1987 Pontiac Firebird Formula

Here's a 1987-1990 Pontiac Firebird Formula. If that's the factory paint, I think that's an '87, because that's the only year that solid (non 2-tone) Bright Blue Metallic was available as an option on the Formulas.

The third generation of the F-body, before its mid-cycle refresh for the 1991 model year, is a sort of historical record of the American performance car renaissance.

When the third gen Firebirds debuted for the 1982 model year, the base Firebird came with a 151cid throttle-body injected 90bhp Iron Duke four cylinder and a 4-speed manual and the baddest Trans Am had an LU5 305 cubic inch V8 with "Crossfire fuel injection" rated at 165 SAE net horsepower.

For 1990, the last model year before they uglified the nose cone, the cheapest loss-leader Firebirds had a 140bhp 3.1L V6 with a 5-speed gearbox and the Trans Am could be had with a 245bhp L98 Tuned Port Injection 350 under the hood.

In 1987 the Formula package was freshly back after a six year hiatus, and the base motor in this car would have been the 170 horsepower LG4 305 V-8 with a Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, backed by either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Optionally, the buyer could opt for the LB9 Tuned Port Injection 305, which gave 190hp with the automatic or 205 bhp with the manual. Finally, the Formula could also be had with the L98 350 TPI V-8, which made 225 horsepower in the Firebird, down slightly from the Corvette due to different, iron cylinder heads and a more restrictive intake. 

The 5.7L 'Vette-derived motor could only be had with an automatic transmission because the Borg Warner T5 World Class five-speed used in the third-generation F-bodies (like their arch rival Fox Body Mustangs) wasn't rated to handle the torque from the bigger motor.

The giant screaming chicken hood decal was gone as a factory item for '87, so the one in the photo is likely a dealer-installed option. Normally it would have a plain hood save for either "5.0 Liter" or "5.0 Liter F.I." decals on either side of the power bulge. The 5.7L cars had big "FORMULA 350" decals along the lower door panels. WS6 performance suspension and 16" wheels came standard on the Formula, too.

Car and Driver tested the '87 Formula with the Tuned Port 305 and a 5-speed and turned in a 6.8 zero-to-sixty time and a 15.1 second quarter; respectable for the era and still plenty quick enough to keep up with traffic.

The one in the photos was snapped with a Canon EOS-1D Mark III and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS zoom lens in April of 2024.