Designer and Inspiration:

The '80s Firebird, also known as "Hot Bird," was designed by Larry Wood. It's based on the second-generation Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, specifically the style from the late 1970s and early 1980s, famous for its "screaming chicken" hood decal.

Historical Context and Production Years:

The casting first appeared in 1978. The model number 5128 corresponds to a 1988 mainline release, which would have come with Blackwall (BW) wheels.

Unique Aspects:

This casting is famous for its large, stylized bird graphic on the hood, mimicking the real Trans Am. It features a T-top roof and a shaker hood scoop protruding from the engine bay. The 1988 version would have been one of the later releases of the original casting.

Similar Castings:

This casting is a counterpart to the '77 Pontiac Firebird from the movie "Smokey and the Bandit." Hot Wheels also made castings of the third-generation Firebird ("Knight Rider") and other Pontiac models.

Variations and Special Editions:

The initial 1978 release was black with a gold bird graphic. It was also released in gold with a black graphic. A very popular version was released in "The Hot Ones" series in 1982. The casting has been produced in many colors, including red, white, and blue.