1980 Firebird Formula

Background:

I bought this car on February 22, 1990. At the time, I owned a 1975 Datsun 280Z that was in the family since 1977.  I got the V8 bug and decided to sell the Z and buy a muscle car. I first started my search with 1964½ - 1966 Mustangs.  After checking out the several Mustangs, I decided that a Firebird was a better choice for what I wanted.  I didn't consider a Camaro, since I was looking for some thing that I didn't see everywhere.  It took a few more weeks but I noticed this ad in the local paper classifieds: "Formula '80, Needs engine, Good cond. 671-****". Just what I was looking for!  $600 later, I got my 'bird. Since that day, my car has become an obsession.  I even left girlfriends that didn't like my Formula! Thankfully, my Wife-to-be likes it, even though she owns a 1990 Mustang GT (blah!).

Specifications:

The original 301 Pontiac engine was removed and is now leaking on the garage floor.  A 310 Chevrolet engine now resides in the engine bay. Fear not fellow Pontiac purists, I have the 455HO I originally wanted on a stand and waiting to be built with an Offenhuaser 4x2 intake.

« 310 Chevy motor.

On the inside, the car is packed with creature comforts. It has power windows, locks, trunk release, tilt wheel, air conditioning, and cloth interior. I have a 3 inch chrome Hooker 4 point roll bar that will be installed. The stereo (for now) is a Pioneer KE1414 (old) with 4 speakers inside the car and two Pioneer 8 inch woofers mounted on a board behind the back seat with an Urban amp.

This Formula came with the WS6 suspension.  Nothing has been changed yet for front end components.  I will eventually use Polyurethane bushings when its time to rebuild.

Wheels and tires are 15x7 Rally II with 235/60/15 Firestone SS on the front and 255/60/15 Firestone SS tires on the rear.

The TH350 transmission has a Trans-Go shift kit.

The rear is a stock 2.41 open differential.  I have a 3.42 posi disc rear from a 1980 Turbo Trans Am ready to go in with all the appropriate brake conversion pieces.

Here are some rusty pictures of my car and the work that has been done on it so far. As work proceeds, I will post more pictures of the restoration.  Time and money are large factors when restoring a car and unfortunately, both are in short supply.

Click on the picture for an enlarged image.

Drivers Floor- The front had a few holes, but behind the drivers seat you could put a 2 liter bottle of soda through the floor.   

Passenger Quarter - This is the worst of the two.  Typical rot in front of and behind the wheelwell.

Drivers Floor Cut Out - Here the full floor has been removed and waiting for the new floor pan to be welded in.

Passenger Floor - The front on the floor was the worst.  Unfortunately, you can not buy a patch piece for the firewall so I have to use some extra metal to fill in.

Passenger Fender - The lower part behind the wheelwell is just gone.  It is not even bolted in anymore because of the rot.

Trunk Floor - There was some surface rust.  I sanded it and then brushed on POR-15 to treat it.

Trunk Floor - I painted it black after the POR-15 cured.

Drivers side floor after replacement.  It was then undercoated for protection and sound proofing.

Passenger Floor after replacement.  It was also undercoated and then painted white to blend.

The whole floor is now finished and painted white to blend in.  It is now ready for carpet.

I tore the front sheet metal off now to replace the fender, hood, and radiator support.  The subframe is being removed next to be stripped. painted, and all new front end and bushings installed.