FAQ

I don't think that question is too Frequently asked (FAQ), and I probably wouldn't know the answer anyway, but I tried to see what you're describing. According to all sources I've seen including the DVD copy itself, the episode which aired Oct 11 1974 is the one titled Tall Woman in Red Wagon. This is usually counted as episode #5. If you want to count the pilot as #1, then this would be #6, but I can't see how it could be #8 as you wrote. So you should clarify to which episode you're referring. Checking out my DVD copy of Tall Woman in Red Wagon, at 7:48 Sandra and Jim are sitting outside eating lunch, there is no car in the scene at all. At 10:16 Jim's Firebird is in the scene, but you can only see its roofline at that moment. I can't tell a 74 from 77 or 78 Firebird by the roof alone. Shortly thereafter the car is shown from the front, and it appears to be the earlier model with single headlights on each side. I have the originally released DVDs, one set/box for each season separately. I have heard that the later released DVDs which include all 6 seasons together contain further edited copies of the episodes as were used in later syndication. That might explain it. Which source were you using?

Edit - great question. The car does change to a '77 in episode: This Case is Closed. Time machine?