2008 Treasure Hunts
Hot Bird, #05/12; Collector #165/196; #M6971
This casting takes even a young punk like me back to his youth. When I was a kid, every kid had one of these in their Hot Wheels Collector’s Case, along with a Sheriff Patrol car and a ‘57 Chevy. These Smokey and the Bandit-era Firebirds were only slightly used cars, but cool ones at that, especially given the bulk of uninspiring new cars offered in the early 1980s.
Although an old casting, the 1979 Trans Am-based Hot Bird has been given a fresh place in the spotlight as a 2008 Treasure Hunt. It has also been given a shimmering gold paint job worthy of its name and status as a long beard in the Hot Wheels line. In addition to its gold paint, the body sports black stripes starting between the T-top openings and down to the deck lid, ending just before the spoiler. There are also stripes outlining the character lines of the body sides, stretching between the wheelbase. And, of course, there’s that screaming bird spread out across the hood and wrapping around the Shaker hood scoop. Hot Wheels designers used a little creativity here while maintaining the integrity of the famous bird -- they designed a black panel with the bird cut out of the middle, leaving the winged creature to be the color of the body. This trick makes the hood appear blacked out while keeping the feathers from being ruffled on the famous source of the Firebird Trans Am’s power.
The crowning touch is the big, red-colored tail lamps, and best of all, the casting retains its all-metal construction. I can’t think of a better addition to the Treasure Hunt series. Welcome, Hot Bird!