Hello
I need to open dialog with someone expert in 1979 Formula Firebirds.
I’m restoring a 79 L78 (400, 4 speed, one of 346) Formula, red w black interior. I know a fair amount about 79 T/A’s, so I thought I would already know what I needed to know to restore the Formula … NOT SO, and very humbling. I find it is easy to research the T/A, but much harder to track down info about the Formula
I need help in any area where my T/A knowledge is likely to mislead me.
So far, there has been confusion about the dash insert – aluminum or woodgrain? I believe I’ve got that one answered – if it has a V8, then aluminum. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Now I’m confused about the color of the instrument lighting. My gages light up red. The 78 and 79 T/A’s I bought new back in 78 & 79 had greenish gages. My current 79 (L78) TATA has red gages. I would have thought the Formula gages would be green too. I’ve had someone tell me that, like the aluminum dash, if the engine is a V8, then they’re red.
Another major point of confusion – head liner material for a non T-top car – should this be cloth or perforated vinyl? My 78 T/A non-T-top had vinyl, and I think all T-tops cars have vinyl. The rotted old headliner board that came with the car had cloth on it, but I don’t’ know if that’s right, or how to tell from the build sheet codes.
There are sure to be more questions coming up as the restoration progresses. I’d very much like to “hook up” with another Formula Firebird person that can help, especially someone with a similar car that I can use as a baseline.
Thanks!
I need to open dialog with someone expert in 1979 Formula Firebirds.
I’m restoring a 79 L78 (400, 4 speed, one of 346) Formula, red w black interior. I know a fair amount about 79 T/A’s, so I thought I would already know what I needed to know to restore the Formula … NOT SO, and very humbling. I find it is easy to research the T/A, but much harder to track down info about the Formula
I need help in any area where my T/A knowledge is likely to mislead me.
So far, there has been confusion about the dash insert – aluminum or woodgrain? I believe I’ve got that one answered – if it has a V8, then aluminum. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Now I’m confused about the color of the instrument lighting. My gages light up red. The 78 and 79 T/A’s I bought new back in 78 & 79 had greenish gages. My current 79 (L78) TATA has red gages. I would have thought the Formula gages would be green too. I’ve had someone tell me that, like the aluminum dash, if the engine is a V8, then they’re red.
Another major point of confusion – head liner material for a non T-top car – should this be cloth or perforated vinyl? My 78 T/A non-T-top had vinyl, and I think all T-tops cars have vinyl. The rotted old headliner board that came with the car had cloth on it, but I don’t’ know if that’s right, or how to tell from the build sheet codes.
There are sure to be more questions coming up as the restoration progresses. I’d very much like to “hook up” with another Formula Firebird person that can help, especially someone with a similar car that I can use as a baseline.
Thanks!
