Chips Firebird
- Chips Firebird Gold
- Chips Fireplace Apollo Pa
- Videos For Chips Firebird
- Ponch Chips Firebird
- Chips Fire Ca
The performance chip is fully compatible with your Pontiac Firebird in all trims, including the 2.5L, 2.8L, 3.1L, 3.4L, 3.8L, 5.0L and 5.7L engines. We strived to create the most high quality product in every aspect, delivering you the most affordable product without sacrificing quality. Jul 07, 2017 Since the original owner of Ponch’s favorite 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula 350 in anaconda gold is actually still completely unknown, the complete history will include a second owner which was Niles who happen to be working as a mechanic at Al’s Garage after being released from Hoa Lo Prison Camp in Vietnam now receiving a honorable discharged from the army in 1975, and is now currently. Personal Information Ponch's Firebird is actually a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula 350 in Anaconda Gold, the car has had three different previous owners prior to Ponch, and suffering many accidents at various stages of undercover work for the CHP. Since the original owner of the firebird is unknown, car was once owned.
Ponch’s Firebird which had earned it’s nicknamed Little Bronze Beauty or My Bomb<ref name='Ep213'>Episode 213: 'Down Time'</ref> is actually a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula 350 that originally came from the factory in Van Nuys assembly plant with a 350 Pontiac engine, which was painted in a beautiful anaconda gold, along with black custom deluxe interior of the car had suffered an unknown original owner, then followed by a psychotic Vietnam veteran who happen to be Niles who had originally modified the car from it’s factory appearance into a street rod, and was later arrested in the fall of 1977 after injuring Jon during a drag race his buddy Ray in the streets. <ref name='Ep121'>Episode 121: 'Crack-Up'</ref> Since Niles had accidentally loss the registration while turning over the ownership of his car to an uncle who had accidentally lost his temper during a Monday afternoon, he was in a hurry to catch a flight to New York from the Los Angeles International Airport, now deciding to start the car on fire during an argument with a tow truck driver over impounding the vehicle due to a temporary permit that already had expire within sixty days, and eventually sold the car to Ponch for eighty-three dollars in the spring of 1978.<ref name='Ep205'>Episode 205: 'Neighborhood Watch'</ref> While Ponch’s favorite firebird had slowly started showing the signs of aging by the fall of 1981,<ref name='Ep526'>Episode 526: 'K-9-1'</ref> considering the amount damage that was caused by different types of traffic accidents due to criminal negligent behavior during his occasional undercover work,<ref name='Ep213' /><ref name='Ep312'>Episode 312: 'Destruction Derby'</ref><ref name='Ep410'>Episode 410: 'Forty Tons of Trouble'</ref> off duty,<ref name='Ep322'>Episode 322: 'Thrill Show'</ref><ref name='Ep522'>Episode 522: 'A Threat of War'</ref><ref name='Ep525'>Episode 525: 'Overload'</ref> and which all of his repairs are actually done by Harlan inside the CHP Automotive Garage at central often using tons of factory parts.<ref name='Ep410' /> Ponch finally had sold it for scrap to a junkyard after a severe traffic accident which had totaled it out completely, and eventually decided to buy a beautiful brand new 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in Light Blue.<ref name='Ep603'>Episode 603: 'The Spaceman Made Me Do It'</ref>
The Complete History Of Ponch's Firebird
Since the original owner of Ponch’s favorite 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula 350 in anaconda gold is actually still completely unknown, the complete history will include a second owner which was Niles who happen to be working as a mechanic at Al’s Garage after being released from Hoa Lo Prison Camp in Vietnam now receiving a honorable discharged from the army in 1975, and is now currently living with an uncle in the suburbs of Los Angeles rather than with his parents in the suburbs of Long Island.
