1970 Firebird Formula Walkaround with Steve Magnante

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

STEVE!! You're looking and sounding fantastic!! Another great video!

[@darrellsaunders4267]

70 to 73's best looking cars ever.

[@billdang3953]

Unfortunately, these model years also coincided with the start of the malaise era.

[@blib3786]

@@billdang3953 73/74 was the start, not 70-72.

[@will7its]

@@billdang3953 Easily remedied if you were a car guy.....

[@MrTheHillfolk]

​@@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.

[@Vekurus]

@@will7its especially these days.

[@dpaulwilliams309]

I could just sit in the garage and look at this car, it's a work of art.

[@USARAY1947]

Great to have you back, Steve. You haven't missed a step.

[@kowalski5599]

I am subscribing purely on the basis of Steve Magnante appearance.

[@lonnieosbourne818]

same here

[@72442conv]

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!

[@briankirkpatrick9364]

Steve is a good guy glad he doing well these are great videos to see Steve's knowledge

[@ericbedard8183]

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!! 😂

[@m1a1hm]

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

[@rogergoodman8665]

Your looking good Steve!!! Thanks for making my day with this Formula!

[@watzonda2b]

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.

[@kc0lif]

i thought rockfords cars were esprit.

[@kenkamins9364]

Yes, they were all Formulas with flat hoods added and re sprayed. That is not a factory color.

[@charlesdalton985]

@@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.

[@JC-ec7ey]

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.

[@55cleon]

Thank You For Mentioning James Garner (Jim Rockford). I Grew Up Watching The Rockford Files With My Dad...GREAT MEMORIES 🤷🏿‍♂️.

[@walterneville2625]

THE BARRETT JACKSON TELECASTS ARE NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU... STEVE IS AN ICON.

[@MAPRTX]

THANKS STEVE

[@maxtiffit4274]

Steve is the man ! A junk yard or a trailer queen. He knows them all. Thanks and good to see you !!

[@doubleaaaron]

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.

[@wcf2124]

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!

[@loualiberti4781]

Steve: Back to the Walking Car Computer !!! I Love 💕 it !!

[@johnwilson8377]

So good to see Steve back at it again.

[@kfiscal01]

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.

[@clintpitney3918]

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?!

[@davidp2888]

Gen 2 Firebirds are my favorite cars. Thank you, Steve!

[@charlesdalton985]

What a proper color for a Formula, stunning example. Thank you High Octane Classics and Mr Magnante ~ Chuck

[@calvinsplan4774]

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.

[@gpr8695]

It's great to see you, Steve ! God bless you !

[@roadrunner4404]

I always loved that hood. Thanks

[@jaymorgan8017]

Me too !!

[@davidchristensen6908]

What a gorgeous car. That hood looks amazing. Thank you Steve M. Best wishes to whoever buys this beautiful looking car. Interesting color.

[@larryharry7221]

Another great one Steve

[@ericfaley9019]

Nice presentation! Your looking better every time we see you

[@craigtittsworth9440]

Love that Bird!

[@timlabell]

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. 😇💋

[@Alan-lv9rw]

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.

[@daveflaugher5180]

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.

[@thebigpicture2032]

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.

[@MikeyMack303]

Thanks, Steve. It's great to see you up and around and back at it!

[@patmayer7222]

,,,,...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

[@mikemichaud5048]

Thank you Steve!👍

[@chuckdeyo291]

Thanks Steve. Looks great.

[@MattInFL]

Steve, we love you man! Keep ‘em, coming!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

The Formula was always my favourite Firebird. Those dual hood scoops are the coolest. The colour on this one is gorgeous.

[@diffdrmr884]

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. 😂😂😂

[@samiam5557]

luv the paint color

[@vintagemotelguest]

Someone should state just what that color is. Looks a lot like the 1975 Persimmon. I’ll look at the 1970 Pontiac paint chart.

[@1998Formula]

@@vintagemotelguest Looks like Castillian Bronze

[@thud9797]

​@@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.

[@LivinlifenFL]

Absolutely one of my favorite Pontiacs and Firebirds

[@madmike2624]

What a fantastic color!!! Very sharp. Your looking great Steve. keep on healing my brother!!!!~

[@mattfritch6375]

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.

[@donaldsalkovick396]

Beautiful car.....I'm actually wearing the same exact slippers right now too! Good to see you back Steve

[@paulwatson4189]

Steve great job as always and you are looking better all the time. God Bless.

[@jamestregler1584]

Hi Steve! Glad to see you from old New Orleans 😎

[@jamesplotkin4674]

Keeping your continued health in our thoughts. Your friends from California, Jim and Derek.

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

Gorgeous styling throughout.

[@scottmaz4063]

This was my 1st car in 77. Loved and miss it

[@thud9797]

Had a 71 bought Jan of 78, oh if I could go back. 😀

[@steelwheels327]

Welcome back Steve ...you're were missed!!

