[virgil381]

First off thanks for the input in advance.

I have a buddy looking into a 1971 455 formula

This cars motor #s front pad are 0303107 YC
Dist. #s B021

Heads are 66

Data plate says W66

interior is shot. needs everything and is missing the back seat
dash looks presentable but i don't know what this wiring has been thru
The car has decent body panels but there are a few dents just about every where . Nothing major tho.
Engine compartment is old and dirty but pretty much what you would expect.

Anyway What do you think a car like this is worth? I know there are variables. But there are alot of wisdom on this forum and I would just like to hear what they think. I will try to post some pics. I have to figure out how to get them from the phone to the computer.

Thanks,
Virgil

[njsteve]

Color? Trans?

[virgil381]

silver color, code is 13 B
auto tranny

[The Boss]

That engine was only available with an auto - D-port 455.

[virgil381]

[IMG][/IMG]

[virgil381]

[IMG][/IMG]

[virgil381]

[IMG][/IMG]

These are the only pics I have. I should have taken more. But all the trim is flaking. So it will need to be replaced. And the chrome like normal will need to be redone

It's hard to see the dents and dings because the pics are so bright. But there are 4 or 5.

['ol Pinion head]

Silver, originally with a black vinyl top... hmmmm. The best vinyl top project Birds & Goats I've owned over the years, a previous owner stripped the vinyl top off the car early in its life & had the roof prepped and painted. If I was a buyer (and I'm not), I'd be ck'ing the rear window channel area real close. Use a magnet. Very common rust area. Lower 1/4 panels, rear unitized frame rails, & the lower tail panel are all common rust out areas & also cost a TON to repair correctly. With the trunklid up, the front corner areas by the trunk hinges are another bad spot. Without knowing the condition of these areas, it's hard to put a value.

[virgil381]

Thanks pinion head. I'm gonna check these out. The car is over 100 miles from me and I got to see it for the first time today.

I like vinyl tops they look good.

[johnta1]

Only 350 d-port 455 Formulas made in 71.



Console or column shift?

[dadsformula]

Original Formie 455's of any year are a rare Car, but options are the Key.
Y99 (trans Am suspension) and the 15 inch wheels this provides is a big one
for me, as are Gauges, but in general we see most of these Cars highly optioned.
They do not carry the value of a Trans-am but are a much more rare Car.
Mine is the only one i have seen in person. This Car even with some hiddin
rust is a 3 to 5k Car and perhaps a little more if the Engine runs and has no major
issues. Take the advise of those on this board, and really check the normal
problem spots for Rust. If its solid, it looks like a nice an rather complete Car,
and those are hard to find in an early Formie.

[virgil381]

it's a console shift
AC car. The dash has a tach, guages and wood grain
The AC compressor is in the trunk. I don't know if all the brackets are there.

This car was represented as a formula 455 HO. he wants 10,000.00 for it
I'm pretty sure it's not an HO by the engine code.
And once i saw that I figured this to be around 5,000.00 car. I don't know if it runs or how well it runs.

If I buy this car it's going to get a full restoration to stock specs.
My buddy is also looking at it so he might buy it too. He wants to start going to Pontiac shows with us.
I just don't want to buy this car and pay more than what it's worth.
Thanks for all the input!

[bird72]

what I see as really good:

Very desirable color combo, silver with black top is classy and distinct. If black interior, jackpot.

Gauges & tach

with AC and a 455 auto, this could be a cross country cruiser with class

value (???) I see 5-6K in non running semi complete condition as shown as what it would be worth to me, if I had cash to throw. A "good buy price"l would be 4K I would guess, for me.

Get the PHS, this could be a more optioned car than you think....

[dadsformula]

They made both standard 455 (L75) as well as the HO for Formies in 71.
5th digit in the Vin is Y for 455 and X is think for 455HO. The latter being
the higher value of course. What many do not realize is that the L75 (standard)
455 was only availble in a Formie with a 4 speed in 73 (227 were made) All
of the 71 455 L75 Formies were TH400 Auto's. None of this matters, as i think
somewhere near 1500 Formula 455's were ever made with any combo. If you really
want rare, the 73 SD455 4sp Formula only 10 were made, and ive never even see a
picture of one of those.

Get the PHS, as previously mentioned most of these Cars are 20 plus options
and you do want to know whats still there and whats missing, but with the
original drive chain (and that YC with 66 heads is correct for the 71 L75)
and the condition of this Car does make it appealing for the Money asked.

[johnta1]

5th digit in the Vin is Y for 455 and X is think for 455HO. The latter being
the higher value of course.

That is true in 1972 (the 1st year for that)

1971 still used the older style, no engine designation in VIN.
(other than for a 6 cyl or V8)

[PONTIAC-ONE]

Originally Posted by bird72

what I see as really good:

Very desirable color combo, silver with black top is classy and distinct. If black interior, jackpot.

Gauges & tach

with AC and a 455 auto, this could be a cross country cruiser with class

value (???) I see 5-6K in non running semi complete condition as shown as what it would be worth to me, if I had cash to throw. A "good buy price"l would be 4K I would guess, for me.

Get the PHS, this could be a more optioned car than you think....

Only 4k for a 455 Formula?? I see base Firebird 350 cars in that condition going for that or more (running cars). I don't see if it runs & drives being mentioned, that would be helpful...
A solid body goes along way, the rest is easy.

[virgil381]

The body has some issues below the rear bumper. It looks like someone didn't want kneel down todo the work. Painted right over bondo globs. I need to check for rust. But I need to drive out there which is 100 miles from home.

Like I said earlier I don't know how it runs

[bird72]

Originally Posted by PONTIAC-ONE

Only 4k for a 455 Formula?? I see base Firebird 350 cars in that condition going for that or more (running cars). I don't see if it runs & drives being mentioned, that would be helpful...
A solid body goes along way, the rest is easy.

The 4K was a "steal it" number, the 5-6K I said was assuming non running, not sure why I assume that.... a good running one looking like that maybe 7500-8500? I tend to price stuff what it would be worth to me more than market, which means my take is always low

[virgil381]

kinda sucks my work truck took a dump last week. i ended up having to buy a truck and spending my mad money.. My buddy still likes the bird. And is thinking about it. But who knows if he will actually buy it. The seller said he would hold it no problem but no price has been discussed

just letting you guys know what happened.