<ref name='Ep121' /><ref name='Ep205' />
<ref name='Ep207'>Episode 207: 'High Flyer'</ref><ref name='Ep209'>Episode 209: 'The Sheik'</ref><ref name='Ep212'>Episode 212: 'High Explosive'</ref><ref name='Ep213' />
<ref name='Ep216'>Episode 216: 'Pressure Point'</ref><ref name='Ep218' /><ref name='Ep219' />
<ref name='Ep312' />
After Ponch had finally gotten his car back from the auto body shop. On Sunday morning Ponch did enjoy watching Bonnie perform in balancing act stunt while trying out for the Joie Chitwood Stunt Show at Ascot Park, and Jon had a talk with Ray Connor while sitting on the left fender of his beautifully restored car. On Sunday afternoon while Ponch and Jon will still enjoying their day off by driving home together, and having a discussion of Bonnie wanting to quit the CHP in order to join Ray at stunt show. While Ponch had turned the corner in his car, and Jon had spotted Malcolm behind the steering wheel of Hollywood tour bus while his punk rock band called The Bus Boys were robbing it. While Ponch is still driving his car, and Jon had shouted out the window by showing his badge yelling at Malcolm to pull it over to the side of the road. Malcolm had refused to listen to Jon's orders about pulling over, and had chose to side swipe the right side of Ponch's car. After Malcolm had broken off Ponch's right side fender flares which includes damaging the two rims, and while Jon had called for backup using the CB Radio in his car. While Turner had responded to Jon's call, and Ponch had entered the freeway using his own car. Ponch had avoided Malcom trying to side swipe the left side of his car, and accidentally had went off a ramp of another car. Turner was surprised to see Ponch's car driving on two wheels of the left side. Ponch and Jon had continued the pursuit of the Hollywood tour bus while driving on two wheels of the left side. Ponch was afraid of wrecking his new paint job, and had refused to damaged his car. After a few miles of pursuit Malcolm had decided to exited the freeway, and Ponch had finally turned in order to continue pursuit in his car. Ponch's car had accidentally came back down damaging the frame which includes the suspension, and the rims. Ponch had gotten out of his car, and Turner had stopped to check on him losing the pursuit of the Hollywood Tour Bus. The CHP had finally agreed to pay for the repairs of Ponch's car since it was used in the line of duty.<ref name='Ep322' /> After the CHP had finished paying for repairs on Ponch's car which included a new paint job, and a set of rims that were actually done by Harlan. Ponch was finally to get it back after it was finished being repaired. On Saturday afternoon Ponch and Jon would drive to the hospital together to go visit their friend, and colleague Andy Stratowski who had recently had a heart attack this morning during first shift. Ponch and Jon had got out of his car only to Andy just released sitting in his own car out in the parking lot.<ref name='Ep402'>Episode 402: 'Sick Leave'</ref>
The one night Ponch had agree to have dinner with Paula at the S.S. Princess Louise which is actually a floating restaurant. After the valet had brought back Ponch's car, and Paula had so many questions of his beat up looking car while they were driving back to the construction site. Ponch and Paula had a conversation about her stolen construction equipment, and about his car. After dropping Paula off at the construction site he notice the burglars stealing equipment, and change his mind by deciding to turn around in order to complete a stakeout. The next after talking with Getraer of the recently stolen construction equipment. Ponch and Jon had gone undercover using his car as an unmarked patrol car by following the crooks in that same van to the construction site where Paul works. Ponch and Jon had stop to pull the van, and manage to arrest the crooks except for one that was trying to steal the forklift. Ponch had gotten back into his car in order to stop the forklift driver, and drove into the construction site damaging the fender flares by losing them in the dirt. The chase had ended by the forklift driver fianlly trapping Ponch inside his car, and damaging the drivers door including the racing mirror by puncturing a hole all the way through to the passengers door. The forklift driver had lifted Ponch while still inside his car up in the air. Both Jon and Turner had arrested the guy, and manage to used the forklift to let Ponch down while still inside his car. Turner had check on Ponch while Grossie tells them he found their missing parts for their dragster. While celebrating at Paula's house Getraer had arrive to celebrate, and let Ponch know that the CHP is actually going to pay for the repairs of his car since it was used for undercover work this morning during first shift. Bonnie had became upset because of Grossie finally joining their CHP drag racing team, and she had chosen to give the rest of her team a dirty look for catching the construction thieves while using Ponch's car in the line of duty. Bonnie is now angry at Ponch for wrecking the CHP dragster in line of duty by catching the thieves that had ripped off their parts at the Brotherhood Raceway Park.<ref name='Ep410' />
After the CHP had finished paying for the repairs on Ponch's car which included a new paint job, and a set of rims that were actually done once again by Harlan. After Ponch had finally got his car back, and he had drove Jon home from their double date with two dispatchers named Pam and Kathie. While Ponch was driving Jon home they had ran into Chad Sullivan riding his bicycle that exact same night.<ref name='Ep411' /> After Melanie Mitchell had accidentally ripped her pants by falling off her motorcycle, and Ponch had taken her to his place by parking right next to his car.<ref name='Ep414'>Episode 414: 'Ponch's Angels'</ref> Ponch had drove Jon to the Youth Center on Oak Street which is actually around the corner from Central. Ponch almost had his new set of rims stolen along with a CB Radio by some punks that were hired by Andy Macedon, and managed to stop them just in time. After the punks take off in van now causing Ponch and Jon to give a little police pursuit, and they would radio for help only to get pulled over by a stupid Local LAPD Motor Officer in his old neighborhood. After Ponch and Jon had finished having a talk with the stupid local LAPD Motor Officer, and manage to drive away in peace. Ponch would later park in front of the restaurant while Jon had gotten out of his car, and they had decided to pay a visit to Andy about his gang of punky teenagers including Billy Rogers. After Andy had loss his temper at Ponch and Jon by flipping a plate upside-down and smashes it with his fist, and they had out of the restaurant by getting back into his car. Ponch and Jon had drove away in his car.