1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455 HO

Pony car powered by Pontiac 455 HO V8.

1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455 H.O. exterior; exact model, year, and engine-package context.

Factory path 1972 Firebird Formula 455; Tran-Zam notes all Formula 455s were equipped with LS5 455 HO in 1972.

Engine rating Captured 1972 Firebird engine table lists the LS5 455 H.O. at 300 SAE net hp at 4,000 rpm and 415 SAE net lb-ft at 3,200 rpm.

Reported production 276 Formula 455 cars reported in the Tran-Zam Formula table; 5,249 total Formula cars reported by 78TA.

Authentication PHS or factory billing, LS5 engine evidence, WU3 Ram Air, K65 ignition, transmission, axle, paint, trim, and Formula body cues should agree.

Story

1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455 HO

The 1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455 HO is the low-production follow-up to the 1971 Formula 455 HO, but the 1972 page needs its own boundaries. Pontiac dropped the regular L75 455 from the Firebird Formula path, leaving the LS5 455 HO as the Formula 455 engine, while the Trans Am continued to use the same HO engine as standard equipment.

Reviewed 1972 Firebird sources list Formula 400/455 equipment with bucket seats, custom cushion steering wheel, wood-grain dash appearance, Endura front bumper, twin-scoop Formula hood, front disc brakes, handling package, and dual exhaust. The 1972 fact sheet lists the LS5 455 H.O. at 300 SAE net horsepower and 415 SAE net lb-ft, reflecting the industry change from gross to net ratings rather than a completely new engine story.

Production references report 5,249 total 1972 Formula cars in one table and 276 Formula 455 cars in the Formula breakdown, with the note that all 1972 Formula 455s used the LS5 455 HO. The 1972 Norwood strike reduced Firebird production sharply, so individual-car proof still needs paperwork, engine, carburetor, WU3 Ram Air, K65 ignition, transmission, axle, paint, trim, and Formula appearance evidence to agree.

Specs

Car type: Pony car
Body: 2-door coupe
Engine: Pontiac 455 cu in LS5 455 H.O. V8
Horsepower: 300 SAE net hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque: 415 SAE net lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm
Carburetion: Rochester four-barrel: Over-Drive lists 7042273 manual and 7042270 automatic

Equipment

Formula 400/455 twin-scoop fiberglass hood and Formula CID identification
LS5 455 H.O. listed as optional on Formula 455 and standard on Trans Am
Ram Air configuration listed on Formula 455 and standard on Trans Am, otherwise unchanged
WU3 Ram Air Induction and K65 Unitized Ignition required with LS5 in Formula option reference
Front disc brakes, handling package, and dual exhaust listed for Formula 400/455
1972 honeycomb grille insert distinguishes the model year from other 1970-1973 Firebirds

Linked Parts

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

A verified original price is not yet available for this car.

Market Observations

Price guide value $27,700

Jul 28, 2026 · Hagerty Valuation Tools · Current guide point
Unadjusted #3 good guide benchmark for the 1972 Formula 455 hardtop with the 300-hp four-barrel engine. · unknown · good Hagerty lists $27,700 for #3 good condition and a separate 20 percent four-speed adjustment. The accepted row is the unadjusted baseline, not a transaction or a car-specific appraisal.
1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455 Values
Auction sale $69,000

Aug 16, 2024 · Bring a Trailer
PHS-documented Formula 455 HO 2U87X2N520245 with a modified engine, Richmond five-speed, and replacement 12-bolt axle. · modified · good Bring a Trailer records a $69,000 sale. The PHS-documented car retains its Formula 455 HO identity but has extensive engine, transmission, axle, suspension, steering, exhaust, wheel, body, and appearance changes. Its 2021 sale is excluded so the chassis contributes only the latest qualifying result.
1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455 HO 5-Speed 2U87X2N520245
Auction sale $66,000

Jan 12, 2023 · Mecum Kissimmee 2023
HO 455 Formula automatic 2U87X2N525171 classified as original and highly original. · original unrestored · good CLASSIC.COM records the $66,000 Mecum sale, exact VIN, automatic transmission, and original/highly-original classification. Mecum identifies the exact car as an HO 455 Formula. The 10k odometer display is TMU and is not treated as verified mileage.
1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 2U87X2N525171 Mecum sale 1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 2U87X2N525171
Auction sale $38,500

May 13, 2017 · Auctions America Auburn Spring 2017
Recently restored Formula 455 HO automatic 2U87X2N515750 represented as matching numbers. · restored · excellent The auction report records a $35,000 hammer and $38,500 final price including commission, condition 2, a recent like-new restoration, rebuilt engine, and excellent paint and interior. The row uses the final buyer-paid result.
Auctions America Auburn Spring 2017 lot 2151
Auction sale $45,100

