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Car of the Day: October 17, 2010; Majorette '82 Pontiac Firebird
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Topic Started: Oct 16 2010, 11:09 PM (807 Views)
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jedimario
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Oct 16 2010, 11:09 PM
Post #1
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RAWR
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Posted for Swifty.

Today's car of the day is Majorette's 1982 Pontiac Firebird.

- Wikipedia
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The Pontiac Firebird was built by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 1967 and 2002. The Firebird was introduced the same year as its platform-sharing cousin, the Chevrolet Camaro. This coincided with the release of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, which shared its platform with another pony car, the Ford Mustang.
The vehicles were, for the most part, powered by various V8 engines of different GM divisions. While primarily Pontiac-powered until 1977, Firebirds were built with several different engines from nearly every GM division until 1982 when GM began to discontinue engines it felt were unneeded and either spread successful designs from individual devisions among all devisions or use new engines of corporate architecture.

For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: Pontiac Firebird & [3rd Generation Firebird]

This is the generation of Firebird that immediately springs to mind when I hear the word. And it's truly a toss-up between this and the '77 for my favorite Firebird. I never cared much for the '79-'81 'Birds, but I do love the '77-'78s. I also love the third generations, except for the later ones with the ugly front fascia. Not sure what was up with that... This Majorette is a decent casting, suffering from three things wrong with Majorettes of the era: wide castings, really wide wheels (these were their Formula 1 wheels!), and the hood won't completely close due to the rod propping it open.

- Wikipedia
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The third generation F-body weighed less than its predecessor and offered sleek, aerodynamic styling that was particularly reflected by the Firebird. GM's CCC (Computer Command Control) engine control system also continued to evolve, simultaneously increasing engine performance, raising fuel economy, and lowering emissions. This combination of factors helped the Third Generation Firebird to re-energize its fading pony car image. By the end of the 1980's, thanks to world class aerodynamics and state of the art computerized engine management, a Firebird would be the fastest American car available at any price.

