[njsteve]

Hey, back to the debate on the window sticker prices ending in odd numbers or exact change. I think we have an explanation and a cut off date. Looks like the extra change was a charge for the excise tax. This is from my secret semi-anonymous Pontiac info source:

"From cowl tag the black Formula was built 12B.

On Canadian Car M.A. Invoice, the car was shipped 01-11-72.

The 7% Excise Tax was repealed 12-11-1971 (2nd Saturday of December).

Cars built before this had RPO options in dollars and odd-numbered cents, ex: $236.97.

Cars built after 12-11-71 had options in even dollars, ex: $231.00."

[Held for Ransom]

Why did it take a month to ship?

[njsteve]

My T/A was a 12B car and it shipped 12/28/71 to California. Holiday shutdown/slowdown, I imagine. Or possibly the Canadian bound cars were grouped together and shipped differently once they had a larger batch?

[Held for Ransom]

I suppose things were way different as far as shipping back then. So it went to the left coast in Canada.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

I suppose things were way different as far as shipping back then. So it went to the left coast in Canada.

His car went just straight north to Ontario. Many cars, with lots of options went to the unfinished car lot for little things not finished. I bet its totally possible ,as Steve said, they group shipped.
The window sticker below, I previously posted, a former car of mine, was shipped 11-22-71, which would "verify" to a degree the tax adding cents information
Thankfully this car is in a members hands now, and going to see some justice.

[Held for Ransom]

No. He stated it went to California. If headed to Ontario, one would think it should have gone to Pontiac to be grouped together.

[njsteve]

Who's on first.... ;-)

I meant that my VIN #519XXX 12B T/A went to California on 12/28/71. The VIN #522XXX 12B Formula went north to Ontario on 01/11/72.

[njsteve]

Went to my mechanic buddy again this morning and we used his A/C vacuum pump to leak check the system. Rather tedious process as you have to pull it down to 28" of vacuum for 30 minutes and then let it sit for 30 minutes and watch the gauges to see if there are any leaks.

It leaked, so I tightened every hose. Redid the process and it leaked again, only faster. Replaced the rear O-rings in the compressor flange. Redid the test and it leaked. Then retightened everything again. Redid the process and it leaked.

We both then got really frustrated and attached the R134 conversion flanges to the access ports so we could put in some R134 with leak detection dye. Before adding any R134 we redid the test and there were no leaks! It held for an hour with no movement on the gauge.

So, that meant that his 40 year old O-ring in the hose flange nut for his R12 gauge set was leaking and not my A/C system. We both had to laugh after spending around 8 hours repeating the process over and over again.

I didn't want to add my precious R12 at this time, because this winter I will be pulling the engine. I just wanted to know that the system was set up properly with no leaks.

[njsteve]

I got home after driving around and took some more photos and measurements.

So here is the car.







On 235/60x15 BFGs set at 32 PSI, with a spare tire in the trunk and a full tank of gas, she sits about 27-3/4" tall at the wheel well in the front and 28-3/8" tall in the rear.

So the new coils dropped the front exactly an inch from the generic coils original measurements. The 1" de-arched leafs dropped the rear two inches from the 30-1/2" 4x4 look with the generic leaf springs, to 28-3/8" tall with the de-arched Stengal Bros springs.

For comparison, the measurements on my 114,000 mile, 72 T/A with its original 3988100 AX code, front coils, and PL481612 rear leafs sitting on F60x15 Polyglas GTs with 32 PSI, was measured at 27-1/4" tall front and 28-1/4" in the rear. (My Formula was ordered with the T/A suspension option which would have been these exact springs.)

So, I am happy with the way she sits now. Maybe after a thousand miles or two, she will settle another 1/4" or so. I will definitely say that she does ride beautifully on the new springs and the KYB Gas-Adjust shocks.

[RicksGTO]

it looks great Steve, ride height looks perfect...and the black paint and honeycombs is a great combination!

[Formulabruce]

Looks great!, get it re-aligned?

[njsteve]

Still tracks straight. It's due for an alignment though, just to be sure.

[3tas4me]

Looks great Steve!

[LeighP]

Beautiful!

[FunctionalShaker]

Nice. Did you see the article about Gary Labate's 72 T/A, In the latest issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines?

I went through the same problem with those upper bumpers -- ended up tearing them. Returned them and found out NPD still carries originals. You can pull them in with your fingers.

[Norwood]

I had originals and no way were they getting pulled in with anybodys fingers....

Steve it sits PERFECT. Im goingto go measure my 70 again.

[FunctionalShaker]

Norwood, that's how I got them in. It was so nice after having tried with slip joints and vice grips - to no avail. Maybe I just have strong fingers. Or it's all in the technique.

[Norwood]

I tried soap, but I ended up triming them a bit.

[gto4door]

Originally Posted by njsteve

I got home after driving around and took some more photos and measurements.

So here is the car.

That is a great looking Formula!

[njsteve]

Thank you!

She looks great from 10 feet away. The 25 year old paint really needs an upgrade but she is a great driver for the moment.