[unruhjonny]

Has anyone seen this one?

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...d/2631664.html

I cannot recall EVER having seen a 71-75 Formula L30 car build AS an L30 car, and left entirely as built.
It's a shame too because although they were not power houses, they were (in my opinion) great cars.

I'd be very curious to see what this goes for;
I really love the correct (as most early Esprit & Formulas were opted with) "rally gauge w/clock" being left in place.

Question, didn't 71(?)-78 Formulas receive a bird decal on the rear spoiler, if factory opted with a spoiler?

Pictures uploaded so that they don't disappear when Hemmings or Mecum stop hosting them.

[rbrtmchl]

Thanks for posting, nice looking car. It's on the Mecum docket on November 11th. Wonder how much it will bring.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/LN1122-52...ebird-formula/

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

Has anyone seen this one?

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...d/2631664.html

I cannot recall EVER having seen a 71-75 Formula L30 car build AS an L30 car, and left entirely as built.


Question, didn't 71(?)-78 Formulas receive a bird decal on the rear spoiler, if factory opted with a spoiler?

When was the last time you saw a " as built" 73 Formula 350 with a 4 bbl carb?
No vin, sure its a 4 speed? No claims about the running gear, could be a Saginaw transmission.
Spoiler factory?
Decal.. on back of spoiler was part of the side stripe package, have had a couple of these.

[formula kid]

As I remember the 1973 and the 1974 Firebird engine options were the same, The base Formula was a 350 2bbl engine with dual exhaust. The transmission choice was a 3spd manual, A 4spd manual and a 3spd automatic trans. That engine was rated @175 HP. The next engine choice was a 400 2bbl also dual exhaust that was rated @ 185 HP. Next was the 400 4bbl with dual exhaust, it was rated @230 HP. The next combo was the 455 4bbl dual exhaust, rated @250. And last was the SD-455 4bbl dual exhaust rated @ 310 or 290 HP. The difference is that the car was to have the Ram Air IV cam but that was nixed and was given the Ram Air III cam and rated @ 290HP. Yes, if you ordered the 350 engine with a 4 spd it was the saginaw transmission.

[Formulabruce]

This car could easily be a nice Esprit.

[formula kid]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

This car could easily be a nice Esprit.

Only thing is this ad says numbers matching engine. No Firebird in 1973 had a 350 4bbl. That did not happen until 1975 when the Base Formula was a 350 4bbl engine.

[jhein]

They don't give the VIN and I'd like to see the undercarriage. Other than that it's a nice looking car and seems well done. Decals can be easily added. If it's a real formula with a numbers matching block, I'd forgive them for swapping the intake and carb (I'm a "day two" kinda guy). Of course, I would have built the motor to match. But, I wouldn't pay a premium for it because it's modded.

To me the biggest flaws are from the factory. No tach and it has AC. But, those are just my personal preferences.

So again, I wouldn't pay top dollar for it but I bet someone will.

[jhein]

Also, the intake and carb could have been swapped long ago and the restorer didn't even know and just thought that was the way it was supposed to be?

Anyway, I view it as a tasteful upgrade and hopefully they modded the rest of the motor to match.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by formula kid

As I remember the 1973 and the 1974 Firebird engine options were the same, The base Formula was a 350 2bbl engine with dual exhaust. The transmission choice was a 3spd manual, A 4spd manual and a 3spd automatic trans. That engine was rated @175 HP. The next engine choice was a 400 2bbl also dual exhaust that was rated @ 185 HP. Next was the 400 4bbl with dual exhaust, it was rated @230 HP. ...
Yes, if you ordered the 350 engine with a 4 spd it was the saginaw transmission.

Maybe I looked at it wrong, it looked to be stone stock with a 2bbl - but the air cleaner is always in place, and now that I'm looking again, I can see that the aur cleaner is not a factory issue 1973 part - it looks like the smaller snorkle air cleaner used around 1977-1978.

I would assume since some Esprit std equipment isn't present, and it is stated to be a numbers matching engine, that no shenanigans would be going on.

Maybe I'm being too positive?

Also I looked it up to confirm the correct L30 hp rating was quoted;
I was wondering if the quoted power was correct considering that the L65 was suggested to be an optional engine on the Formula - Which it wasn't;
L30 w/single exhaust = 150hp
L65 (single exhaust only) = 170hp
L30 w/dual exhaust = 175hp
The Base and Esprit models were single exhaust cars, and the Formula was a dual exhaust car, so the L30 in a 973 Esprit was rated 25hp lower than the Formula, and the L65 was not available to the Formula.
Having spent ample time behind the wheel of a stone stock '73 Formula L30 (th350/2.73:1 peg leg rear), I know that they are not rocket ships, but they are ample fun.

[rbrtmchl]

From the Mecum pictures, it looks like it has one of the better fitting hoods that I have seen.

[Formulabruce]

Have owned Both of the Factory '73 350 engines, both with dual exhaust. The early 350 was a noticeable better performer than the EGR Dog that was created later in 73.

[rbrtmchl]

Sold today for $45,100.

[unruhjonny]

Wow!!
That's strong money in my books for a Formula 350!!
Thanks for the update!

[rbrtmchl]

With Mecum's 10% Buyer's Premium, $49,610.