[Wareagle]

I do like both but the ground effects package of the T/A WINS it for me.
I would like a 70-73 Black Formula 400-455 engine 400 horses or so - saw one in Washington state a while back done up 400 - sounded mean and went like Stink .

[Tazzz2]

I'm torn and really love both for their own special features..... I did a complete restoration of my 70 Formula first out of all 5 early second gens I own if that indicates anything ;-)

[70formula]

My first car was a 1970 Formula 400, 4 speed with 3.55 12 bolt. That was a great car. I have had my share of T/a and Vettes but none comes close to the joy of my Formula.
Sleek lines no spoliers and pure muscle.

[bird72]

God divined that the best early Birds shalt exalt His glory with big nasty twin scoops.

[fbody_mike]

Originally Posted by bird72

God divined that the best early Birds shalt exalt His glory with big nasty twin scoops.

Can I get an AMEN!

[GETRIDAONE]

Two scoops on the front are better than one backa$$ward one.

[71 T/A]

Can't seem to find a 70-73 Formula 400 or 455. You would think this would be kinda easy. Let me tell you it's not. Oh, it has to have auto, a/c and rally guages, and NOM engine for under $12K. And it can't be a rusted out wreck with a trashed interior. A couple of years ago, that budget would have been fine, but now with Formulas creeping up in value, it's harder. Please send me a message if you know of one for sale.

[bird72]

Originally Posted by 71 T/A

Can't seem to find a 70-73 Formula 400 or 455. You would think this would be kinda easy. Let me tell you it's not. Oh, it has to have auto, a/c and rally guages, and NOM engine for under $12K. And it can't be a rusted out wreck with a trashed interior. A couple of years ago, that budget would have been fine, but now with Formulas creeping up in value, it's harder. Please send me a message if you know of one for sale.

I (and others) have said that we feel the survival rate of 70-73 Formula's is far lower than Trans Ams, and consequently, the early F400 & F455's combined actually may be far rarer than same year TA's today. When new, they were twice as common abouts....

Trans Ams, even at the time, were looked at as something special, were bought by better heeled social types and were garaged more and pampered more. Formula's were more workingmans hot rod and were modified, raced, abused, non garaged, used as drivers, wrecked, and junk yarded or parted when beat (the number of Formula hoods out there far exceeds Formulas left)................

I would love to know survivor numbers of 70-73 TA's and Formula's (by type)...... I think the rarity today of Formula's might be an eye opener.....

Look at the car show pics also..... rows of TA's and if you are lucky an early Formula.

[71 T/A]

Originally Posted by bird72

I (and others) have said that we feel the survival rate of 70-73 Formula's is far lower than Trans Ams, and consequently, the early F400 & F455's combined actually may be far rarer than same year TA's today. When new, they were twice as common abouts....

Trans Ams, even at the time, were looked at as something special, were bought by better heeled social types and were garaged more and pampered more. Formula's were more workingmans hot rod and were modified, raced, abused, non garaged, used as drivers, wrecked, and junk yarded or parted when beat (the number of Formula hoods out there far exceeds Formulas left)................

I would love to know survivor numbers of 70-73 TA's and Formula's (by type)...... I think the rarity today of Formula's might be an eye opener.....

Look at the car show pics also..... rows of TA's and if you are lucky an early Formula.

You are wrong about the survival rate of T/A's vs. Formulas. When I owned my 71 T/A a few years ago, I paid this company (don't remember the name) $19 to research how many 71 T/A's are left from the 2116 made. There were only 219 as of early 2006! These are registered cars in the U.S. so there could be another 40-50 or so internationally registered and maybe another 20-30 wrecks/parts cars not registered. So that means that there are likely only 300 T/As left from the 2116 or 14%.

I would bet that the percentage of Formulas left may not be any higher, but since many more were made, it is easier to find one.

[bird72]

Originally Posted by 71 T/A

You are wrong about the survival rate of T/A's vs. Formulas. When I owned my 71 T/A a few years ago, I paid this company (don't remember the name) $19 to let me know how many 71 T/A's are left from the 2116 made. There were only 219 as of early 2006! These are registered cars in the U.S. so there could be another 40 or so internationally registered and maybe another 20-30 wrecks/parts cars not registered. So that means that there are likely only 300 T/As left from the 2116 or 14%.

I would bet that the percentage of Formulas left may not be any higher, but since many more are made, it is easier to find one.

Interesting!

What I would question: Montana registers my Formula as a Firebird. And I believe Formula was a seperate model as a Trans Am was. They may also on the old ones, register a Trans Am as a Firebird. I would not be surprised if some other states do same. I believe as cars get 30 years old, they start caring less about vehicle info and become more generic. Another example, on my bird registration, the categories they normally fill in, number of cylinders, doors etc, they just leave blank.....

Another whammy factor is there are many unregistered project cars. Why register when driving is 5 years off?

[fbody_mike]

My guess is that the research was performed based on the VIN. Which will determine if it was a T/A, Formula, or Esprit....

[71 T/A]

Originally Posted by fbody_mike

My guess is that the research was performed based on the VIN. Which will determine if it was a T/A, Formula, or Esprit....

Exactly. It's based on the VIN. I accounted for unregistered cars. It's easier to find and afford a Formula purchase. But it's still hard to find a nice Formula optioned out like I want for a fair price.

[bird72]

Well, good luck one will turn up eventually......... you're looking for reasonable options, the fair price thing may happen as these are tough times and someone will need to sell honestly I would think..... but any way you look at, there aren't a huge pool of any of these cars and it's Johnny on the spot, also...... there was a buyer literally right behind me when I bought my 72 in 1990 from a guy, talk about pressure to decide...............

[RicksGTO]

here's one of those cars that we'd all like to find..... numbers matching 455HO Formula that by the posters account just sold for $7,000. I was beginning to think he might be looking at a clone or pulling our legs until he started giving more details and then posting pics. Quite a Formula find:
http://transamcountry.com/community/...?topic=27970.0

.

[RAFormulas]

Originally Posted by RicksGTO

here's one of those cars that we'd all like to find..... numbers matching 455HO Formula that by the posters account just sold for $7,000. I was beginning to think he might be looking at a clone or pulling our legs until he started giving more details and then posting pics. Quite a Formula find:
http://transamcountry.com/community/...?topic=27970.0

.

Well... that sets a new record for best buy of a Formula in my book... incredible!

[RicksGTO]

mine too, did you see he found the build sheet with 46 options? I didn't even think there were 46 options! I asked him to post the PHS but I don't think he has ordered it

[71 T/A]

I couldn't have given the owner of that HO Formula the $7K fast enough!

[Tazzz2]

Hell I'd have run too at double that number LOL....

[1974formula]

1970-1973 I like the Formulas a little better, they just look mean.

1974-1981 the Trans Am gets the nod.

The '70-'73 just doesn't look right to me with the big front spoiler and the wheel flares, that seems more suited to the '74 and up cars IMO.

[71 T/A]

I bought a 1972 Formula 400 today! It has NOM, cold a/c, rally guages with tach, Formula wheel, ram air cleaner, and best of all, it's lucerne blue with blue interior.