'70 to '81 Firebird Model Kits
Lot#9

A special thanks goes out to Gilbert Carreon who provided over 230 of the model pics shown on this site.

               1980 cont...

This a 1/24 scale kit manufactured by Monogram. Its a 1980 Turbo Trans Am. No further information is available at this time...

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This is a large 1/8 scale kit of a 1980 Special Edition Turbo Trans Am. It is manufactured by Monogram. No further information is available at this time...

This is a 1/25 scale MPC Kit of the 1980 Indy Turbo Pace Car. It was originally a Golden Wheels kit. You could cut-out and collect the golden wheels and get free kits with them once you had enough saved up. As is the case with so many of the Firebird kits MPC did their best to duck the Trans Am name. The title on the box is Indy Pace Car Turbo Firebird and yet we all know the real thing was a Turbo Trans Am. They pulled the usual tricks like omitting the Trans Am name from the fenders and the trunk spoiler but in this case they also had to change the Pace Car decals on the door. The original Trans Am name is replaced on the box with the words Turbo-Firebird. Its funny because these letters are a different color than the rest of the letters on the door. The kit comes molded in white and apparently can be built in two versions although only the version on the boxtop is ever shown. I belive the extent of the custom options include a custom exhaust with side-pipes and custom rims. The T-Tops are molded in the body and must be cut out if so desired. Chrome is extensive and includes two set of rims, several parts of the engine such as the oild pan, fan, and intake, sidepipes, headers, etc... The decal set is also excellent providing all the decals and necessary striping to build an authentic Pace Car. Once again MPC was clever avoiding the TA name. The decal for the door as one piece says Turbo Firebird as seen on the box however MPC provides the necessary letters seperated on the sheet to form the name Trans Am. Specifically they appear on the sheet like this: AM  AN  S  TR So the modeler could opt to use some deft cutting and actually apply the appropriate Trans Am name to the door. Similiar methods are used to provide Trans Am decals for the fenders and the rear spoiler. One note of interest is that on the boxtop the letters PONTIAC appear on both the front and rear windsheild on a clear background. The decal sheet has one on a clear background and one on a black background. The tires are made of soft rubber and are Goodyear Polyglas GTs. The kit is dated 1980.

Another large scale kit, this one is 1/16 and is called "Turbo Blackbird". The model kit vendors are always trying to avoid using the Trans Am name. No further information is available at this time...

This is a large scale 1/16 kit built by MPC of the 1980 Special Edition Trans Am. It was part of the Trophy Series that was offered by MPC. The first unique part of this kit that you notice is the display stand that's included to display the model on after its finished. Its made out of plastic and molded in silver. Apparently you must paint it to make it look like the one on the box. Next most obvious thanks to the box top is the working headlights and taillights. I have seen VERY few kits that have offered functionality with the larger scale kits. This particular kit is just plain awesome. Its size contributes to its detail already but MPC went the distance to offer an outstanding kit. The engine is the 4.9L turbo V-8 that was available in 1980. The engine is very detailed down to the turbo unit, belts, hoses and even spark plug wires. The doors open and feature detailed and correct door panels and the interior is carpeted. The carpet provided is brown which will go along with the beige interior scheme and resembles something you might pick up from a arts and crafts store. It comes on one large square and must be cut to fit the interior. Its like a sticker and doesn't require gluing. It is used on both the floor board and the door panels. The T-Tops are removable and come already off the car. They are made of thick plastic and very closely resemble smoked glass. VERY nice Tops. The chrome offered is what you'd expect with any kit with a lot more detail. The factory snowflakes, several engine pieces, engine turned dash cover and some suspension parts are all chrome. The decal kit is incredible. It features everything needed for the Special Edition package. One oddity of this decal set is that the "Trans Am" decals provided for the fender and rear spoiler are broken into pieces. Instead of one long "Trans Am" decal you get "Tr", "an", "s", "Am" decals. Presumably this is to make easier on the builder to correctly place the decal without fear of tearing it. Just a guess. Besides the stripes, bird, and Trans Am decals you get a few really neat stickers not always provided in a regular kit. One decal is a large yellow square with the following text in red "Member of Midwest Firebird Club Do Not Touch". You also get several custom license plates along with an Iowa plate and a California plate and you get two "For Sale" signs in two different colors. The kit is dated 1986.

This is a dealer promo offered in 1980 to buyers that bought a new Trans Am at the dealership. from 1976 to 1981 promos were offered as unbuilt kits. This kit is the starlight black version. The following is from the Promo section of the site: Trans Am Coupe –Colors known to exist: Starlight Black and Francisco Red. This model marked the final year for the second-generation Firebird promotional models and "Promo Kit". With the exception of the new custom interior design this kit remained identical to the 1979 kit in all areas of detail. The decal sheet was very colorful this year and was printed in new colors. The "Trans Am" lettering and hood bird was red, yellow and orange. These colors on the black car made for a visually striking model. Since all 1980 Trans Ams came with either the 301 or the 305 5.0 litre motor the use of the T/A 6.6 shaker scoop decals would be inaccurate. The black cars still came with gold chrome plated parts and the red car had silver chrome plated parts. The box cover was the same as the 1979 kit however the information was changed to reflect the 1980 features. Value for an unbuilt factory sealed kit in mint condition is in the $25.00-$35.00 ranges. If you'd like to find out about other promos visit the Promo lots!

This is the Francisco red version of the above kit.

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This is a 1/25 scale kit of a 1980 Trans Am that looks to be outfitted for SCCA racing. "Firebird Racer" is the title on the box. Features include IMSA fenders, an opening hood, whale tail spoiler, custom interior with custom seats, custom Western Cyclone wheels, and the racing decals seen on the car on the box. Interestingly the words "Photo of painted and assembled prototype model" appear in the lower right hand corner. The kit is molded in white. Copyright date is 1980.

               1981

This is a Snap-together kit built by Monogram of the 81' Trans Am. I am not sure what the scale is but these kits are usually 1/32. Interestingly the words "Turbo Firebird" can be found on the box in the bottom right corner but the kit appears to have a shaker scoop rather than the needed turbo hood. No other information is available at this time...

This is a Monogram kit of the Special Edition Daytona 500 Pace Car Trans Am that was produced in 1981. Its a large scale kit at 1/20. It comes molded in white.  The front and rear windshields and removable roof panels are tinted transparent plastic. Decal sheet includes hood decal and Daytona 500 pace car markings. Copyright date is 1981.