1971 Firebird Formula 455 Project Started
 

It was a good day picked up my 455 HO from the engine shop today. Looking forward to starting body work on the firebird it has been sitting way too long. My first job will be to remove the fender flares that were brazed on to the quarter panels in the 70's. A prior owner added hurst t-tops and hooker side pipes around the same time.

Those flairs are Groovy as Hell!
LOL.

It must have taken hours to put on the flares with brazing rod and bondo, The D80 spoiler was also added and mudded to the trunk lid it is so heavy it will not stay up without putting a stick in the trunk to hold it up.

Funny...in the late 70s, I had dreams of making all of those "enhancements" to an early 2nd gen Bird, too. Good thing I didn't have the means, and had gotten past that by the time I did ;) .

Looks like you've got a great project!

The car received some of the modifications pulled from Hot Rod magazines of that ERA.

Cool car. How about some more info on it, such as the options, colors, etc....

The firebird has the original 455ho engine and M22 transmission, quezal gold exterior color, sandalwood std. interior, deluxe wheel, N98 rally II wheels with P06 trim rings, dual mirrors and very few options other than power steering & brakes, AM radio and standard gauge cluster non ram air. I have the GM Canada vintage vehicle services buildsheet and the PHS documents as well. The car was sold new in Alberta and has been off the road for many years in storage with no rust.

Pretty cool you sticking w the original color? Any drivetrain mods?

I am keeping same color also keeping power train stock as everything was with the car including the carb and exhaust manifolds the only major part missing was the ignition but I purchased one on ebay that came from Norway of all places. I do have a ram air set up so it is tempting to go that way.

Cool car!

What is the rear axle option code listed on the GM of Canada Vintage Vehicle Services paperwork, and does it have safe-t-track listed also?

I'm assuming the N98 rally II wheels are 15 inch, is there a tire option listed?

Canadian buildsheet shows 3.42 axle ratio GU6 and 15 inch tires PM7 does not show safety track option but my PHS documents do confirm safety track differential. Does anyone know what is change alert code 802 on phs documents?

My 71 Formula 455HO was built in Norwood, and sold new in Toronto Canada. My PHS also shows Change Alert 802. I have no idea what it's for. However, I did a search, and it looks like this has been discussed here before, so I've attached the links below.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...ange+alert+802

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...ange+alert+802

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...ange+alert+802

What color is your formula? Do you have a number of options?

wow!!

I haven't seen this car in ages!!!

I'm glad to see it's going to get fixed;
I hope the T-roof will be fixed... err, replaced with a correct solid roof.

How long ago did you purchase it?
I'm going to guess I saw it in the very late 1990's.
I can't recall why I was at the owners house at the time, but I am confident I was buying something from him for my '70 Formula.

Do you have paperwork which shows the original selling dealer?

I found years ago a different '71 455HO Formula that was a McKay Pontiac showroom car IIRC.

Are you in any local club?
I used to be quite active in the Calgary Firebird Club, but these days I am only associated with them through their facebook page (because my car is off the road).

I purchased the formula in April 2017 although I did try to buy the car years earlier just did not give up on it. The roof will need to be replaced for certain. I was once a member of the Calgary Camaro Club as far back as 1995 but not a member of any current clubs. The car was sold new at Southpark Motors in Edmonton AB.

Thank for the reply!

I am glad to hear the car has found a good home - I seem to recall the last owner talking about restoring it.

I was quite shocked to hear of the Calgary Camaro Club dissolving, and even more shocked to hear of the circumstance.
I have many CCC S&S magnets from having my car there - I could probably dig up several pictures of my car at their show's over the years.

Thanks for sharing where the car was originally sold from!

I look forward to hearing more about your progress!

Nice car!

I like the flares.

It's actually interesting to gauge the man hours that were involved to install. I would also imagine there were some extensions on the front fenders and maybe a front spoiler

Cool - must have been a pretty car when it rolled into the dealership!

Thx for posting the GM Canada doc. Any chance you also have the PHS invoice? Would be interesting to see if the trim rings listed on the GM Canada doc were an extra cost option, or just part of the Rally II wheel option/charge.

I checked the PHS invoice the rally II wheels and the tires are individual items on the invoice but no the trim rings are not on the invoice. Interesting.