@@blib3786rare as they were , Pontiac didn't wanna give up and had the 73-74 sd-455 but yeah the writing was on the wall and 160hp 460s were just around the corner.
That you High Octane Classics for having Steve as your spokesperson. He is the most knowledgeable guy in the industry, he shows up on a video and I watch it and hit the like button. You could not have a better representative of your brand!
Steve is the goat!! Fuzzy lined slippers and all!! He is a dedicated man to all of his supporters!! Coma last year, slippers and firebird's the next!! Love this man cyclopedia!! 😂
My understanding is that Rockford DID drive Formula Spec Firebirds, However James Garner requested for the hoods to be replaced with the flat Firebird hoods for a more reserved look. He definately drove a Sleeper ! Thanks Steve Magnante and HOC for sharing this vehicle.
@@kc0lifThey were indeed rebadged Formulas. You can see the sway bars in the driving scenes. They felt a poor private eye could not afford the flashier car but they needed the performance for the stunts.
That is correct. All of the Rockford Files Firebirds were Formulas (except for the earliest episodes that actually used a 1974 Firebird Esprit in close-ups). Another giveaway that they used the Formula is they had dual exhaust (which were not available on the Esprit or the base Firebird), and that was only available on the Formula and Trans Am.
I love these videos and glad you are doing better Steve. I prayed that you would get to feeling well again. I wish that every day you will feel better and better.
I had a 74 400 formula, turbo 400 trans, Lucerne blue with white buckets and black dash/ carpets. That thing would really move and handle fantastic. My CB handle was the midnight ryder! Damn i miss that car. It was my first car and bought it for 1,500 bucks in 78.
These High Octane Steve videos make me so happy! Can't wait to share these with my 94 year old father who's also a huge Magnate fan! We're glad to see you getting back into your grove, Steve!
,,,,...dear,,Steve,,...cool vid as always,.........my uncle bought his firebird,,1970,,,blue w/ white stripe,,,shaker hood,,,..i was 10 y.o.,,,,my first experience of a burnout,,,power,.....the rest is history...,,,,coolest car the U.S.ever made,....imo
@@1998Formula Yeah that's it. Guy in my neighborhood back in the day had a 400 Esprit the same color with saddle custom interior and black vinyl top and always loved that car.
I personally think the Pontiac 350 is the most underrated engine in that displacement range. Since it shares the block with the 400 and 455 it is very wide giving it long intake runners. It is very torquey for an engine under 360 cubic inches. It may not produce the highest horsepower like a 351C or a 350 LT1 but everyone I've ever owned or driven was a tire smoking fun car to drive. They will give you the impression that they have a lot more power than they actually do!
Personally much prefer the Formula over the TA. The woodgrain dash is so much more European than the faux engine-turned TA dash and never really cared for the plastic spats on the wheelwells. To each his own for sure. Any RA IV Formulas out there? Probably not. Nice job Steve. Good to see you back in full force.
Sadly Ram Air III was the top engine for the Formula but customers complained so Pontiac made the top of the line engine available in the Formula from 71-74.
Steve you are getting old just as I am I have watched you for many years I am so glad you're back thank you for everything you have done and what you're doing now I will watch everything that you put out from this point on. I am a single head lamp front end for the firebird. I'm dissatisfied with smokey and the bandit model. 😇💋
This was my one and (unfortunately) only "muscle car" back in the day. Mine was a '70 Formula 400 that had a tan interior. I believe the real color name on this is Castillion Brown. A beautiful color combo. It was a pretty strong car. I got it used in 1972. Ran into the original owner one day and he told me that he had done some work to the engine. I only had it for a couple years. I was commuting to college during the first gas crisis and at 10 mpg with a 16 gallon tank, there wasn't a lot of range there. Had to let it go, much to my younger brother's chagrin. He ended up buying a '75 Formula and then four Trans Ams over the years. One of the best cars I ever owned, and definitely the prettiest.
I’ve always been a Mustang guy. And the 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 is the most beautiful American car. But as I get older, I’ve come to love the early 1970’s Camaros/Firebirds. This one is magnificent. When they’re conservatively styled and not over done with cosmetics, they are works of art.
