[PureSD]

Another bird will be joining the nest. '71 Formula 455HO 4spd. From California since day one with personalized original blue plates "FORM 455". Original engine and M22. Silver with black interior. Dealer added Ram Air. Car was originally ordered with no power steering, no power brakes, and poverty caps. How cool is that? Very psyched! On the carrier now headed this way.

[RamAir]

congrats, post up some pic's when you get a chance

[RicksGTO]

very nice find, congrats!. Please post pics and more details as you can!

[blue71ta]

I was going to pursue that one too, but "snoozed" too long. Congrats on the purchase. I assume it's the same one that was on eBay and was discussed here previously.

[2manyT/A'S]

Sounds like a "real stripper"....most LS5 W66's tend to be more heavily optioned than the smaller motored ones...

This was the one on ebay where the seller joined our thread on the car here? (last spring?)

[eaglesan13]

This one?

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/...a/1605058.html

[Judge273]

Nice work Sean! That is a nice one, and can't wait to see it in person!!

FWIW: If not for that one, I would not have met my good car guys from CA who helped me get my 72, and hopefully I helped one to get his HO Formula project going....

[PureSD]

Yes, this is the one that was on ebay and most recently in Hemmings. Very surprised no one had purchased the car before me. The seller was originally high on his asking price and was very particular on how he wanted the deal consummated. This may have turned people off. He also previously stated that the car was damaged by original owner but all panels are original with no evidence of significant damage. This may have turned off buyers as well.
Gregg Dog inspected the car and confirmed it's rust free, the body condition, matching numbers and other things important to me. It does have its issues like they all do but the basic essentials for me are all there. Need to find the correct carb though. Thanks to Gregg Dog and Judge273 for their help on this purchase.

[njsteve]

Dealer-added ram air? I thought the ram air was a mandatory option with the 455HO engine or was that just in 1972?

Very nice car, by the way!

[Judge273]

You weren't alone Steve. I bet a lot of 71 Dealers were having to answer that question from people who checked the 455 HO in 71.

But, hence its an option on all 455 HO's in 71 but standard on Judge...Makes it a rare option on a 71 455 HO GTO or Formula.

Sean, correct carb as in 1267? Steelies and Poverty caps going on? Fun car to do a lot with!

[PureSD]

Originally Posted by njsteve

Dealer-added ram air? I thought the ram air was a mandatory option with the 455HO engine or was that just in 1972?

Very nice car, by the way!

There is some controversy on this though. Some are firm on their opinion that Ram Air was standard in '71 and some are firm it was an option. My buyers guide written by John Gunnell shows the "WC" block as 455HO 4spd Ram Air 335hp. Thoughts??

[3tas4me]

The option codes show that the Ram Air option was an option only on the 455 HO in a Formula. Selecting the 455 HO did not mandate Ram Air for the Formula in 1971.

[smaman]

I like that car-congratulations. Hopefully you got it for less, but 30k on that seems like a good deal. In my opinion, 455 ho Formulas should be worth more than the TA's. Lower production, greater variety in colors and options.

[1971WARBIRD]

Originally Posted by PureSD

There is some controversy on this though. Some are firm on their opinion that Ram Air was standard in '71 and some are firm it was an option. My buyers guide written by John Gunnell shows the "WC" block as 455HO 4spd Ram Air 335hp. Thoughts??

the 71 Trans Am had a WC 4 speed block, but they were not ram airs, using 7041267/7041268 carbs instead of the 273/270 ram air carbs. had a hard time wrapping my head around that one when I was buying parts for mine back in 1980.

[2manyT/A'S]

Pontiac Accessorizer dated Jan 4/71 states in the Firebird section..........Sales Code 601 UPC Code WU3....Hood Air Inlet (available w/455HO V8 only on 2687) $84.26

This is kinda like the deal on 72 Unitized ignition....Mandatory on W66 LS5....but optional on WS4 LS5....(go figure?)

[Norwood]

Maybe we will see you a bit more now Sounds like a great car. I might be heading on down the road to see you soon.......I assume it will be delivered to your place of business?

[PureSD]

Originally Posted by Norwood

Maybe we will see you a bit more now Sounds like a great car. I might be heading on down the road to see you soon.......I assume it will be delivered to your place of business?

Should be arriving early next week. I'll have it at the dealership for a few days then taking it to my warehouse in Sycamore. Maybe you, Evans, and Sparks want to meet up next weekend and check it out over a few brewskies. Eh?

[PureSD]

Originally Posted by smaman

I like that car-congratulations. Hopefully you got it for less, but 30k on that seems like a good deal. In my opinion, 455 ho Formulas should be worth more than the TA's. Lower production, greater variety in colors and options.

I know a lot of guys feel the same way. I do think the gap will narrow between Formula and T/A values. I have always thought the Formula hood is the coolest hood ever produced by GM. Right there with the 70-72 442 Ram Air hoods.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by PureSD

I know a lot of guys feel the same way. I do think the gap will narrow between Formula and T/A values. I have always thought the Formula hood is the coolest hood ever produced by GM. Right there with the 70-72 442 Ram Air hoods.

Bill Porter, who Designed the Formy agreed ...Look at His Trans am...

[transam1972]

FORMULABRUCE..where do you get these wonderful pics??..I know the Formula hood was originally planned for the Trans Am...what a sleeker look...and is it possible that it even looks less gaudy?...would have messed up the guys plan who designed the hood bird though