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Description[]

This Firebird was introduced in 1978 as the Hot Bird in the Flying Colors series in black and with Blackwalls, (bw). It was available in the Thundershift Roarin' Raceway. In 1979 it was gold-plated as part of the Golden Machines 6-Pack. In 1980 it was changed to brown in the basic line for a short run and then changed again to blue. In 1982 it was changed to black again and joined the Hot Ones series. The Captain America also uses this casting. Several paint and tampo variations followed from "glitter black" to metalflake blue. There are also SEVERAL tampo variations over the years.

The original Hot Bird was made in Hong Kong, Malaysia and China. In 2006 a completely new casting was made and produced in both Malaysia and Thailand. This new casting was used from 2006 on. Although very similar to the original, the dimensions of the car differ. The first noticable difference is the size of the shaker scoop on the hood. The new version's shaker is slightly longer than the old. Also, both bases are different. A few other differences are the detail of the rear tail lights and the hood bird tampo. One constant similarity of both models through the years is they have both ALWAYS been all diecast. This Firebird also appeared in Burt Reynold's popular feature film "Smokey And The Bandit."

FUN FACTS

All hood bird tampos of the original Hot Bird have the head facing to the driver side of the car. The collector #469 hood birds are the only ones that face the passanger side.

The very last of the original Hot Birds was produced for the 50' track set. Although it is a Hot Bird, the name written on the base is Pontiac Firebird.

Versions[]

The Hot Bird Has been released in the following versions:

Col # Year Series Color Tampo Base Color
/
Type
Window Color Interior Color Wheel Type Toy # Country Notes
/
Variations
Photo
32 1978 Flying Colors Black Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Tan BW 2014 Hong Kong Hot Bird - 78 Flying Colors
32 1978 Super Streeters Black Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Tan BW 2014 Hong Kong Hot Bird - 78 Flying Colors
1979 Golden Machines 6-Pack Gold plated Blue & Red stripes & Firebird Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Tan BW 2014 Hong Kong 6-pack only 4844
1979 The Heroes White Red & Blue stripes, 'Captain America' on doors Unpainted
/
Metal
Tinted (Blue) Red BW 2879 Hong Kong Named Captain America Captainamerica
1979 The Heroes White Red & Blue stripes, 'Captain America' on doors Unpainted
/
Metal
Tinted (Blue) Orange BW 2879 Hong Kong Named Captain America Captain America-20873
1979 The Heroes White Red & Blue stripes, 'Captain America' on doors Unpainted
/
Metal
Tinted (Blue) Red Gold HO 2879 Hong Kong Named Captain America 0418122121a
1980 Mainline Brown Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Tan BW 2014 Hong Kong Hot bird 2
1980 Mainline Blue Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Tan BW 2014 Hong Kong Blue hot bird hong kong
1982 The Hot Ones Black Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Tan GHO 2014 Hong Kong Gw
1982 The Hot Ones Black Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Tan GHO 2014 Malaysia Gw
Leo Hot Wheels Dark Blue Yellow eagle, Yellow & Orange stripe on roof Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Red GHO India Hot Bird LEO
Leo Hot Wheels White Red '80s Firebird graphics Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Red GHO India Hot Bird leo,