The Formula 400 was a model all it's own in 1970 only! The Formula 350, or Formula 455 became avaliable for the 1971 model year! The Rear Deck Lid Spoiler, was not available on the 1970 model either! It was optional from 1971! The "Formula" Steering Wheel was an extra cost option on the Base Firebird, Esprit and Formula 400 models, standard on Trans Am! Also, all 1970 Formula 400 and Trans Am models had the 12 Bolt Differential as standard, only for 1970! The V.I.N. sequence starts as follows: 22387, Base 22487, Esprit 22687, Formula 400 22887, Trans Am Pontiac produced 7708 1970 Formula 400 models, of which 7019, were the 400 V-8. The remaining 689 had the Pontiac Ram Air III V-8, which came with the functional Ram Air, hood and air cleaner! Nice looking car!
LOVE that car. In 1967 my folks bought a mint green 4 door Catalina. It had to go in for service and the loaner was a brand new 67' Firebird ! Been in love with those cars since. Keep the Fire chicken. 😂😂😂
Its a beautiful car Steve. Thanks for showing it. I wish the camaros had (stock) headrests like that, it would have made 5 pt harnesses easier to wear.
Great video! You might want to recheck the VIN on this nice Firebird. I say that as the Firebird Formula 350 wasn't available until 1971, not 1970. In 1970 the only Formula was the 400 model. The fine 350 was only on the basic Firebird and Esprit. In 1971 the Firebird Formula 350 had a gross horsepower rating of 250 (was 255 in 1970 on the Firebird & Esprit) and had a net rating of 180 with the dual exhaust system.
According to Wikipedia, the 1970 base model Esprit and Formula came with the 350. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Firebird#1970 I can't seem to confirm the accuracy of this though, as the 1970 Firebird brochure says the Formula came standard with the 400, as you indicate. If true, someone put a Formula hood and badge on this car, or it's newer than 1970, as you said.
So glad to see you up and running! For what it’s worth,I had serious back surgery a month ago,a blood clot in right lung. Slow recovery….hope that by spring I will be able to get around. Hope to recover as well as you have.
I love that car because of the hood scoops. Looks very similar to my 70 GTO. I bet there are interchangeable parts. Like the lower front running lights.
Hey Steve, I’m so happy to see you back. You look like you’re recovering well! I wish you the best and please keep the videos coming. I love everyone of them.
It's good to see you in your natural surroundings again Steve, and you are putting the pounds back on!.....great car, as I am a big Pontiac fan, but I would want one with a third pedal.
About a decade ago, and before I got priced away from the Barrett-Jackson, I texted a comment and a question to Steve. He was kind enough to answer, graciously. A solid guy.
Good morning from Cape Cod ⛵ nice to see you back in your element Steve 👍 I prefer the look of a formula over the trans Am. I had a 71 formula 400 with a 4-speed, I absolutely loved that car. I pray your health continues to improve steve, and keep up the great work ✌️🇺🇲
Very informative video… I remember many moons ago watching Steve @. Barrett Jackson, very informative again, nice Pontiac, beautiful shape minus the colour lol
First time here, and I don't know anything about this guy, but I love him. He's great, knows his stuff, and delivers it all in fuzzy slippers. What's not to love? Oh, and beautiful car. I owned several second gen Trans Ams back in the day, and have always loved these body lines.
As an old guy I can say this. Back in the day I had a 1970 400 Formula with the 4-speed. Held the unofficial title of fastest all-stock car in high school. It seemed to have a problem keeping tires and clutches. Another one of those, I never should've sold that one.
STEVE!! You're looking and sounding fantastic!! Another great video!
70 to 73's best looking cars ever.
Unfortunately, these model years also coincided with the start of the malaise era.
@@billdang3953 73/74 was the start, not 70-72.
@@billdang3953 Easily remedied if you were a car guy.....
@@blib3786rare as they were , Pontiac didn't wanna give up and had the 73-74 sd-455 but yeah the writing was on the wall and 160hp 460s were just around the corner.
@@will7its especially these days.
I could just sit in the garage and look at this car, it's a work of art.
Great to have you back, Steve. You haven't missed a step.
That you High Octane Classics for having Steve as your spokesperson. He is the most knowledgeable guy in the industry, he shows up on a video and I watch it and hit the like button. You could not have a better representative of your brand!
