The Hot Wheels Hot Bird, based on the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with a t-top, was first released in 1978 and is still going strong with over 5 dozen different variations having been produced. I found this playworn Hong Kong casting of the 1982 The Hot Ones release at an estate sale back in April.
Other variations of the Hot Wheels Hot Bird in my collection include the black blackwall version from 1978 and the blue blackwall version from 1980, as well as the Malaysia-cast 1982 variation from the Hot Ones series. It’s probably safe to say that one of the nicer Hot Wheels in my entire collection is the Hot Bird from the 1979 Golden Machines 6-Pack. And then there’s my example of the Captain America Hot Bird, also from 1979.
Hot Wheels | 1982 The Hot Ones | 2014 | Hot Bird | black with orange and yellow trim, blue tint windows, tan interior, unpainted metal base | Hong Kong | gold Hot Ones wheels
Click here to see photos and links to all of the 1982 Hot Wheels in my collection.
The Race Case 
This was my favorite car when I was a child. A cousin borrowed it without permission and lost it.
That’s a tough loss, Joel. I hope you have since found one to replace it.