1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula

- One Owner
- 52k Original Miles
- 350 V8
- 4 Speed Manual
- Factory AC
- All Original Paperwork

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all of the more than 155 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

“The Early 1970s Pontiac Firebirds Were Great Looking Designs” – MotorCities.com, April 2020

The authoritative website continued: “The Pontiac Firebird models had their origins as the F-car in 1966 before they were introduced to the public. Two great GM designers directly involved with the program were Jack Humbert, who oversaw Pontiac exterior design, and the talented Bill Porter, involved with Pontiac styling since 1959. Thomas E. Bonshall, the author of 'Pontiac: They Built Excitement,' said: 'With its fluid shape, uncluttered lines, absence of rear quarter windows and full wheel cut-outs, the 1970 Firebird was remarkable for simplicity and elegant excitement.'”

“Many automotive historians consider the early 1970s Firebird models among the best designs in GM's history…. The Firebird's interior was developed by John Schettler, who designed Pontiac interiors at the time. It featured high bucket front and rear seating for the driver and passengers and was admired by many consumers.”

Offered here is a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula in silver over blue. The car is a true, unadulterated, one-owner survivor with original documentation included. Built at GM's Norwood, Ohio assembly plant and originally sold in Youngstown, Ohio, the Firebird has traveled 52,508 miles since new, or just over 1,000, miles per-year on average since new. Its outstanding condition speaks to the sole owner's pride in, and care for the car over its first half-century. The Firebird's original window sticker is included in the sale (and can be viewed in the photo gallery for a complete listing of the car's standard and optional equipment).

The exterior silver paint is in excellent condition across the entire body, including the Endura-clad, bespoke “twin nostril”-style front bumper, twin-scoop hood, and gently sloping rear deck. There are no dents, dings, or other imperfections on the sheet metal panels. (To best assess the quality of the paint and trim finishes, be sure to view the close-up photographs of the car in the accompanying gallery.) All factory badging—including the Firebird emblems front and rear, “Pontiac” grille badge, “Formula 350” front-fender emblem, and “P-o-n-t-i-a-c” lettering on the rear fascia—is all properly in place. Tastefully limited chrome trim on the rear bumper, dual-exhaust tips, cabin-glass and headlight surrounds, and wheel-well edging—is all in excellent, bright condition. Lighting lenses are clear and unblemished. Stock, 14-inch, styled steel wheels with chrome trim rings and "PMD" (Pontiac Motor Division) center caps are mounted with period-correct GoodYear® Polyglass 70-series raised-white-letter tires.

The well-kept blue custom-level interior is a refreshing look compared to more-common black; it is entirely stock in appearance. High-back front bucket and rear 2-occupant bench seats are upholstered in blue vinyl with perforated center inserts. The upholstery has virtually zero wear and absolutely no rips or tears. Cabin floors are covered in blue carpeting protected by Firebird-emblem rubber mats. The stock black sport steering wheel with Firebird-emblem center frames the comprehensive analog instrument cluster set in woodgrain trim. The dashboard is unfaded and as-new; instrument markings are crisp with unfaded graphics and indicator needles. Factory air-conditioning slide-lever controls and the stock Delco® push-button radio are located in the center-dash. The shifter for the 4-speed manual transmission is located on the console and topped with a Firebird-emblem shift knob displaying the shift pattern. The console includes a center armrest-storage box. Every interior surface retains its original look and feel.

Under the hood, the 350-cubic-inch V8, still wearing the factory-applied light-blue engine-black paint, commands a stock engine bay. Component surfaces (including air conditioning components) are likewise original, and the entire engine bay is complete and unmodified, and thankfully has been spared shine-enhancing spray-on products. Viewed from below, the Firebird's chassis is similarly complete, undamaged, and original. The factory full-length dual-exhaust system is a visual focal point.

The car's factory-mounted build and identification tags remain mounted. Original owner's documentation including the aforementioned window sticker are included in the sale.

While the more than 155 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '71 Firebird Formula in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

Pontiac enthusiasts, and collectors in general, rightly value originality. A Firebird Formula 350 in this un-modified, virtually as-delivered-from-the-factory, survivor condition is a real—and rare—find. We don't expect it'll be long before its second owner takes delivery.