I am subscribing purely on the basis of Steve Magnante appearance.
same here
Steve is the goat!! Fuzzy lined slippers and all!! He is a dedicated man to all of his supporters!! Coma last year, slippers and firebird's the next!! Love this man cyclopedia!! 😂
THE BARRETT JACKSON TELECASTS ARE NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU... STEVE IS AN ICON.
Steve is a good guy glad he doing well these are great videos to see Steve's knowledge
Man nice ride!! I love those 70 to 73 Firebirds that's why I have a 71 Firebird Formula 400 in my garage right now
My understanding is that Rockford DID drive Formula Spec Firebirds, However James Garner requested for the hoods to be replaced with the flat Firebird hoods for a more reserved look. He definately drove a Sleeper ! Thanks Steve Magnante and HOC for sharing this vehicle.
i thought rockfords cars were esprit.
Yes, they were all Formulas with flat hoods added and re sprayed. That is not a factory color.
@@kc0lifThey were indeed rebadged Formulas. You can see the sway bars in the driving scenes. They felt a poor private eye could not afford the flashier car but they needed the performance for the stunts.
That is correct. All of the Rockford Files Firebirds were Formulas (except for the earliest episodes that actually used a 1974 Firebird Esprit in close-ups). Another giveaway that they used the Formula is they had dual exhaust (which were not available on the Esprit or the base Firebird), and that was only available on the Formula and Trans Am.
Thank You For Mentioning James Garner (Jim Rockford). I Grew Up Watching The Rockford Files With My Dad...GREAT MEMORIES 🤷🏿♂️.
Your looking good Steve!!! Thanks for making my day with this Formula!
So good to see Steve back at it again.
I love these videos and glad you are doing better Steve. I prayed that you would get to feeling well again. I wish that every day you will feel better and better.
Steve is the man ! A junk yard or a trailer queen. He knows them all. Thanks and good to see you !!
I had a 74 400 formula, turbo 400 trans, Lucerne blue with white buckets and black dash/ carpets. That thing would really move and handle fantastic. My CB handle was the midnight ryder! Damn i miss that car. It was my first car and bought it for 1,500 bucks in 78.
THANKS STEVE
Great job. Steve is awesome with car knowledge.
These High Octane Steve videos make me so happy! Can't wait to share these with my 94 year old father who's also a huge Magnate fan! We're glad to see you getting back into your grove, Steve!
Steve: Back to the Walking Car Computer !!! I Love 💕 it !!
,,,,...dear,,Steve,,...cool vid as always,.........my uncle bought his firebird,,1970,,,blue w/ white stripe,,,shaker hood,,,..i was 10 y.o.,,,,my first experience of a burnout,,,power,.....the rest is history...,,,,coolest car the U.S.ever made,....imo
It's great to see you, Steve ! God bless you !
So great to see you doing your thing!!! Can’t believe the guys in the shop couldn’t give you sometime to do the video?!
Gorgeous styling throughout.
The Formula 400 was and is my dream car from the first day they made them in the 60's. My first car was a 69 350 firebird.
luv the paint color
Someone should state just what that color is. Looks a lot like the 1975 Persimmon. I’ll look at the 1970 Pontiac paint chart.
@@vintagemotelguest Looks like Castillian Bronze
@@1998Formula
Yeah that's it. Guy in my neighborhood back in the day had a 400 Esprit the same color with saddle custom interior and black vinyl top and always loved that car.
I personally think the Pontiac 350 is the most underrated engine in that displacement range. Since it shares the block with the 400 and 455 it is very wide giving it long intake runners. It is very torquey for an engine under 360 cubic inches. It may not produce the highest horsepower like a 351C or a 350 LT1 but everyone I've ever owned or driven was a tire smoking fun car to drive. They will give you the impression that they have a lot more power than they actually do!
Personally much prefer the Formula over the TA. The woodgrain dash is so much more European than the faux engine-turned TA dash and never really cared for the plastic spats on the wheelwells. To each his own for sure. Any RA IV Formulas out there? Probably not. Nice job Steve. Good to see you back in full force.
Sadly Ram Air III was the top engine for the Formula but customers complained so Pontiac made the top of the line engine available in the Formula from 71-74.
I always loved that hood. Thanks
Me too !!
What a proper color for a Formula, stunning example. Thank you High Octane Classics and Mr Magnante ~ Chuck
The Formula was always my favourite Firebird. Those dual hood scoops are the coolest. The colour on this one is gorgeous.
