KIT #:	4489
PRICE:	$29.99
DECALS:	Two options
REVIEWER:	Fernando Rolandelli
NOTES:	Vector Conversion Set ($26.00)

The first year of the second generation Firebird (1970) began offering a wider array of model subtypes and marked the appearance of the Firebird Esprit, and the Firebird Formula. The Firebird Esprit was offered as a luxury model that came with appearance options, the deluxe interior package, and a Pontiac 350 as standard equipment. The Formula was advertised as an alternative to the Trans Am and could be ordered with all the options available to the Trans Am with the exception of the fender flares, shaker scoop, and fender heat extractors.

The base model Firebird came equipped with a 155 hp (116 kW) 250 cu in (4.1 L) inline-six. The Firebird Esprit and the Firebird Formula came standard with the 255 hp (190 kW) 350 cu in (5.7 L). The Esprit could be upgraded to a two barrel carbureted 400 cu in (6.6 L)265 hp (198 kW), while the Formula could be optioned to receive the L78 4 barrel 400 that produced 330 hp (250 kW) or the L74 Ram Air III 400 345 hp (257 kW).

There were two Ram Air 400 cu in (6.6 L) engines available for the 1970 Trans Am: the 335 hp (250 kW) L74 Ram Air III 400 (366 hp (273 kW) in the GTO) and the 345 hp (257 kW) L67 Ram Air IV (370 hp (280 kW) in the GTO) that were carried over from 1969. The Ram Air IV was exclusive to the Trans Am, and could not be ordered on any of the lower Firebird models. The difference between the GTO and Firebird engines was that the secondary carburetor's throttle linkage had a restrictor which prevented the rear barrels from opening completely, but adjusting the linkage could allow full carburetor operation resulting in identical engine performance.

This is a 2019 release of Revell Germany and the kit itself it produced in China. The kit was initially released in 1991 by Monogram so was part of the combination into Revell and when Revell USA was sold to Revell Germany, they got all the toolings except the really old kits from the 50s and 60s, which went to Atlantis.

Molded in white plastic with two sets of vinyl tires as well as a clear sprue and a small red sprue for tail lights, There are also two nicely done chrome sprues. This kit has 'new parts' which consist of ridiculously large wheels and equally silly looking low profile tires. Suspension parts are attached to the frame section along with the exhaust.

A very nice engine is provided that consists of fifteen parts. The interior is a tub with a molded in rear seat. There are decals for the dash and also for the interior of the tub along with belts for the front and rear seats. A neat feature is that there are pins on the bottom of the interior that fit into sockets on the lower section. Once the glass has been installed in the body, it can then be attached.

This isn't the end as there are things like the radiator and hoses, shaker section as well as the forward and rear body panels and other bits to add. Another neat item is that the lettering on the stock tires are already printed in place.

Instructions are nicely done and provide generic color references for each part of the build. Basically there are two color options provided as shown on the box art. A white one with blue stripes and a blue one with white stripes. These were pretty much the standard colors for the car with most of the ones I've seen being white.  The decal sheet is nicely printed and provides a lot of smaller items to enhance the look of your car and save you some painting.

CONCLUSIONS

To my eye, this is the best looking of the Firebird series with its smooth lines and spoilers. If you have ever built a Monogram car kit, then you will find this one very familiar. Only thing is that the price of these kits has escalated quite a bit over the years so finding one on discount is usually the best way to go.

REFERENCES