<ref name='Ep416' /> Ponch would later received a bomb that was planted inside the engine compartment of his car by a Vietnam Veteran who happens to be an explosives expert named Martin Beck while attending Bonnie's party at her apartment on Saturday night with his date Karen. After Bonnie's party was over Ponch had gotten back into his car with Karen, and wanted to start it up not known there was bomb planted inside his engine compartment until his temporary partner by the named of T.C. Hunsacker had figured it out by the two wires that were left on the ground by telling him not to start his car. After T.C. had ordered Ponch and Karen out of his car, and had safely opened up his hood in ordered to remove the bomb from his engine compartment. A couple of days later Ponch had drove Jon to the bowling alley, and had received another bomb that was planted inside his engine compartmet. While Ponch and Jon were getting ready to leave the bowling alley, and were now in the parking lot. Ponch and Jon were suprised to see a bomb had exploded by starting his car on fire. The CHP had agree to pay for the fire damage repairs.<ref name='Ep417' />
After the CHP finished paying for the fire damage repairs on Ponch's car. While Bonnie had ran back inside wearing a lavender dress along with a pair of baby pink high heel pumps, and Ponch had climb over the hood of his car in order to get inside while Jon would get inside his truck. Ponch would use his car in the rear in order to set up a roadblock at the Queen Mary while Jon using truck in the front to block a hungarian motorcycle star named Janos who tried to steal a limousine, and kidnapping their colleague named Maria.<ref name='Ep501' /> Ponch couldn't take a job about reposing his car.<ref name='Ep503'>Episode 503: 'Moonlight'</ref> Ponch had drove Jon to Steve's new mansion while he looking for a place to stay.<ref name='Ep510'>Episode 510: 'Fast Money'</ref> The next morning Patti had borrowed the car by agreeing to give Ponch a ride to work. The one night Jon had given Ponch a surprise by placing a brand new motorcycle right next to his own car. The next morning Ponch was actually washing along with waxing his own car.<ref name='Ep513'>Episode 513: 'Breaking Point'</ref> After checking out the modified hot rods going down the Sunset Strip that when Ponch had decide to give Jon a ride down the main drag in his old neighborhood in order to meet Rudy at the former Smith Brothers garage.<ref name='Ep514'>Episode 514: 'Tiger in the Streets'</ref> Ponch had decided to give a Jon a ride to a rented house in order to meet with their only witness which is actually former cowboy actor Wayne Cato, and they would have dinner with him that same night.<ref name='Ep515'>Episode 515: 'Bright Flashes'</ref> Ponch had actually brought his car to work early in the morning hoping to have a brand new burglar alarm install by Sweeney and his daughter Carol before going on duty. After suffering from first degree burns in the crotch that were cause by his former colleague named Toni Max earlier that day, and later on that afternoon he had finally gotten his new burglar alarm installed on his car hoping to finally catch her in the act. Later on that night Carol had popped the latch, and open the hood of the car unaware that Ponch was actually pretending to be asleep in the backseat hoping to catch Toni but instead caught her in the act of attempted auto theft.<ref name='Ep517>Episode 517: 'Alarmed'</ref> Ponch actually ask out Earl Hogan's adopted daughter which is actually Kim Hogan, and drove his car over to her house.<ref name='Ep519'>Episode 519: 'Silent Partner'</ref>
Ponch would later drive Jon to his old girlfriend Rosa Aguila house in his old neighborhood, and wanted to talk about her brother Carlos. Ponch had asked Rosa for a date on Saturday night. On Saturday night Ponch and Jon were double dating with Rosa and Sherron, and talking to Andy at The House Restaurant they unaware that Billy Rogers was sitting a blue Ford Econoline behind his car waiting for them. Billy had seen Andy outside with Ponch and Jon, and their dates Rosa and Sherron with his car. Billy had drove straight forward by running over Andy causing him to break his ankle, and Ponch had gotten into his car in order pursue a small police chase while leaving Jon with their dates Rosa and Sherron. While Ponch was in pursuit of Billy driving a van, and had used the CB Radio in his car in order to call for backup. While still in pursuit of Billy in a van Ponch had accidentally scrape the front of his car, and accidentally had broken the left fender flare off. After losing pursuit of Billy in a van later on that night Ponch would later drive Rosa home, and had a conversation about Carlos. After Ponch had arrived back Rosa in his car, and went back inside of her house only to see that Billy had trashed the place including Carlos painting equipment plus his artwork. After Ponch and Jon had finished checking on Andy in hospital on Sunday afternoon, and later on that day after getting off first shift they would drive to Rosa's house together. After Ponch and Jon had gotten a tip from Rosa about Carlos fighting with Billy's gang, and they would drive away in his car in order to meet Andy. Ponch and Jon would arrive in his car in order to save both Andy and Carlos by trying arrest Billy in which had into a small karate fight. Billy had start beating the roof of Ponch's car. The fight had officially ended with Ponch kicking Billy in the penis.<ref name='Ep522' /> On Saturday afternoon Ponch and Jon had just finished jet-skiing in the harbor, and while driving home together in his car they had spotted their elderly senior citizen friend Nettie using a motorized wheelchair. Ponch and Jon had stop to rescue Nettie from the two computer hackers, and had accidentally started a small police chase using his car into the hills of Los Angeles. The police chase had ended with several car crashes including Ponch and Jon were lucky enough avoid getting his cars right fender flare broken off, and the two criminals getting away in Chevelle. After the small police chase had ended with the Chevelle, and later on that day Ponch and Jon would drive his car into the garage of the computer company that handles all their data.
