[muscle_collector]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Same with mine, not sure if the badges were there or not it was 16 years ago when I owned it. Was yours a Van Nuys car? Does it have a metal tail panel? What does the underside of your hood look like? Bracing/no bracing, notches?

boss that pic reminds me of a pic that was sent to me from a guy in conn. that had a 71 and a 72 4 speed t/a. the cars were sitting like that and pic was dark like that. seems like the guy was a state trooper.

[doublejointedyabbie]

Originally Posted by keith k

Same car then. It was on eBay a few months ago and the seller had claimed that really early Formulas didn't have the Formula 400 badges on the fenders. I had never heard that before, so was asking if anyone else here had heard or observed that.

It seems no one else can really confirm it, either, so my sense is that maybe this car just inadvertently got built without them (or lost them at some point in its life). Since it was an early build car, there was probably a greater chance of this sort of assembly line mistake (the mistake would probably have been that it got the wrong fenders, so no holes for the emblem when it came time to put the emblem on ....).

I don't think any one can give a definite answer but l know for sure that this car has never been hit on the front. The car has been very well documented every service, all repairs, tyre replacements and repaint of car have records, mileage was present of every invoice, so it would be inconsistent to have no records for other damage. The car did have a repaint and protector door strips added mid life, but clearly documented.

So there are lots of theories, but not sure which is correct ..

Thanks for your help guys ..

[johnta1]

Do the fenders have the holes for the emblems?

My 70 Formula didn't have any Formula 400 emblems either, but I can't remember if there were holes for the emblems.
(there are no holes now, but it's repainted about 35 years ago)

[doublejointedyabbie]

No there is no holes for the emblems on the fenders... and no evidence of there ever having been holes previously..

Keep in mind I haven't seen the car personally till I visit the US next year, but the car has been inspected on my behalf ..

[tdavidl]

Originally Posted by doublejointedyabbie

...but l know for sure that this car has never been hit on the front. The car has been very well documented every service, all repairs, tyre replacements and repaint of car have records, mileage was present of every invoice, so it would be inconsistent to have no records for other damage. The car did have a repaint and protector door strips added mid life, but clearly documented.


Thanks for your help guys ..

i don't think you can "know" the front end has ever been hit unless you're the owner OR have known the car since purchase. while you may be correct that it's never been hit, how can you know for sure ? the documentation you mention is only the documentation you've seen. this would not be the first time certain documents have been intentionally destroyed or simply not included in the info you see\get.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

boss that pic reminds me of a pic that was sent to me from a guy in conn. that had a 71 and a 72 4 speed t/a. the cars were sitting like that and pic was dark like that. seems like the guy was a state trooper.

I remember that trip - you bought both of them too didn't you? He had a RA 70 Formula as well that I was too stupid to pick up.

[muscle_collector]

yes i did and i forgot all about the ra formula. if i remember it was a lucerne blue and stick???? wasnt he close by you? he was a state trooper wasnt he? i kept the 72 blue 4 speed and of all things the 71 went back to conn. when i sold it.

[The Boss]

Everything is close in CT. He was about an hour away - I stopped on my way out to Cape Cod. He was a trooper but I think he was off for disability or a suspension of some kind. He had a brand new SS Camaro convertible he was trying to sell as well.

The Formula was a stick & I think it was numbers matching but it needed everything and he wanted a good buck for it. In hind sight I think I still made the right decision.

[muscle_collector]

i dont remember, did you get to look at the t/a's before they came to me?

[doublejointedyabbie]

Originally Posted by tdavidl

i don't think you can "know" the front end has ever been hit unless you're the owner OR have known the car since purchase. while you may be correct that it's never been hit, how can you know for sure ? the documentation you mention is only the documentation you've seen. this would not be the first time certain documents have been intentionally destroyed or simply not included in the info you see\get.

I agree with you 100% but the car still has its early hood (no metal brace strip).I do have the first owners contact details,I left a message but didn't return my call.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

i dont remember, did you get to look at the t/a's before they came to me?

Um, yea, I checked them out for you & I think I sent you a roll of film too.

[muscle_collector]

wow, getting old sucks, i thought you did, but couldnt remember for sure. i just remember us talking about the formula and how rare it was and we really shouldnt pass up on it but we did anyway.