Auto World Car & Driver 1976 Pontiac Firebird TransAm

The Car and Driver Approved Selection series features models that made the cover of the famed auto publication- 1976 was Pontiac's 50th Anniversary, and the 1st Anniversary of the Trans Am package. The color is Carousel Red, perfectly duplicated in this stunning Auto World casting. In the following year, actor Burt Reynolds would forever popularize the '77 Special Edition in Smokey & The Bandit. According to Wikipedia, the Trans Am package on Firebirds featured upgraded handling, suspension, and horsepower, as well as various aesthetic modifications in the trim packages. Reknown for their authenticity, Auto World really nailed this one, right down to the 455 on the hood scoop. There is some unevenness in casting above the wheel wells, but it's overall appearance is pretty great! My main complaint is left for the tire width on Auto World cars in general, which seems a bit too thin- a trait not as obvious on this casting due to the skirting around the wheels...

The 400 cu. in. Pontiac V-8 455 would have been standard in '76, and according to the Wikipedia entry, 7,099 were built in that years full production run.

Auto World '76 Pontiac Firebird with the Hot Wheels '73 Pontiac Firebird (left) and Auto World '69 Pontiac Firebird...

I just had to roll out the Greenlight '71 Cheyenne and wheel this beauty onto it's flatbed for a full dose of an era that I'm a fan of, generally speaking... 

Make It FAST- Make It FUN!

Auto World Vintage Muscle Cars

While this is the Super Fun Hot Wheels blog, it's only human for me to be curious about other makes & models of 1:64 scale diecast cars, or for that matter any toy cars at all. But my interest in more premium cars stems from the seemingly unattainable, highly coveted Super Treasure Hunt cars that Hot Wheels thinly spreads throughout their cases, featuring rubber tires and special paint apps. Since these seem out of reach, I thought I'd venture outside my comfort zone and try new things, like these Vintage Muscle Series cars by Auto World.  Sporting diecast body & chassis, rubber tires, and detailed paint, these premium cars included special collector boxes that boast true 1:64 scale modeling.

It's hard to deny the realistic proportions and deco appointment on this dark red '69 Pontiac Firebird, which really fools the eye with it's attention to detail! Being the last of Firebird's "first generation, the '69 received a facelift on the front end, instruments panel, and steering wheel/column...

While I'm no car expert, the engine details look convincing enough, the 400 V-8 and 350 being a popular and versatile models of the day...

The '71 Dodge Dart Swinger is 4th generation of the first Darts originally produced in 1960, and received new quad tail lamps, the custom 2 door hardtop coupe now taking the Swinger mantle, and the standard Swinger becoming the Swinger Special (Wikipedia). This car has a pink hue to it, more evident when beside the Firebird...

The 340 4-barrel V-8 would have been the top Dart engine of the day,which looks alot like the tiny detailing under the hood of this 1:64 scale car to my untrained eye...

These cars don't roll like a Hot Wheels car due to their rubber tires- the Firebird even has tire irregularities that make for a bumpy ride. But these are for show, so I can forgive that somewhat. I think it's hard to deny the strongpoint of these Auto World cars, being there attention to details...

I know these "young adult" model miniatures  by Scene Setters aren't to scale, but are hilarious nonetheless! "Tracey" looks like she just saw a car accident, and "Moe" looks like he's further back on the evolutionary ladder    :D

Make It FAST- Make It FUN!