Those '70-'73 front ends are the best looking.

I have loved the hood bird ever since I saw it on the car. GM should have never killed Pontiac at the end of 2009. That still makes me mad. I'm definitely a Pontiac guy.

We always referred to the bird as “Screaming Chicken” or “Fire Chicken”. Former owner of Trans Am.

Find it ironic that often people in charge cannot see a great concept. The now iconic firebird plus the spoilers on the Trans Am's of that era, made every young man (including me) want one.

I love when Burt Reynolds drove the trans am out of the semi-trailer.

This is a wonderful story of just plain brilliance seat of the pants evidence of what sells, the story of Mr. Schinella pointing out all of the hoods coming in on one assembly line without the bird, and every one leaving with the hood bird, is just a plain Fact, and you can't deny sales in the car industry, if the bird is on the hood it's a sold car ! Great story !

I’m 73 and never heard this story before. Thanks

I had a 1974 Formula 400 4-Speed Manual. I did not have the Bird, but I did have the Coolest RAM AIR HOOD SCOOPS. Man, I always loved Firebirds. As a Old Guy now, my Wife and I have a few Corvettes.

I have heard this story many times and it never gets old 👍 Glad it was brought into the documentary for all us enthusiasts to find out about it!

Had a 75 with the bird. It was about 3 years old at the time, but still one of the best driving machines I've ever owned. The way that car made me feel was like nothing else.

I was born in 1974. I still remember that hood bird. It made a massive impression on me in the first five years of my life. To this day I still think it is one of the coolest paint jobs any car has ever had… and I still want one.

Great video! Love the interviews with Bill Porter and John Schinella. It’s not a Trans Am without the Firebird on the hood!

"Absolutely riveting! Exploring the backstory of the Pontiac Firebird Hood Bird is like taking a thrilling journey through automotive history. The twists and turns, from initial rejection to the ingenious transformation showcased on a black car with gold stripes, paint a vivid picture of innovation and perseverance in the world of car design. As a passionate car enthusiast, I'm eagerly seeking more captivating stories like this. Are there other tales of automotive evolution waiting to be uncovered on this channel? Can't wait to dive into more intriguing narratives from the fascinating world of automobiles!"

Being a car enthusiast, stories like this about the design evolution of iconic cars like the Pontiac Firebird Hood Bird really resonate. It's remarkable how even a seemingly small design element can have such a significant impact on the overall appeal and legacy of a vehicle. The blend of artistry from Tiffany vases and feathers with the practicality of automotive design showcases the intersection of creativity and engineering in the automotive world. It's a testament to how every detail, even on the hood of a car, can become a piece of automotive history . . . . . Edit : 108377

It's hard to imagine those 70s T/As without the screaming chicken decal but to this day my favorite T/A is the Duke's Brewster green '73 in McQ. Just the small bird on the nose. This is the classiest Trans Am made in my opinion.

I'm still amazed how America made all these good looking cars with massive 5 or 6L engines and less than 260 hp. While in other places they made 2L engines with 160hp.

Fantastic production ! Loved seeing the archived video footage of the GM plant .I have been a fan of the Transam hood graphic design ever since its release.I installed them and we developed a generic version to install on owners cars and at the dealers . I worked for a autographics company called Trimline. here in Atlantic Canada.Thank you for the well researched content in this video.

Good article. I will always remember the hood bird being called the "Screaming Chicken." I had an '84 Trans Am at one time, there was a mini hood bird on the Ram Air scoop.

Iconic piece of automotive history. Right up there with The Mustang logo, Jaguar cat emblem etc.

Very cool new channel great work on this video! Looks like you are definitely on to something with the viewership this video has, and as a Pontiac guy really appreciate the interviews and information! Keep up the good work!

312802 I like the large hood bird. It's bold and in your face with no apologies. When Bill Porter said he doodled the idea on a napkin is pretty awesome. I bet alot of good ideas start out that way.

Thanks for sharing this interesting story! I own a 71 455ho trans am and dive it often

This was an awesome peice of GM history. Thank you.

Great video ! It was neat hearing it straight from the designers mouths! I look forward to the documentary.

It's interesting how the first generation Firebird used a native American bird emblem, which is actually the Thunderbird. The Firebird and the legend of the Firebird isn't even native American at all. The Phoenix or firebird originates from ancient Greek mythology. However, some Native American tribes may have adopted the Phoenix or firebird as a symbol or incorporated it into their culture through modern cultural exchange.

I had a 79 Trans Am Silver Anniversary Edition. The bird was phenomenal - very large, even went onto the fenders. No small bird here.

