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1979 Pontiac Formula Firebird 455 Restomod Clone on 2040-cars

Year:1979 Mileage:108000
Location:

Wilmington, Delaware, United States

Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Advertising:

Hello

I am selling my 1979 Formula Firebird Clone. Guess some would call it a restomod, however the car was made to look original right down to the 1977 Formula stripes, 1974 455 Super Duty spec motor, 1977 Formula Orbit stripes etc. I built this car from the ground up and have over 300 hours in it. So here goes the description.

I am the third owner, and have watched this car since 1984. In 1988 the 301 engine locked up and it sat on a street by my families house. It was a factory Zeebart seal job when it was sold new at a local dealership. The car had zero rust which you rarely see. The car was factory silver but was changed to black base coat clear coat back then. I watched the car change hands three time to friends of mine who had hopes of restoring it someday (the title was never transferred by any of them). It was stored inside most of its life from garage to garage.

I finally had chance to purchase the car a few years back and so began the restoration..........The car was stripped, the entire drivetrain including the rear thrown away. The interior was completely removed for restore. The shell was then sent out for strip and paint (absolutely no rust). Upon stripping the drivers door was found to have light bondo in it from a deep scratch. We skinned it. The car was stripped due to clear peeling. It was then painted in base clear (jams, engine compartment and trunk included). I then spent numerous hours wet sanding and buffing the car out. The pictures tell no lies, as there was even dust on it as I was taking the pics. I then floated on Pheonix Graphis stripes for a 1977 Formula. I chose the Orbit scheme that was on the GTO's. Flawless install, super straight no air bubbles. Brand new wheel package included custom offset rear PMD's, approx 10 inches wide tucked perfectly under the quarters with 255/6015 BFG,s. The front PMD,s are 7 inches wide with 225/70R15 BFG,s. Bobo tires are unacceptable.

The drivetrain took on a old school approach. A 1974 Pontaic Wagon motor built to super duty specs which I had in my 1974 Trans Am at one time was installed. Forged internals, steel crank, 9.85 to1 compression. Ported and polished heads (forgot casting number), Hydraulic cam by Butler Performance, roller rockers, modified 850cfm quadrajet, cast 4bble intake, Hooker Headers etc (this motor with a wide ratio 4spd M20 ran 12.8 in the quarter with 3.42 gears).

Exhaust is 2.5 inches into Flow Masters, and 2.5 inch Pontiac Hockey stick tailpipes like that of 1974 and earlier Firebird's. Underhood looks factory and unmodified other than the air cleaner for clearance and MT valve covers to clear the roller rockers. The AC system was the only thing saved and reinstalled. All brackets for alternator and power steering are OEM, no cutting or rigging.

I then had a turbo 350 built up with all the good stuff including heavy duty spragg and 2900 stahl converter. The rear is a 10 bolt, all new including axles, trutrac posi, richmond 3.42's, bearings and seals.

The drivetrain is turn key, the choke horn modified so no choke. Can't say enough about how well this car runs and drives. Just roasts the tires with a touch of the pedal. Stops and handles amazingly, with no shakes and / or rattles.

The interior is for the most most all new. I recovered the seats, new carpet, new headliner, restored center console with plate, new inner door handles, door sill plates , rear packagae tray. Absolutely gorgeous original dash with no cracks. The interior is beatiful with all factory gauges working. No funky tach or gauges, again factory original look and operation.

Serious bidders only please. I will not release the reserve..................I can tell you however 10000.00 will not get this car. I believe the reserve is reasonable. You may see the car any time with an appointment. Thanks for looking 302-229-0844

NO OUT OF THE COUNTRY SALES

 

 

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Steve McQueen barn find: Movie Trans Am surfaces after almost 40 years

Mon, Dec 17 2018

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Junkyard Gem: 1988 Pontiac 6000 LE Safari Wagon

Wed, May 27 2020

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