[@claysmell]

always loved that hood. woman down the block had one, and it was a 4 speed. I would see her drive past the bus stop every morning. as time went on it would run worse and worse. I was pretty sure it just needed a new distributor cap and points. and someone to smoke those tires :D

[@Porsche996driver]

Beautiful car and love that classic ‘70s burnt orange color!

[@Magna9]

Great job. Steve is awesome with car knowledge.

[@Pontiacdreams]

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!!

[@patrickmonaghan8555]

Hi Steve, You are looking stronger and better all the time!!! You look and sound great!

[@davidbrown4180]

Great to see you getting back into the swing of things Steve 😊

[@goopah]

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.

[@Seansworld17]

Always one of my favorite looking cars of all time!

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Great looking formula from Pontiac!👌😎👍Thanks for sharing this video Steve!

[@samrumade9429]

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.

[@davehad-enough2369]

Very nice Steve. Magic looking vehicle.

[@christopherg9806]

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.

[@ztwntyn8]

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

[@mlj6419]

Steve, you are The GOAT. Thanks

[@GeneCook-i3x]

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.

[@styrenerelics]

Very cool car. Love the color. It is so good to see you back at it Steve. You look great.

[@cooldogs2161]

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!

[@blainesnider9089]

I have a true 70 400 th400 luci blue and bright blue interior 330 hp

[@rojopo65]

Steve. So glad to see you are back. You look really good. Look forward to more episodes. 😊

[@frederickhettesheimer2698]

Great to have you back Steve. If I'm not mistaken Ponch from Chips drove a Formula Fire Bird in almost that same color.

[@1967davethewave]

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!

[@formula112967]

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.

[@davidgosselin5466]

Good to have you back, Steve! Chin up. As for the car, I'm a 1974- model year fan.

[@danmyers9372]

Love the slippers Steve. Good to see you back making videos! And I LOVE the Formula Firebirds. Had several friends who owned one of these back in the early ‘70’s. One if my best friends had a Formula 455 which was an awesome car. Great looking and likely one of the very best handling muscle cars. And today one of the hardest classic muscle cars to find!

[@maldo72]

It's great to see you back and recovering... personally I always like the look and feel of the Formula

[@paulc14]

Steve, you are looking great! I hope things are going well. Wow, what a beautiful car!

[@EricDuffy13]

GREAT to see you doing again what you are so good at!!

[@stevewalter517]

The best looking front end and hood of any car.

[@brianbarry6909]

OMG Steve you look great Good to see you 😊

[@shanewilson9250]

The 70 and 76 Firebird/Trans Am were my favorite Pontiacs.

[@tonymaglio9376]

Great job steve. And awesome job on the Test drive man

[@Vern-yb8uv]

Great to see you feeling better Steve , I really appreciate all your videos and knowledge, thank-you for all that you do and take care from Canada 🇨🇦

[@Ron_Lockwood]

Thank you,Steve. I always liked the Formula line of FB.❤😎

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

Frank Poncharello {Ponch from CHiPs} had a bad ass '71 Formula 350 in Anaconda Gold & with the shaker & hood bird ✌💖☮

[@MrRudyhj]

I don't think the color was actually anaconda gold (we have a 72 Esprit in that code 63 color, and it doesn't match the TV car)....not sure what they used, but there definitely were a few different variations of gold used.....and several different cars as well. In some episodes you'll see the car with a Formula hood with a shaker. others, just a hood with shaker, some hoods featured the bird, some cars had a tan interior, others black....I could go on. They wrecked that poor Firebird several times so it's no surprise there were inconsistencies with the car....and in a way it fit with the storyline as Ponch had the car rebuilt, but it was significantly different than the car we saw in the first season. Fun fact.....the first Firebirds were actually leftover vehicles from the Movie Corvette Summer.....just painted from black to copper.

[@PelicanIslandLabs]

Awesome seeing you in such great form Steve! Congrats to you! 👍

[@matthewgarvey1928]

Steve so happy to see you on two pegs and doing what you love again !!!!!!!@ welcome back man ! Hope you continue to heal and are doing well !

[@robertvance1873]

So proud of you Steve for your strength and desire to not give up and you are walking better and better 💪 good job 👍

[@kennethsonier1766]

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 ✌️🇺🇲

[@risinbison1106]

Gorgeous restoration. We had many early 70’s GM cars in my HS parking lot back in the mid 80’s. Most had been driven to hell and back.

[@midwest9040]

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.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

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.

[@455Olds]

Looking Great Steve..can't wait to see more of you soon!

[@hbuzgon9557]

Steve Good to see you back. I am watching you on High Octane Classics... Keep up the excellent work..

[@kevinbarrett9615]

One of the most attractive Firebirds of all time, very cool.

[@WeAreBeggarsAll83]

Really appreciate your in-depth reviews

[@rickstrandberg6398]

Looking good steve😊

[@Blueagle8u]

My first car was this in Gold! Man I miss it

[@oreallous]

Hi Steve, good to see you

[@johnnychally]

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.

[@cliffbird163]

Awesome to see Steve. Keep on punching kid!!!

[@katazack]

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.

[@leslieadkins1353]

Great job Steve glad to see you back man I've been waiting on you to come back and do your thing