Leo Hot Wheels Red Yellow & Black Eagle on Hood, Yellow & Black Stripes on Roof Unpainted
/
Metal
Smoke Red GHO India Red 01
Black Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue Tint Brown HO Malaysia HotBird hwc
1988 Color Racers Purple to Red White Bird on Hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Tan BW 7284 Malaysia Appears in a Color Racers Single & 3 Pack Hot Bird-1988 Color Racer
1989 Double Barrel Set Metalflake Dark Blue Gray & Orange graphics Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Gray GHO Malaysia Set exclusive IMG 8973
1989 Double Barrel Set Metalflake Dark Blue Gray & Orange graphics Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Gray UH Set exclusive IMG 0022
1989 Double Barrel Set Metalflake Dark Blue Gray & Orange graphics Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Tan GHO Set exclusive IMG 9317
37 1989 Mainline Metalflake Blue White Firebird, Red & Yellow flames on side & hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Tan GHO Malaysia 3681
37 1989 Mainline Metalflake Blue White Firebird, Red & Yellow flames on side & hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Gray GHO Malaysia Hot Bird mtbluegreyint
37 1989 Mainline Metalflake Blue White Firebird, Red & Yellow flames on side & hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Tan UH IMG 0553
37 1990 Mainline Black Yellow firebird on hood, Yellow & Red stripes on roof Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Red GHO Malaysia IMG 9493
37 1990 Mainline Black Yellow firebird on hood, Yellow & Red stripes on roof Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Tan GHO Malaysia 1990 hot bird tan interior 37 on base
37 1990 Mainline White Blue or Turquoise (1991) & Red stars & Stripes, ALL AMERICAN FIREBIRD in Blue on sides Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Red or Tan GHO or UH 2014 Malaysia 3684
37 1990 Mainline White Blue or Turquoise (1991) & Red stars & Stripes, ALL AMERICAN FIREBIRD in Blue on sides Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Red or Tan HO Malaysia S-l1600 HotBirdCHO A
37 1991 Mainline White Blue or Turquoise (1991) & Red stars & Stripes, "ALL AMERICAN FIREBIRD" in Blue on sides Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Red or Tan Gold UH Malaysia International line only International 1
1990 Metalflake Silver Yellow Firebird on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Tan GHO Malaysia Hot Wheels cereal Hot bird hw cereal
1992 Hot Wheels Collector Glitter on Black None Unpainted
/
Metal
Pink tint Pink UH 0462 Malaysia 4001
1996 100th Anniversary of The Automobile in America Yellow Black firebird on hood Black Clear Black PC6 China 4843
469 1996 Mainline Metalflake Gold None Unpainted
/
Metal
Gray tint Beige 5SP 15978 China Hot Bird - 96 5sp no-bird
469 1996 Mainline Metalflake Gold Black Firebird on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Gray tint Black 5SP 15978 China Hot Bird - 96 5sp bird
469 1996 Mainline Metalflake Gold Black Firebird on hood small Purple HW logo Unpainted
/
Metal
Gray tint Black LW 15978 China Hot Bird - 96 LW Bird
1997 Pontiac Power Collection 3-Car Set Black Yellow Firebird on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Blue tint Beige Gold 5SP LE7000 China K-Mart Exclusive, 70th Anniversary of the Pontiac set IMG 8984
2004 The Lost Cars of China Metalflake Red Black & Gold Firebird Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Gold RL2 G5509 China

