My 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula. The '73 ford Mustang sitting next to it belongs to my Dad.
This page is a listing of information that I have found about the 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula.
1972 - 80 V.I.N. Break-down
1st digit: GM line number:
Pontiac = 2
2nd digit: Series number:
U = Formula
3rd and 4th digits: Body type number:
87 = Sport Coupe
5th digit: Engine code:
U = 305 c.i.d, 2-bbl V8 (1978)
6th digit: Last digit of model year:
8 = 1978
7th digit: Assembly plant location:
L = Van Nuys, California
8th through 13th digits: Sequential production
number starting with 500001 for 1972 models
and 100001 for 1973-80 models
The Formula Source
This is a great resource for 2nd through 4th generation Firebirds.