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Car Of The Day: June 6, 2018; Racing Champions '01 Pontiac Firebird NHRA Funny Car
Topic Started: Jun 6 2018, 02:54 AM (123 Views)
Dean-o-mite
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Muscle Car
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Today's car of the day is Racing Champions' 2001 Pontiac Firebird NHRA Funny Car.


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Wikipedia
 
The fourth-generation Firebird amplified the aerodynamic styling initiated by the previous generation. While the live rear axle and floorpan aft of the front seats remained largely the same, ninety percent of the Firebird's parts were all-new. Overall, the styling of the Firebird more strongly reflected the Banshee IV concept car than the 1991 "facelift" did. As with the Camaro, major improvements included standard dual airbags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, 16-inch wheels, rack-and-pinion power steering, short/long-arm front suspension, and several non-rusting composite body panels. Throughout its fourth generation, trim levels included V6-powered Firebird, and V8-powered Formula and Trans Am. The T5 five-speed manual transmission was standard with the V6s, as was the Borg-Warner T56 six-speed manual for the V8s. A four-speed automatic was optional for both, featuring built-in electronic controls beginning in 1994.



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For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: Pontiac Firebird


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As far as straight-line race cars go, I am more of a fan of Pro-Stock models over dragsters and funny cars, but when this was new (the real car and the model), I was working for Kragen Auto Parts and was drawn to models with the Kragen name on them, so there was no hesitation to add this model to my collection.


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Wikipedia
 
In 1997, in relation to the Camaro, the Firebird received a mid-cycle refresh for 1998 model year. Major changes included a new hood and front fascia with dual intakes, retracting quad halogen headlights, circular turnsignal and fog lamps, a front license plate pocket, lower fender air vents, unified-style lower door raised lettering for each trim level, and a new "honeycomb" rear light panel, with circular reverse lamps. In the dashboard, "next generation" reduced-force dual airbags became standard. As before, the Formula and Trans Am again received a close derivative of the Corvette's 5.7 L V8, the LS1 of the C5 Corvette, as the LT1 (and LT4) V8s were discontinued. The LS1 Firebirds were also equipped with an aluminum driveshaft, replacing the previous steel version, while all Firebird trim levels gained four-wheel disc brakes with dual-piston front calipers and larger rotors at each wheel, complete with a solenoid-based Bosch anti-lock system. The Formula convertible was no longer offered. Beginning in 1998 for 1999 models, a standard 16.8-gallon non-metallic fuel tank increased potential traveling range. GM's ASR traction control system was extended to the V6-powered Firebirds, and all LS1 (V8) and Y87 (V6) Firebirds also received a Zexel/Torsen II slip-reduction rear axle. An electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) system replaced the old hydraulic proportioning valve for improved brake performance. An enhanced sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) recorded vehicle speed, engine rpm, throttle position and brake use in the last five seconds prior to airbag deployment. In 2000, the WS6 performance package was available exclusively for 2001 model year Trans Am coupe and convertible variants. For 2002, more convenience items such as power mirrors and power antenna became standard equipment, while cassette stereos were phased out.



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juantoo3
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Hard to believe this style funny car is closing in on 20 years old now...where does the time go?
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daniel60
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Personal Luxury Car
Beautiful contrast.
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corvairjim
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Fullsize
I miss the era when "Funny Cars" looked like the car they were based on. This one doesn't really look all that much like a Firebird. Especially that rear window that is almost upright. Think about HW's Snake Barracuda and Mongoose Duster duo back in the '70's. Those two looked like a Barracuda and a Duster. This car, if I take off my glasses and squint just right, I guess it looks sorta like a Firebird. A very narrow Firebird. Nice model, though. They did get it right as far as looking like the 1:1 goes.
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pjedsel
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Muscle Car
:wave: I got a few of these RC funny cars in the day just to have a little variety in my racing collection - at the time was mostly NASCAR, think I still had the Polistil F1 cars and the newly offered Indy cars from RC. I remember at least two of the sponsors on the car - Checker and Schunk's. :woot:
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tksjohn
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Station Wagon
corvairjim
Jun 6 2018, 09:36 AM
I miss the era when "Funny Cars" looked like the car they were based on. This one doesn't really look all that much like a Firebird. Especially that rear window that is almost upright. Think about HW's Snake Barracuda and Mongoose Duster duo back in the '70's. Those two looked like a Barracuda and a Duster. This car, if I take off my glasses and squint just right, I guess it looks sorta like a Firebird. A very narrow Firebird. Nice model, though. They did get it right as far as looking like the 1:1 goes.
This is almost word for word what I was going to post, I agree 100%!
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Pegers
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Pony Car
juantoo3
Jun 6 2018, 07:19 AM
Hard to believe this style funny car is closing in on 20 years old now...where does the time go?
dont look back Wes,i think time is catching up to us.
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juantoo3
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Pegers
Jun 6 2018, 05:01 PM
juantoo3
Jun 6 2018, 07:19 AM
Hard to believe this style funny car is closing in on 20 years old now...where does the time go?
dont look back Wes,i think time is catching up to us.
It's June already...Christmas was just last month!
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