1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455 HO - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 371

[@1962pjb]

It's nice to see a car driving somewhere else other than around the parking lot. 👍👍😀

[@larrysmith6797]

Yeah, but Kevin drives with his left wrist. Not his left hand, his left wrist. Not a car guy! Hell, he'd flunk high school driver's ed for that stunt.

[@cobracharmer6178]

@@larrysmith6797 ; LOL!

[@salmonella1913]

@CUL8ER I thought Kevin got a job at a new channel! So other people trust him with a 1 of 82 car, but his employer doesn't trust him to leave the parking lot....Poor Kevin.

[@mynameis9057]

You just have to love that despite the killing of the muscle car in 71 Pontiac still kept on proudly turning out serious 455 Super cars like this! Kudos to them!!!! Thanks again guys!

[@allantaylor3288]

Beautiful Firebird, he’s one lucky man to have owned two of these rare cars in his lifetime 😊

[@JugalSPaul]

Oh yeah🙂

[@mynameis9057]

Oh wow! Yeah,I'd say so!!!! Although it was a 72 Catalina, my first car was a Poncho with the 400 and in the early 80s when I bought her I paid 1 dollar per cubic inch. Absolutely loved that land yacht! Man but to have one of those beautys and you had 2 of them,man I can just dream but you sir were truly blessed! One day,oh yes,one day indeed I'll have my own slice of heaven like this lovely bird!!!!

[@seangoodman665]

Pontiac made the coolest cars, period !

[@RoyalViking465]

The Mopar brothers Dodge and Plymouth say hello.

[@tomnekuda3818]

I always loved the hood on the Formula Firebirds.

[@Pptacoma]

In 1976, I bought a 1970 Firebird Formula 400, the exact same color as in this video. It had 40K miles on it. When it hit 100K miles, I had the body rebuilt and the engine pulled for a total rebuild, but all kept stock. The mechanic was shop foreman for Pontiac in my area. In 1986 I traded it in for a 4x4 (car did not like logging roads). A day after the trade in, some guys test drove it off the dealership lot and never returned it. That car was amazing. I loved blowing the doors off the Corvettes out on the open highway. Crazy top end power.

[@kenzaccaria7763]

Love Pontiac’s sad they are gone. Had a 69 GTO 400 Ram Air that was a screamer . God I wish I had kept my muscle cars!

[@samspade8612]

Nice to see an open road video. Man that exhaust cackles sweet. Full marks to the owner. The 455 H.O. was a brutal beast. Rally II's no contest. Kevin's doing a great job!

[@sergiojacquez2277]

Pontiac always built nothing but , American beauty nothing else comes close. So proud of my 73 SD-455 4sp Buccaneer red Trans -am.

[@xminusone1]

These center caps.... Never ever loose one. I had a 1974 trans am and those were impossible to come by in the 90's, even less if they were not discoloured.

[@stuartb9323]

Love the rally II wheels myself. I had a major flashback when I first viewed this episode! I basically built a very similar formula in 1977. I started with a 72 Firebird esprit, and changed everything on her. Formula hood, 1970 400 engine with a 400 turbo trans, trans am flairs, rear spoiler, new interior from a wrecked TA, and a posi rear. A friends father had an original 72 Formula 455, and I fell in love with that car. You couldn't find one like it...so that's what led me to build mine. I had her painted midnight blue metallic, and she was a blast ! Tons of memories with her.

[@stuartb9323]

And just for one added note, I put gold snowflake wheels on that ride. They went with the tan interior too : )

[@guitarsncarsnart]

@@stuartb9323 I love the snowflake wheels too.

[@fieldinglover]

I also have a 72 esprit made into a formula , 350, auto, functional ram air ( air cleaner and boots ect. was 500.00 ) and I had to put a hood tach on it even though 72 never had a hood tach , I Put the tach on because I do not have the rally gauges and always loved the hood tach ! they only made 7000 Esprits in 72 so kind of rare . In 1977 I got my first firebird a 1967 6 cyl sprint , I restored it then did the dumbest thing I could , I sold it ! then two weeks later the new owner totaled it ! made me want to cry ! that's why I have my 72 formula clone , so I can go for a drive and I am 16 again and all is fine with the world !