Chips Firebird Gold
Ponch had actually took a recently blinded police canine named Jericho for a ride in his car back to the canine training center at the sheriffs department. Sargent Honeyton had shown up in order to Ponch's car parked on the grass, and Jericho trying to smell the heroin. Ponch would respond with Jericho using his own car. While Ponch was in pursuit with Jericho using his own car, and would later parked in the warehouse district. Ponch would pretend that his car is actually stalled, and managed to use Jericho track down the heroin while a criminal named Jesse James, Jr. would escape knocking him down.Ponch's old car would be repainted yellow with different shades of bright colors for stripes, and was drag raced on the streets by his friend Chris who had held a grudge on him since the death of his older brother Zack. Chris was drag racing his car, and was later arrested after accidentally starting fire to another man's car. Chris had changed the gearing in his car along with the help of Harlan's friend Jim Telford. Chris was later working on the engine of his car. Chris would later drive his to the crash site where his older brother was accidentally killed. Ponch would later show up driving his old 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air in order to drag race Chris against his car. Both Ponch and Chris were drag racing until accidentally side swiping each other going around the corners of the road. Chris had accidentally side swiped the right side of his car, and realized that he doesn't need to hold a grudge against Ponch anymore. Ponch's old car was eventually repainted candy apple red, and given a new set of rims. Hal would drive to hospital to visit his stepson. Hal had gotten suspicious of Ponch and Bobby by deciding to hit a nurse, and ran out of the hospital by getting into his car. Hal had drove off starting a police chase that would continue with Hal turning corners around the city streets until driving on abandon freeway, and driving through the dirt. Hal would drive off the dirt ramp by jumping the car, and crashing into a bunch of parked cars. Ponch and Bobby would arrest Hal on child abuse charges by opening the trunk of his car, and managing to find a cane in duffle bag.
The Different Firebirds Used On The Show
Chips Fireplace Apollo Pa
- 1971 Pontiac Firebird Esprit<ref name='Ep121' /><ref name='Ep205' /><ref name='Ep207' />
- 1971 Pontiac Firebird<ref name='Ep212' /><ref name='Ep213' />
- 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula<ref name='Ep218' /><ref name='Ep219' /><ref name='Ep221' /><ref name='Ep305' /><ref name='Ep312' />
- 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am<ref name='Ep322' /><ref name='Ep402' />
- 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am<ref name='Ep410' /><ref name='Ep411' /><ref name='Ep416' /><ref name='Ep417' /><ref name='Ep501' /><ref name='Ep522' /><ref name='Ep526' />
- 1970 Pontiac Firebird Esprit<ref name='Ep410' /><ref name='Ep417' /><ref name='Ep609' />
Videos For Chips Firebird
References
Ponch Chips Firebird
Chips Fire Ca
| Author | Message |
|---|---|
◊ 2006-08-30 11:34 | ..it's a real FIRE-bird.! (..Ponch buys this car for...$83.!) Note:- although it's only shown in the background in this episode ... after ponch buy's it ..it's used as his car in following episodes (...after he's repaired it ..that is.!) -- Last edit: 2011-03-13 06:45:00 (an_unusual_eye) |
◊ 2006-09-10 02:32 | starting the rebuild in eps 2.07 + preparing for respray in eps 2.12 -- Last edit: 2007-01-23 10:28:19 |
◊ 2006-11-05 00:20 | deleted comment |
◊ 2007-02-16 18:25 | The car has been fully rebuilt by eps 2.13, but is then stolen and later used in a chase (and once again destroyed.!) |
◊ 2007-02-16 18:29 | We could use stronghold's fith thumbnail |
◊ 2007-06-02 23:27 | 1970+ |
◊ 2008-03-02 22:59 | isnt that same car seen in an episode from season 1 where john is cut off by its driver and put into the hospital? |
◊ 2008-03-16 01:33 | in eps 2.18 back on the road again.! |
◊ 2008-03-17 20:30 | eps 2.21 resprayed now |
◊ 2008-04-14 06:46 | Ok heres some info about the BIRD. The bird/birds were leftover from the movie 'Corvette Summer' They were assembled from parts of both formula and T/A's. In the 'Summer' movie the close up car had side pipes and add on flairs behind the wheel openings. Both were carried over on the chips car. Here are some facts. the high back seats we not offered in the 70 year model. The clips from eps 2.18 the air extractors are missing from the front fenders, however if you look close at the area just behind the front wheel well opening in the last frame provided by stronghold. just under the body line you can make out a rectangular shadow. that is the location of a small louver panel that was found on the formulas in 71 and the 70 esprits. |
