Introduction to Pontiac The new Firebirds arrived late, arriving in February 1970, giving Chrysler a six-month head start on the new E-body. Still, Pontiac made some changes for the 1971 model year that made the short-lived 1970s models unique.
That’s not to say that the 1971 model wasn’t unique to Pontiac. It’s worth noting that Pontiac lowered the engine’s compression ratio the year before the federal mandate to use unleaded fuel. Pontiac also toned down its Formula Firebird model to attract customers in the still-embattled sports car segment. In 1970, the Formula was purely a performance car with the 400 engine as standard, but by 1971, the standard engine was the 350 two-cylinder to broaden the Formula’s appeal. So the Formula 350 was a poser, but Pontiac wasn’t the only company selling a car with a high-performance image but a low-performance engine.
Mike Polito is the owner of this Canyon Copper 1971 Formula 350. Mike owns a Buick Riviera that we covered in a previous article, but this Poncho is his favorite to drive, no doubt due to some modifications (front end, Holley Street Avenger four-barrel, Edelbrock intake, etc.) to give it its due Some muscles. The front fender vents were unique for 1971, and on this car they also featured optional D98 accent stripes, available in blue, black, silver or gold.
Join Muscle Car Campy as he takes us for a ride in this F-body and extolls its virtues from the factory and under the trees.
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