[@bunk-bn9eo]

I'm still in love with this body style. Probably my favorite of all time.

[@79tazman]

The early 70's split bumper Camaro and the Pontiac T/A and the Ram Air Formula were 2 of the sexiest cars of the early 70's for sure

[@charlesdalton985]

That exhaust note, combined with the sound of that Q-Jet sucking air, I wouldn’t waste money on a radio either. Oh, and keep the Rally Wheels - sharp car!

[@ragimundvonwallat8961]

i love steel wheel/dog dish combo

[@Bruningable]

The Formulas always looked the best because of their awesome hood scoops. Just fantastic!

[@karlx-1]

Those steelies and poverty caps are badass!! They are subtle and don't distract the eye from the car's gorgeous curves and lines. Back in the day I never appreciated them, but as I've matured, I really appreciate them now.

[@haroldstrickland8416]

That Formula is gorgeous! I'm fortunate enough to have a WK2 Nov 1972 Camaro. I've had it for 30 years. Don't see them often.

[@BorisW150]

Beautiful car. My mom had a '71. I used to take that thing out back in the '70's and, when no one was looking, burn rubber around corners. It could fry the tires for a long time.

[@jakespeed63]

Rally wheels indeed 😎👍 Very cool car. Recently worked on customer’s 1973 Formula 455, that he actually bought new, right here in Orlando Florida. Would love to drive this one for comparison. Thanks for sharing 😎👍🏆🏁💪

[@thefettfan3994]

Beautiful machine and a total credit to its owner. I love that shade of blue body paint work. I bet in full throttle it's a sight and sound to behold!! Great auto subject for this week's show guys!!!

[@LS1007]

The rally wheels definitely look better. I came close to buying a Formula in 1979 but it wasn’t a 455. Thanks for sharing it! 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

[@LS1007]

There are lots of bad years for lots of cars but in 1979 it wasn’t that bad.

[@LS1007]

Motersickle Bum OK you said that already.

[@LS1007]

Motersickle Bum listen to this...🖕🏻

[@justinsanders2705]

That is one good looking firebird! Am I the only one who backed the video up to hear it take off again?

[@mikeleibhart8583]

Had a 75 formula 400 about the same color, I loved that car

[@jeffreyrubish347]

I agree: go with the Rally wheels

[@mindeloman]

And VERY few muscle cars in the era retained their factory wheels. I have a set of 5 of these rallys up my attic. 15×7s I recently went to ebay check on prices. Those 15s have gotten expensive!

[@quincee3376]

Did u like the Honeycombs that came out later?

[@jeffreyrubish347]

@@quincee3376I guess the honeycomb were popular but I don't like them.

[@quincee3376]

@@jeffreyrubish347 im the same way. I dont necessarrily hate them but just never liked them like how some people do.

[@aidanfeighery6634]

The Rallye II and Honeycomb wheels were extra cost options.

[@J.W.W.]

I always preferred the Formula looks over the T/A. Love it!

[@vincentfisher5895]

I agree ! I own a 94formula. I always been a fan of "sleepers " Like the original Plymouth Roadrunner , the fox body LX 5.0 mustang. And recently the 2020 -21 Camaro LT1 a base model with the 6 liter SS motor and suspension under it. Was never a fan of wild in your face items like crazy graphics or spoilers . A sleeper let's the engine.and suspension do all the talking during the stoplight showdown.

[@johnmarshall3903]

Agree totally

[@cali2468]

I prefer the T/A but I love Formulas.

[@mgonzales56]

That's cause you never owned a new Trans Am.

[@TheMrmmkkpro]

I have a 1972 455H.O out in my shop complete with the 7f6 heads, came out of a 72 T/A.

[@bobsilver3983]

1972, a great year! 2020, hell on earth!

[@davedavis775]

My first car was a Sterling Silver 77 Trans Am with the 15X7 Rally II wheels. I loved those wheels. Got it when I graduated high school in 82. Worked that summer to put on a set BFG Radial T/A's . Looked awesome.

[@bruceh92]

I like Trans Ams but I love this car. The perfect 'bird! Great job guys.