◊ 2008-06-04 05:28 | this car is clearly the same car one of the bad guys used to run down john in ep 1.21 another interesting note by looking at the pics above.. when ponch finished the car the first time in 2.13 it had a trans am bird on the hood, but then the car was destroyed at the end of that ep, and in 2.21 after it's been fixed/painted again, the bird is gone -- Last edit: 2008-06-04 10:11:16 (antp) |
◊ 2009-03-07 18:25 | I would like to reposted as a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am because you can tell that the Ponchmobile has both a shaker and dual hood scoops from the pictures. The Ponchmobile actually is the popular 70's color Root Beer, and also has high back bucket seats. The motor is actually a 455 HO. I got proof from the website Chips Wiki that it's a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. This is actually the same that one of the bad guys had used in a crime to run down John and Grossie in the first season episode Crack-Up, and it was later impounded. The same from the impound yard that was used in the crime. Ponch later buys the same car from the pervious owner who had started on fire when he refused to let the tow truck driver take it away in the second season episode Neighborhood Watch for $83.00 dollars. The Ponchmobile has been wrecked at least three times (once by Kim the car thief in a late second-season episode, once by his partner Jon, and finally by a forklift. I got proof from following websites for reposting: http://www.chips-tv.com/wiki/index.php?title=Ponch http://firebirdfever.com/firebirdfever/7081ta.html -- Last edit: 2009-04-07 17:22:29 |
◊ 2009-05-05 19:32 | i'll agree with you that its the same one the bad guys used to run down john with in the season 1 ep, but they didn't make a gold 71 Trans Am. the only 2 colors offered on T/A's in 71 was blue and white. in fact in 73, the last year for that front end, they only offered white, red, and green. the hood is a custom hood that basically takes the formula ram air style hood and adds a shaker to it. the shaker is non functional IIRC because i think i once saw the hood open while they were working on it and the shaker was up on top of the hood, not on the air cleaner. |
◊ 2009-05-11 07:39 | The Ponchmobile is actually a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am not a Firebird Formula. 1971 was actually the first year to have high back bucket seats. The car actually has a custom hood on it which makes it hard to tell. The Trans Am equipment is actually a shaker, and the Formula equipment is actually twin dual hood scoops. Firebird Formula a chrome strips on the bottom, and in the wheel wells, Trans Am didn't have those strips. Trans Am had air extractor and extended front fenders, Firebird Formula didn't have that equipment. The car originally came in Camaro White and Lucerne Blue. The car was later painted Lamp Black for the Corvette Summer starring Mark Hamill. The left ones that werent damage from the movie were later repainted Root Beer now being used as Ponch's car on CHiPs. Ponch's car actually has Trans Am equipment. The car immediately needs to reposted it as a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. 1971 Pontiac Trans Am Ad: A tribute to the Ponch car. -- Last edit: 2009-05-14 06:59:08 |
◊ 2009-05-15 12:54 | The car is NOT a Trans Am. First off, watching episode 2.13 footage of this car, the shaker is not functional. Had they started with a real Trans Am, they'd have just glued on the Formula scoops and left the shaker in working condition. Secondly, you can see the second lower side vent that is exclusive to 1971 Formulas. Lastly, in episode 2.13 where the car is being broken into, you can see it has a plain black dash. A real Trans Am would have the aluminum swirl dash. |
◊ 2009-05-16 08:42 | Note the lower side vent that was only featured on 1971 Formulas. It can be seen on Ponch's car in several scenes. It is possible that this could be added to a Trans Am, just like the Trans Am scoop could be added to a Formula, though given the other evidence that I cited, this started life as a Formula. Also, according to the source where you got your last picture, that is a 1970 Formula, which would not have the lower side vent. -- Last edit: 2009-05-16 08:43:54 |
◊ 2009-05-18 01:21 | Ponch actually drove a Root Beer colored 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula from seasons 2 through 5. Ponch’s car was actually damaged five times. He finally got a brand new Lucerne Blue 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in the final season. -- Last edit: 2009-06-30 07:40:54 |
◊ 2009-07-20 23:55 | How Ponch's Firebird got damaged/destroyed: 1. First appearance...Ponch buys the car for a low price after the disgruntled owner torches it. 2. Overturned by a female car thief played by Randi Oakes, who later joined the cast as Officer Bonnie Clark in the following season. Ponch rescues the thief but the Firebird explodes. 'Down Time' 3. The doors get punctured by a forklift operated by a member of a gang of construction site thieves, one of them was played by Robert Englund (Freddie Krurger!). The forklist lifts the Firebird with a very upset Ponch in it up in the air. 4. Flipped over with Jon as the driver during a demolition derby in 'Demolition Derby' 5. Bumped by a tour bus driven by hijackers in 'Thrill Show'. The Firebird then flip partially and travels on two left wheels for several minutes before the other side lands on the pavement. |
