Dash-mounted, optional, power...
Dash-mounted, optional, power door locks and a two-speed rear defogger are rare options on a Formula. The rear-window defogger wasn't available with the optional electric rear-window defroster.
Suspension
According to Joe, "The low mileage of the car and the excellent components included in the optional Formula Handling package (Y99) allowed the Pontiac to retain its original suspension. The undercarriage still carried the factory red primer, and surprisingly, the suspension components-including the rubber body bushings and stabilizer-bar bushings-were still in good shape, so everything was cleaned. Only the core-support bushings were replaced."
Included in the Formula Ride and Handling package were the Trans Am's suspension components featuring higher-rate leaf springs combined with specially tuned shocks, quicker variable-ratio power steering, and 1.25-inch front and 0.875-inch rear stabilizer bars to provide the steering and cornering capabilities to rival the best factory offerings.
Braking consisted of excellent, optional, power front-disc brakes measuring 10.9 inches (option code JL2) with 9.5-inch rear drums. Other than a Wagner drum and a left rear axle to replace the damage done when the car smashed into a pole, all that was required to return the braking system to factory-fresh condition were new pads and shoes and a thorough flush of the hydraulics.
Although purchased with Rally...
Although purchased with Rally II wheels and F-70 tires, the buildsheet showed Honeycombs and the fatter, optional F-60 Goodyear PolyGlas GT tires. After careful research, a correct set of date-coded, 15x7-inch Honeycombs were purchased and expertly restored before being adorned with N.O.S. trim rings and center caps.
Conclusion
The unique combination of originality, numbers-matching status, '72's most powerful Pontiac engine, and a staggering array of options make this ultra-rare Formula a great street car and highly collectible. According to Joe, "My first car was a '68 GTO hardtop that took me through high school and college. I love Pontiacs and have 17 in my collection, including a '69 and '71 T/A. The '72 H.O. Formula is great to drive, with a nice mix of luxury and most importantly, the torque to plant you in the seat. Without the rear Formula spoiler, this looks very close to a plain-Jane Firebird, allowing this to be a true sleeper car."
Almost as important as the lengthy list of options and rarity is the manner in which the owner restored it. In this day and age of over-restored trailer queens, this Bird was done with an eye toward retaining as much originality as possible. When you are able to reuse all of the original weatherstripping, sheetmetal, and interior, and effectively refrain from spending thousands to marginally "improve" upon a nonfunctional part on the car, it shows patience and a true love for the spirit of Pontiac performance.
Next time you're out cruising and happen upon a wingless Monarch, pay heed, as this ruler doesn't need a wing to take flight.
"I knew that this was something special as it wore Formula 455 badges and a factory-original Ram Air hood. Viewing the engine and transmission at the owner's son's house confirmed the Bird as a numbers-matching 455 H.O."
 This is the business side...  This is the business side of the Ram Air system. |  Here is the factory, optional...  Here is the factory, optional rear defogger. | |