Hot Bird

==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. Named Captain America for 1979 The Heroes series. 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	 	
32 	1978	Super Streeters 	Black 	Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Tan 	BW 	2014 	Hong Kong	 	
 	1979	Golden Machines 6-Pack 	Gold plated 	Blue & Red stripes & Firebird 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Tan 	BW 	2014 	Hong Kong	6-pack only 	75px
 	1979	The Heroes 	White 	Red & Blue stripes, 'Captain America' on doors 	Unpainted/Metal 	Tinted (Blue) 	Red 	BW 	2879 	Hong Kong	Named Captain America 	
 	1979	The Heroes 	White 	Red & Blue stripes, 'Captain America' on doors 	Unpainted/Metal 	Tinted (Blue) 	Orange 	BW 	2879 	Hong Kong	Named Captain America 	
 	1979	The Heroes 	White 	Red & Blue stripes, 'Captain America' on doors 	Unpainted/Metal 	Tinted (Blue) 	Red 	Gold HO 	2879 	Hong Kong	Named Captain America 	
 	1980	Mainline 	Brown 	Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Tan 	BW 	2014 	Hong Kong	 	75px
 	1980	Mainline 	Blue 	Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Tan 	BW 	2014 	Hong Kong	 	
 	1982	The Hot Ones 	Black 	Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Tan 	GHO 	2014 	Hong Kong	 	75px
 	1982	The Hot Ones 	Black 	Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Tan 	GHO 	2014 	Malaysia 	 	75px
 	 	Leo Hot Wheels 	Dark Blue 	Yellow eagle, Yellow & Orange stripe on roof 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Red 	GHO 	 	India 	 	
 	 	Leo Hot Wheels 	White 	Red '80s Firebird graphics 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Red 	GHO 	 	India 	 	
 	 	Leo Hot Wheels 	Red 	Yellow & Black Eagle on Hood, Yellow & Black Stripes on Roof 	Unpainted/Metal 	Smoke 	Red 	GHO 	 	India 	 	
 	 	 	Black 	Yellow & Red stripes & Firebird 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue Tint 	Brown 	HO 	 	Malaysia 	 	
 	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 	
 	1989	Double Barrel Set 	Metalflake Dark Blue 	Gray & Orange graphics 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Gray 	GHO 	 	Malaysia 	Set exclusive 	
 	1989	Double Barrel Set 	Metalflake Dark Blue 	Gray & Orange graphics 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Gray 	UH 	 	 	Set exclusive 	
 	1989	Double Barrel Set 	Metalflake Dark Blue 	Gray & Orange graphics 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Tan 	GHO 	 	 	Set exclusive 	
37 	1989	Mainline 	Metalflake Blue 	White Firebird, Red & Yellow flames on side & hood 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Tan 	GHO 	 	Malaysia 	 	75px
37 	1989	Mainline 	Metalflake Blue 	White Firebird, Red & Yellow flames on side & hood 	Unpainted/Metal 	Blue tint 	Gray 	GHO 	 	Malaysia 	 	75px
37 	1989	Mainline 	Metalflake Blue 	White Firebird, Red & Yellow flames on side & hood 	Unpainted/Metal 	 	Tan 	UH 	 	 	 	
37 	1990	Mainline 	Black 	Yellow firebird on hood, Yellow & Red stripes on roof 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Red 	GHO 	 	Malaysia 	 	
37 	1990	Mainline 	Black 	Yellow firebird on hood, Yellow & Red stripes on roof 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Tan 	GHO 	 	Malaysia 	 	75px
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 	 	75px
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 	 	
 	1990	Cereal Promotion 	Metalflake Silver 	Yellow Firebird on hood 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Tan 	GHO 	 	Malaysia 	Hot Wheels cereal 	
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 	
 	1992	Hot Wheels Collector 	Glitter on Black 	None 	Unpainted/Metal 	Pink tint 	Pink 	UH 	0462 	Malaysia 	 	75px
 	1996	100th Anniversary of The Automobile in America	Yellow 	Black firebird on hood 	Black 	Clear 	Black 	PC6 	 	China 	 	75px
469 	1996	Mainline 	Metalflake Gold 	Red HW Logo on rear 	Unpainted/Metal 	Gray tint 	Beige 	5SP 	15978 	China 	 	
469 	1996	Mainline 	Metalflake Gold 	Black Firebird on hood 	Unpainted/Metal 	Gray tint 	Black 	5SP 	15978 	China 	 	