◊ 2009-09-26 08:50 | The later model used in the fourth season episode Sick Leave was actually a 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with just a shaker and a bird on the hood I know now that the color was actually coppermine gold. The appearances of Ponch's car: First appearance the car was driven by Niles while racing his buddy and accidently runs over Jon. - Ep. 1.21 (Crack Up) Second appearance the car when a disgruntled owner who had refused to the tow driver take it to the impound yard. The disgruntled owner decides to pour some gasoline on it then lights a match, and torchs it by setting it on fire. Ponch arrives on time then puts out the fire with a fire extinguster. The bidding war starts between Ponch and the Tow Truck Driver, and at the last minute Ponch out bids the tow truck driver, and buy for $83.00 dollars. - Ep. 2.05 (Neighborhood Watch) Different Hoods on Ponch's car: IIRC Hood - Ep. 1.21 Shaker Hood - Ep. 4.03 Different Mags on Ponch's car: Black Cragar S/S - Ep. 1.21 through 2.13 Chrome Cragar S/S - Ep. 2.18 Turbo Cast - Ep. 4.16 -- Last edit: 2010-02-09 07:30:09 |
◊ 2010-01-22 01:19 | 7mary3 gots it goin on -- Last edit: 2010-01-22 01:20:14 |
◊ 2010-03-27 01:14 | Ponch car is actually a 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am which was actually used in the later seasons. 1971-1973 Formulas had the lower side vents. The Apearances of Ponch's car: Ep. 1.21 - Crack Up: Driven by Niles racing his buddy on the way to the garage, and accidently runs over Jon Baker. -- Last edit: 2010-04-17 01:25:58 |
◊ 2010-05-10 11:16 | Just for clarification once more, the car featured in seasons 1 and 2 is a Formula and not a Trans Am. The non-functional (meaning that it does not mount on the air cleaner assembly as it should) shaker hood scoop is clearly seen in episode 2.12 when the hood is up. The lower side vents indicate that it is a Formula and not a Trans Am. The lower side vents were not offered on any Firebird in 1972 and 1973. The car used in later seasons is an entirely different car and perhaps deserves its own page. The car in episode 2.18 is interesting because it is likely not the same car as seen before (given how badly the car was wrecked in 2.13.) Note that the (upper) Trans Am sidevents are now missing. Perhaps this is an accurate portrayal of a restoration in progress as a normal Esperit fender (lower vent still present on the left) would have been easier to find at the time (with fewer Trans Ams in the salvage yards at that point.) -- Last edit: 2010-05-10 11:43:05 (Neon) |
◊ 2011-08-15 02:21 | I agree with 79TA, it probably started life as a 71 Formula (although all '71s excluding the TA had the lower side vent), but since it has the formula snorkel scoops it was most likely a Formula. As we already know, the Transam shaker scoop is grafted onto the underside of the hood, not correctly placed on top of the engine, so that's an add-on (so guys, stop calling it a Trans Am!). The TA side vents could also easily be added, along with the fender 'foilers'. |
◊ 2011-11-24 00:36 | shame it wasn't an actual production car:/ |
◊ 2012-01-23 05:44 | some of the screen captures floating around also show it as a 73 formula with the earlier vents, shaker cut into the snorkel hood and the trans am side scoops not properly recessed into the fender but it does have the deeper set 73 grille and amber lenses along with the 73 deluxe seats |
◊ 2012-02-25 08:47 | After I just did a little research on www.Oldcarbrochures.com in a 1971 Pontiac Performance Brochure. I can finally tell you that Ponch's car used in season 2, also it can be seen being driven by crazy Niles in season 1 episode called Crack Up, and it actually is a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Esprit because of regular standard interior with three spoked steering wheel. Ponch's car actually has the optional Pontiac engine which is a T/A 6.6 400 motor with a standard Rochester 2 barrel carburetor after watching the episode Destruction Derby. I can also tell you that a Firebird Formula would actually have a standard woodgrain dashboard with a formula steering wheel. I can actually tell you that Firebird Trans Am would actually have a standard aluminum swirl dashboard with a formula steeling wheel. Both Formula and Trans Am have rear spoilers. -- Last edit: 2012-02-25 21:34:18 |