My step dad was one of those tote the note dealers when this car came out. I told him, as a kid, that he should buy and sell the Trans Ams and he thought it was a dumb idea but he grabbed a black one and made good money....next thing you know we had gone through multiple colors of these cars and ir was the first car i ever tried to sneak out. I was in the 7th or 8th grade and had visions of how kewl i would be driving around. Damn... those are some good memories

I was 17 yrs when I saw the Firebird Trans Am in dark green and gold, it was a thing of beauty, I went bonkers, I mean, I couldn't sleep, had to get one. Love at❤ first sight, couldn't live without the bird/ decal on the car.

" Corvette Summer" clips. Nice touch.

I love the fire bird! Has always been a favourite of mine and a dream car. Very interesting how the team got the bird going. Thanks very much for sharing these great stories.

I never knew the story until now! I remember being a little kid and watching Smokey amd the Bandit and falling in love with the TA. Years later when the 4th gen was out my mom and I test drove a WS6 and she was this close to buying it but didn't. Later a friend of a kid I went to school with bought it and I drooled over that thing! Then the 98 model came out and I was mesmerized seeing it on the cover of Motor Trend. I HAD to have one. I finally did get one a few years back and have been going back and forth on putting a Screaming Chicken on it for fun. I've seen the hood decals and t top decals and can't decide, but after watching this I am leaning towards the hood decal! Great video!!!

Thank you OMC for posting this video. The Bucky Red Pontiac ad in 72, for the 73 car really grabbed my attention. Was 18 at the time, loved GTOs, but the early T/As, ('Specially the 73 hood bird cars,) IMHO was Detroit's best work of art. thanks for the memories. :)

LOVE THE BIG BIRD! It had its followers and copycats! The Firebird screaming chicken is as iconic as the racing stripes everybody else had. And those special edition Trans Ams only made them more spectacular! Thanks for being bold guys!

Thank you for this video! I've owned several Firebirds and Trans Ams, and never knew this story. Very cool!

We didn't have Trans Am in Australia, but this car was every teenage boys dream after watching Smokey and the Bandit with Burt Reynolds and Sally Field in 1977.

The question I've tried answer is which style bird for which year. From what I can tell the flame style wing was up to 78 and the feather wing was from 79-81, with the wildcard is the gold special edition 78 had a feather style bird . I've seen a few other 77/78 with a feather style but don't know if that was done in a restoration and not period correct. I was 8/9 when they first came out so wasn't in the market to buy but love the car.

Keep dropping videos it really helps understand the what happend as a younger person that likes cars it keeps the knowledge being passed around can you do a Dodge daytona and the plymouth superbird please I think it would be a good edition to the channel

When I was a baby my Dad decided to trade in his 1970 Corvette for a 1979 Trans Am with T-Tops because his family was growing and a little 2 seater wasn’t going to work any longer. When I was about 5 I realized how cool his car really was and that was one our family vehicles until 1998 when his wife sold it. I was devastated.

Hi Drew! I love the hood bird. My '84 Norwood Trans Am has the optional decal. Keep up the videos! Firebirds forever!!!

Subscribed. This channel is going to blow up.

Great story. It is now and forever will be a BIG part of American muscle car history.

Just before being deployed overseas, I made the difficult decision to sell my beautiful red '73 Trans Am with the famous "Screaming Chicken" decal on the hood. It went to a guy who eventually took it out to California. Now all I have left are a couple of Polaroid photographs of the car. To this day I wonder if that car is still on the road.

the phoenix rose from the fire

I was 13 years old when I happened upon one of these cars, it left an indelible impression on me which lasts till this day, so a big thank you to those that bought it to fruition and many thanks for creating this documentary. 👍

I have the Firebird tattooed on me and I never knew this about the symbol!

The Fire Bird is the Phoenix. A symbol of rebirth and rising from it's own ashes.

Great video! Love the bird!

Just great keeping doing it!!!

I love that hood bird. Its as iconic as the tail fins on a 57' Chevy. The Trans Am is my dream car, and I hope to get one someday. Pontiac should never have taken the bird off the hood, they should never have killed the Firebird, and GM should never have killed Pontiac!

Very cool story. Just subscribed!

When I was a kid my mom had a purple 71 with an airbrushed unicorn on the hood

I had in 1986 red transam silver effects with a giant silver firebird on the hood.

I'm a Mopar guy and never cared much for these cars, but that was a great story. The Firebird hood bird was a quintessential and iconic design element, it would seem strange to not have the decal there.

This was cool! I always wondered about this. My Dad worked for the GM plant Anderson, IN in the late 70's early 80's. He started on the "line" and worked his way up to Plant Manager, that was pretty cool in itself. One day he brought home the Firebird resin pieces that go on the outside by the window. I was a kid with little or no interest in cars at the time. I wasn't sure what to do with them. By this time he was remarried (parents divorced around '80) I was visiting him at his "other" home and instead of taking them home with me when I left, I just gave them to my step-sister. I never saw them again! Oh, I wish I had those NOW!!! UGH!!

Trans am!!! Love this car!!

as a kid i always wanted a transam with the bird, ended up with a 78 formula

It may be an urban legend but I recall reading many years ago that the original plan was "Banshee" but that was dropped because it meant "bird of death".

