A well-preserved, one-family-owned 1970 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 is drawing attention as it heads toward the end of its online auction. The car, located in La Cañada Flintridge, California, has accumulated more than 7,000 views and 25 bids, with the high offer sitting at $14,250 and three days remaining before bidding closes on Nov. 24.
The Formula 400 arrived for 1970 as part of the second-generation Firebird lineup and served as the performance step just below the Trans Am. While less visually aggressive than the flagship model, the Formula delivered much of the same muscle, thanks to its 400-cubic-inch V8 and sport-oriented chassis. This example carries that mechanical pedigree along with decades of documented family history.
Finished in its factory-correct Palladium Silver over black vinyl, the car features a four-speed manual transmission and the 6.6-liter V8 that defined the model. According to the listing, the seller’s father purchased the Firebird new in 1970 and stored it indoors beginning in the mid-1970s. The seller inherited the vehicle in 2018 and reports that it has been started monthly and driven sparingly, accumulating roughly 200 miles during that time.
The Firebird comes with a substantial collection of records, including service documentation dating back to 1977, the original purchase order, factory manuals and a clean California title. Several factory features remain intact, such as 15x7 Rally II wheels and an AM/FM radio with an 8-track player. The chassis number confirms its identity as a 1970 Formula 400 assembled in Norwood, Ohio.
The listing notes a number of updates done over the past two decades, including a repaint, new vinyl roof and replacement carpeting completed between 2005 and 2007. More recent maintenance includes a radiator replacement in 2018 and a new carburetor body in 2019. The car wears BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires and retains a mostly original interior.
Several imperfections are disclosed. The vehicle occasionally fails to restart immediately after driving, though it starts again after a short cooldown. The driver’s door is difficult to close due to gasket interference, and the heating and air conditioning systems are inoperable. Additional issues include worn shock absorbers, intermittent radio and 8-track operation, paint bubbling on the hood and a nonfunctioning clock.
Despite these flaws, the seller describes the car as a strong-running driver suitable for preservation or restoration. With its documented history, matching factory color, and long-term single-family ownership, the Firebird Formula 400 presents an uncommon example of a performance-oriented Pontiac kept largely intact over more than five decades. Bidding remains open until Monday afternoon.