◊ 2012-03-26 01:20 | Ok, I had to sign up to straiten this out. I am not going to say this is set in stone but my mom used to drive me to elementry school in a 71 formula and I now have one (aswell as a 73 TA). This car imo is likely a 71 formula. The reason I say so is that ONLY 71 formulas had that vent in the lower fender... not a base firebird or espirit or trans am. They had to have taken 71 formula fenders and put ta vents in the top portion. The grills could only be 70 or 71 (since they are small squares). The back window and tail lights are 70 to 73 spacific. The hood is also a 70 to 74 piece with a hole cut for a ta shaker. That car is a 71 Formula imo since you would have to had a set 1 year only Formula firebird only fenders with the lower vent and cut them for ta vents in the top. The car also had a Formula only hood. So, it makes sence to me that they modified the 1971 Formula firebird's hood for a shaker and fenders for the vents..... realy rare fenders. Oh, and mom and dad's 71 Formula 400 (all of which are 4 bbl) did have a 'formula' steering wheel but that is an option as mine has an interior colored firebird wheel. The dash in stock is a woodgrain unless you have a ta which is has the engine spun look out of metal. That is a realy realy easy swap... so, it's a 71 mula. One last thing... the rear spoiler. The formula only had an option for the rear spoiler and as for the wheel spats and front air dam. That ONLY came on a Trans Am. Dad's 71 Formula had these mods aswell: front air dam, wheel spats and rear spoiler. -- Last edit: 2012-03-26 01:23:33 |
◊ 2012-03-29 20:14 | The fender louvers were used on all the 1971 firebirds exc. the T/A. The Fiberglass dual scoop hood was used on Formulas from 1970 to 1975. I have often seen them modified by someone cutting the hole for a shaker. Being it is fiberglass, it is done very easy. The grilles on the car pictured were used for 1970 & 1971. The high back buckets and upholstery here were used in 1971. Adding the flairs is a common thing to do to a non-T/A car due to the nice look it creates, especially when using the aftermarket rear sections behind the wheels. Those were available from many places back then. The T/A was the only model sent out of the factory with the engine turned aluminum dash insert. The other models have wood grain. The Formula steering wheel was standard on the T/A but available on the Formula. The rear spoiler was standard on the T/A but available on any model as a Special Order. It is also very easy to install one on a car not originally equipped as such and is commonly done. All this considered, and not having the VIN (that would tell the truth), I would say it started out life as a 1971 Formula. |
◊ 2012-03-29 20:18 | One might also note that the car was modified for being towed. Note the mods to the front air dam. It is not groved out in those two places from the start. It looks as though they modified it for towing from the front of the fraim rails. |
◊ 2012-03-29 20:21 | For those who have not looked over the car, it has the standard steering wheel, not the 'Formula' steering wheel issued standard on ALL T/As. |
◊ 2012-03-29 20:29 | I do see the 1973 (deep set) grile on some of the pictures and the early grile on some others. My guess would be that it was repaired with the later year nose. The car has obviously undergone many mods. The front airdam is also not modified for towing on the car with the 73 nose. Maby we are looking at a couple cars here. Maybe Erick can chime in sometime with some info. |
◊ 2012-04-09 06:34 | I finally did a little more research today, by figuring out Ponch's beautiful Pontiac Firebird paint color in which alot of you thought the color was Valencia Gold or Sienna Cooper, and the color turns out to be Canyon Copper. The color is also called Bittersweet Mist or Bittersweet in Buick and Oldsmobile, and Burnt Orange in Chevrolet and GMC. The GM paint code is actually WA4140, and is often shorten to 62B or 62C. The other manufacturers paint codes are the Ditzler PPG code which is actually 2340, also the Dupont paint code is 5281LH or 5281D, and the Sherwin William paint code is 3900. I found out Erik Estrada's email address, and going to start writing a letter to him in order to get some info and interview on the car. The paint ref link website is down below. Link to 'paintref.com' Copper -- Last edit: 2012-04-10 07:22:32 |
◊ 2012-04-17 07:08 | Here is a picture of real formula dashboard, and steering picture from a 1970 Formula 400. -- Last edit: 2012-06-24 06:18:41 |
◊ 2012-10-24 16:54 | -- Last edit: 2013-01-01 17:18:42 (night cub) |
