Casey Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Looks like the 1/16 scale MPC '79 Pontiac Firebird kit is being reissued as kit #862. Hopefully it's the "Turbo Blackbird" version and not the 10th Anniversary T/A version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Sikora II Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Nice to see this coming back. Pretty sure the Turbo cars were 1980 and '81 though, so a '79 is probably the 10th Anniversary car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZIL 111V Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Turbo would be nice but indeed probably the 10th anniversary edition, last seen in late 90s: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JollySipper Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 I am VERY interested in this kit! Does anyone have content pictures, and what would be the differences between the '79 and the '80, '81 versions?Obviously the hoods and decals are different, is the rest of the kit basically the same?Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share Posted February 19, 2017 (edited) Obviously the hoods and decals are different, is the rest of the kit basically the same?Yes, they are basically the same kit, with some parts differences as you noted, as well as the wheels and the turbocharged engine. I can't recall if the Blackbird kit included smoke-tinted glass or not, but I want to say it did. Hopefully that specific model kit fad is gone for good.It's been a while since I had the Blackbird kit, but I was a little underwhelmed by it to be honest. It seemed typical of late '70s MPC kits, with decent but not super crisp details. The decals were really nice, though, and the finished kit does end up looking quite like the real thing. The underside and engine are the weak areas in the kit from what I recall.I'm guessing Round2 did not acquire the licensing necessary to use the "Trans Am" name this time around, so who knows, maybe we'll get some type of combination of both kits/versions. Edited February 19, 2017 by Casey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny B Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 I actually do have the MPC 1/16 Blackbird Trans Am model. Needs to be rebuilt mind you, but it did come with the tinted black windows optional Recaro front seats, turbo engine with a four speed transmission. The doors also open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gray07 Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 ive got a built black one and a built silver one, both missing a few parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled modeler Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 I have been wanting a very large scale TA kit with opening doors to build and add a ton of detail to it. Wish I could find the Monogram issue one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Driver Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Yes, they are basically the same kit, with some parts differences as you noted, as well as the wheels and the turbocharged engine. I can't recall if the Blackbird kit included smoke-tinted glass or not, but I want to say it did. Hopefully that specific model kit fad is gone for good.It's been a while since I had the Blackbird kit, but I was a little underwhelmed by it to be honest. It seemed typical of late '70s MPC kits, with decent but not super crisp details. The decals were really nice, though, and the finished kit does end up looking quite like the real thing. The underside and engine are the weak areas in the kit from what I recall.I'm guessing Round2 did not acquire the licensing necessary to use the "Trans Am" name this time around, so who knows, maybe we'll get some type of combination of both kits/versions.Casey, are the t-tops molded open on this kit? Or must they be cut out as with some of the other MPC kits?I was never a fan of t-tops on full-scale cars, and don't prefer them on my models either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share Posted February 19, 2017 Casey, are the t-tops molded open on this kit? Or must they be cut out as with some of the other MPC kits? I was never a fan of t-tops on full-scale cars, and don't prefer them on my models either. The T-top roof panels are separate parts: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Driver Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 The T-top roof panels are separate parts: Thanks Casey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawk312 Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Looks like the 1/16 scale MPC '79 Pontiac Firebird kit is being reissued as kit #862. Hopefully it's the "Turbo Blackbird" version and not the 10th Anniversary T/A version. Please let it be this one, or the "Trophy Series" black one. Though, I am sure it will be the silver one. I had the 1/25 version of the silver one, and it was awful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echoxrayniner Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Oohh I'm gonna be picking one of 'em up, though I wonder; whats the current ETA for the kit? Also it comes with full engine detail, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Can-Con Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Also good to keep in mind it dosen't have to be black. As far as I can see, the gold decals were available with almost all the body colors that year with the exception of silver, charcoal grey and orange. You could even get gold decals on a gold car. I have an unbuilt Blackbird. If I ever get around to it I think I'll do it in either dark blue or burgundy. Just with I had a clear set of glass for it instead of the dark smoke set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young iron Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 I have a hurt original, so this is great news and I will buy a few. Hope they will just complete the toyish tinted glass with clear one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JollySipper Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 So does anyone have an instruction scan or pics of this kits contents? I'm very interested in it but I would hate to get it to find it's as bad a kit as their 1/25 version...... I looked on fotki for the instructions but they aren't posted...... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Can-Con Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Here's a link to the Drastic Plastic club's fotki page with the instructions for the Blackbird.http://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/mpc-instructions/1-sort/mpc-turbo-charged-f/#media Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JollySipper Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Thank you, Steve........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 I am sure it will be the silver one. Yep, new images online show the 10th Anniversary edition box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled modeler Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 That is a bummer.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawk312 Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Sorry to bring up an old thread guys, but I saw this on the Round 2 webpage. It looks as though it is the trophy series Firebird or the Blackbird kit in gold with the anniversary hood and intake/carb`d intake engine. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10camaross Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Shaker hood, honeycomb wheels, and a gold hood bird. Happy dance time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 Shaker hood, honeycomb wheels, and a gold hood bird. Happy dance time! I'd be willing to be someone north of the border built that box art beauty. Non-"smoked"/tinted "glass", too, it appears. Fist bumps all around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddyfink Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 (edited) Saw this on the MPC side of the ledger. Not the same, but, it is different! Edited July 15, 2017 by Daddyfink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pack rat Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 (edited) I'd be willing to be someone north of the border built that box art beauty. Non-"smoked"/tinted "glass", too, it appears. Fist bumps all around! Thanks, Casey; The box-art kit actually sat on my bench for a few weeks while the guys at Round2 searched for the honeycomb wheel insert. Nice to have parts in the box that enable you to build a "regular" T/A as opposed to the one-color-scheme-only anniversary version. I'm hoping they include decals in different color schemes like they did with the 1/25 version. The hood bird shown on the box was applied (or photoshopped) after the fact. Edited July 15, 2017 by pack rat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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