Undoubtedly, you’ve heard the phrase, “Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true.” If you read my last blog post, you know of my affinity for 1974 Firebird Formulas and my continuous search for the illusive perfect (for me) ’74 Formula. I am very fortunate to say that in April 2021, I purchased that car!
Growing up in a Pontiac family during the ‘70s and ‘80s meant that I was surrounded by some of Pontiac’s very best performance vehicles of the era. Memories of my dad’s ‘74 Formula 350 fueled my desire for one years later.
Like many, I find the ‘70-75 Formula’s beautifully sculpted, dual-scooped hood extremely attractive. It was created by Bill Porter for the 1970 Trans Am to accentuate that model’s aerodynamic functionality. When Herb Adams and team conjured up the Shaker scoop, the unique fiberglass hood was repurposed as the signature characteristic that distinguished the performance-oriented Formula from the base Firebird.
While I love ’70-73 Firebird styling, I find the ’74 Firebird’s front and rear updates nearly as attractive. I feel the shape of the Formula hood’s scoops complements the shovel nose styling and I find the combined appearance of the revised taillights, small back glass, rear spoiler with colorful Firebird decal, and the slightly longer (1974-specific) chromed exhaust extensions very appealing.
I mentioned to Jeff Denison of my continuous desire to someday own a ‘74 Formula. One day in October 2020, he sent me a text message telling me of one he knew I’d love. This image and a few others followed. The Formula was owned by Dan Jensen and was in a display at The National Studebaker Museum for the winter.
Having grown up with a Formula, I dreamed of owning one ever since I turned 16 years old. Before purchasing my ’76 Trans Am, my dad and I looked at a ’75 Formula for sale locally. It was equipped with a 400-ci, 4-speed manual transmission, and 15-inch Rally II wheels. I recall its odometer showed close to 100,000 miles and was adult owned and well cared for, but it lacked a rear spoiler and was Sunstorm Yellow—both limited its appeal to me at that time. It was very clean, however, and I often wonder whatever became of it.
As years progressed my desire for a ’74 Formula intensified. I regularly checked local and national publications, and when eBay became popular, I checked there, too. There were even a couple of examples I was rather serious about, but they weren’t right financially or weren’t exactly what I’d wanted. Rather than concede and purchase something I might not be completely happy with, I decided to simply hold hope the right ’74 Formula would someday come along.
This image that Jeff sent simply reinforced my yearning for a ‘74 Formula. I absolutely love this ‘74 Firebird perspective—the small back glass, the rear spoiler with bird decal, the revised tail lights and rear bumpers, and the longer chromed exhaust extensions.
So, what exactly did I want? Formula’s equipped with the SD-455 received the Trans Am’s Shaker scoop. I considered the dual-scooped Formula hood must-have, so I wanted the L75 455 d-port, which was only available with the TH-400 automatic that year. Other preferred factory-installed equipment included functional Ram Air, white-lettered GR70-15 tires with Trans Am suspension, 15-inch Rally IIs or Honeycombs, limited slip differential, and rear air spoiler. Yes, beggars can’t be choosers, but I might as well check all the appropriate boxes if I’m dreaming!
One day in October 2020, I casually mentioned to friend Jeff Denison that a ’74 Formula had been high on my Pontiac wish list. A day or so later I received a text message from Jeff asking how serious I was about buying one. I told him that if the right car came along, I’d probably buy it but never really conveyed what I envisioned as the right car for me.
Dan shared with me the original window sticker, which contains the list of goodies the original owner selected for his prized 1974 Formula. I wouldn’t have ordered it much differently! Would you?
A couple of days later I received a text message from Jeff saying, “I’ve got the perfect ’74 Formula for you.” Within a few moments a handful of images of an Ascot Silver ’74 Formula arrived. Intrigued, I quickly took inventory on my mental checklist. As I stared at the images taking in its attractive exterior appearance, Jeff then hit me with “Factory 455 with Ram Air.” The discussion got serious quickly!
It’s not often we see a second-generation Firebird undercarriage so well preserved. This is one of many images that Dan shared with me while discussing the Formula’s overall condition. That’s even the original exhaust!
Within minutes Jeff and I were on the phone. I learned the Formula was completely original with 34,000 miles and belonged to his friend, Dan Jensen. Dan (and his twin brother, Dennis) have been Pontiac hobbyists for decades. You may recognize Dan’s name from his work in various magazines or as an organizer of the Pure Stock Muscle Drag Race series. I’d emailed Dan a few times and visited with him causally at a few shows over the years, but didn’t know he owned a ’74 Formula. Dan wasn’t looking to sell the Formula, but Jeff told him of my desire for one.
