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1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD FORMULA 350 NO RESERVE!
One bid can put this eye catching red 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula 350 muscle car in your driveway!
It is equipped with many original factory extras including the powerful L-98 5.7 liter (350 CID) engine with Tuned Port Injection, four-speed automatic transmission, factory engine oil cooler, high flow oil pump, roller lifter cam, high performance suspension, silver smoke colored locking GM moon roofs with original shade panels and storage bag, cruise control, 4 wheel disk brakes, dual power rear view mirrors, power windows, time delay wipers, rear window defogger, power deck lid, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, rear aerodynamic spoiler and front air dam, engine gauge cluster, trip odometer, 16 inch Pontiac spoked aluminum wheels with 50 series tires and original Firebird center caps, driver's air bag, dual map lights, passenger vanity mirror, power door locks, original AM/FM/Cassette radio with automatic power antenna, and all window factory tinted glass. Everything works except the AC and power antenna.
This awesome muscle car commands respect on the road and hugs curves almost like a slot car. It gets a lot of "NICE CAR" and "IS IT FOR SALE" comments when taken out. This Firebird has always been my fair weather fun car, not driven for every day transportation nor during inclement weather like when ice and snow are on the roads. The title records indicate I drove it 18,500 miles, and most of it on highways. Over the years it averaged only 1,690 annual miles with my driving habits.
All numbers match and the body has no major rust or dents, making this car a fabulous candidate for a complete ground up restoration with a solid core. I have been restoring it bit by bit for the past 11 years as my time, funds, and motivation permitted.
The engine compartment and undercarriage has always been kept neat and tidy making it a pleasure to work on without getting filthy. The engine was not detailed prior to listing and can be amazing with a few hours polishing. That treat and other repairs remain for the lucky winning bidder.
Due to lack of use, the fuel injectors plugged up causing the car to fail its last emissions test in 2006. It is currently not registered and has not been driven since 2006 except on brief road tests after inceremental repairs to its emission system were completed.
After extensive repairs to the emissions system, diagnostics and process of elimination indicate the fuel injectors need replacement. It runs lean with the engine loping at an idle and surging under light loads, but has plenty of power under open throttle. It also will not start when the engine is hot unless carburetor cleaner is sprayed into the throttle body, then it starts right up and continues to run under its own power. Again the injectors are causing this problem. When the engine is cold it usually starts with the first cylinder's compression stroke firing at the touch of its key.
In efforts to get this car to pass its emissions test I invested roughly $600 in parts replacing a list of items described below in a process of elimination. If a sensor did not meet original specifications or my code reader indicated a sensor was beyond acceptable limits it got replaced.
Over the past 11 years I have done the following work (and many more repairs in the receipt records not listed here)...
Repairs performed within the last 1000 miles:
Repaired map pocket on dash
New battery
New coolant hose to TPI plenum
New starter and solenoid
New upper intake manifold gaskets (TPI)
New engine temperature sender
New oxygen sensor
New Mass Air Flow sensor
New EGR temperature sensor
New EGR valve
New Electronic Control Module (ECM)
Engine oil and filter change
8 New spark plugs
New fuel filter
Fuel injector conditioner/cleaner
Repairs performed within the past 5000 miles:
Transmission service (fluid and filter)
New power window motor (driver door)
New front brake hoses
New front brake rotors and metallic brake pads
Rebuilt front brake calipers with new pistons and seals
Cleaned and repacked wheel bearings with new grease seals
New catalytic converter
New high performance ignition wires
New high performance MSD ignition coil
New high performance distributor cap and rotor
New distributor
New alternator
New serpentine belt
Engine oil and filter change
Engine thermostat
Work performed within the past 10,000 miles:
New ignition module
New timing chain and sprockets
New universal joints
New fuel filter
Engine oil and filter change
Engine coolant flush and change
Two new rear hatchback gas shock supports
Two new halogen sealed beam headlights
New drag link (front steering)
New idler arm (front steering)
New stabilizer links
Front end alignment
Receipts for these repairs will be included for the the lucky winning bidder so you will have a comprehensive repair history for this car.
There is no reserve on this car so bid with confidence after reviewing the photos, description, payment, and shipping terms, and the positive feedback others have left for me. This is a private sale and I have no affiliation with any car dealership.
This car needs to find a new home IMMEDIATELY beacuse I am no longer able to store it.
I purchased an AutoCheck Report for this vehicle and no collisions or other problems were reported for its VIN except the failure to pass its emissions test in 2006. Otherwise it got a clean report in all categories and a copy of this report will be included with the car so the lucky winning bidder has its complete history. The original owners manual and GM maintenance schedule booklet will also be included along with all repair parts receipts since I purchased the car in 1996.
Below is a short list of repair projects still needed:
First and foremost, new fuel injectors must be installed so the engine will passes emissions and run properly again. All of the ignition components and most sensors are are new and in good working order.
The headlight doors occasionally malfunction and sometimes one must be cranked up manually, usually in cold weather. It is an intermittent problem that may just be a poor wire connection or a relay. When demonstrating their operation to a recent bidder they worked flawlessly 20 out of 20 times. Most sellers might not mention it!
The right rear wheel does not spin true on a balancer and may have tagged a curb before I bought this car. There is a vibration in the rear that starts at around 80 MPH. The right front wheel has some damage to the spokes caused by a would be thief trying to remove the wheel lock with a hammer, but it does not affect function. A pair of new wheels from a salvage yard will fix this.
The 16 inch 50 series tires have plenty of tread and grip the road well, but the sidewalls are checking from age so ideally should be replaced. The tread will pass state inspection because the wear bars do not show across the treads.
