yo soy el warg

What would be the estimate of the production numbers of 1992 Formulas with a LB9, Auto, Hardtop. I didn't find any numbers or get a reply in orfoz's rare and desirable section so I thought I'd try here. I've found one I'm thinking of buying. Thanks.

Jason E

There is absolutely no way to break that down. You can find out how many Formulas are built...but there is no way to know how many LB9s, hardtops, or the combo of both were built...

yo soy el warg

That is what I figured also. Do you think the LB9 without the 5 speed and in a hard top is rarer than others in 1992?

Jason E

More importantly, I think ALL '92 Formulas are pretty rare...for some reason, 1054 sticks out in my head as the number of Formulas for '92. The car would be more desireable as a 5 speed, as the HP rating would be higher, but regardless...its a car worth saving, in my opinion. I have an LB9/auto '86 Trans Am, and while it doesn't light the world on fire, its still a fun car in its own right.

With that said, with comparable condition and mileage, I'd take a '92 Formula over my '86 Trans Am...

Brock Lee

Yeah, low production in the final years. I also think that being a hardtop is a handicap in terms of value. Most prefer T-tops and if by chance the hardtops are a lower production than T tops in that year, it would be a case where rare does not equal more desireable.

JT

iTrader: (1)

As Jason said, we're not aware of GM keeping track of options to this degree. However, Compnine.com has an extensive database (depending on the year/model) of GM's records that contains VINs with RPO codes associated. With some computing power, they can come up with some figures. Of course, it greatly depends on the information they have to start with.

We show 1,017 1992 Formulas in our Tech Data. Compnine shows 883. Either they don't have all the records, and/or there's a discrepancy.

Just based on the 883 figure, they show 37 Formulas with non-Top, LB9 and MXO (auto) transmission. They show 77 with T-tops, LB9 and MXO. These figures appear low, but remember the L03 and L98, as well as LB9/MM5, were also part of the overall figures.

yo soy el warg

The car I'm looking at is red with grey interior. Never driven in the rain. One 64 year old female owner bought it new. Kept in a heated garage. With 57,000 original miles. They have all the paper work since new. Asking price is $5,500.00. They say there aren't any door dings or scratches. The pictures they sent look show room fresh. Only thing not original is the battery and new tires put on at 47,000 miles. I'm looking at it Saturday.

watajob

iTrader: (29)

Buy.

It.

Now.

Jason E

If you don't want it, PM me the details. I'll be happy to buy it!

okfoz

Bruce Hawkins had a BEAUTIFUL White 1991 or 1992, and he had a heck of a time selling it... I know it was the LB9, and I think it was the A4 trans, in the hard top... It is what is now "Storm Trooper" The car has mostly original paint if you ever see it at a show (obviously the hood is not Factory Paint)... A really nice car.

Regardless of rarity, A Formula 350 or the Formula LB9/M5 are the easiest to sell and seem to have the most interest...

Just sayin'

John

yo soy el warg

If I look at it and don't buy it I will PM the information to you. I just talked to the owner and got the Vin#. I ran the Vin# and it turned up to be 1 produced with its options. My wife says I don't need another car. I'm like you with several 3rd gens. Here is my list : All extremely low miles. My wife might be right??? No!

1985 1C5 California Iroc T-Top LB9 Red
1988 Iroc Convertible LB9 G92 White
1988 GTA Notchback HT 350 Red Leather
1988 Sport Coupe HT White & Gold
1989 Iroc Convertible LB9 White Leather
1992 RS T-Top TPI White

Jason E

Hehehe...looks like I'm in good company, then! I continue to debate about getting another one, and my first choice is either a GTA or Formula. While I'd prefer a 350, obviously (I don't really care about a stick), my 86 TA is amusing enough with TPI to keep me content.

I like the sounds of this car...lemme know. I was strongly considering selling my 4th gen to buy another third (be nice to have the extra cash and space to support another one), but after driving it to work yesterday, I can't part with it. I've had it for 10 years...far longer than any other car I've owned.

With that said, this one is cheap enough I wouldn't need to sell anything. I like that idea better If you get it, you better post pics!

yo soy el warg

I'm going to look at the '92 Formula today. I contacted the owner and got the Vin# so I could make sure there are no issues with a tagged title or leans before going to look. Well I ran the Vin# with compnine.com and everybody here knows what they usually say in regards to a car's rarity. It came back as 1 of only 1 produced in '92 with the same options on this particular car! Only 37 were produced without t-tops out of 833 cars made in '92.
Take that for what it is worth? What are your opinions? If I get the car today I'll post pictures tonight or tomorrow. Take care.

JT

iTrader: (1)

The "rarity" portion of Compnine.com, where it usually says "1 of 1" is misleading. As you seen, there are 37 of the cars without T-Tops and the LB9/MXO. That's the more important figure when basing on major options. The "1 of 1" appears to be taking every single option down to some degree that nearly all ThirdGens are coming up with "1 of 1" of 1 of (single digit). However, I don't think there is any dismissal that this car is not common, as the latter ThirdGens (especially the equipped ones) appear to be less common as the ThirdGen production was ending. GTAs are a good example of this, as their production dropped significantly toward the end, making them less common.

yo soy el warg

The most perfect paint and body I've ever seen. Open a link in a new tab for a full size picture.

This is just one picture, but I'll post more later.

okfoz

Is that car in California??? I want to think I have seen it before, online...

Nice looker.