Jun 17, 2016 · Mecum Portland 2016
PHS-documented Formula 455 HO automatic 2U87X2N504437 with reported matching-numbers engine and original driveline. · restored · excellent Mecum records a $45,100 sale, exact VIN, matching-numbers 455 HO Ram Air engine, original automatic transmission and rear axle, PHS documentation, and original invoice. Hagerty's January record for the same chassis assigns #2 excellent condition and describes an older restoration with restored mechanicals and underbody; that earlier sale is excluded.
1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455 HO 2U87X2N504437 1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455 2U87X2N504437 past sale

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Transmission

Factory transmission M22 heavy-duty 4-speed manual listed for Formula 400 4V and LS5 applications
Factory transmission Turbo Hydra-matic paths listed for Formula optional-V8 context
Factory transmission Transmission proof remains car-specific because the checked Formula 455 table does not publish a 276-car manual/automatic split

Options

Reference graphic separating the 1972 Firebird Formula 455 HO path from Formula 400 and Trans Am cues.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Formula 400/455 Firebird Formula 400/455 model equipment factory · performance · Formula 400/455 equipment includes bucket seats, custom cushion steering wheel, wood-grain dash appearance, sport mirrors, Endura bumper, twin-scoop fiberglass hood, black grille insert, front discs, handling package, and dual exhaust in the captured fact sheet.
34X / LS5 455 ci H.O. V-8 4BBL optional · performance · Option list marks LS5 as available on Formula and standard on Trans Am; Tran-Zam notes all 1972 Formula 455s were LS5 455 HO cars.
601 / WU3 Ram Air Induction optional · performance · Option reference lists WU3 Ram Air Induction with the 455 HO engine only and notes LS5 required hood air inlet context.
634 / K65 Unitized Ignition optional · performance · Option reference lists K65 Unitized Ignition as required with 455 HO in Formula.
35G / M22 Heavy-duty 4-speed manual transmission optional · performance · Option list marks M22 available on Formula with 400 4V or LS5 applications.
332 / Y99 Formula Handling Package optional · chassis · Option list includes the Formula Handling Package; the fact sheet lists handling package context for Formula 400/455.
478 / P05 Honeycomb wheels optional · appearance · Option reference lists Honeycomb wheels as available on Formula, with 15-inch context tied to Trans Am or Formula handling/performance options.
572 / D80 Rear air spoiler optional · appearance · Option reference lists rear air spoiler availability on Formula; Trans Am spoiler treatment remains separate package context.

Paint

11 Cameo White factory · solid
14 Revere Silver factory · metallic
24 Adriatic Blue factory · metallic
26 Lucerne Blue factory · solid
43 Springfield Green factory · metallic
50 Brittany Beige factory · solid
53 Quezal Gold factory · metallic
56 Monarch Yellow factory · solid
63 Anaconda Gold factory · metallic
65 Sundance Orange factory · solid
75 Cardinal Red factory · solid

Production

Reference graphic summarizing the 1972 LS5 455 H.O. 300 net hp engine table.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

1972 Firebird total production total · 29,951 · reported
1972 Firebird Formula model total total · 5,249 · reported
1972 Firebird Formula 455 LS5 455 HO total by engine · 276 · reported

Authenticity

Reference graphic summarizing the reported 5,249 Formula total and 276-car Formula 455 LS5 total.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Formula 455 HO documentation Factory billing or PHS documentation should identify a 1972 Formula 455 with LS5 455 HO equipment · PHS documentation, factory billing, order records, window sticker, restoration files, and inspection binder · fraud detection
LS5 455 HO engine identity 455 CID LS5 H.O. V8 with source-consistent engine code, 7042273 or 7042270 carburetor path, round-port hardware, dates, castings, and paperwork · Engine code pad, block/head/intake/carburetor casting and date evidence, service records, and factory billing · numbers matching
WU3 and K65 agreement Formula LS5 claims should agree with WU3 Ram Air Induction and K65 Unitized Ignition requirements from the option reference · Order paperwork, Ram Air hardware, ignition components, inspection notes, and restoration records · numbers matching
Trans Am boundary Trans Am shaker, front air dam, wheel flares, full-width spoiler, and standard Trans Am equipment should not be treated as Formula 455 HO proof · Model-line references, option documentation, body tags, and photo evidence · fraud detection
Transmission and axle agreement M22 or Turbo Hydra-matic path, axle ratio, Safe-T-Track status, and dates should agree with stamps, tags, and paperwork · Transmission stamp/tag, axle tube stamp/date code, differential tags, billing records, and inspection notes · date correctness
Paint, trim, and Formula appearance Paint code, interior trim code, Formula hood/CID callouts, honeycomb grille context, and body evidence should agree with documentation · Body plate, paint traces, interior trim evidence, Pontiac paint/trim tables, PHS/factory billing, and period photos · trim correctness

Still Researching

production Reviewed sources provide 5,249 Formula total in one table and 276 Formula 455 total in another, while the Formula 350/400/455 subtotal on Tran-Zam sums to 5,250; exact reconciliation and Formula 455 transmission split need factory-primary or PHS aggregate support.

Codes & names