One cold January day an unexpected package from Jeff Denison arrived. Inside was a very special gift intended to help me though the winter wait. Jeff customized an original 1974 Formula promo model that perfectly replicated the Pontiac he helped me acquire. It was very touching to say the least!
Jeff connected Dan and I. Dan shared he bought the Formula in 2016 from a classic car dealer who bought it from the original owner’s estate. It was very clean and retained most of its original Ascot Silver paint. The more Dan told me, the more I knew this could be the Formula for me. He sent pictures of its original window sticker and the factory-to-dealer invoice supplied by PHS Automotive Services. I was stunned. It’s almost as if the Formula’s original owner checked off every option I would have!
Mike Buzzello and Steve Gantz traveled to South Bend, Indiana on April 30, 2021 to meet Dan Jensen and Jeff Denison at The National Studebaker Museum and pickup the Formula. Dan and Jeff had the car prepped for loading. Mike snapped several pictures and sent them to me via text message. I couldn’t wait to see the car in person.
Dan sent additional pictures showing various details. I was amazed at its condition throughout. All the while Jeff assured me that its appearance was even better in person. Knowing that Dan and Jeff each have discerning eyes and that both were attesting to its condition, I was comfortable buying the Formula without the need to see it in person.
On Saturday, May 1, Mike and Steve arrived. More than six months of waiting was down to the last few moments. Now this is traveling in style!
After discussing the selling price with Dan, I excitedly made the purchase. There was a caveat, however. Dan arranged for the Formula to spend the winter as part of the Disco Decade Rides display at The Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana and it wouldn’t be available for pickup until April. As discouraging as that may sound, it afforded me time to make room in my own garage by selling my ’99 WS6 Trans Am. I sent Dan a deposit and anxiously awaited spring.
It took several decades, but I was finally able to purchase the ‘74 Formula that I’d dreamed of owning!!
As winter’s gripped lessened and I began planning the trip to South Bend, friends Mike Buzzello and Steve Gantz offered to make the run in Steve’s diesel pickup and fully-equipped enclosed trailer and I’d ride along. Dan called the museum to coordinate pickup timing and learned that the museum had extended its disco display an additional month. With that news came the request to keep the Formula a few more weeks. Dan deferred the decision to me. While I was excited to take possession of the car, I decided that another couple of weeks wouldn’t really matter.
The Formula’s condition exceeded my expectations. It took years to find the perfect Formula and I am grateful that Dan Jensen allowed me to purchase it from him.
A new pickup date of April 30 was scheduled, but because of kid’s sports and my coaching obligations, I couldn’t ride along with Mike and Steve. I gave Mike the cashier’s check and he and Steve trekked eastward on I-80 into South Bend. Upon arrival, Mike and Dan exchanged the appropriate paperwork, loaded the car, and he and Steve headed back toward Omaha.
The original Ascot Silver paint is still glossy. While Dan had Honeycombs on the Formula during his ownership, its original 15 x 7-inch Rally II wheels were reinstalled as part of our transaction.
On Saturday, May 1, Mike and Steve arrived at my house and upon opening the rear door on the trailer, I was greeted by that small back glass, that revised rear fascia, that rear spoiler with bird decal, and those ’74-only exhaust extensions. Walking around to the service door on the side of the trailer, there was that front treatment I remembered so well. As Mike and Steve unloaded the car, I realized that it was even better than I envisioned! The original owner certainly treasured it, and Dan had too.
Pontiac produced just 702 Formulas with the optional L75 455 4-barrel engine during the 1974 model year. The scoops could be made functional with the WU3 Ram Air package. At present, there’s no breakdown as to how many Formula 455s were equipped with the cold-air induction option.
I’ve owned my new ’74 Formula for only a few weeks and haven’t had much time to put more than a few dozen miles on it, but I can say with absolutely certainty that this particular Pontiac will stay with me forever. What reinforces that fact is the sheer pleasure the Formula gives me whether behind the steering wheel or staring at it in the garage. And that is exactly what I searching for in my quest to find the perfect ‘74 Formula.
So, again, be careful what you wish for…and what you tell Jeff Denison…lest it come true!
My son, Rocco, age 6, was as excited about the Formula’s arrival as me!