CoMod Lotus Review of the Carrera Evo/D132 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am '77 (27299 and 30480, 30481)
In 1977, a movie hit theaters that virtually everyone between the ages of 30 and 45 is familiar with: *Smokey and the Bandit* (German title: *Ein ausgekochtes Schlitzohr*)
. Plot:
Because of a crazy $80,000 bet, Beau “Bandit” Darville (Burt Reynolds) and Cletus “Snowman” Snow (Jerry Reed) attempt to cover 900 miles twice between Atlanta and Texarkana in just 48 hours—in a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and a giant truck—to smuggle 300 cases of Coors beer from Texas to Georgia. The trip there goes off without a hitch. On the return trip, however, Bandit picks up a hitchhiker named Carrie (Sally Field)—a bride who has run away just before her wedding—and thus gets himself into a whole lot of trouble with her would-be father-in-law, the Texas sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). And that brings us to the film’s unsung hero: the latest slot car fromCarrera !
A black Firebird with a golden bird has become synonymous with “The Bandit.” Pontiac’s advertising strategy paid off back then: Thanks to “Smokey and the Bandit,” the 1977 Trans Am sold over 60,000 units—three times more than in previous model years. It wasn’t actually a special model—it was simply a standard Trans Am Special Edition from the ’77 model year, available only in black and featuring the coveted gold ornament.
The “Firebird” was powered by either the 400-cubic-inch engine with 180 PS or the 403-cubic-inch engine with 185 PS, which came from sister company Oldsmobile. Later that year, Pontiac introduced a high-performance version of the 400 ci V-8 with 200 PS, which was immediately identified on the hood as the “T/A 6.6.”
Let's take a look at the model:
Of course, this model isn'tCarrera the official movie car. But certain similarities with the black Pontiac can’t be denied... So far, I’ve had the red Digital and the silver EVO here to test; I’m already eagerly awaiting the black one.
The printing is up to the usual high standard; the bird on the hood—the unofficial emblem of the ’77 Trans Am—is particularly nice. Okay, the driver’s hat is a matter of taste, but for me, it’s simply part of this car. The SNOWFLAKE rims, introduced in ’77, are well executed.
Technology: We have the new, improved suspension here. A lot has already been written about it, so I’ll spare you the list of changes at this point. This model doesn’t have independent suspension on the front axle; the car is long enough to accommodate the keel and still fit a solid axle.
The car handles well on the track, is well-suited for beginners, and is very easy to drive. When driven aggressively in K1, it rubs slightly along the tire edges due to its narrow tires (compared to other American cars), but it remains easy to control nonetheless. In my opinion, lead weighting isn’t strictly necessary, but if you want to do it, there’s plenty of space.
The silverEvolution model can, of course, be retrofitted with digital parts.
CoMod Lotus
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Test report by CoMod Long onCarrera the Evo/D132 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ’77
(27299 and 30480, 30481)
I personally first noticed the car in the mid-’70s. I was about 12 years old, and there was a new show on ARD starring James Garner. "Rockford, P.I."—the older folks will surely remember it... The phone was ringing off the hook… Riiiing… Riiiinng… then the answering machine kicked in—“This is Jim Rockford. Please leave your name and number, and I’ll call you back…” What very few people know, however, is that the show used a Pontiac Firebird with the Esprit trim (the “Trans Am for the budget-conscious”), though it was equipped with a Trans Am engine so the car could handle the stunts. The show’s lead actor, James Garner, chose the Esprit over the Trans Am because, in his opinion, the model better suited the role of Jim Rockford, who was always short on cash at the end of the month.
But let’s get to the model:
No matter which color (red, silver, or black) you ultimately choose, the Firebird has really been executed beautifully. Of course, this car wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory firebird emblem on the hood. The car features the new chassis technology with a larger steering angle and a softer return spring. This immediately becomes apparent in a very positive way during the test drive. I really enjoyed driving the Firebird.
The engine is responsive and picks up speed well. What stands out: the Firebird handles smoothly and precisely on the track. The softer rubber compound of the tires also makes a positive impression right away—the rubber practically grips the track surface.