◊ 2012-12-28 06:20 | Ep. 2.05 - Neighborhood Watch: The car makes it second appearance on the show where a disgruntled owner (Shelley Berman) gets into a little dispute with the tow truck driver (Charlie Brill) over impounding his unregistered vehicle, and chooses to start it on fire with gasoline and a set of matches rather than have it impounded. Ponch and Jon finally get a call from their CB Radios, and manage to arrive on time in order to hear the complaint about an expired permit for the vehicle. Ponch immediately decides to grab a fire extinguisher out of the tow truck in order to put out the recently started fire on the unregistered vehicle. After Ponch finishes putting out the fire, and the owner decides that he wants to sell the unregistered vehicle to the highest bidder. Ponch and the tow truck driver decide to start a bidding war, and keep bidding higher against each other for the unregistered vehicle. Ponch finally wins the bidding war against the tow truck driver, and buys the unregistered vehicle for eighty three dollars. Ep. 2.07 - High Flyer: Ponch decides to take Carol (Mary Louise Weller) grocery shopping while his partner Jon and their teenage friend Kim (Cynthia Bain) agree work on the engine, and finally manage to get it running temporarily. Ep. 2.12 - High Explosive: Ponch decides to escort Mary Barnes (Rosanne Katon) a recently injured victim of Barry Lasher's (Ike Eisenmann) accidental Harbor Freeway shooting to Jon's Rodeo as his special guest for the day. Ep. 3.22 - Thrill Show: The car is damaged by a tour bus driven by the punk rock group known as the bus boys. -- Last edit: 2016-04-18 06:24:21 |
◊ 2013-09-08 20:06 | Ep. 4.10: Ep. 5.22: Ep. 5.25: -- Last edit: 2016-04-17 19:09:50 (night cub) |
◊ 2013-09-26 05:33 | I actually did figure the vehicle identification numbers of the three actual cars used in the movie Corvette Summer, and was later used as Niles racing car in one episode of season one called Crack Up with a different California license plate number which is actually 525 CAT also being used as Ponch's car in seven episodes of season two starting with the episode called Neighborhood Watch ending with one episode of season three called Destruction Derby with another different California license plate number which is actually 033 PCE. The car actually used both in the movie Corvette Summer, and later used in the television series Chips from it's vehicle identification numbers actually proves that the car started out life as a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am not a 1970 or 1971 Formula or Esprit. According to Street Rodder with the information from Pat, and Larry at http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=56929.0 his car commonly (and wrongly) referred to as a '70 Firebird Formula was actually a 1971 Trans Am!!! #1101 was its last 4 of VIN, and there were THREE of these cars (VINs 1186 and 0907) used in both the movie 'Corvette Summer' (the bad guys car), and CHiPs TV show as Frank Poncherello's (Erik Estrada) personal car. All three of these cars were built in Van Nuys, California. One of the cars was rolled during a stunt and then burned to a crisp in Corvette Summer and was again rolled and burnt in CHiPs twice. The producers of CHiPs had to give up on two of the cars for rebuilding since they were pretty much toast literally. But they did rebuild the last one left several times. How many differences can you see from the rebuilds. If I remember right, didn't they work the 'rebuild' of the car into the story line? Didn't Ponch buy it after it was on fire and they put it out, then he took several episodes rebuilding it? Rims, wheel flares, side pipes, hood decal, color, possibly a roll bar in one pic,and looks like in some pics it has the formula fender vents as well as the ta vents. The first vehicle identification number which is actually 228871L101101 proves that it actually a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 2 Line Pontiac 2 Series Firebird 8 Model Trans Am (V8) 87 Body Standard Model 1 Year 1971 L Assembly Van Nuys, California 101101 Serial 101101 The second vehicle identification number also proves that it actually a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 2 Line Pontiac 2 Series Firebird 8 Model Trans Am (V8) 87 Body Standard Model 1 Year 1971 L Assembly Van Nuys, California 101186 Serial 101186 The third vehicle identification also proves that it actually a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 2 Line Pontiac 2 Series Firebird 8 Model Trans Am (V8) 87 Body Standard Model 1 Year 1971 L Assembly Van Nuys, California 100907 Serial 100907 -- Last edit: 2013-11-15 02:23:54 |
◊ 2014-05-22 14:46 | @MaindrianPace > Please stop wasting the server's space. I cleaned the pictures and removed most of the useless & duplicates. Before cleaning, it was looking like this: http://i.imgur.com/tqVlhq1.jpg |
◊ 2014-12-14 08:51 | Ep 3.12, Ponch's poor Trans Am gets destroyed, again, this time in a demolition derby, in the most ridiculous chase: (see below for DVD pics) Ep 3.22, Ponch rides on two wheels, looks like a stunt double car with plain wheels: Ep 4.02: Ep 4.16: Ep 4.17: -- Last edit: 2016-04-29 08:21:46 |
◊ 2014-12-15 03:15 | The bonnet is a mongrel. It has the Trans Am shaker with the bird along with the Formula double scoop here. |
◊ 2015-12-13 22:35 | Ep 4.17 - A bomb planted inside Ponch's engine compartment. -- Last edit: 2016-04-28 02:18:15 |
◊ 2016-03-30 22:59 | Ep 5.19: |
◊ 2016-04-24 16:39 | Ep 3.12: -- Last edit: 2016-04-27 22:35:34 |
◊ 2019-01-09 02:12 | Early 'PCE' prop plate |
◊ 2020-04-26 03:43 | Ep. 5.26: This is actually the last time we see Ponch's Firebird. |
◊ 2020-09-28 00:41 | It's a Firebird and it's on Fire!!!! |