Review by CoMod Lotus of Carrera the 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:
Due to 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 is completely uneventful. On the way back, however, Bandit picks up a hitchhiker, 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 Texan 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 marketing 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 1977 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 hp or the 403-cubic-inch engine with 185 hp, which came from sister company Oldsmobile. Over the course of the year, Pontiac offered a high-performance variant of the 400 ci V8 with 200 hp, which was immediately proclaimed 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 you can't deny that the black Pontiac bears a certain resemblance... So far, I've had the red Digital and the silver EVO here to test; I've been 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: Here we have the new, improved suspension. A lot has already been written about it, so I’ll spare you the list of changes here. This model doesn’t have independent suspension on the front axle; the car is long enough to accommodate the front keel while still fitting a solid axle.
The car handles well on the track, is well-suited for beginners, and is very forgiving. When driven aggressively on K1 tracks, it rubs slightly over the tire edges due to the narrow tires (compared to other American cars), but remains easy to control nonetheless. In my opinion, lead weighting isn’t strictly necessary, but if you still want to do it, there’s plenty of room.
The silverEvolution model can, of course, be retrofitted with digital parts,
CoMod Lotus
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Test report by CoMod Long onCarrera 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 I was 12 years old, and there was a new series on ARD starring James Garner. "Rockford, P.I."—the older folks will surely remember... the phone rings off the hook… Riiiing… Riiiing… then the answering machine: "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 series used a Pontiac Firebird with 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 series’ 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 been executed really well. 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 makes an immediate and very positive impression during the test drive. I really enjoyed driving the Firebird.
The motor is lively and responds well to the throttle. What stands out: the Firebird runs smoothly and cleanly on the track. The softer rubber compound of the tires also makes a positive impression right away. The rubber practically clings to the track surface.
For fans of American cars, the Firebird is definitely a must-have—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:
Due to 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 is completely uneventful. On the way back, however, Bandit picks up a hitchhiker, 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 Texan 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 marketing 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 1977 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 hp or the 403-cubic-inch engine with 185 hp, which came from sister company Oldsmobile. Over the course of the year, Pontiac offered a high-performance variant of the 400 ci V8 with 200 hp, which was immediately proclaimed 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: Here we have the new, improved suspension. A lot has already been written about it, so I’ll spare you the list of changes here. This model doesn’t have independent suspension on the front axle; the car is long enough to accommodate the front keel while still fitting a solid axle.
The car handles well on the track, is well-suited for beginners, and is very forgiving. When driven aggressively on K1 tracks, it rubs slightly over the tire edges due to the narrow tires (compared to other American cars), but remains easy to control nonetheless. In my opinion, lead weighting isn’t strictly necessary, but if you still want to do it, there’s plenty of room.
The silver
CoMod Lotus
---------------------------------------------------------
Test report by CoMod Long on
I personally first noticed the car in the mid-’70s. I was about I was 12 years old, and there was a new series on ARD starring James Garner. "Rockford, P.I."—the older folks will surely remember... the phone rings off the hook… Riiiing… Riiiing… then the answering machine: "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 series used a Pontiac Firebird with 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 series’ 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 been executed really well. 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 makes an immediate and very positive impression during the test drive. I really enjoyed driving the Firebird.
The motor is lively and responds well to the throttle. What stands out: the Firebird runs smoothly and cleanly on the track. The softer rubber compound of the tires also makes a positive impression right away. The rubber practically clings to the track surface.
For fans of American cars, the Firebird is definitely a must-have—not just because of its looks and great handling!!
CoMod Long
