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1979 Pontiac Formula Firebird 400ci 4sp WS6

Location: Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States
Condition: Used
Make: Pontiac
Model: Firebird
Type: Coupe
Trim: Formula
Year: 1979
Mileage: 77,000
VIN: 2U87Z9N149094
Color: Silver
Engine size: 400
Number of cylinders: 8
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Red
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title: Clear

1979 Pontiac Firebird Formula Description

PHS documented, and completely numbers matching 1979 Formula in excellent condition with 77,427 actual miles. This Formula is one of only 367 Factory 4-speed cars with the L78(W72) high performance engine built in 1979. This Formula was built for performance and also comes from the factory with the WS6 special performance handing package and is a factory ac car. That alone makes this Pontiac very rare, now factor in that only a few factory non performance options were ordered makes it even more rare (see provided PHS documents pictured below). This Formula looks great, runs awesome, and is fun to drive, especially with the windows down rowing through the gears. This is an excellent opportunity to own a RARE Formula that is ready to be used and enjoyed. The car is finished in the beautiful and desirable color combinations of Platinum Silver(15) over Carmine Red(74R) standard interior. This is the factory color scheme as verified on the trim tag pictured below as well as the PHS documents that are also included and pictured below. The low original mileage is verified not only by the condition of the car, but also the clear Minnesota title.

Please note that this Formula is completely numbers matching, which means the engine and transmission are original to the car. Stamped on the block is the engine code, "PWH," pictured below. This engine code was only used in the 1979 on the 400ci 4-speed models, which it correct for this car. Also stamped on the engine block are the last six digits of the VIN, 149094, also pictured below. This indicates that this is the original engine that was installed in the car new at the factory. The transmission main case has a casting date of 1.12.79, which is pictured below and correct as it predates he car's build date of the fourth week of February, 1979. Also stamped on the main case and pictured below are the last six digits of the VIN indicting the transmission is also original to the car.

The car runs and drives like new. This is the last year of the Pontiac 400. If your a Pontiac guy, this car is a must have for your collection. Here are the options....

Four Wheel Brakes for the WS6 Suspension:
Now that the Firebird reached significant production levels it could now be offered with four wheel discs brakes. The four wheel discs became part of the WS6 Performance Package for 1979 and was very popular. When you order the W72 400 Engine you were required to get the WS6 package so all 400/4 speeds for 1979 were equipped with four wheel disc brakes. The 4 wheel disc brakes for Firebird were unique to the line and were not derived from the Corvette 4 wheel disc brakes.
W72 400:
The last of the true Pontiac big blocks would be installed in the 1979 Trans Am and Formula. The 400 production plant had actually been converted to 301 and 4 cylinder production in 1978 but the plan was to hold 10,000 400 engines over for the 1979 model. As it turned out demand for the engine in 1978 was higher than expected and only 8,672 were retained for 1979. Of these only 346 were installed into Formulas, 1817 in Tenth Anniversary Trans Ams, 1107 in Black and Gold Special Editions, 2917 in other T-Top equipped Trans Ams, and 2485 in Hardtop Trans Ams. The Pontiac big block received an appropriate send off in the 1979 Firebirds and marked the end of an era. It Will Not Pass This Way Again was the title of the article in Car And Driver for January 1979.

Exterior

The Platinum Silver exterior is in excellent restored condition. This Formula was treated to a professional paint job with all new correct decals applied. The body was extremely solid and rust free before new base coat clear coat was applied. The finished product looks excellent in the photos and video and even better in person out in the sunshine. Often many Formula's will have particularly chipped up front ends, this car does not. Both bumpers are in excellent shape with no spider webbing or flaking paint, and the nose crest emblem has just been replaced. There are no major imperfections that have been intentionally excluded from the photos. The tires are literally brand new, sized 225/70/15, and the original snowflake wheels are in nice shape. The center caps are brand new as well as the lug nuts. All of weather-stripping is also brand new along with the window sweeps. The trunk is very solid and freshly painted with new trunk seal and trunk mat and is nicely detailed with spare tire, jack, jack base, lug wrench, and accessories.

Interior

The Carmine Red standard interior of this Formula looks splendid. The seats are in great shape especially considering their age; there are no tears, split seams, or signs of excessive wear outside of the small area in the middle top of the rear seat. The driver's seat is not worn in the typical spots where the driver gets in and out and looks like it has some some repairs done in that area. This is hardly noticeable at all. The carpet is also like new with no major stains, rips, or holes. The original dash is in great condition with no cracks, fading, warping, or sun damage. The original door panels look good with no major cracks or splits; the very lower front corner of the driver's panel shows some distortion. Both of the door pulls are solid and in tact. The headliner is in great condition with no stains or sagging at all. The aftermarket Pyle stereo sounds great, and most importantly the original dash was not cut or modified for the installation, and new 6x9 speakers are mounted in the rear deck. All of the interior plastics are in very nice shape and not chalky with the factory texture and grain pattern. The original dash bezel is in great condition and the engine turned pattern look like new. The package tray was also recently replaced and looks like new. As one would expect, the new material used on the driver's seat is not a perfect match, but hardly noticeable at all in person. This car has not been smoked in; there is no aroma what so ever. Older Firebird interiors are not known to wear well, and the excellent condition of this interior is a testament to the excellent care this car has received throughout its life. I even have the original floor mats!

Mechanical

This Formula is in good mechanical condition and all of the accessories work, although the AC system appears to need charged. The mechanics and the way this car runs and drives are some of its strongest points. The car is an exceptional driver that feels great on the road and at highway speeds. There is no smoke when starting or driving the car. It starts right away every time, idles well, and runs excellent. The car shifts well, does not pop out of gear, and the clutch feels good. The brakes are responsive and do not pull to one side or the other. Also, the engine is clean and nicely detailed as one can see from the photos. The horn works as do all the exterior lights, gauges, wipers, and blower for the heater/AC. The speedometer, odometer tachometer, oil pressure, fuel, and battery gauges all work as they should. This Formula has a lot of power and handles amazingly since it is a factory W72/WS6 car. The only items we are aware of that do not work are obviously the clock and the a/c, which most likely needs to be recharged. Luckily, the compressor is not locked up and the system has already been converted to the modern style 134a refrigerant so service should be much simpler. As one can hear in the video this car has a crisp and healthy exhaust note from the Flowmaster mufflers and no catalytic converter. Not enough can be said as to how much of a pleasure it is to drive this car, especially with the 4-speed transmission rowing through the gears on a beautiful day.

Overall Condition

Overall, this 1979 Formula is in superb condition. It is extremely valuable being only one of 268 Formulas with the highly sought-after 400ci engine. This car turns heads and gets tons of attention wherever it goes. The rare and sought-after options, great color combination, low original mileage, PHS documentation and 4 speed W72 make this Formula especially important and nearly impossible to duplicate.

There's a youtube video on the car, just search for 1979 Formula Firebird seven hills. Let me know if you would like me to text you additional photos. I'll try to get better pics uploaded but right now the weather is not cooperating.

If you check out my feedback, you will see I'm a serious car guy, no BS here. This car gave me great joy, but I'm ready for the next one. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you for looking and please do not hesitate to email or call 612 272 1922 with any questions.