My mom had a White 1984 15th Anniversary TA, it was a great looking car from the exterior the interior was a bit well Plastic with fake plastic rivot/bolts on the dashboard. But damn did it sound great on I-77…heading to the Richfield Coliseum.

Back when I was a young guy, I had a 69 firebird. Well, the hood decals weren't for them. I never did end up owning my dream 73, but if I had, it would've had the bird for sure

The hopi indian bird was the thunder bird. Not the firebird. The firebird was taken from the European Phoenix

I grew up in Norwood. Everyday on the way to and from practice I walked passed the storage lot. Man I wanted one so bad!

My brother had the 75 Trans Am with white and Blue bird. I loved that car

Really wish I could have a 455 sd bird!! I saw all of those trans am’s roll out on to the streets back when because I was born in 1962.

Great Video!

Great ❤

The bird on the '86 TA is on the small side due to hood vents. Stiil looks good.

I have always loved the hood bird. Being a kid in the 80’s, the Firebird to me was the car He-Man would have driven.

Very informative about the story of the hood bird know as the Firebird Phoenix

More insane is the head designer in 58 to 77 had an issue with the bird in the first place. I love all the 58 to 60’s but they were crazy looking

A nice video addendum to Rocky Rotella's Firebird and Trans Am guide. oh, and lower the music - we want to hear what Mr. Porter has to say.

I liked that John didn't let the executives stop the bird from happening! Give them light and a better bench!

I had a 1976 trans am hurst edition black with gold rims I wish I still had it I had more fun with that car than I ever had with my C7 Z06

I picture myself driving that car and listening " baby girl got my eyes on you" by jimmy reed the co star and singer and having coffee with the girl in advertising video

Like the hood

It's just crazy to think that someone was trying to do away with this idea simply because they didn't see the vision for themselves.

back in my high school auto-body class the teacher called those decals the "Super-chicken"......................super iconic!

That bird made that car look cool!!!

And as such a legend was born and history made !!!

Perfect example of why car guys should be making/designing cars.

I had and lost my firebird due to not having the foresight to take good care of it. Best handling car at the time. I was 17 years old and had a 1970 . I would drift before drifting was a thing. I would jump it over the hills of San Francisco. Tried to learn to do Rockfords when that was a thing. Wrecked it in 1982. Sold the wreck for $1.00 . I’ve always wanted to buy another but as always, life gets in the way. Can’t find them now.

Originally called the "sick chicken" New one called "the puking chicken". That's an improvement!

Still have my seventy eight. I hope to finish it one day. I love the bird so much...I had it tattooed on me at eighteen 😂

From "sick bird " to "screaming chicken"

Glad that they decided to do the hood bird. Life would be sad without it. Like the part about how the guy got mad about the bird being on the car. Great video, love this kind of history. 849785

This is like candy to this Trans Am collector and second gen Trans Am hoarder.

my first fave car was the trans am. part of the reason was the head and tail light design. the other part was the big ol fire chicken on the hood. of course, after my dad bought me a toy lancia stratos, that all went out the window.

Awesome

Grew up with Pontiac... 62 Tempest... And 71 Firebird Formula...

I almost bought one in 1978 when I was in the Navy. It would have cost me every cent of my pay for that year. It could have worked since I had a place to sleep and 3 squares a say (on ship). The only reason I didn't was, I wouldn't have been able to drive it. No money for ins, gas, etc.

I’ve never seen a white and blue one that I can’t remember. Great color combination.

The Firechicken is a classic

the good old days when one could order a car just the way one wanted it

As a kid I loved all of those decals on the Trans Am but today it's just 70's gaudy. That said, I'd happily jump into a time machine to escape the madness of 2024...

The 'screaming chicken' is the Firebird / Trans-Am. IMHO the Trans-Am & in particular the post '77 car is the continuity Muscle Car that kicked the trend of the Malaise era and held the fort until the Fox Mustang and others returned in the 1980's. I'll take my Firebird as a Bandit replica please.

Loved this video!

Being a Pontiac fan and especially a TransAm fan I love this video

"The Screamin Chicken"!!!!! Is what it was called during my highschool days!!!! In the 80s some of the high school kids drove these on campus!!!! I remember the Saturday night cruising that went on !!! I used to see a bunch of Firebirds, Cameros and Chevelles and other Hot Rodded muscle cars when the hobby was affordable for middle class people!!!!😂😂😂😂😂

I like 70-73 Firebirds, I had one when I was young. It was a base 350 with a three on the floor. I would NEVER drive a Firebird with one of those puking chickens in the hood.

Smokey and the Bandit. Enough said!

The Firebird…a Hopi religious symbol. Then Bill designed the firebird from a Tiffany vase and Hopi pendant….he was the the originator of the iconic symbol…then John sold it to the Pontiac bigwigs.