469 	1996	Mainline 	Metalflake Gold 	Black Firebird on hood small Purple HW logo 	Unpainted/Metal 	Gray tint 	Black 	LW 	15978 	China 	 	
 	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 	
 	2004	The Lost Cars of China 	Metalflake Red 	Black & Gold Firebird 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Gold 	RL2 	G5509 	China 	 	
 	2004	The Lost Cars of China 	Metalflake Red 	Black & Gold Bird 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Gold 	BW 	G5509 	China 	 	
 	2005	50 ft. Track Rolls 	Red 	Black & Gold firebird 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Gold 	RL5SP 	H6975 	China 	Track Set 	
 	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 	
 	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 	
 	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 	
 	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 	
 	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 	
 	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 	
198/223	2006	Mainline 	Black 	Yellow & Orange flames 	Unpainted/Metal 	Red tint 	Gray 	7SP 	J8029 	Thailand 	"Pontiac Firebird" on base 	
198/223	2006	Mainline 	Metalflake Purple 	Yellow & Orange flames 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Black 	5SP 	J8029 	Thailand 	"Pontiac Firebird" on base 	
 	2007	Hot Wheels 10-Pack Exclusive 	Pearl White 	 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Blue 	5SP 	54886 	Thailand 	"Pontiac Firebird" on base 	
 	2007	Hot Wheels 10-Pack Exclusive 	Flat Black 	 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Red 	5SP 	54886 	Thailand 	"Pontiac Firebird" on base 	
 	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 	
 	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 	
 	2008	Since '68: Collector Top 40 Set 	Black 	Blue flames, Firebird on hood 	Unpainted/Metal 	Smoke 	Blue 	Red line BW 	N4608 	 	Base Code(s): 	
 	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 baseBase Code(s): 	
165/196	2008	Treasure Hunts5/12 	Metalflake Gold 	Black Firebird on hood, Black stripes on roof, sides & trunk 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	black 	5SP 	M6971 	Malaysia 	"Pontiac Firebird" on base 	
165/196	2008	Trea$ure Hunt$5/12 	Spectraflame Gold 	Black Firebird on hood, Black stripes on roof, sides & trunk 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Black 	RR5SP 	M6971S	Malaysia 	"Pontiac Firebird" on baseBase Code(s): 	
165/196	2008	Trea$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 baseBase Code(s): 1238N On card 	
 	2008	HCW.com Series 7: Neo-Cassics2/6 	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 producedFirst time opening hood 	
 	2009	Connect Cars48/50 	Metalflake Gold 	Orange, Yellow & Black graphics, "Arizona," "48," & "Grand Canyon State," Black hood with Cattle Skull 	 	Clear 	Black 	5SP 	 	Malaysia 	Base Code(s): 	
210/240	2010	Race World: Volcano2/4 	Metalflake Blue 	Red, Orange, Yellow & Blue flames on sides & hood 	Unpainted/Metal 	Tinted (Red) 	Gray 	Red 5SP 	R7639 	Malaysia 	New baseBase Code(s): 	75px
208/214	2010	Race World: Volcano2/4 	Metalflake Blue 	Red, Orange, Yellow & Blue flames on sides & hood 	Unpainted/Metal 	Tinted (Red) 	Gray 	Red 5SP 	R7639 	Malaysia 	New baseBase Code(s): 	75px
210/240	2010	Race World: Volcano2/4 	Metalflake Red 	Orange, Yellow & White flames on sides & hood 	Unpainted/Metal 	Tinted (Orange)	Black 	Orange 5SP 	R7639 	Malaysia 	Walmart card release includes keychainPontiac Firebird on baseBase Code(s):	75px
208/214	2010	Race World: Volcano2/4 	Metalflake Red 	Orange, Yellow & White flames on sides & hood 	Unpainted/Metal 	Tinted (Orange)	Black 	Orange 5SP 	R7639 	Malaysia 	Pontiac Firebird on baseBase Code(s): 	75px
 	2011	Cars of the Decades18/32 	Metalflake Silver 	Brown, yellow, orange & red stripes 	Unpainted/Metal 	Tinted (Smoke) 	Black 	Gold Chrome LW 	V4428 	Malaysia 	Opening hood,"Hot Bird" on baseBase Code(s): 	
