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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
Did any thirdgen Firebirds come with the screaming chicken hood decal from the factory? As an option? Or maybe dealer offered option? If so, when was the last year and any idea why they stopped such an iconic and, personal taste, badass symbol?
Actually it was available from the factory until 87. It was special order only. It was super cheesy, not nearly as cool as the 2nd gen decal which is prob why it wasn't very popular.
Actually it was available from the factory until 87. It was special order only. It was super cheesy, not nearly as cool as the 2nd gen decal which is prob why it wasn't very popular.
I can also confirm that it was on the order sheet in 1986 and was a 500$ option from factory!
To be clear, it was available through 1987 model year (from 1985) and only on the Trans Am. 1985, 1986 and 1987 order sheets have the DX1 large hood bird listed as an option on the Trans Am.
Originally Posted by stealtht/a
Actually it was available from the factory until 87. It was special order only. It was super cheesy, not nearly as cool as the 2nd gen decal which is prob why it wasn't very popular.
I have an '85 Water Blue with the Screaming Chicken on the hood. The sticker is completely faded and dry rotted but I will replace it when the car gets painted. It is a unique item and I don't see it very often on other Trans Ams. My car isn't anything special, LG4 coupled to a 700R4, power windows but no power mirrors, and I do have the cargo cover. Oh and the car has T-tops as well.
It wasn't cheesier, but rather simpler, smaller(because of the lack of surface area available due to the TA's hood louvers) and much less ornate than a 2ndgen decal, all of which contributed to its lack of popularity on 3rdgens, IMO.
Here are some pics I pulled from the net of the 82-84 decal, the 85-87 decal, and the 85-87 decal on a Ram Air 2/WS6 hood(the 3rdgen decal's smaller proportions making it a better fit on aftermarket hoods than it was on the stock hood).
It wasn't cheesier, but rather simpler, smaller(because of the lack of surface area available due to the TA's hood louvers) and much less ornate than a 2ndgen decal, all of which contributed to its lack of popularity on 3rdgens, IMO. Here are some pics I pulled from the net of the 82-84 decal, the 85-87 decal, and the 85-87 decal on a Ram Air 2/WS6 hood(the 3rdgen decal's smaller proportions making it a better fit on aftermarket hoods than it was on the stock hood).
That forth gen hood is awful, plus advertising the 3.8l by putting 3800 on the blister. Ugh.
Been done. Rare that it looks anywhere close to good. Leave the hood bird in the 70s in my opinion.
This one is pretty decent, being a black car helps a lot and having a 2nd gen style scoop. But mostly I don't think the phoenix really worked very well on 3rd gens. It was great on the 2nd gens.
I did like the early third gen T/As with the emblem only limited to the hood bulge. I think the 3rd gens have a more refined look that called for restrained graphics.
I did not like the 4th gen hoods with the Ram Air nostrils. Ugly, kind of a high school look. I had an '98 T/A and went with the standard hood. The extra few horsepower weren't worth ruining the look of the car. Funny about the "3800" proudly advertised. It was a good, reasonably-powerful base engine and a big improvement over prior generations (stronger than some 3rd gen V-8s), but nothing to advertise.
And holy cow, $500 for a hood sticker in the 80s! Geez, for that money in 1985 bucks you'd think it could be an actual paint job.
03-24-2014, 12:09 AM
