1/16 Firebird question - 1979 to 1977 Trans Am con

[Adam Baker]

In my stash I have a 1/16 scale MPC 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 10th Anniversary kit.

I'd love to build the kit up to look like the Smokey & The Bandit car, which is a 1977 Firebird Trans Am.

From what I can tell from my fairly quick look of the kit vs the car I want to build, the biggest immediate differences are in the shape of the nose & the rear bumper.

In the kit, the nose & rear bumper are both separate from the main body, so I'm almost expecting that somewhere out there is a kit of a 77/78 model Firebird that would have the correct nose & bumper?

Just for those that might not know the differences between the 2 models, here are some images I found.

1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 10th Anniversary

Front

Rear

1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Front

Rear

Along w/ conversion nose & bumper parts, I'd also need to find a set of decals for the S&TB car. I'm pretty sure I've seen them available in 1/24, but I have no clue if any are available in 1/16.

And something else I just noticed would be the wheels would have to be changed as well.

 

[moon puppy]

I'm pretty sure the dash and center console were different. Why not do the '79 BanditII? Seems like path of least resistance but I think that was the turbo version with the scoop offset.

I went to the beach in a '76 454 HO version, good lord how we avoided getting arrested i don't know. Wait..think we did!

 

[Adam Baker]

Hmm, hadn't thought about the car from the 2nd movie, but yea, it appears you're correct, that it has a different hood. I can see the progression in the style from 77 to 80. 77/78 appear about the same. 79 has the same hood as 77/78, and then 80 has a new hood but shares the same front bumper (and assuming rear bumper) and wheels, as the 79 10th Anniv. car. So basically neither S&TB car is possible w/ this kit w/o some kind of modification.

I guess it basically boils down to whether its worth trying to make the changes or just build it as a regular 79 10th Anniv. car. If I were to do a S&TB car, I'd really prefer the car from the 1st movie, but I guess we'll see.

 

[moon puppy]

The Anniversary car was really nice. Extra special trim package that had embroidered Thunderbirds on the leather seats. I knew a couple of undeserving kids who's Dad bought them both one. They trashed them, horrible site to see. Though I didn't really care for the '79 front end. I like the early ones...