BaT Auction: 1981 Pontiac Firebird Formula Turbo

This 1981 Pontiac Firebird Formula is finished in white with black and blue accents over a blue vinyl interior, and it is powered by a turbocharged 301ci V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. Equipment includes the WS6 Special Performance Package as well as 15″ alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, and a Sony CD stereo. The car was acquired by the selling dealer in December 2020 and servicing in preparation for sale included fluid changes as well as replacement of vacuum lines and the rear shocks. This final-year second-generation Firebird is offered with a build sheet, an owner’s manual, a clean Carfax report, and a clean South Carolina title.

The body is finished in White (11L) with blue and black lower body accents, a hood bulge with an integrated boost indicator, integrated fog lamps, taillight louvers, quad exhaust tips, Soft Ray tinted glass, and Formula lettering along the rockers. The car is believed to have been repainted under previous ownership, and flaws in the finish are pointed out by the seller in the image gallery and in the walk-around video below. One of the boost indicator lights does not illuminate.

Aluminum 15″ wheels are wrapped in 235/60 BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. The WS6 package added power-assisted disc brakes all around and an upgraded suspension, and the seller reports that the rear shocks were replaced in early 2021.

The interior is trimmed in blue vinyl with matching carpets, floor mats, and door panels. Amenities include a tilting steering column, cruise control, air conditioning, power windows, and a Sony CD stereo. Cracks in the dashboard are shown in the gallery.

A three-spoke steering wheel fronts a machine-turned dash panel with an 85-mph speedometer, a non-functioning analog clock, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer displays just over 46k miles, a handful of which were added by the selling dealer. Total mileage is unknown.

The 301ci V8 is equipped with a Garrett TBO-305 turbocharger and a Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor, for a factory-rated output of 200 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. The selling dealer has changed the fluids and replaced vacuum lines as necessary in preparation for sale.

Power is routed to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. Additional photos of the underbody are provided in the gallery.

An owner’s manual and build sheet are included in the sale along with additional documentation from Pontiac Historic Services.

The Carfax report shows no accidents or other damage and lists history in New York, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina through the most recent entry in March 2020.

The narrated walk-around video presented above highlights the exterior, interior, engine bay, and trunk as well as imperfections.

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