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Found a numbers matching muscle car, come in ....

Started by 28chevyguy, September 26, 2019, 08:34:41 AM

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28chevyguy

So I found a 71 Firebird Formula 455 , numbers matching car sitting on the side of a guys house.  42 K miles , car looks good but has been sitting out side for at least 10 years, was garaged before that at his dads and they "lost" the storage.
The car is supposedly 1 of 350  , 455 formulas made that year.  Motor had marvel mystery oil added before being stored

Tires are flat and floors are rusty pretty sure but the car is sunk down and I cant really see the undercarraige,   the areas of the frame rails that I COULD reach seem there, trunk floor is there, rockers look good... car looks good but I know at least the floors are bad... not sure the whole undercarriage might need a ton of work.      I can get the car between 4 - 5 grand … might have to act quick there is another guy trying to get it .    Isnt this car worth a lot more than 5 grand because of what it is ????

sammons

Man I would think if the motor was free, no exterior rust and if you could get it for under $5k it would be a good buy. Those Formulas w/455 have really gone up in price the last 5-7yrs.
When I bought my '70 Formula 400, it had the motor locked from sitting. Brakefluid and ATF 50/50 mix and a 2week soak I got it free, put plugs back in and fired up.(smoked like a skeeter fogger till it burned clean) Ran like a scalded dog, never smoked or used any oil after.

I just ran across my Unicorn yesterday. '70 Camaro possible Z/28-RS option. Man if I had the cash, I would be gone now picking it up.

TFoch

Wow both of these cars are very desirable.  Let us know how it goes.
Spending time with my grandkids gets in the way of finishing my car but I don't regret it!

chopper526

4-5 grand doesn't seem like a lot of money in today's market, of course you saw the car, so you know the condition. You know if you get it you have the skills ;).........................Buy it!!
Tighten it up til it strips, then back it off a quarter turn

EDNY

33 Chevy 5 Window, 34 Chevy 3 Window, 37 Chevy 4dr sedan

28chevyguy

Got the car !!   Starting to clean it up today , lots of crap inside and out but over all im very impressed … trying to figure out how to clean the ULTRA STICKY Steering wheel If that's the worst of my problems for the day Im doing good .  I guess I heard wd-40 can clean it down but its BAD.        Car needs a couple little patches here and there but over all way way cleaner undercarriage than I expected .  It was impossible to see 75% of the underneath being sunk down a bit ,  you gotta take a chance in life sometimes.


sammons

Cool man. Glad you ended up with it and that it's better than expected.  Post up some pics when you get a chance.

Oh, if you have a bottle of wax & grease remover, it works good on cleaning that nasty sticky crap off the steering wheel. That 72-3 up original 4 spoke Camaro/Chevelle steering wheel was really bad about that sticky crap when it sat for a while.

28chevyguy

Thanks sammons ,  will get some pics later today of this beast .  I think I have a bottle of wax or tar remover somewhere , try to get it best I can then throw a cover on it for now … turns your hand black instantly and don't come off easily haha

TFoch

Glad you got it!  Looking forward to seeing some pics ;D
Tom
Spending time with my grandkids gets in the way of finishing my car but I don't regret it!

chopper526

Congratulations 28chevyguy! Don't forget, lots of pictures! Good luck!!
Tighten it up til it strips, then back it off a quarter turn

28chevyguy

pics of the new junk mobile

madmike3434

put your mask on, you made out like a bandit.

mike.............HAIRBALL

28chevyguy

thanks for all the kind words !    Almost got her started , cleaned out the fuel tank and lines, pulled fuel up to the pump manually but cant get the pump to deliver to the carb yet.  not sure if pump is bad or the pump cam is toast on the motor , worst case I'll hook up an electric In line to get it moving around .   runs when you pour gas down the carb which is awesome !!   All the electrical seems good , battery has been installed for 5 days now and isn't drained yet !!!

madmike3434

figure fuel pump is toast........take it out and test it . Electric pump can easily overpower the floats is you do not have a regulator set to 5 or less.     New Fuel pumps mechanical are fair cheap.

mike......................HAIRBALL

TFoch

Spending time with my grandkids gets in the way of finishing my car but I don't regret it!