Test report by CoMod Lotus on the Carrera Evo/D132 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am '77 (27299 and 30480,30481)
In 1977, a film was released that everyone between the ages of 30 and 45 probably knew: Smokey and the Bandit - (German film title "Ein ausgekochtes Schlitzohr")
Contents:
Due to an insane $80,000 bet, Beau "Bandit" Darville (Burt Reynolds) and Cletus "Snowman" Snow (Jerry Reed) attempt to travel the two 900-mile routes between Atlanta and Texarkana in just 48 hours, driving a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and a giant truck, to smuggle 300 cases of Coors beer from Texas to Georgia. The outward journey is nothing short of spectacular. On the return trip, however, Bandit picks up hitchhiker Carrie (Sally Field), a bride who ran away shortly before her wedding, and thus gets himself into a lot of trouble with his thwarted father-in-law, Texas Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). And that brings us to the unsung hero of the film: the latest slot car from Carrera!
A black Firebird with a golden bird became synonymous with the "Bandit." Pontiac's advertising strategy worked: Thanks to "Smokey and the Bandit," the 1977 model of the Trans Am sold over 60,000 units, three times more than in previous model years. It wasn't really a special model; it was simply a standard Trans Am Special Edition of the '77 model year, available only in black with the coveted gold ornament.
The Firebird was powered by the 180 hp 400 engine or the 185 hp 403 engine, which came from sister company Oldsmobile. Later that year, Pontiac offered a performance-enhanced version of the 200 hp 400 ci V8, which was immediately advertised on the hood as the T/A 6.6.
Let’s look at the model:
Of course, the Carrera model isn't the official movie car. But certain similarities to the black Pontiac are undeniable... I've had the red Digital and the silver EVO here to test so far, and I'm eagerly awaiting the black one.
The lettering is of the usual high quality, and the bird on the hood, the unofficial trademark of the '77 Trans Am, is very nice. Okay, the driver's hat is a matter of taste, but for me, it's simply a part of this car. The SNOWFLAKE rims, introduced in '77, are well-executed.
Technology: Here we have the new, improved chassis. Much has been written about this, so I'll spare you the trouble of listing the changes here. There's no independent suspension on the front axle; the car is long enough that there's enough room for the guide keel and still fits a through axle.
The car handles well on the track, is also well-suited for beginners, and is very docile. In aggressive K1 tracks, it rubs a bit over the edges due to the narrow tires (compared to other American cars), but it still remains easy to control. Leading isn't absolutely necessary in my opinion, but if you want it anyway, there's plenty of room.
The silver Evolution model can of course be digitized,
CoMod Lotus
---------------------------------------------------------
Test report from CoMod Long on the Carrera 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 series on ARD with James Garner. "The Rockford Detective - Just Call Me" – older people will surely remember... the phone rings off the hook...ring...ring...then the answering machine - "This is Jim Rockford, please state your name and number, and I'll call you back..." What few people know, however, is that the series used a Pontiac Firebird with the Esprit trim (a Trans Am for the poor), but with a Trans Am engine to enable the car to perform stunts. The lead actor of the series, James Garner, chose the Esprit over the Trans Am because he felt 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:
Regardless of which color (red, silver, or black) you ultimately choose, the Firebird has been truly beautifully executed. Of course, the obligatory Firebird on the hood is a must for this car. The car features the new chassis technology with a larger torsion angle and softer return spring. This immediately proved very positive in the road test. I really enjoyed the Firebird.
The engine is lively and responds well to the throttle. What's striking is that the Firebird sits quietly and cleanly on the track. The softer rubber compound of the tires is also immediately noticeable. The rubber practically grips the surface.
For fans of American cars, the Firebird is a must-have, and not just because of its looks and great handling!
CoMod Long
In 1977, a film was released that everyone between the ages of 30 and 45 probably knew: Smokey and the Bandit - (German film title "Ein ausgekochtes Schlitzohr")
Contents:
Due to an insane $80,000 bet, Beau "Bandit" Darville (Burt Reynolds) and Cletus "Snowman" Snow (Jerry Reed) attempt to travel the two 900-mile routes between Atlanta and Texarkana in just 48 hours, driving a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and a giant truck, to smuggle 300 cases of Coors beer from Texas to Georgia. The outward journey is nothing short of spectacular. On the return trip, however, Bandit picks up hitchhiker Carrie (Sally Field), a bride who ran away shortly before her wedding, and thus gets himself into a lot of trouble with his thwarted father-in-law, Texas Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). And that brings us to the unsung hero of the film: the latest slot car from Carrera!
A black Firebird with a golden bird became synonymous with the "Bandit." Pontiac's advertising strategy worked: Thanks to "Smokey and the Bandit," the 1977 model of the Trans Am sold over 60,000 units, three times more than in previous model years. It wasn't really a special model; it was simply a standard Trans Am Special Edition of the '77 model year, available only in black with the coveted gold ornament.
The Firebird was powered by the 180 hp 400 engine or the 185 hp 403 engine, which came from sister company Oldsmobile. Later that year, Pontiac offered a performance-enhanced version of the 200 hp 400 ci V8, which was immediately advertised on the hood as the T/A 6.6.
Let’s look at the model:
Of course, the Carrera model isn't the official movie car. But certain similarities to the black Pontiac are undeniable... I've had the red Digital and the silver EVO here to test so far, and I'm eagerly awaiting the black one.
The lettering is of the usual high quality, and the bird on the hood, the unofficial trademark of the '77 Trans Am, is very nice. Okay, the driver's hat is a matter of taste, but for me, it's simply a part of this car. The SNOWFLAKE rims, introduced in '77, are well-executed.
Technology: Here we have the new, improved chassis. Much has been written about this, so I'll spare you the trouble of listing the changes here. There's no independent suspension on the front axle; the car is long enough that there's enough room for the guide keel and still fits a through axle.
The car handles well on the track, is also well-suited for beginners, and is very docile. In aggressive K1 tracks, it rubs a bit over the edges due to the narrow tires (compared to other American cars), but it still remains easy to control. Leading isn't absolutely necessary in my opinion, but if you want it anyway, there's plenty of room.
The silver Evolution model can of course be digitized,
CoMod Lotus
---------------------------------------------------------
Test report from CoMod Long on the Carrera 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 series on ARD with James Garner. "The Rockford Detective - Just Call Me" – older people will surely remember... the phone rings off the hook...ring...ring...then the answering machine - "This is Jim Rockford, please state your name and number, and I'll call you back..." What few people know, however, is that the series used a Pontiac Firebird with the Esprit trim (a Trans Am for the poor), but with a Trans Am engine to enable the car to perform stunts. The lead actor of the series, James Garner, chose the Esprit over the Trans Am because he felt 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:
Regardless of which color (red, silver, or black) you ultimately choose, the Firebird has been truly beautifully executed. Of course, the obligatory Firebird on the hood is a must for this car. The car features the new chassis technology with a larger torsion angle and softer return spring. This immediately proved very positive in the road test. I really enjoyed the Firebird.
The engine is lively and responds well to the throttle. What's striking is that the Firebird sits quietly and cleanly on the track. The softer rubber compound of the tires is also immediately noticeable. The rubber practically grips the surface.
For fans of American cars, the Firebird is a must-have, and not just because of its looks and great handling!
CoMod Long
