The 1970
Pontiac Firebird, Formula &
Trans Am
Lot#2
![]() |
This Formula belongs to John Wallace. Hopefully I'll be able to provide more info on this
car soon... John also owns a '70 Formula that he drag races (see the Drag Racing Firebirds Lot#1) and a '73 455 Trans Am that also sees some strip duty. He also hosts his own web site entitled Wallace Racing. Stop by for more info on his family's drag racing tradition. E-mail: John Wallace |
![]() |
![]() Your help is requested in locating this car!! I am posting this picture of this car as a special request to a gentleman who sent me an e-mail looking for help. His story follows and I'd appreciate it if you'd read it if you think you may know where the car depicted above is located. In 1969 when Pontiac first published a picture of the not yet released Formula 400 Firebird I "fell in LOVE!". At the time I had a nearly new 1969 GTO Convertible which was less than a year old and very pampered. But, I headed to the local Pontiac dealership ( Manly Pontiac, Abilene Texas to inquire about purchasing one of the new birds). I was told by the salesman the 70.5 Firebirds would be allocated as one TransAm and One Formula 400 to each dealership and although he would take orders, the first cars would be kept as floor displays. Not dismayed , I sat down and filled out a special order for the car. The car was ordered in Bermuda Blue, 400w 4BBL carb, triple tint glass, Black knit interior, 8track AM/FM Radio, Rally gauges, Tach in the dash, CLOSE RATIO 4spd, Air, Rally Wheels, Trim in the wheel wheels, drip rails and the rocker panel, PWR Steering and brakes, and low ration rear end. The factory BI**HED about the order for quite some time as I was violating the warranty (no close ratio 4spds or low rear end ratios with Air) I signed a release and the car came to Abilene in Feb. of 1970. IN FACT MY BIRD PRECEDED ALL OF THE DEALERS FLOOR SAMPLES! The dealer was bound and determined to keep me from knowing the car had arrived , but my future brother in law worked in the shop and called the day it arrived. I was there within the hour! My near new GOAT CONVERT seemed to be a lesser car and I happily traded the GTO to the dealer as "PART" payment for the BIRD. I drove the BIRD for about 2 years ( I also got my one and only speeding ticket in that car 100 MPH in a 70 MPH posted area - Interstate 20 between Ranger Texas and Abilene.. Cost me $1.00 per mile!). In January 1972 I received orders ( I was in the US Air Force stationed at Abilene Texas) to move to Omaha Nebraska. At the time the car was paid for and a ready source of needed cash to make the move. So I sold the car to an airman assigned to Dyess AFB taking his restored 1957 2dr Belair Chevy in partial trade. The airman was originally from Mississippi and I lost track of the car the week I sold it! The picture of the car attached displays the 1970 Texas plates which were on the car when first registered. DJM-583 // possibly someone has the capability to cross old registration plates to auto type and serial numbers? At any rate, I would like to locate this car if it is possible. If I find the car I intend to repurchase. Thank you for indulging my dream. Kenneth Cates E-mail: Kenneth Cates |