[Judge273]

I agree with BVZ....

Just want to add. Wish you would have avoided ebay first and offered it here for sale.

I never bid on a ebay car, but would be interested in yours if it was on PY.

[70FormulaCA]

Appears the ebay link is no longer available.

[2manyT/A'S]

Still there.............http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-...orcev4exp=true

[bluebird455]

Excellent response Beltrunner. I for one love the car, I hardly see them anymore, and you have done very well by keeping it mostly as it was when you got it and driven it and enjoyed it all these years like it was meant to be.

[beltrunner]

Numerous questions on my car's power steering and Formula steering wheel. Some say the Formula wheel was not available on manual steering cars...others have told me that manual steering was not available on any Formulas. My sources say that in 1971 power steering was available on any Firebird (including the Formula) as option 501/N14 for $115.85, except on the Trans Am, where power steering was standard. As for the Formula steering wheel, my sources list the Formula steering wheel as available on #'s 2487,2687 (Formula), and 2387 Firebirds as option 464/NK3 @ $42.13 regardless of manual or power steering, and as standard equipment on the Trans AM. My build sheet does not list power steering, the #1 owner said he had power steering dealer installed, and my car has not-correct-year power steering on it (possibly from a 1969 dealer kit). Attached are some pix that folks have been asking about: Axle,Trans, Motor #'s all matching last 8 digits in VIN, and PHS documentation.

[njsteve]

Very nice detail photos. That is a cool car. Looks like it was ordered just to go fast with no extra pesky options.

[keith k]

Originally Posted by njsteve

That is a cool car. Looks like it was ordered just to go fast with no extra pesky options.

No kidding. Love the way this one was optioned!

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by njsteve

Very nice detail photos. That is a cool car. Looks like it was ordered just to go fast with no extra pesky options.

Manual disc brakes were standard & fairly common on non a/c '70 & 71 Formulas. Manual steering is very rare on HO Formulas. Know of four '71 HO M22 Formulas that are factory manual strg cars. Two were raced in NHRA & AHRA sanctioned events.

[bird72]

That Formula was interestingly optioned, or lack of in some ways. No PS PB, but an out of place console.... car was a 14" rim hubcap one.....

[Held for Ransom]

I don't know who your "sources" are, but you could not get the Formula steering wheel (NK3/464) without also ordering Variable Ratio Power Steering (N41/501) from the factory. You could get it over-the-counter (parts dept.), or parts car, or swap meet, etc. Without dealership paperwork showing they installed it, it's just another story to help sell a car.

[beltrunner]

Thanks for the info Held for Ransom...I stand corrected...and I just put a big red check mark on page 53 of one of my source books...

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by beltrunner

Thanks for the info Held for Ransom...I stand corrected...and I just put a big red check mark on page 53 of one of my source books...

Some data is just listed bluntly in some sources.
71 dealer order form would spell it out about the Strg, Wheel & Pwr. Strg.

Thanks for sharing your PHS Invoice and other info with us.
Do you know the block code ? W _ something
197 / 191 heads ?
Carb number ?

Super Neat car.
They got what they wanted.
And kept it just under the price of a base 71 TA . barely

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

I don't know who your "sources" are, but you could not get the Formula steering wheel (NK3/464) without also ordering Variable Ratio Power Steering (N41/501) from the factory. You could get it over-the-counter (parts dept.), or parts car, or swap meet, etc. Without dealership paperwork showing they installed it, it's just another story to help sell a car.

Whats the Theory, or facts on this? The "fat wheel" was too "squishy" and gave too much for a manual steering car?? Thanks HFR

[FrankieT/A]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

Whats the Theory, or facts on this? The "fat wheel" was too "squishy" and gave too much for a manual steering car?? Thanks HFR

Probably eminent destruction of the wheel, not to mention no leverage in parking lot maneuvers.

[tajunkman]

Killer car beltrunner.

I doubt who ever buys it will be very concerned about the added / changed items. If they are, they will simply put it back, as built.

[The Boss]

Love your car beltrunner - ignore the guys who feel like they need to piss all over it.

[Held for Ransom]

I'm not an engineer, but I heard the story was effort. Easier to apply torque with a larger wheel.

[beltrunner]

Hey Baron...I found the Formula Steering Wheel option 464/NK3 available with option 501 only (Power Steering) in John Gunnell's "Catalog of Firebird"...here are some pix you asked about...the carb # does not seem correct for a '71, but maybe for a '72 non- HO 455?...but mine does have the vented float bowl for Ram Air, which wouldn't be a non-HO would it?...dunno...#2 owner did change the carb out because the one on the motor when he got the car developed a vacuum leak that did not respond to repair attempts...

[beltrunner]

Carb # didn't show up well after pic was attached...here's a better one...

[SD73]

If I'm reading that carb number correct "7042262" it would be for a Non HO, '72 455 Auto car.