John

yo soy el warg

The car was purchased by the original owner near Olympia, Washington. It was always in a heated garaged and never driven in the rain. I currently own 6 third gens, now 7, and have owned a total of 12 third gens all original with original paint and haven't seen any with factory paint this good. I also haven't seen body panels so straight without the slightest of ripples and the fit of the doors, hood, headlights, everything is perfect. The factory really got this one right. I looked for flaws in the usual places and could't find any! Open a link in a new tab and look at it enlarged you will see what I mean. This turned out to be the nicest third gen I've found so far and I feel my others are in the top 3% or higher.

StevenB L98/LS1

Very nice, the only thing holding it back from being perfect is just because its a typical LB9 auto. Rear disc brake car?

yo soy el warg

Yes, I agree with what your saying about the LB9 Auto combination. Although, the fact that only between 1 to 37 hard tops were built with these option combinations on 1992 Firebird Formulas I couldn't pass it up. They are rare to say the least. There are only a few other 3rd gens that have production numbers as low as this car. I also don't care for the ground effects on other models of the 1991-1992 Firebirds and prefer the look of the Formulas without the ground effects.

yo soy el warg

Here's some more pictures I said I'd post today of the 92 Formula I got yesterday. Open a link in a new tab for the full size picture.

yo soy el warg

And more. Open a link in a new tab for a full size picture.

okfoz

All I have to say is:

yo soy el warg

I see that you approve of my purchase.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Can't go wrong with a 91-92 Formula.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

this thread could not have come along at a better time. near me there is a 92 Formula for sale. LB9/auto/hardtop It has a drum rear, textured corvette intake runners and a blank throttle plate so it's gotta be a late one. It is black with black cloth interior, power windows locks and all. It has an issue where it will start and idle perfectly but as soon as you crack the throttle the tach goes to 0 and the engine quits. It's owned by a guy that parts thirdgens and he has tried to fix it and hasn't had any luck. I'm sure I can fix it so it runs right, but the other problem with the car is that it is really rusty. The shock towers seem OK, but there is a hole in the front of the drivers side rocker panel that extends all the way into the front wheel house. There is a rot hole the size of a softball at the lower front of the rear wheelwell on the drivers side. The floors are basically gone as well. amazingly the hood, hatch, lower rear quarters fenders and doors are solid, the thing just rotted from the underside badly. The guy wants $1150 for it, I think his bottom dollar is $950

I'm not sure what to do. I never realized they were this rare. I really don't need a 3rd thirdgen but I'd hate to see this car parted. Should I walk away and just let the laws of economics and entropy run their course? Should I adopt this orphan at bottom dollar and fix the rust and keep it? I can cut and weld handily so it would not be expensive for me to fix most of the rust. I'm planning on jacking it up and getting under it to really take a look next time I'm up there.

Just looking for input from you guys. If I should man-up and walk away I will. I'm just a sucker for an orphan and I hate to see this one pass away.

This exact same scenario minus the rust is how I got my '91 TA LOL

Here are pix he sent me before I went to look at it...

Drew

iTrader: (58)

That looks like it'd be a fun beater, but I wouldn't even think about trying to fix the rust and restore it. I'd buy it and enjoy it.

okfoz

I agree...

Do not get caught up in the "Rare" Thing... There are many rare cars that will never be worth much if anything.

My point is, the car is pretty rusty, if you really want to invest into something that you will have to invest time into, I would make sure it will be worth something. I would hold out for a Formula 350, or a GTA, spend more up front with less rust and be far ahead...

A really nice original car, like the one "yo soy el warg" found I think will always bring more than a restored car. Figure that by the time you get done making this black one like the Red one he bought, you will have more than double into it from what he spent... At this point in time, that is the trend...



JOhn

1991Formula350

That is a very nice looking car, glad to see it is in good hands now and somebody to maintain it. Great steal though I must say, I honestly think the owner didnt know what she was doing and sold it way too cheap.
Andy

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

Thanks for the advice guys. I certainly don't need another project, or another thirdgen. I'm not looking to by another car, this car just came up and it seemed like it was at least worth a look, but I was shocked by the rust. As a thirdgen fanatic, it means a lot to me to find an odd ball car like this one that was one of the last ones built, but that doesn't add a dime to it's value or it's desirability to anyone else. It's full of great hard to find parts, so if the guy does part it out, it will go on to help other 91-92 cars live a better life

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Ehhh... You'd be surprised. A buddy parted a 91 Formula LB9/5spd a couple years ago. I've still got the hood, and bumpers out in the shed. I've got a ton of misc pieces of it still sitting around. The parts that actually sold were the common ones. If I hadn't pulled a bunch of parts off it, it would have gone to the crusher with all the glass, and sheet metal intact. Parting these cars out isn't all that profitable, and 90% of the parts get thrown away when the car is crushed.

Brock Lee

I have a shed full with 2 Trans Ams I completely stripped. The stuff is hard to sell. People locally don't want it and guys on the net want stuff next to nothing shipped. There have been times I basically was giving the part away, but shipping alone was more than they wanted to spend. Some day the parts will be harder to find because people are being so cheap now that it isn't worth saving the stuff. This is only thinning the population of what is out there.

89Formula3

Wow that thing is a beauty.

Got any more pics?

yo soy el warg

I've got lots of pictures of the car. I'll post them this coming weekend. The last thing I needed was another 3rd gen because of storage space, since I already had 6 of them but it was just too nice to pass up on!