 	2011	Hot Wheels Garage: GM2/22 	Gold 	Black Firebird graphicss, light details 	Unpainted/Metal 	Clear 	Black 	RR 	 	 	Base Code(s): 	
 	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 baseBase Code(s): E09 	
 	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 	
249/250	2021	Muscle Mania9/10 	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 	
 	2024	Mystery Models (Series 2)2/10 	Matte Black 	Red, white and grey accents on hood and sides; "2" on doors and hood; "TRANS AM" on hood and sides; firebird logo on hood 	Black/Plastic 	Clear 	Grey 	Red chrome 5SP & Black on Grey AeroDisc	HVW80 	Malaysia 	Base code(s): 	
==See Also==
*'77 Pontiac Firebird T/A
==Back of cards==
From the back of the 2008 card:	From the back of the 2008 card:	From the back of the 2008 card:	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	From the back of 2010 Race World Volcano card	From the back of 2010 Race World Volcano card
Horsepower 	Speed 	Acceleration 0-60
415 	150 	4.9
==Gallery==
Hot Bird Luis Proto.jpg|Luis Montesdeoca Prototype
1992 Proto Hot Bird.JPG|Prototype form 1992 Mattel Catalog
Hot Bird Hot Ones Prototype.JPG|Hot Ones Card Prototype
Hot Bird Hot Ones Prototype 2.png|Hot Ones Card Prototype #2
Brian Anna Hot Bird.jpg|Blister Prototype #3 (Brian-Anna.com)
Hot Bird Hot Ones Prototype 4.jpg|Blister Prototype #4
Hot Bird Hot Ones Prototype 3.png|Purple Prototype 
35 Years of Speed Randy Leffingwell Hot Bird.JPG|Grid car (Randy Leffingwell)
Brian Anna Pontiac Power (2).jpg|Pontiac Power Collection 3-Car Set prototype (Brian-Anna.com)
Brian Anna Pontiac Power (4).jpg
Patch Card Super Streeters Hot Bird Black Hong Kong 2014.jpg|Patch Card Super Streeters Hot Bird 2014
HPIM6739.jpeg|Prototype- White tampo
Promohotbird.jpg|Prototype- Metal-Flake Blue
1993-TC MAXX '78 card-11 Hot Bird-1.jpg
1993-TC MAXX '78 card-11 Hot Bird-2.jpg
HotBirdGHOWheels.png|1982 Hot Ones
Hot bird dk blue.jpg
Best.JPG|My Best Hot Birds. A Protype and 3 LEO India Variations.
Prototype 01.jpg|My prototype.
Red 01.jpg|Previously unknown LEO India variation?
Red 02.jpg|This came to me from Australia.
Red 03.jpg|Malaysia scratched off the base like other LEO India variations.
India Cars 03.JPG|Malaysia scratched off bases of LEO India cars.
HPIM6739.jpeg
HPIM8211.jpeg
Th IMG 1111-1.jpg
Captain America GHO.jpg
Lwch.jpg
Lost china.jpg|Lost Cars of China
Hot bird 01.JPG|First Edition of this casting
Th HotBirdJapan002-1.jpg|Japan Box
Th HotBirdJapan001-1.jpg|Italy Box
Hotbird100thanniversarypack-1.jpg|Hotbird 100th anniversary pack
25-HOT BIRD-CEREAL $8.00 91.jpg|Hot Bird- Cereal Version
Pontiac Firebird.jpg|2006 Hot Wheels Hot Bird
Hot Wheels Pontiac Firebird (2007 Model).jpg|Hot Wheels Pontiac Firebird (2007 Model)
Osos.JPG|2006 Hot Bird
Editor de Fotocollages KTLf83.png|hot Bird The Hot Ones
Hot Bird - Treasure Hunt 2008 - 08 - 1.jpg|Hot Bird - Treasure Hunt 2008 - 08 - 1
Hot Bird - Treasure Hunt 2008 - 08 - 2.jpg|Hot Bird - Treasure Hunt 2008 - 08 - 2
Hot Bird - Treasure Hunt 2008 - 08 - 3.jpg|Hot Bird - Treasure Hunt 2008 - 08 - 3
2008-165 $TH M6971S Hot Bird Base Vari bothPtBb.jpg|$TH Base Vari
2008-165 $TH M6971S Hot Bird Base Vari bothPLBR.jpg|2008-165 M6971S
2008-165 $TH M6971S Hot Bird PAINTED Base r-1b.jpg|M6971S painted base
2008-165 $TH M6971S Hot Bird PAINTED Base r-2.jpg|Short Card $Th Painted Base
HOW004 (2).JPG
Custom purple hot bird.JPG| Custom Wheelswapin
1990 base tan interior 37.JPG| #37 on Base of the 1990 Tan Interior Hot Bird
Captain America.jpg|On card
Captain America-20873.jpg|Orange interior
Captain America-20874.jpg|Red Interior
Captain America-20875.jpg|Red interior - missing stars on the roof
Captain America-23546.jpg|GHO
File:Hot Bird 2021.jpg
File:GTB46.jpg
RLC 2008 Hot Bird Brown China L8684.jpg|RLC 2008
Hot Bird Volcano - 2626ff.jpg|2010 Race World Volcano Series
Hot Bird Volcano Detail - 2624ef.jpg|2010 Race World Volcano Series
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