Lost china 1

2004 The Lost Cars of China Metalflake Red Black & Gold Bird Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Gold BW G5509 China HPIM8211
2005 50 ft. Track Rolls Red Black & Gold firebird Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Gold RL5SP H6975 China Track Set Hotbird red rl
2006 Classics (Series 2)
24/30
Spectraflame Black Black & Gold phoenix on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Tan BF Goodrich 5SP J2780 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hot Bird - Classics Black
2006 Classics (Series 2)
24/30
Chrome Black & Blue phoenix on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Gray BF Goodrich 5SP J2780 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hot Bird - Classics Chrome
2006 Classics (Series 2)
24/30
Spectraflame Dark Blue Black & Gold phoenix on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Tan BF Goodrich 5SP J2780 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base, sm or lg front wheels Hot Bird - Classics Blue
2006 Classics (Series 2)
24/30
Spectraflame Red Black & Silver phoenix on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Black BF Goodrich 5SP J2780 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hot Bird - Classics Red
2006 Classics (Series 2)
24/30
Spectraflame Gold Black & Red phoenix on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Black BF Goodrich 5SP J2780 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hot Bird - Classics Gold
2006 Classics (Series 2)
24/30
Spectraflame Green Black & Yellow phoenix on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Tan BF Goodrich 5SP J2780 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hot Bird - Classics Green
198/223 2006 Mainline Black Yellow & Orange flames Unpainted
/
Metal
Red tint Gray 7SP J8029 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hot bird black
198/223 2006 Mainline Metalflake Purple Yellow & Orange flames Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Black 5SP J8029 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hot bird purple
2007 Hot Wheels 10-Pack Exclusive Pearl White Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Blue 5SP 54886 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hotbird10white-1
2007 Hot Wheels 10-Pack Exclusive Flat Black Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Red 5SP 54886 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hot bird 10 black
2007 Hot Wheels 10-Pack Exclusive Pearl Yellow Black & Red stripes on top, Firebird on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Black 5SP 54886 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hot bird 10 yellow
2008 Since '68: Top 40 Metalflake Blue Blue flames, Firebird on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Beige Red line BW L2843 Thailand "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hot Bird - Since 68 Top 40
2008 Since '68: Collector Top 40 Set Black Blue flames, Firebird on hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Smoke Blue Red line BW N4608 Base Code(s): Hot Bird - Since 68 Top 40 Set
2008 40 Years of Hot Wheels Set Metalflake Brown Gold Firebird Unpainted
/
Metal
Tinted (Red) Dark Gold Gold BW M0543 Thailand Wal-Mart Exclusivereads
"Pontiac Firebird" on base
Base Code(s):
40th hot bird
165/196 2008 Treasure Hunts
5/12
Metalflake Gold Black Firebird on hood, Black stripes on roof, sides & trunk Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear black 5SP M6971 Malaysia "Pontiac Firebird" on base Hot Bird - 08 Reg TH
165/196 2008 Trea$ure Hunt$
5/12
Spectraflame Gold Black Firebird on hood, Black stripes on roof, sides & trunk Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Black RR5SP M6971S Malaysia "Pontiac Firebird" on base
Base Code(s):
Hot Bird - 08 Super TH
165/196 2008 Trea$ure Hunt$
5/12
Spectraflame Gold Black Firebird on hood, Black stripes on roof, sides & trunk Grey/Silver matte
/
Metal
Clear Black RR5SP M6971S Malaysia "Pontiac Firebird" on base
Base Code(s):
Image Not Available
2008 HCW.com Series 7: Neo-Cassics
2/6
Spectraflame Brown Red stripe along sides & across top, two red stripes on hood, painted marker lights & "TRANS AM" on sides, painted taillights, "RLCZARN" on rear California license plate Chrome
/
Metal
Tinted (Blue) Black NCRL L8684 China 10,000 produced
First time opening hood
Hot Bird - HWC Series 7
2009 Connect Cars
48/50
Metalflake Gold Orange, Yellow & Black graphics, "Arizona," "48," & "Grand Canyon State," Black hood with Cattle Skull Clear Black 5SP Malaysia Base Code(s): Hot Bird - Arizona Connect Car
210/240 2010 Race World: Volcano
2/4
Metalflake Blue Red, Orange, Yellow & Blue flames on sides & hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Tinted (Red) Gray Red 5SP R7639 Malaysia New base
Base Code(s):
Hotbird volcano
210/240 2010 Race World: Volcano
2/4
Metalflake Red Orange, Yellow & White flames on sides & hood Unpainted
/
Metal
Tinted (Orange) Black Orange 5SP R7639 Malaysia Pontiac Firebird on base
Base Code(s):
HotBird Volcano Red
2011 Cars of the Decades
18/32
Metalflake Silver Brown, yellow, orange & red stripes Unpainted
/
Metal
Tinted (Smoke) Black Gold Chrome LW V4428 Malaysia Opening hood,
"Hot Bird" on base

Base Code(s):
P1100640c 1000
2011 Hot Wheels Garage: GM
2/22
Gold Black Firebird graphicss, light details Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Black RR Base Code(s): P1100956c 1000
2012 The Hot Ones Yellow Black Firebird graphicss, "TRANS AM" script on body panels Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Black Chrome BW W3789 Thailand Hot Bird on base
Base Code(s): E09
Hot Ones Hot Bird 2012
2013 Retro Entertainment: The Rockford Files Metalflake Gold Silver trim on front & rear windows, & door handles, Red taillights & '853 OKG' license plate, detailed headlights. Unpainted
/
Metal
Clear Gold White line RR5SP X8910 Malaysia Base Code(s): F12 HW-Retro Entertainment-Hot Bird-(The Rockford Files)
249/250 2021 Muscle Mania
9/10
Metalflake dark blue Gold accents, "TRANS AM" on sides, firebird logo on hood Black
/
Plastic
Dark Tint Black 5SP GTB46 Malaysia Base code(s): P30, P31, P35, P34 HotBird

Similar Casting[]

Back of cards[]

From the back of the 2008 card:
Born Birthplace Designer Specialty
1977 Detroit, Michigan, USA General Motors With "modern" square headlights and classic pony car features, this Firebird®, made famous in a Hollywood film, was built for hot pursuits and cross-country racing.


From the back of 2010 Race World Volcano card
Horsepower Speed Acceleration 0-60
415 150 4.9

Gallery[]

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