[@hypocycloidiaspora]

Gorgeous car, and a great video! I was pleasantly surprised to see the shots of the car in motion at a scenic location.

[@vassa1972]

Totally awesome car I was born in '72 and always wanted and loved these cars. Great stuff

[@aleoimpala]

Beautiful machine and the sound of it while idling, oh man!

[@carlos64030]

Man, what a nice, clean example of a Formula! I like the wheels that's currently on it.

[@robertwright5487]

I was visiting my parents in Illinois. One of their friends who was a school teacher had a red Firebird with a white interior around the same model year. No hood scoops, no air damns or spoilers. It did have rally rims. What caught my attention was the dual exhaust tips poking out then the 4 speed manual. That beautiful car was equipped with a 400 CI 4 barrel Q. Back then you could option order about any engine/transmission combo on any of their platforms.😪

[@jasonleedham5678]

I mean just look at it, stunning. I am biased as a kid I had a Saturday job, and the guy i worked for took me for a spin in his Pontiac, it was a similar bodystyle to this, but bronze with a gold bird on the hood, and the legend 6.6l too, it had side pipes and alloy wheels, wish i knew what year it was...but this was 40 years ago! Now here in the UK, you didn't see cars like this (my Dad had a Morris Marina-google it!) and that is what started my affection for US Muscle! Great presentation Kevin BTW

[@tomnekuda3818]

Kevin.....this is a really great upload. I liked the hood/nose of this car better than any other Poncho they turned out. I wish that when they'd come out I'd had the money to set one up just like this.....plain wrapper with everything under the hood. I really like the new format where you are actually driving thru the countryside!! Keep up the good work!.

[@Firebird400]

Not going to lie I am jealous lol. Beautiful car hope he enjoys it.

[@sergiojacquez2277]

Oh i think he enjoys it lol....

[@brodywankenobi66]

I've been waiting for this episode for years. Thank you.

[@ezrabrooks12]

BEAUTIFUL CAR!!!!! I OWNED A 71 FIREBIRD. IT HAD ALL OF THE BELLS AND WHISTLES!!!!! WHITE LEATHER INTERIOR, FANCY DASH, ELECT SEATS/WINDOWS, AUTO ON THE FLOOR WITH A CONSOLE, FANCY FACTORY RIMS. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL CAR!!! DARK BLUE PAINT, WITH THE COMPLETE SPOILER/FLAIR PACKAGE!!!!!

[@randybiby9757]

Beautiful 👍👍

[@richardbeachey1444]

Ahh. Kevin, you are so at home in these machines. I truly enjoyed being along for the drive, the cruise, on an open public road. I do like the museum pieces from the Brothers Collection. But this is special - a vehicle in its element, where it belongs - on the road.

[@MuscleCarOfTheWeek]

+Richard Beachey thanks Richard!

[@Bocce-Kaizer]

Great video. Love you taking it out on road. Especially when you bang through the gears.

[@OpenRoader]

In 1984 my best friend traded in his late fathers 1981 Dodge Colt to a gas station used car lot in Van Nuys, California. On the lot was a blue 1972 Formula 455 with black interior and an automatic transmission. He got the Formula and $500 cash for the Colt since it was only 3 years old and we were still in a gas crisis. The two of us tore Los Angeles to shreds with that car for the next three years. He ended up painting the car black and putting some Centerline wheels on it. It was wicked fast with that 455. It was just a survivor of the muscle car era at that point. A used, 12 year old car that they were giving away cheap. I think the actual sticker on the car was $1200 or $1500 at the time. Super Rare car now days

[@Rampant_Colt]

I love everything about this 455 Formula! I'll take one 4sp 455 Formula, and one Cosworth Vega, please

[@EdSuggs]

Loved Formula Firebirds when I was a kid. And still do!

[@killerb4202]

Never knew about the 455 H.O. Formula....awesome car thanks for sharing!!

[@ALABAMAHEADHUNTER]

Nice show this week ! Thanks for getting out and sharing some one elses beautiful car.