- Wikipedia
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The 3rd Generation of Firebirds took flight with three models: Firebird, Firebird S/E, and Firebird Trans Am. The Firebird was the base model, equivalent to the Camaro Sport Coupe; the Firebird S/E was the luxury version; and the Trans Am, the high performance Firebird. For 1982, the new Firebird and Camaro had been completely restyled, with the windshield slope set at a dramatic, wind cheating 62 degrees, (about 3 degrees steeper than anything GM had ever tried before), flush mounted side glass, and for the first time, a large, glass-dominated rear hatchback. Electronically controlled retractable headlamps, and a rounded hoodline and front fenders were the primary characteristics that distinguished the Firebird from its Camaro sibling and its previous Firebird incarnations. The Firebird would retain hidden headlamps until the end of all production in 2002. Pontiac had also hoped to drop the "Trans Am" moniker from the redesigned cars to save royalties paid to the SCCA for use of the name. Early promotional cars were marked "T/A" as an alternative, however it was decided that doing so might cause more problems than it was worth and the "Trans Am" nameplate remained. Still, with its dimensions reduced, wheel base shortened, and weight reduced, the Third Generation Firebird was also the closest yet in size to the original 1967 model. Road & Track selected the 1982 Firebird Trans Am as one of the "12 Best Cars" in the world (along with its cousin, the Camaro). It won "Best Sports GT" category in the $11,000 to $14,000 range (also along with the Camaro). Road & Track called the fuel-injected Trans Am "a dramatic improvement on its predecessors," accelerating from 0-60 in 9.2 seconds.
The new Firebird shrank to a 101-inch wheelbase, losing more than 8 inches in overall length, measured about an inch narrower, and weighed nearly 500 lb (227 kg) less than its 1981 predecessor. It also was the most aerodynamic production Firebird to date with a drag coefficient of 0.33. The new Trans Am took things a bit further, with a coefficient of .32. The Trans Am body would continue to improve aerodynamically over the years, and by 1985 would be the most aerodynamic vehicle to ever be released from General Motors with a 0.29 coefficient of drag. Wind tunnels were used to form the 3rd Gen F-Body's shape, and these aerodynamic developments were fully taken advantage of by Pontiac's design team. The sleek new car had a low slung front end which featured split grilles. They fed some air to the radiator but most of the air came from an air dam underneath the front bumper. Every piece of the car was designed to reduce drag. The newly designed side view mirror housings, made of light alloy metal, were almost cone shaped, with the point facing the wind. This would be in stark contrast to the fourth generation side mirrors, which, made of plastic, actually had a divet that collected wind! The windshield wipers were hidden under the hood with the air intake for the climate control system. It made for a smooth flow of air over the windshield. The fourth generation would abandon this innovation (which had first seen the light of day in 1968 on Corvettes and Cadillacs), turning back the clock 25 years and placing the wipers and even the air conditioning intakes out in the wind on top of the windshield. The retractable headlamps popped up from the leading edge of the hood. (The cars tended to outlive the plastic gears for the headlight doors, and since the dealers charged several hundred dollars for the repair, it was common to see firebirds driving around with one or both headlights stuck open during the day.) Smooth wheelcovers were available on the Trans Am, attached to turbine finned alloy wheels. A frameless, flush mounted, compound curved rear glass hatchback decklid provided 30.9 cu ft (0.87 m3). of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and an optional wiper. It provided no disturbance to the airflow over the back of the car. All of these features combined together to provide a low coefficient of drag. Up front, 10.5-inch-diameter (270 mm) power disc brakes were now made standard on all Firebird models. Taking styling cues from the 1981 design, the new car had full width tail lights, complete with a bird emblem in the center. The all-new suspension design was more advanced and aggressive than anything Detroit had offered previously, easily rivaling the Corvette's handling abilities, (but not it's sophistication). The front suspension utilized MacPherson struts, with inboard mounted coil springs and lower front control arms. Out back, rear coil springs and shocks were positioned between the body and solid rear axle, with twin rear lower control arms/trailing links and a torsion bar, replacing the old-fashioned leaf springs design used previously in the 2nd Gens. A huge torque arm was mounted from the transmissions tailshaft to the rear axle center to further stabilize the axle's tendency to twist.
The interior now featured aircraft inspired details and gauges, using both fake and real Torx head screws that fastened the dash and console trim panels. The fake fasteners, and the extensive use of hard plastics gave the interior a low rent feel. It would take a couple years for Pontiac to class up the look and feel of the plastics on the dash and console, as well as to develop some deluxe molded door panels. (The Camaro would retain the plain hard plastics and flat carpeted door panels throughout the generation) The large round gauges, black with white numerals, were very legible. The main controls were all within easy reach of the steering wheel, and with the optional Recaro seats, you could drive several hundred miles at a time without fatigue. The 1981 non-Formula 3 spoke steering wheel was re-used and featured a clear Firebird logo mounted in the center of the horn pad, with optional leather grip. Many power options could be had. Special Viscount "PMD" bucket seats were optional, featuring a small opening in the headrest and a PMD logo in the center of the backrest. Leather seats were also available on both the standard seats and Viscount "PMD" seats. A standard locking rear glovebox was mounted on the rear driver"s side of the cargo area, a mini spare tire was hidden behind the opposite panel on the passenger side. A lockable cargo door on the rear floor area and a retractable cargo area privacy shade were also available as options on all Firebirds.
The Firebird lineup was available with several engines:
1. The standard fuel-injected 90 hp 2.5L 4 cylinder Pontiac "Iron Duke" This marked the first time a 4-cylinder engine was offered in the Firebird and was the last true Pontiac engine to be offered in the Firebird. This engine was only offered for the first few years of the generation. It provided almost the same power as the V-6, but when coupled with the 5 speed manual transmission, provided between 31 and 34 miles per gallon on the highway, depending on the year.
2. There was a carbureted 102 hp 2.8L V6.
3. The LG4 5.0L: Utilizing GM's improved "Computer Command Control" system, the computer assisted E4ME carburetor, and computer controlled distributor, this Chevy 305ci produced a sad 145 hp and 240Lbs.Ft. of torque.
4. The LU5 5.0L: The new high performance "Crossfire Fuel Injection" 5.0L V8, which employed a twin throttle body fuel injection system similar to that used in the 1982 Corvette's "Crossfire" 5.7L, and produced 165 hp.
