The 1970 Firebird first smiled in front of the public at the Chicago Auto Show, with the newly introduced Trans Am, now in its second year, still not gaining traction
Pontiac produced over 48,000 Firebirds for this model year, and the Trans Am account for less than 3,200 units. This nameplate needed a few more years to take over, with sales going through the roof in the second half of the decade.
The best-selling model in 1970 was the Esprit, whose production got close to 19K units. The base Firebird was the runner-up with 18,874 units, followed by the Formula with 7,706 units.
Most Formulas rolled off the assembly lines with the L78 400ci unit, as over 7,000 units used this engine in 1970. More than half – 4,638 examples – were fitted with an automatic transmission. Only 696 Formulas received the L74 Ram Air III package.
This 1970 Formula 400 landed on eBay not long ago, and its promise certainly catches the attention of collectors. Seller kharmangeddit claims their Firebird is unaltered, so it should theoretically come in the same condition as on day one. However, you’re strongly recommended to inspect the car in person – or order a third-party inspection if checking out the vehicle live is not possible – as the owner only posted a few specifics on eBay.
The vehicle sells with PHS documentation, and the owner says all numbers match. However, the good news hides under the hood, where the original engine still starts and runs like a new unit. This Firebird Formula is not a spotless 1970 example, and the photos clearly highlight its biggest problems – hats off to the seller for the high-quality pics that help draw a clearer image of their Firebird.
However, the rust isn’t a concern, and the paint—is it the original finish? It should be, considering the car has never been altered, but make sure you ask for more information—looks good, except for a few spots requiring your attention. The undersides are clean—not spotless but clean; however, the floors won’t need patches.
This Firebird checks all the big boxes for a survivor, and with minor TLC, it can become a head-turning machine worth a small fortune. For now, the owner wants only $42K for the car, and the price has rapidly caught the attention of many Internet users. The auction site claims over 100 people are already watching the listing, and the chances are that someone has already submitted an offer to take this Firebird home.
If you want to see it in person, you must contact the seller and then get a ticket to Syracuse, New York. The listing will expire in 19 days, so you have enough time to convince your SO that a Firebird should be your next purchase.