Hey everyone I'm new to the site. I have an 89 formula LO3 V8 TBI. I got the car a few years ago as my first car. I'm 20 now and this car is my baby. Last year I got into an accident with it in the rain and it was totaled but it has since been rebuilt to an even better state than previously. It has 103,000 miles on it and still running strong. When I bought the car it had a pretty terrible paint job and none of the decals on it. I used the vin decoder on the thirdgen website and according to that it says my car isn't a formula. But, then I used the vin decoder on this site and it said my car IS a formula. Can anyone tell me for sure? Are there any telltale signs of someone faking a regular firebird into a formula? I was sure my car was the real deal. Either way, I love this car. I'm glad I found this site.

The pictures are before the accident, after, and after it was rebuilt.

Nice i like the flames.

to TFS mudlissa! Nice looking 'Bird. I hope you enjoy yourself here. If you've got any other questions about your car or the site, please feel free to post them up. I'm sure someone on here will be able to help you out.

As for whether your car is a real Formula or a clone the easiest way to tell is by the RPO codes. If it has both the W66 and WS9 RPO codes it's a real Formula, if it doesn't have those two it's a clone. The sticker with the RPO codes should be on the underside of the lid on the center console. If the sticker is missing you can still get a listing of the RPO codes. All you need to do is take the VIN number (along with the car if possible) to your local Pontiac or Chevy dealer (Pontiac preferred), go to the parts department and tell them that you just got the car, that the RPO code sticker is missing and that you'd like a copy of the RPO code listing so that you can tell what options and stuff your car had new from the factory. Usually they can get you the RPO code listing that way and most of the time it won't cost you anything either.

But just from looking at the before pics, it does look like it's a real Formula cause the hood is the correct style (cowl hood), the rims looks correct and it's got the correct wing (wrap around aero style wing as opposed to the straight across style one).

Welcome to the site! Really nice formula you have there, i've always had a thing for black 3rd gens! Nice flame job you've got there as well!

I'm glad it did not get totaled out. Once they are all gone they are gone. I want a hood like that for my 89! Can I have yours? Welcome to TFS.

Thanks for the welcome everyone, and thanks a bunch Sue for the info on the RPO codes. I'm sure it will help a lot.

Welcome to the Source! Sweet ride. Love the new "doo"

Matt

Thanks! What I really like about the flames is that you can't see them in the dark at all and they seem to disappear at certain angles during the day. It's hard to tell in the pictures but the flames fade into a deep almost black purple on the nose.

Those are some of the most tastefuly done flames I've seen. Awesome!

You've got a fine ride and one like it rare to see now-a-days.