The Formula returned in 1987 as the value-performance answer in the 3rd-gen Pontiac F-body lineup. It was the Trans Am drivetrain (LB9 5.0 TPI standard, L98 5.7 TPI optional with the automatic) wrapped in base Firebird body trim — no aero ground effects, no rear spoiler unless ordered, no GTA-style monochrome scheme. The point was performance per dollar; the Trans Am buyer wanted the look as well.
VIN series: FV in the 5th and 6th positions (per the Classic Industries Trans Am/Firebird VIN reference). The Formula's series character V is shared with the 1992 Trans Am — disambiguation comes from the SPID's package callouts and the production-year model-year cross-walk.
Plenum decodes the Formula via the same GM 3rd-gen F-body SPID schema. A Formula-spec SPID will show LB9 or L98 in the engine RPO line, no Y84 (GTA) or Y82 (Turbo TA) package callouts, and the standard GU5 (3.42 axle) or G92 (Performance Axle) options where applicable.