[@steves4639]

holy crap what a looker. One of my fav muscle/pony cars and my fav Firebird of all time. in the late 70's a coworker had a 455 RA Formula as a daily driver, but TBH not sure if it was a '71 or '72, or which trans...and it was brown of all things. but it set the hook for me...that awesomely cool hood and the shape without the T/A spoilers...always have had an eye for them ever since. That coworker ended up selling the Formula for a '71 Boss 351...I was driving '68 340 Barracuda and I was only 20...god those were the days!

[@manoahvanderwolf3259]

had a 71. got stolen. i hope one day to have one again. i still consider it one of the prettiest and most awesome cars ever made.

[@oldtown6240]

Nice format. More to come?

[@bg147]

Such a sweet car. The steel wheels with caps looked cool.

[@BrianChappie]

I LOVE this car, and the rally wheels! It's nice to see you get to drive a car out on the road.

[@michelleleeginger5225]

I'm a Mustang gal,but I've always had a place in my heart for Pontiacs. That firebird is GORGEOUS ❤

[@billquinn1426]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@ollejohansson7266]

Thats a nice, rare and fast Formula, lucky Kevin driving it in the countryside😊 Yea back then the Formula Wheel and rear spoiler was optional on the Formula making them more anonymous. The later 1979-81 Formulas had the formula wheel and engine turned dash as standard, making them similar to a TA inside. I have a silver 1979 Formula with 400 Pontiac engine, T-tops, ws6, w50 appearance package, love that car😃✌️/Olle

[@motorcitymanman7711]

SWEEEET! Firebirds and Challengers r my favorite rides and I've owned 8 over the years. 2012 Red Challenger RT PLUS is my current toy, with 41,000 miles and so clean underneath u could eat off it I'm gonna keep her for awhile!

[@gibsonexplorer8777]

I had a 1975 fierbird I rebuilt the engine it was nice and handled like a champ stock!

[@irocitZ]

I'd definitely keep the Rally wheels and swap those radials out for a set of raised white letter bias ply tires. If I bought that car today I'd be on the phone with Coker tires later tonight. Either way, she's beautiful 😍

[@tjclt250r]

sounds like 1970 RA IV cam.... great upgrade

[@jcanthony763]

Awesome video! You need to shoot more vids of you driving the cars. I had a 1972 Firebird Formula street/strip quarter mile total custom named "midnight magic" but it was not one of these rare 455 birds. You need to find a early 70's Baldwin Motion Camaro for a MC video. The Nickey was amazing, would love to see a last generation B/M Camaro.

[@lennademaris1183]

Awesome car!!

[@jimpert6752]

Had a 73 formula back in the 80s.. would love to have it back!!

[@gregkistner1955]

Beautiful car!!

[@jkmsaturn]

The glory days of the Firebird/ That is one serious Ram Air hood design. Love it!

[@MikeBMW]

Nice, Kevin! You're outdoing yourself on this one, a difficult task. Great video, love it! :)

[@86mustanggt]

What a gorgeous car. That hood is one of the best ram air hoods ever created. It’s so good Dodge stole it and uses it on the RedEye. My choice would be the stock rims.

[@PETERLINNAH]

Beautiful car.

[@williamMikmaq222]

There it is! The Camaro with the GTO cues… Those birds were awesome,

[@sigmamale7241]

{3:27-3:48} Yeah, this H O is all about moving the air...Eargasm!!! I have and always will love this vintage of "early 2nd generation" Formula and Trans Am!

[@christ510]

Had a 1971 with a Keith Black Built Engine.

[@TheFokker03]

Wow.Bet that was fast.KB engines were all the rage in funny cars/dragsters of the era too.

[@christ510]

@@TheFokker03 At the time i diddnt know shit about cars. all I did know was it burned endless rubber.

[@joequillun7790]

Funny stuff, Kevin. "A few less Vegas, is OK". LOL. Love the 70-73 T/A body styles, and even tho this is a Formula, there's no hiding it's true intentions. No sleeper here. On the negative, I wish the owner either removed the frt spoiler, or put the rear wheel well flares on. Both, or neither. (IMO) Thanks for posting.

[@bruceallen6016]

The very first Rockford Files trailer debuted one of these cars.. Problem is I cannot find reference to it anywhere now. This is one of my favorite Pontiac body designs ever. The 455 can't hurt either. 😎

[@gmcnelly2468]

Still have memories of a '72 in burnt orange. It would go. My friend has a TA, 1974 with the 455 warmed over. The stoutest car I ever drove, including big-block corvettes!

