Sally Longo didn't learn how to drive until she was sixty-three years old. Surely what the rest of us take for granted, driving wasn't something Sally had to do until her husband passed away. With her nearest relatives in Ohio, Sally was without an instructor. However, several teenage neighbors came to her rescue and helped her hone her skills in an old Oldsmobile Cutlass. After putting some miles under her belt, the Penn Hills, Pennsylvania native felt that she was ready for a new car, so she sold the Cutlass to her tutors and ordered a brand-new 1975 Pontiac Firebird Formula.
It turns out that Sally always wanted a "sports car," and the Formula was just what she was looking for. For $4,008.60, the 175-horse 350 4-barrel Firebird with an automatic transmission was delivered straight to her house and, as ordered, it was equipped with the Cordova vinyl top in white, matching white interior and paint code 51, which specified the vivid Sunstorm Yellow. Sally didn't drive the Pontiac much, but she did back it out of the garage every day, obviously relishing her prized Formula.
Years later and closing in on 90, Sally moved to a managed care facility in Ohio near where her family lived. Sally's children handled her finances and it was decided that the Formula was to be sold. Luckily David Viglianco, Sally's grandson, wanted to buy the Firebird and drove it home for the measly sum of $500. With all of 2,924 miles on the odometer, the Pontiac was a great bargain and now it would be kept in the family. David drove the Bird every now and then until he decided to restore it.
While one has to wonder what there is to restore on a Pontiac with only 2,924 miles, you have to remember that the paint in 1975 wasn't the greatest. They were still using single stage and although the Formula didn't get driven all that much, it did get to see the sun quite often. This resulted in slightly faded Yellow that was more sunflower than Sunstorm. David had the Bird repainted in its factory color, this time with Sherwin Williams basecoat/clearcoat paint and, although the Cordova top was still in excellent condition, he had it replaced. "The top was in real good shape, but it had a couple of very small cracks and I was afraid that water might get in there and start rusting," said David. The Formula still retains all of its factory white interior, with the exception of the headliner, replaced with an NOS piece.
The original hoses and belts have all withstood the test of time and the drivetrain was also left untouched. The 350 cubic-inch, four barrel-equipped Pontiac engine and TH-350 transmission send power to a stock 2.56-geared open rear end. Stock Pontiac 15-inch Rally wheels wear the original Uniroyal GR-70-15 steel-belted tires and the stock disc/drum brakes are employed to stop the Pontiac.
Today, the Formula still leads a charmed life. David drives it about once a month and tools to car shows every now and then, but that's pretty much it. When we asked what his future plans for the Formula were, his answer would seem to carry on his grandmother's tradition. "I'm going to hold onto it for a while," said David, "Maybe I'll give it to one of my kids when they're old enough."
Yes, driving is something we can take for granted, but the ability to pilot an automobile is a freedom we should cherish. We're sure that Sally would agree. Though she doesn't drive anymore, her like-new "sports car" still takes to the streets on occasion with a caring family member behind the wheel.
There aren't too many hoods...
There aren't too many hoods that say muscle like this fiberglass ram air unit. Pontiac did a great job promoting ram air in the '60s and early '70s but, sadly, in 1973 the scoops were closed due to drive-by noise laws. They remained shut until the 1980s.
As it was ordered, the Formula...
As it was ordered, the Formula did not come with the rear spoiler or Trans Am side-splitter exhaust tips. David added both of these items after the restoration to further the Bird's athletic appearance. Aftermarket Gabriel shocks have replaced the OEM dampers, but the rest of the suspension and drivetrain remains as delivered from factory. David still has the original chrome plated mud flaps replete with white tips. He chose not to reinstall them but holds onto them as a reminder of '70s fashion.
The bright white interior...
The bright white interior looks right at home in this vintage '75 Bird. Original owner Sally Longo had a hard time using the molded door pulls, so she had the dealer install the straps at the top of the doors. Current owner David Viglianco had to replace the headliner due to some failing factory adhesive, but the rest of the interior remains as pristine as the day the Formula rolled off the showroom floor. Note the instruction card on the driver's sun visor.
Astute onlookers will notice...
Astute onlookers will notice the accent stripes on the car. Code 638/D98 specified the $43 option, which has often been lost after repaints and changing tastes, but David planned to maintain the original look by having the stripes replaced after the new paint. "I called Teri Adkins of Phat Girl Graphics in Lavalette, W.Va., and she stopped over and made stencils of the stripes before the body work began. Once the new paint was finished, Teri applied the new accent stripes and they really came out perfectly."
350 cubic-inches, 175 smog-clogged...
350 cubic-inches, 175 smog-clogged horsepower and a four-barrel carburetor were pretty good for 1975. Remember, the 400 in the Trans Am only had 10 more horsepower. Pontiac was one of the few companies that kept the excitement going until fuel injection revived the muscle in the ponycars in the mid '80s.
The original spare is still...
The original spare is still waiting for emergency use. Along with an all-original Pontiac, David has the original title, license plate and owner's manual. He also has his grandmother's yearly inspection documents, which detail the low mileage of this 1975 Firebird Formula.