For fans of American cars, the Firebird is definitely a must-have—and not just because of its looks and great handling!!
CoMod Long
In 1977, a movie hit theaters that virtually everyone between the ages of 30 and 45 is familiar with: *Smokey and the Bandit* (German title: *Ein ausgekochtes Schlitzohr*)
. Plot:
Because of a crazy $80,000 bet, Beau “Bandit” Darville (Burt Reynolds) and Cletus “Snowman” Snow (Jerry Reed) attempt to cover 900 miles twice between Atlanta and Texarkana in just 48 hours—in a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and a giant truck—to smuggle 300 cases of Coors beer from Texas to Georgia. The trip there goes off without a hitch. On the return trip, however, Bandit picks up a hitchhiker named Carrie (Sally Field)—a bride who has run away just before her wedding—and thus gets himself into a whole lot of trouble with her would-be father-in-law, the Texas sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). And that brings us to the film’s unsung hero: the latest slot car from
A black Firebird with a golden bird has become synonymous with “The Bandit.” Pontiac’s advertising strategy paid off back then: Thanks to “Smokey and the Bandit,” the 1977 Trans Am sold over 60,000 units—three times more than in previous model years. It wasn’t actually a special model—it was simply a standard Trans Am Special Edition from the ’77 model year, available only in black and featuring the coveted gold ornament.
The “Firebird” was powered by either the 400-cubic-inch engine with 180 PS or the 403-cubic-inch engine with 185 PS, which came from sister company Oldsmobile. Later that year, Pontiac introduced a high-performance version of the 400 ci V-8 with 200 PS, which was immediately identified on the hood as the “T/A 6.6.”
Let's take a look at the model:
Of course, this model isn't
The printing is up to the usual high standard; the bird on the hood—the unofficial emblem of the ’77 Trans Am—is particularly nice. Okay, the driver’s hat is a matter of taste, but for me, it’s simply part of this car. The SNOWFLAKE rims, introduced in ’77, are well executed.
Technology: We have the new, improved suspension here. A lot has already been written about it, so I’ll spare you the list of changes at this point. This model doesn’t have independent suspension on the front axle; the car is long enough to accommodate the keel and still fit a solid axle.
The car handles well on the track, is well-suited for beginners, and is very easy to drive. When driven aggressively in K1, it rubs slightly along the tire edges due to its narrow tires (compared to other American cars), but it remains easy to control nonetheless. In my opinion, lead weighting isn’t strictly necessary, but if you want to do it, there’s plenty of space.
The silver
CoMod Lotus
---------------------------------------------------------
Test report by CoMod Long on
I personally first noticed the car in the mid-’70s. I was about 12 years old, and there was a new show on ARD starring James Garner. "Rockford, P.I."—the older folks will surely remember it... The phone was ringing off the hook… Riiiing… Riiiinng… then the answering machine kicked in—“This is Jim Rockford. Please leave your name and number, and I’ll call you back…” What very few people know, however, is that the show used a Pontiac Firebird with the Esprit trim (the “Trans Am for the budget-conscious”), though it was equipped with a Trans Am engine so the car could handle the stunts. The show’s lead actor, James Garner, chose the Esprit over the Trans Am because, in his opinion, the model better suited the role of Jim Rockford, who was always short on cash at the end of the month.
But let’s get to the model:
No matter which color (red, silver, or black) you ultimately choose, the Firebird has really been executed beautifully. Of course, this car wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory firebird emblem on the hood. The car features the new chassis technology with a larger steering angle and a softer return spring. This immediately becomes apparent in a very positive way during the test drive. I really enjoyed driving the Firebird.
The engine is responsive and picks up speed well. What stands out: the Firebird handles smoothly and precisely on the track. The softer rubber compound of the tires also makes a positive impression right away—the rubber practically grips the track surface.
For fans of American cars, the Firebird is definitely a must-have—and not just because of its looks and great handling!!
CoMod Long