Gen 2 Firebirds are my favorite cars. Thank you, Steve!
Steve you are getting old just as I am I have watched you for many years I am so glad you're back thank you for everything you have done and what you're doing now I will watch everything that you put out from this point on. I am a single head lamp front end for the firebird. I'm dissatisfied with smokey and the bandit model. 😇💋
The 70 and 76 Firebird/Trans Am were my favorite Pontiacs.
This was my one and (unfortunately) only "muscle car" back in the day. Mine was a '70 Formula 400 that had a tan interior. I believe the real color name on this is Castillion Brown. A beautiful color combo. It was a pretty strong car. I got it used in 1972. Ran into the original owner one day and he told me that he had done some work to the engine. I only had it for a couple years. I was commuting to college during the first gas crisis and at 10 mpg with a 16 gallon tank, there wasn't a lot of range there. Had to let it go, much to my younger brother's chagrin. He ended up buying a '75 Formula and then four Trans Ams over the years. One of the best cars I ever owned, and definitely the prettiest.
Had a 70 was a great car!
I’ve always been a Mustang guy. And the 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 is the most beautiful American car. But as I get older, I’ve come to love the early 1970’s Camaros/Firebirds. This one is magnificent. When they’re conservatively styled and not over done with cosmetics, they are works of art.
I grew up riding to elementary school in a 71 Formula 400 black on black and now I have a 71 Formula 400 and 73 TA 4spd
Another great one Steve
Nice presentation!
Your looking better every time we see you
If this was a 4 speed, it would be a perfect car. As it is, it's close enough to perfect for me. I love it.
What a gorgeous car. That hood looks amazing. Thank you Steve M. Best wishes to whoever buys this beautiful looking car. Interesting color.
Hi Steve, good to see you
Awesome to see Steve. Keep on punching kid!!!
I had a 70 TransAm with the 455 / 4sp,, it was WAY FUN!
The Formula 400 was a model all it's own in 1970 only! The Formula 350, or Formula 455 became avaliable for the 1971 model year! The Rear Deck Lid Spoiler, was not available on the 1970 model either! It was optional from 1971! The "Formula" Steering Wheel was an extra cost option on the Base Firebird, Esprit and Formula 400 models, standard on Trans Am! Also, all 1970 Formula 400 and Trans Am models had the 12 Bolt Differential as standard, only for 1970!
The V.I.N. sequence starts as follows:
22387, Base
22487, Esprit
22687, Formula 400
22887, Trans Am
Pontiac produced 7708 1970 Formula 400 models, of which 7019, were the 400 V-8. The remaining 689 had the Pontiac Ram Air III V-8, which came with the functional Ram Air, hood and air cleaner!
Nice looking car!
I have a true 70 400 th400 luci blue and bright blue interior 330 hp
Good to see you back Steve! Good subject too. Some of these entry level muscle cars far too often get overlooked for their bigger brothers.
It's great to see you back and recovering... personally I always like the look and feel of the Formula
Good to see you buddy 😎
Steve, keep um coming!
Thank you Steve!👍
Looking good Steve!
LOVE that car. In 1967 my folks bought a mint green 4 door Catalina. It had to go in for service and the loaner was a brand new 67' Firebird ! Been in love with those cars since. Keep the Fire chicken. 😂😂😂
Great seeing u Steve,,tks fir sharing
Its a beautiful car Steve. Thanks for showing it. I wish the camaros had (stock) headrests like that, it would have made 5 pt harnesses easier to wear.
Hey Steve, looking good. Glad to see you’re doing well. Hope to see you at some of the Barrett Jackson shows again lots of luck prayers sent.
hello steve it is a great day to see you up and moving around
Steve had a 70 with a after ram 5 with turbo 400 - 12 bolts 7:02 rear end plus another 70 ram 3 - 4speed plus a 73 455 and two more formula 400 😊😊😊
Keeping your continued health in our thoughts. Your friends from California, Jim and Derek.
Thanks, Steve. It's great to see you up and around and back at it!
Thanks Steve. Looks great.
Great video! You might want to recheck the VIN on this nice Firebird. I say that as the Firebird Formula 350 wasn't available until 1971, not 1970. In 1970 the only Formula was the 400 model. The fine 350 was only on the basic Firebird and Esprit. In 1971 the Firebird Formula 350 had a gross horsepower rating of 250 (was 255 in 1970 on the Firebird & Esprit) and had a net rating of 180 with the dual exhaust system.