The engine does not smoke or use excessive oil, but sometimes produces a puff of blue smoke only after starting it up. This is typical for Chevy V-8's when the valve guides get a little worn. A new set of umbrella type valve seals will resolve it and can be installed in the car without removing the cylinder heads.
The interior is clean and original in fair condition. The front and rear carpets are in remarkable shape (like new) considering the car has no floor mats. Minor upholstery repairs are needed on the door panels at the front where the fabric shrunk from the plastic channel. The right rear seat panel also needs repair for a 2x2 inch hole patched with black velvet to improve appearance. The sun visors are included but need new mounting brackets and were removed before I got the car. One is stored in the bag for the moon roofs but the other one is missing. To the best of my knowledge this visor mounting bracket is the only component this car is missing from its original equipment installed in 1989.
Both exterior remote control rear view mirrors have cracked and need new glass, but their housings and drive mechanisms are okay. They are electric and work as they should.
Air conditioning system is complete and the compressor has good compression turned by hand. The electric clutch operates when wired to a battery, but the system lost its freon over the years and must be recharged, so the limiter switch will not engage the clutch to prevent damage to the system.
Needs two new gas charged shock supports for the hatchback window. I replaced them in 1999, but their pressure has dwindled over the years and they need replacement again. A long cardboard tube is included to prop the hatchback open when needed.
The former owner installed a boom box sound system, but the original GM stereo/cassette player was put back before I purchased the car. The radio has an odd problem that causes a clipping sound in the speakers only if the radio is turned off with the headlights on. The radio works fine except when turned off after dark with the lights on. Leave the radio on after dark and it goes unnoticed. The speakers in the front and rear provide great sound with the stock GM radio and the cassette player works well also.
The power antenna started mysteriously cycling up and down one day, so to preserve the battery I cut the wire near the right front kick panel below the dash. It was cut in an area with clear access so it can easily be spliced together again. If memory serves it happened after an ice storm when the car was hibernating for the winter season.
When installing a new battery last month I noticed some surface rust in the battery box, so that needs repainting to preserve it. The tray is pitted, but appears solid and can be restored. The battery froze solid last winter and cracked its case which caused the rust when its acid leaked out.
The paint still shines and looks great from a distance, but the clear coat is peeling and cracking in some areas, so to preserve the body and brighten up its apperance the body should be stripped and repainted. The paint on the rubber spoiler and bumpers is peeling and needs to be repainted.
There may be other minor repairs I have not noticed over the years, but for a 19 year old car with 100,000 miles it is in great condition and has always been well cared for. It looks and handles great on the road, and most would agree it will make a fantastic candidate for a complete restoration project to bring it back to pristine condition. It sounds awesome driving down the road with a powerful throaty report from its dual exhaust.
The car has no liens with a clear title ready to sell immediately, so bid to win it today!
I will be happy to work with the lucky winning bidder to help load the car for delivery after you arrange for its prompt transport after full payment is received. It can drive onto a truck or trailer with no problem, but I would not recommend driving it more than a few minutes because of the lean running condition may cause engine damage by overheating the valves and pistons. New fuel injectors will cure that.
Contact me by email if you wish to arrange an appointment to inspect this car and hear it run. It cannot be driven because its registration has expired.
Important Note:
Due to the fuel injectors causing the engine to run lean, lope and stall at an idle while in gear, the car takes significant skills and awareness to drive, and therefore should be transported on a carrier or trailer to avoid engine damage to the valves and pistons if driving it more than a few miles.
I sincerely hope someone can continue its restoration because this is an awesome muscle car with enormous visual appeal that is destined to become a classic and valuable collector’s item. 1989 was the twentieth anniversary of the Firebird Formula and this one lives up to that high performance heritage when running well. New 24 lb/hr fuel injectors will bring it back to life with loads of power.
Happy Bidding and I look forward to sharing it with you soon! Help keep Birdie rolling with your bid today!
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due immediately after auction closes. Payment of remainder of winning bid is due by certified bank check or US Post Office Money Order within 5 calendar days of auction closing. Credit cards accepted by PayPal to make the deposit if you do not have a PayPal account. Please complete the Auctiva Secure Checkout process to create your invoice. Thank you!
Winning bidder is responsible to make arrangements for shipping and delivery of this vehicle within 7 calendar days of cleared payment. You will be notified by email when the funds from the remainder of your balance has cleared. I will gladly assist the shipping carrier with loading the vehicle onto a trailer or car transporter when the pickup occurs.
All sales are final with no returns. Payment of a $500 non-refundable deposit by PayPal is due upon receipt. This car is sold "AS IS" with no warranty express or implied. Accurate description and photos indicates what you are bidding on and are what you will receive if your bid wins. Invoice must be paid in full before arrangement for shipment occurs. Please view all photos, item description, and all auction terms before bidding. Remainder of winning bid is due within 5 calendar days of auction closing and vehicle must be picked up within 7 calendar days after remainder of payment is received. WINNING BIDDER MUST PROVIDE VALID TEMPORARY LICENSE PLATES AND INSURANCE if wishing to drive this vehicle home.
I'm having a great time meeting people in eBay who have similar interests while selling parts from my old projects and vehicles from my collection to make room and develop funding for a new project. I am grateful for your support and assistance by entering your bids! I treat others as I prefer to be treated and strive hard to provide a pleasurable eBay experience and statistics in my 100% positive feedback from past sales demonstrates this fact. Happy Bidding.
Please feel free to contact me with comments or questions about this auction before bidding by using the "contact seller" link on this auction page.
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