Is this 1970 Formula worth hauling off

[Bottom Feeder]

I have a line on a basket case 70 Formula.  No wheels, sitting in dirt.  Front clip gone, no drive train.  The guy wants $200.00.  Rear half is cut off.  Floors are gone.  Car was left outside since 1979 and it just rotted into the ground.  No cowl tag, no vin, cut off.  Roof rotten. It is a real Formula, guy had paperwork and pictures. Factory Castillian Bronze with saddlewood interior (interior all gone).

Here's what I'm interested in.  It has the original steering column, steering wheel (junk), and the keys still in it.  It has the original front uni-body frame with everything there...a arms, sway bar, front disc brakes, pitman, idler etc.  The 12 bolt is of course gone.  It also has the original doors with good glass; however, the bottom of the doors are rotten.  I was thinking about patching (cut/weld) these doors but I don't know if it's worth it.  I didn't know if this front end is rare being a true 1970 unit.

Any advice? Thanks 

[81Blackbird]

For $200 save what you can, which seems to be worth $200 and scrap the rest.

[Jack]

Can't go wrong with $200 unless it's going to cost you a lot more to get it out.

[Bottom Feeder]

Thanks guys.  Question, Are the 1970 doors any different from 72-81 doors? Thanks

[Wallington]

Minus the inner collision bracing....maybe?

[nas t eh]

Minus the inner collision bracing....maybe?

Yes 70-72 are the same, 73 up have the brace.

[NOT A TA]

The '70 sub frame has 1/2" is date coded IIRC so someone doing a "correct" restoration of any '70 bird might want the sub frame. The front upper inner fender structure is different than the cars that had the core support braces so again a "correct" appearing restoration would use them, even if the structure was cut out and welded into later TA fenders. Core support is probably rusted out at the bottom, but if not they are sought after. The master cylinder and associated parts are '70 only and get rebuilt. The list goes on..... So in short, buy it. You'll get your money back and get the parts you want for free.

[Bottom Feeder]

Thanks! buying it!

[Bottom Feeder]

Thanks for the input. Question, I'm buying this car for the things listed but I need the frame, mine was hit in the front.  I know 70 stuff is a "one year" only animal.  If I use this frame, am I forced to buy 70 fenders? I think these go for about $1200-$1500 each!!!  I want this car to "appear" to be a 70-72 Formula.  What year fenders should I look for?  I have a line on some 77-81 fenders, will these work?  I know these don't have the "tabs" for the valance attachment, have to weld those on.  Thanks

[aussieta]

sell the original door glass for $200
keep what you want for free

[nas t eh]

All 73 and up fenders work/fit just have different upper inner frame section. 70-72 fenders are all the same. except for the 71 fender side vents.

[Jack]

The 71 side vents are only on none Trans Am cars.

[Maxthe222]

Did it still have the '70 Formula hood?

[firebirdparts]

Fenders don't contact the frame anywhere.

[sCI]

Did it still have the '70 Formula hood?

Sadly, No

I have a line on a basket case 70 Formula.  No wheels, sitting in dirt. Front clip gone, no drive train.  The guy wants $200.00......

[Bottom Feeder]

Picked up car today.  Whew....what a rough car.  darn shame, someone let it rot in the ground.  Actually the guy had the formula hood in his garage.  I bought it for $100 but it is rough.  It is a real ram air hood with the slots for the screen to slide in underneath.  I was hoping I could save the doors, but they are rotten all the way across on the bottom.  If they just needed a flat piece of metal I could make them work.  But at the bottom of the door you have a break.  I could patch them but the door panel would not hide this.  If someone looked at bottom of doors they would know someone patched them up.  Glass is good in doors and it has the original 1970 rear glass. Thanks everybody for your input. 

[roadking77]

I have tried to patch door bottoms, def. better to find a decent one. From a previous thread def keep the side glass, regardless of condition, has to be better than repros. Like was mentioned, I would strip all removable parts, then sadly scrap the rest.

[NOT A TA]

Carefully go through this thread about the one year only stuff on '70's. Some things like the windshield eyebrows and special A pillar trim trim are always in demand.  http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=580525

[Bottom Feeder]

Thanks again guys. Well, took the following off the car before taking a real formula to the scrap yard:  Got uni-body (complete) with disc brakes, sway bar, a arms, tie rods, pitman etc , steering column, automatic shifter with cable, both doors with good glass (rusted in bottom), good rear glass, A/C controls with cables, master cylinder with booster, cross member for 400 turbo, piller post, gas pedal assembly (great shape), drive shaft, and dash goodies: gauge bezel, ash tray, console.

Car weighed in at 480 lbs, brought a HUGE $38.40!!!  What a way to go!!

[71455formula]

If i recall. The doors for a 70 was different from 71 and 72. Where the handle is on the outside; the door skin was molded differently there.

[NOT A TA]

If i recall. The doors for a 70 was different from 71 and 72. Where the handle is on the outside; the door skin was molded differently there.

Exterior handles are different than later cars also IIRC (although perhaps not '70 only) and if they're not worn (although they might be pitted) someone may want them for replating.

[Doright]

I forced to buy 70 fenders? I think these go for about $1200-$1500 each!!!  I want this car to "appear" to be a 70-72 Formula.   

I have a set of Original 70 Esprit fenders No rust/dents,  "tabs" for the valance attachment have been removed.

Make offer may trade for parts I need?