1978 Trans Am & 1973 Formula 400 - Birds For All Reasons

George has done little more than some engine-compartment detailing and maintenance on the T/A since he bought it. The major job thus far was rebuilding the brake system. This winter he plans on detailing the undercarriage as well. Aside from that, more shows and more weekend cruising will be on his schedule for next season.

'73 Formula 400
This is the Bird that followed George home-by way of eBay. He wasn't even in the market for another Second-Gen, satisfied with his '78 and '70 1/2 T/As, but fate intervened.

"While looking for parts for my T/As," George explains, "I ran across a 'Survivor Formula' up for auction on eBay." The unusual color, Navajo Orange, and owner-added functional Ram Air hood prompted him to investigate further. "The seller and I spoke for several hours and I determined it was not a true 'survivor'-the engine bay had been detailed at some point and the car was repainted-but it was still very well kept."

Then came the clincher. "The original owner of the car was a 64-year-old lady named Eunice," the seller said. Had George found the proverbial little old lady's car?

"The lady lived in Moxee City, Washington." he continued. "Her husband bought her the Formula new in 1973 from a local dealer in Yakima. When he came home with it, she wasn't thrilled, but she kept it. When asked why, she replied, 'Well, it was a good car, and there wasn't any use in getting rid of a good car and losing money on it.'"

She didn't drive the Formula too often over her 26 years of ownership, since none of her senior citizen friends could gracefully get in or out of the front or rear seats because it was so low. In 1999, after two-and-a-half decades of pampered, garage-kept ownership and one paint job, the Formula was sold because she had grown too old to drive it-Eunice turned 99 this year.

How did each successive owner trace the car back to her? Through paperwork she kept in the Bird-every registration and insurance card since 1973 were delivered in it to the next owner. Each owner thereafter kept up the tradition.

By the end of the conversation, George was firmly hooked. The seller concluded the phone call by asking if George was interested, to which he replied, "I bought the Formula for the 'Buy It Now Price' [$19,500] an hour ago!"

Since taking delivery in May 2007, George has installed a new heater core and hoses and window weatherstripping. He detailed the engine compartment a bit further, but has otherwise enjoyed it in much the same way as his two T/As. "The engine has never been opened up and the Formula drives like new," he quipped. Having driven this Pontiac to and from the photo shoot, the author can attest to how smooth, comfortable, and tight this Formula drives. It really does feel like the summer of 1973 from the driver seat.

If its history, appearance, and street prowess aren't enough, the Navajo Orange Bird won its class at the '08 Ames Performance Pontiac Nationals, its first national event.