MovieChat Forums > CHiPs (1977) Discussion > Ponch's Firebird

Ponch's Firebird

posted 10 years ago by Inspector81
6 replies | jump to latest

Does anybody no how many times his car gets destroyed in the series and keeps coming back?

It first got lit on fire by its original owner before it was sold to Ponch in season 2 and then car thief Bonnie crashed and burned it after being chased in it.

Then Jon destroyed it in season 3 at Ascot Park in the destruction derby, but it came back later in the season in "Thrill Show" and took a few tour bus sideswipes.

It's like Rocky, it keeps taking a beating but doesn't quit.

[–] Vega_Lyra 9 years ago

Well, it was a Firebird. The phoenix would rise again from its ashes...

Conquer your fear, and I promise you, you will conquer death.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Vega_Lyra 9 years ago

I forgot about Rockford's Firebird. Nice car. Thought it was a good touch to give him a plain jane Firebird instead of a Trans Am, fit more in with his barely making it situation in life.

Conquer your fear, and I promise you, you will conquer death.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] skiptan71 9 years ago

Rockford's Firebird was actually a Formula with the hood changed and I think the spoiler taken off. They needed the Formula's better suspension and power for the shows stunts.

[–] Inspector81 9 years ago

Well, in Season 4, episode 10 "Forty Tons of Trouble" Ponch tells his date that he has had his Firebird rebuilt many times, LOL.

Then at the end of the episode Ponch chases the bad guy in his car and the bad guy driving a gigantic Caterpillar forklift pierces his Firebird on the driver side with Ponch in it! One spear of the forklift just happens to go between Ponch and the steering wheel almost killing him and they're all laughing about it like it's no big deal!

They don't even mention that the bad guy attempted murder because Ponch even pleaded with him to stop and he didn't. Of course the gang is all laughing at the end with freeze frames and Getraer says the Firebird's damages will be covered because it was in the line of duty.