1988 Pontiac Firebird Formula Coupe

In 1988, Pontiac produced 62,455 examples of the F-body Firebird. The 2-door coupe came as the Trans Am, Trans AM GTA, and the Formula. 17 major changes and engineering modifications were made to the car. The base engine was an overhead valve six-cylinder engine displacing 2.8 liters and offering 135 horsepower. An optional overhead valve 5.0-liter V8 was available, boosting horsepower to 170 BHP (depending on configuration - 190 BHP and 215 BHP). The V8 engine found in the GTA model produced 225 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission with overdrive and a four-speed automatic was available.

The base models came with 15 x 7-inch deep-dish Hi-Tech Turbo or diamond spoke aluminum wheels, an AM/FM stereo with seek-and-scan and clock, Pallex cloth interior trim, a re-designed four-spoke steering wheel, new Camel colored interior, monotone paint treatments, plus two new exterior colors (orange metallic and silver-blue metallic). The base engine was a 2.8-liter MFI v-6.

Other features of the base model Firebird were a high-mounted stop lamp, analog instrumentation, full-length console with instrument panel, side window defoggers, front air dam, GM Computer Command Control system, rectangular-shaped concealed quarter halogen headlights, monochromatic paint, AM/FM stereo, cloth reclining bucket seats in the front, folding rear seat, four-spoke steering wheel, and lockable storage compartment.

Formula models, which had a base price of $12,000, rode on 16 x 8-inch Hi-Tech Turbo cast aluminum wheels and were powered by a 5.0-liter throttle-body injection V8 engine. All 5.0-liter and 5.7-liter engines now featured full-gauge along with clusters and a 140-mph speedometer.

The Trans Am GTA models, which had a base price of $19,300, now had a remote decklid release, power antenna, power windows, power door locks, bodyside moldings, air conditioning, lamp group, tinted glass, Pass Key theft deterrent steering, AM/FM stereo with cassette and graphic equalizer, and right-hand visor vanity mirror. GTA models now also had leather-trimmed articulating bucket seats in the front.

GTA models came equipped with a 5.7-liter TPI V8, disc brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, dual power mirrors, power articulating front bucket seats, power deck lid release, power door locks, power windows, AM/FM stereo with cassette and anti-theft feature, performance suspension, leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel radio controls, four-speed automatic gearbox, and 16 x 8-inch gold-colored light-weight diamond-spoke aluminum wheels.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2013