, 10:57 PM
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Chris,
My Castillian Bronze car had a build date of 04D and was sold new in Santa Rosa CA. My Palomino Copper car also has a build date of 04D and was sold new in Hayward CA. Both were built in the Norwood plant. A friend of mine has a Norwood built 70 base car which is dated 04C and sold new in Sacramento. I don't know where Keith's car was sold new, but it was built in Norwood and he bought it out of the Marysville CA area. It's an Esprite and had a build date of 04D. Was there a problem with the Van Nuys plant filling the orders in April of 1970? Just a thought. Quote:
Last edited by eaglesan13; 08-03-2015 at 11:05 PM. |
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#12
08-04-2015, 01:40 AM
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Neat car....
 The colors leave ME a bit COLD,as well......but they can't ALL be Lucerne Blue....OR Arrest me RED....... TONs of options.....(prolly a Customer order car).....for a 70 W66....and the MOST important ones are M20....Safe T track....and Tach/gauges...with the California MANDATORY Feo2 delete....  Nice of the PO to let you work on it there...
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Eye Candy......garage band? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUPcHxHRx3s Go full screen & turn it UP! |
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#13
08-04-2015, 07:18 AM
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Nice car and properly optioned.
Clean it up, get it running and enjoy it.
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Some guys they just give up living And start dying little by little, piece by piece, Some guys come home from work and wash up, And go racin' in the street. Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - 1978 |
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#14
08-04-2015, 12:44 PM
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I LIKE the color combo. Although I would love a Lucy Formy I find the best thing about Formula's is the non TA color palette choices. Your car with new paint and tidied up inside will be a stunner. Good score!
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72 Bird |
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#15
08-05-2015, 12:56 PM
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I like colors like this that you don't see very often. Would look great in fresh paint, but this looks like a car you could just clean up and drive.
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"If the best Mustang is the Camaro, the best Camaro is actually the Firebird" David Zenlea |
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#16
08-05-2015, 02:06 PM
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Looks like a good solid car in good hands
__________________
 Current Pontiacs -1973 Formula SD455 - #'s auto orig paint 1972 Trans Am - 4 speed orig paint 1974 Formula 400 - Ram Air automatic 1966 2+2 convertible - 421 4bbl automatic 1967 Grand Prix - 4 speed orig paint 1967 GTO - 4 speed orig paint 35k orig miles |
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#17
08-15-2015, 12:21 AM
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wow!
I love seeing these finds you guys make - even if I get financially to the point where I could afford to look for projects like this, I am confident that there will be nothing around to find by that time. I too love seeing the different colours; I am not a fan of the lighter green interiors, but all others are cool in my books.
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car. Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left. 1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing) 2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs) |
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#18
08-15-2015, 07:59 AM
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Nice car! Have fun sorting her out.
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http://www.starspangledbannerchallenge.com/ |
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#19
08-21-2015, 04:56 PM
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I pulled the engine and trans out a few weeks ago. It hadn't rained much at all this year, but of course it rained the day I pulled the engine. Anyway, not really any surprises. In the first picture you can see the chrome fender wells. I checked around for the best way to remove the chrome since I want the fender wells painted and I was told it's best to have them stripped by a chrome shop. They won't give me a quote over the phone, so I don't know whether it will be easier/cheaper to just get different ones rather than stripping the chrome ones. The grills, have been carved up. At first I thought they were 73 grills, but upon closer inspection someone just cut up the original grills, I guess to improve airflow? I have three sets in the attic so the ones on the car are destined for the trash. The 70 WT engine I bought with the car has a set of Ram Air manifold on it so I will be using those. The WT engine had been sitting a while so I wanted to reseal it, and since I didn't know what cam was in it I went ahead and ordered a new Mellings "068" cam.
Last edited by eaglesan13; 08-21-2015 at 05:28 PM. |
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#20
08-21-2015, 05:02 PM
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I pulled the fender wells and spent a few hours with some Simple Green and cleaned the engine bay. This is a very solid, dry car, and the front end was actually pretty clean.
Last edited by eaglesan13; 08-21-2015 at 05:29 PM. |
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