[@512bb]

Gotts to have the Rallies, of coarse1 Thanks Kevin.

[@SuaveCerealKiller]

No spoilers, and the dog dish caps....ultimate sleeper.🤎🤎🤎

[@plymouthduster2252]

The rally wheels. I wouldn't have minded having one the same color as this one in the video

[@raphaelhernandez4088]

I actually prefer the formula to the trans am and it sounds bad ass! And ya the rally 2s are one of the best factor wheels.

[@2t713]

Closing the doors on these cars sounds like 2 symbols smashing together.

[@guitarsncarsnart]

So true. It seems like for the last 10 years I've been adjusting the windows on my Formula. I'm working on the regulators as we speak.

[@stripervince1]

Sounds beautiful

[@terrygugel3803]

Great looking car! Wish I had my 76 formula 400 back

[@elit3401]

What an Awesome car !

[@ahmetalgn7511]

nice review thanks

[@catjudo1]

My first car was a '70 Pontiac Firebird, just about as base model as could still be had with the 350 V8. It was rusty and an awful shade of gold, but it was a smooth driving car, even after 21 years. It was one of the best driving cars I've had, and it was quick with little emissions to clog the power. I wanted a four speed, but all I could find was the ol' slushbox, but it still worked well. Had it for 5 1/2 years and it never stopped being fun to drive. If I could have a "new" one, I'd want a '70 Formula 400, black, dark blue or dark green, black interior. Four speed, definitely. And no spoilers. My car didn't have any spoilers and I always thought it looked better that way. Might put some American Racing Torq Thrusts on it. I always liked that wheel from Bullitt.

[@ronclaman156]

I had a 70 formula 400 with 4 speed I purchased in 1982 . 1 of less then 1000 made with options it had... at local Coffee shop my neighbor said I didn't drive fast I flew low in it .....

[@jimmybanta4520]

Beautiful car

[@hanktorrance6855]

This car sounds amazing, even with the detuned engine

[@hanktorrance6855]

Motersickle Bum I suspected as much, that has way too much rumpty rump for a 72 anything!

[@rickarra1833]

Beautiful. I've always loved the Formula, especially that cool hood. Shouldn't take much to add some hidden go fast parts to let those heads do their work

[@bradnoble2855]

I remember High School my neighbor had a formula however my 70 Z28 with run circles around it both great cars though

[@calvincooley1074]

I like the T/A dam on front.

[@garyliali2548]

Love the colour. Rally II wheels every day of the week..👍

[@erichite4871]

I'm a fan of the dog dishes!

[@JackF99]

I'm a Ford guy but I think the 70-73 Firebird is the best looking pony car of all time. Actually better than the '67 Mustang fastback.

[@davidbell9130]

very fine looking

[@gregblumenthal9819]

I had this same color . 1972 455 HO Ram Air 4speed car ten bolt posi rear. Mine had AC, white vynle top plus power windows and door locks. Kick myself regularly for selling that car! Probably one of a kind with those options.

[@LthlMustang]

Such a badass machine

[@audieconrad8995]

Some of the coolest hood-scoop designs ever! And, nah...no dog-caps for me on this ride - classic Rallye-II's all the way.

[@rickwells4829]

I had a 70 formula 400 same color blue with cravers instead of the rally wheels either way it was a beautiful car wish I still had it

[@gelandewagen4376]

beautiful gorgeous car but rarely plays in movies

[@John_Doe657]

Beautiful car for sure

[@rightlanehog3151]

I wonder how much money you saved in 1972 by buying the laid back Formula instead of the fancy Trans Am ;-)

[@TheFokker03]

Engine option,iirc,was the Trans Am LS5 in the 455 HO.Standard Formula 400 used the L78.

[@2010deanML]

Around a grand less than the TA

[@bassettraceengines]

I like the rally wheels but not the spoilers

[@GianniKnowsBest]

You had me at "40 cents a gallon"

[@kramnull8962]

The youngsters will say, what's the problem... Well average joe only made $1.00 an hour. Some a little more most a little less...