[FunctionalShaker]

Then you'd be getting into misalignment with the door as well.

[johnta1]

Welcome to PY!

And another Coronado Gold Formula, love them.



The wires by the tranny are probably for the TSC setup.

The neutral switch is on the steering column for autos, and clutch pedal assembly for manuals.

(none at the tranny)

[LeighP]

Yep, neutral safety and reverse lights are a switch mounted on the lower end of the column (on the upper side)...operated by the backdrive linkage from the gearbox selector.
Wiring on the gearbox will be part of the TH400 electric kickdown operated by a switch set up on the throttle pedal assembly.

Great car, by the way!

[bird72]

Originally Posted by keith k

... no front drums on a '70 Formula -- discs were standard.

manual non power brakes standard, PB option.

[edvisme]

Good rainy Morning from Utah lol. I took some more pictures of the hood. Here is the front air inlets of the hood. Do these look factory cut outs?

On the left side of this scoop, it looks like it's been hacked.


Here is the other side of the hood. It fits good.

I will tinker with the hinge and see if there is any more adjustment in it to lower the hood down a little more. There are about a 1/4 inch of body shims under the right fender attachment point at the firewall so, not sure how this will end up lol.
LeighP. So the Firebird with Auto transmissions are the same as the Camaros with the neutral safety. If my memory serves me correctly, when I was under the car looking around, all of the bars/linkage for the neutral safety were missing. Plus, looking at the end of the column there is no operable pivot arm to operate the linkage. On the inside portion of the column there should be a movable mechanism to operate the linkage. This column has nothing. In my minds eyes I see this column as being out of a manual trans car? And the floor having a patch over a hole is telling me someone has converted it to a manual trans while using parts from a donor car
Sometime this week I will put the car back on the stands and take some pics of this puzzle so you all can see what I am seeing, weird stuff lol.
Also, there is no kick down switch on the engine/carb for the transmission.

Also, the wheels. The invoice states rally 2's but doesn't state weather they are 14" or 15"?
From what you folks have seen here of my Formula, what direction should I go with it? Should I pursue a factory restore or do it up as a "one of?"
Thanks again everyone for all of your comments.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Thanks guys.
Manual front Disc brakes - standard on Formula.

Edvisme car has optional PDB - got it .

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

Thanks guys.
Manual front Disc brakes - standard on Formula.

Edvisme car has optional PDB - got it .

Just an FYI......Therer were NO second gen birds built wih front drum brakes...

Even 6 cyl. base birds in 1970 got front (manual) discs.....as standard equipment.

[72Formula]

Congradulations and welcome to the forum!

I'm glad to see another early Formula being attended to. The original paint and interior would really look sharp IMO.

As for the rear spoiler, leave it if you like it. Take it off if you don't. Thats all I have to say about that.

[edvisme]

LeighP, So these cars are set up the same way at the Camaros when it comes to the neutral safety and reverse lights? I will look more closely at the steering column under the dash and see if I can locate the switch.
Baron Von, The document from PHS stated this. "Of the 15 standard exterior colors, six are special... Lucerne Blue, keylime green, Coronado Gold, Castilian Bronze, Goldenrod yellow and Carousel Red." That phrase, in my minds eye is what told me that the gold was a special order? I am so green at this figuring out the PHS documents and the history of these awesome cars.
Baba O'Riley. Here in Utah the state has strict emission laws for vehicles that are registered for daily use on the roadways. The State also has a program where older vehicles that are limited use can be registered without having to have a smog check or safety check. I went this way with registering the Firebird. I can do whatever I want to the engine and not have the States emission program to comply with .
I want to say bare with me as I learn about these cars. I am surey to make many non accurate statements here as I learn about these cars lol. Also, thank you all so much for all of the facts and comments.
The fender situation, I am sure I can do the cut off and re-weld in of the proper inner jam secion for the right fender. However, I really would like to find the proper one for the car. If anyone has a line on one, or if the worst case I have to do that mod, I will need that portion of the fender off of the 70-72 fender.
The left side of the hood fits just fine.
These hoods, the funtionable ram air ones, they are cut open from the factory and have screens in front of them? My hood has this. I have to wonder if this one was done at the factory or did someone cut these open?
If you folks would, please do comment on this. If this was your car, knowing now what it is, how would you build it? Would you put it back to original condition or would you go for a "make it my own?" If I were to go back to factory build, I would have to locate the proper engine, heads, carb etc, the proper tan interior, the proper wheels. And those are at the top of the list. I am sure I am missing another 5 grand in other parts lol.
I attached some pictures for the left side of the hood and the ram air scoops. Hope they show up lol. Thanks again everyone!