According to Wikipedia, the 1970 base model Esprit and Formula came with the 350.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Firebird#1970
I can't seem to confirm the accuracy of this though, as the 1970 Firebird brochure says the Formula came standard with the 400, as you indicate. If true, someone put a Formula hood and badge on this car, or it's newer than 1970, as you said.
Love that Bird!
This was my 1st car in 77. Loved and miss it
Had a 71 bought Jan of 78, oh if I could go back. 😀
Steve, we love you man! Keep ‘em, coming!
Steve. So glad to see you are back. You look really good. Look forward to more episodes. 😊
Hi Steve! Glad to see you from old New Orleans 😎
Welcome back Steve ...you're were missed!!
Steve, you are looking great! I hope things are going well. Wow, what a beautiful car!
Nice to see you out and about
Steve! Glad to see you back! I hope you're doing well. Wow - low back buckets in '70 only... that's pretty cool. No tach either, which is a bummer.
So glad to see you up and running! For what it’s worth,I had serious back surgery a month ago,a blood clot in right lung. Slow recovery….hope that by spring I will be able to get around. Hope to recover as well as you have.
I love that car because of the hood scoops. Looks very similar to my 70 GTO. I bet there are interchangeable parts. Like the lower front running lights.
What a fantastic color!!! Very sharp. Your looking great Steve. keep on healing my brother!!!!~
Hi Steve, You are looking stronger and better all the time!!! You look and sound great!
Absolutely one of my favorite Pontiacs and Firebirds
Great to have you back Steve.
If I'm not mistaken Ponch from Chips drove a Formula Fire Bird in almost that same color.
Great to see ya Steve 🤙🏽😎🍻
Beautiful car.....I'm actually wearing the same exact slippers right now too! Good to see you back Steve
As a Firebird fanatic with a ‘68, ‘72, ‘77 and ‘78 Trans am I’m very impressed with your knowledge and wonderful presentation- Thank you!!
Beautiful car and love that classic ‘70s burnt orange color!
Welcome back Steve !!!!!
Hey Steve, I’m so happy to see you back. You look like you’re recovering well! I wish you the best and please keep the videos coming. I love everyone of them.
It's good to see you in your natural surroundings again Steve, and you are putting the pounds back on!.....great car, as I am a big Pontiac fan, but I would want one with a third pedal.
About a decade ago, and before I got priced away from the Barrett-Jackson, I texted a comment and a question to Steve. He was kind enough to answer, graciously. A solid guy.
Steve great job as always and you are looking better all the time. God Bless.
Good morning from Cape Cod ⛵ nice to see you back in your element Steve 👍 I prefer the look of a formula over the trans Am. I had a 71 formula 400 with a 4-speed, I absolutely loved that car. I pray your health continues to improve steve, and keep up the great work ✌️🇺🇲
Very informative video… I remember many moons ago watching Steve @. Barrett Jackson, very informative again, nice Pontiac, beautiful shape minus the colour lol
Love this car and love the color. I've always loved the look of the Formula over the Trans Am.
Great to see you getting back into the swing of things Steve 😊
First time here, and I don't know anything about this guy, but I love him. He's great, knows his stuff, and delivers it all in fuzzy slippers. What's not to love? Oh, and beautiful car. I owned several second gen Trans Ams back in the day, and have always loved these body lines.
Great looking formula from Pontiac!👌😎👍Thanks for sharing this video Steve!
As an old guy I can say this. Back in the day I had a 1970 400 Formula with the 4-speed. Held the unofficial title of fastest all-stock car in high school. It seemed to have a problem keeping tires and clutches. Another one of those, I never should've sold that one.
Hope you're doing well, Steve. I love you in the most hetero, family way possible. God be with you.
Looking Great Steve..can't wait to see more of you soon!
Good to have you back, Steve! Chin up. As for the car, I'm a 1974- model year fan.
Steve Good to see you back. I am watching you on High Octane Classics... Keep up the excellent work..
Steve, you are The GOAT. Thanks
The best looking front end and hood of any car.
Very cool car. Love the color. It is so good to see you back at it Steve. You look great.