What makes an Icon? Is a moment in time? An item or person that, when you see it again, it immediately brings to memory the first time you saw it, taking you back to events that lock that item into your memory? Throughout automotive history, a few cars have gained that status. Some, so much, as to have nicknames like, “Blackbird” or “Ghost” or even “The Striped Tomato”. Sometimes it’s a car’s design that make them iconic. Other times it can be the association to a movie or television show or a racing event. But on some rare occasions it’s a combination of things that make that one particular car stand out and become that icon we fondly remember. Auto World’s second release into the Automotive Icons Series (SC402) has three of these memorable cars from the past, that have etched a permanent place in our memories, so much so, that when we see them we know them, the histories, the events, the people and the attachment that makes them Automotive Icons.
#1 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am – Black-Gold
We all know the iconic placement of the 1977 Firebird T/A in Smokey & the Bandit, but did you know the 4 cars in the original film were all 1976 Firebirds with the ‘77 components added. The production 1977 cars were not available when filming started. The 1977-79 Firebird T/A also appeared in several other films including “The Hunter”, “Zero to Sixty” and “Hooper”.
#2 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T – Alpine White
The “Ghost” from Vanishing Point was a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, equipped with a 440 Wedge and not the 426 Hemi. There were 5 cars loaned to the film production with one Challenger equipped with a 383 cubic inch motor. It was used as the film car and was also used in the final crash scene. And that final crash scene…it was a white 1967 Chevy Camaro loaded with explosives that rammed into the bulldozers and not one of the Challengers.
#3 1976 Ford Torino – Red-White
So, the 1975-1976 Ford Gran Torino that appeared on Starsky & Hutch did not get it’s well known nickname in a beloved way. Aaron Spelling brought his star, Paul Michael Glaser out to the lot for a “surprise” to reveal the car for the show. Paul’s response was less than enthusiastic, saying it, “It’s Red! It looks like a Striped Tomato.” The name stuck and wound up appearing in the show (episode: Snowstorm). The first car considered was going to be a green and white 1975 Camaro, but as contracts changed, Ford became the studio supplier and a series of 1975 and 76 Ford Gran Torinos were chosen. Powered by the 351 Windsor, the car became so popular that in 1976, Ford offered a replica car and 1000 units were built and sold.
Here is the packaging for the 2023 Auto World XTraction Release #2 SC402 Automotive Icons.
Here are some additional view of this newest release.
This latest edition of the Automotive Icons makes some great additions to any collection. And if you are fan of any of the shows or movies you know these from, well that’s a win-win. This release is a hobby exclusive so Look for these at your favorite hobby retailer in July/August 2023.