The base Firebird came standard with 14-inch steel wheels; optional 14-inch aluminum and 15-inch aluminum "Turbo Cast" wheels were available on the S/E and Trans Am models and featured plastic color-keyed hubcaps with a Red Pontiac Arrowhead in the center. The WS6 option, both available on the S/E and Trans Am, included 4-wheel disc brakes, P215/65R15 Goodyear Eagle GT radials with 15-inch cast aluminum wheels, stiffer springs, thicker 34 mm front & 23mm rear sway bars, a fast turn ratio 12.7:1 steering box, and RPO G80 limited slip rear differential. Also available was the WS7 option, which was the same as RPO WS6, but utilized rear drum brakes instead of the rear discs. This option was created due to a shortage of rear disc brake components.
The Firebird S/E was Pontiac's attempt to lure buyers interested in a more luxurious Firebird. It could be had with the basic fuel saving "Iron Duke" I-4 drivetrain, but was loaded up with almost every option as a Trans Am. Even the Trans Am's WS6 suspension was available on the S/E. It was delineated from the base Firebird model by "S/E" script on the sail panels, in place of the standard Firebird decals, and the Trans Am's dark tinted tail lights. The interior featured color-coded plastics to match the exterior/interior paint scheme. On S/E models equipped with the 14 inch or 15 inch "Turbocast" rims, with "Bowling Ball" hubcaps were color-coded to match the car's exterior paint.
The Trans Am came standard with a new incarnation of its traditional "Air Extractors" on the fenders. A dark-tinted version of the base Firebird's tail lights were fitted to the rear of the car and also featured a Silver or Gold "Screaming Chicken" between them. Rubber "Mini-Spats", aka stone deflectors, were mounted just before the front and rear wheels, and were much toned down from the macho 70's design used on the earlier 2nd Gen Trans Am. Styled loosely after the earlier '80/'81 Turbo Trans Am, an optional "Turbo Bulge" hood was available on the Trans Am. In fact, plans had originally been made to use a refined version of Pontiac's Turbo 4.9L engine. It was scrapped at the last minute, leaving many to speculate as to what could have been, had the engine been allowed to survive like its Turbo kin, the Buick Turbo 3.8L V-6. Despite this, the Turbo Bulge hood remained on the option list. On the Crossfire V-8, it was made functional, and even a lightweight aluminum version of this hood, "RPO T45", was available on the option list. It was a beautifully curved piece of pressed steel, and would be used in later years as the centerpiece of the Formula option. A new, smaller "Screaming Chicken" was placed upon the Turbo Bulge hood or upon the nose of flat hood equipped T/A's. The Trans Am came standard with one of the two 305 Chevy V8's. The well worn Borg-Warner four-speed manual transmission came mated only to the weak 145 bhp LG4 305ci, while the Crossfire-injected LU5 305ci rated at 165 hp came with the venerable TH-350 automatic 3 speed transmission.
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ivantt
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Oct 17 2010, 01:00 AM
Post #2
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
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Thank God it's not just another nuclear reactor orange glass and silly rally graphics......oh wait!! Sorry...... Well, it's a Majorette, so give it some plus points.
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Sak
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Oct 17 2010, 04:08 AM
Post #3
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Ezekiel 25:17
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I don't know what I hate more-the imbecilic rod holding up the hood, or the asinine Formula 1 wheels! If only to indulge my overly-obsessive friend out west, I will offer my usual distaste for colored glazing. Oh, let's not forget the tampo...
I'll take Matchbox's first effort for the third gen 'Bird...and by extension Maisto's knockoff.
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FiatCoupe
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Oct 17 2010, 08:02 AM
Post #4
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Fullsize
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Majorette did do this one with normal sized wheels,but that variation had no bonnet & a ridiculously oversized engine
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Pegers
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Oct 17 2010, 09:58 AM
Post #5
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Pony Car
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an idea on the post holding the hood too high.why not take some fine grit sandpaper and sand down the post.sand a little and close the hood for the fit.a slow process but in time the hood would fit correctly.
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NoirGuru
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Oct 17 2010, 11:21 AM
Post #6
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The All Original Gentleman
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With all my Majorettes with hood posts, I just broke them all off with a pen.
Although the cast "suffers" from the three things, that's really just the charm of Majorette!
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Swifty
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Oct 17 2010, 07:29 PM
Post #7
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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I like the casting, personally. I do agree with the comments regarding the glass, however I like the rally markings.
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Tone
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Oct 17 2010, 10:14 PM
Post #8
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Rocket 88
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I knew I had one in a different color:
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Tone
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Oct 17 2010, 10:16 PM
Post #9
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Rocket 88
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The wheels on the following generation were better-proportioned for the chassis and body.
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Swifty
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Oct 17 2010, 10:45 PM
Post #10
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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The '93 is one of the better castings of the 4th generation Bird!
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Dean-o-mite
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Oct 18 2010, 09:42 AM
Post #11
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Muscle Car
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I have several color variations on this casting (ALL of which have that little plastic hood prop broken off...it comes off very easily, and I suggest you take the plunge and break yours off, Swifty), but I am lacking this fine looking green example!
Dean
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FiatCoupe
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Oct 18 2010, 11:58 AM
Post #12
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Fullsize
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I had a look through my Majorettes & found these,I've also got the green one.

 Lucky it wasn't the Majorette Corvette which was posted,I must have around 15 variations of that one
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Swifty
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Oct 18 2010, 09:16 PM
Post #13
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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I really like your blue and black versions!
On a side note- you'll be happy to know I took a bunch of Majorette pictures today for future COTD posts. I'd say at least ten different Majorettes will be featured in the next few months!
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