[LeighP]

1. Yep, I'd think neutral safety/backup lights would be the same on all 2nd gen F bodies.
2. that sure looks like the correct factory RA screens, but there have been repro's around so maybe someone could confirm those screws are the correct way the screens are fastened (I thought they used a screw with a U nut on the edge of the hood cutout?).

I like how I built my 71, but if I was doing it again, I'd go factory - maybe not original colours/trim if they weren't to my liking, but all factory looking. JMO.

[Diego]

Originally Posted by edvisme

Baron Von, The document from PHS stated this. "Of the 15 standard exterior colors, six are special... Lucerne Blue, keylime green, Coronado Gold, Castilian Bronze, Goldenrod yellow and Carousel Red." That phrase, in my minds eye is what told me that the gold was a special order? I am so green at this figuring out the PHS documents and the history of these awesome cars.

It's just saying those colors are exclusive to the Firebird and not regular production for other Pontiacs. Any buyer who wanted these colors for, let's say, a GTO would have to special-order them. If you look in the Judge forum, you'll find discussion of a car that was special-ordered in Goldenrod Yellow.

[edvisme]

I am leaning towards leaving the interior black and painting the exterior back to the factory color, Coronado gold. I like the looks of that color on these cars. Question. Is the firebird decal on the rear spoiler proper/accurate for the Formula? Assuming ANY Formulas were built with a rear spoiler?

[johnta1]

For 70 it wouldn't be accurate.
But it is for any other year non-Trans Am spoiler.

[johnta1]

I'd probably use a blue Bird though or the red one for a 73.

[johnta1]

Like these:

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by edvisme

I am leaning towards leaving the interior black and painting the exterior back to the factory color, Coronado gold. I like the looks of that color on these cars. Question. Is the firebird decal on the rear spoiler proper/accurate for the Formula? Assuming ANY Formulas were built with a rear spoiler?

Just an FYI........there were NO 70 Formula 400's built with rear spoilers.........it wasn't on the option list......

This is a VERY controversial subject on the forums here....

It's amazing how many have found their way onto the cars,though.

It almost seems to be a Trans am "wannabee" thing.

Guys that have a T/A AND a Formula,DON'T have them on their cars...

Personally,I think they look way better/cleaner without one.

It was just one small part of the Trans am package & the spoiler by itself really takes away from the overal CLEAN styling of Firebird body design.

Here's some pics of mine....the "stylin" LONG hood & short deck really WORK without the extra weight on the trunk lid.....JMO

[Blued and Painted]

X2 on keeping the spoiler.

[edvisme]

2manyt/a's, I totally love your Formula. That gold is amazing looking! I think mine will have to go back to its original gold. The spoiler, I will leave that one a mystery and reveal that decision once the car is painted this winter

[edvisme]

I went and seen another 70 Formula firebird today. The man that owns it stated that ALL 70 Formulas came with a 12 bolt rear end. Is this accurate? Mine happens to have10 bolt

[2manyT/A'S]

That IS the Gospel......ANY 70 Firebird that came with a 400 (even an Esprit 2bbl. ) got a 12 bolt...

Check your steering box....it SHOULD be 2 1/2 turn...