These new models were built off the same Camaro platform, came with the Pontiac arrowhead, flaming bird, and Bandit logos, and the instrument panels, center consoles, and hood scoops emulating their 1977 counterparts, and were signed by Reynolds. And back then what I wanted most of all was a highly customized Vette with exposed headlights. . I had a 78 Trigger lookalike for a while in the mid 90s, until a wrist pin went out, ended up selling it to one of my brothers buddys uncles. If they werent burning candles to an image of a cowboy hatted Burt Reynolds at Pontiac headquarters. The movie is responsible for something, by 1979 Pontiac was selling 100,000 plus Trans Ams, not the whole Firebird line, JUST Trans Ams, Pontiac sold more T/As in 1979 than any of the cheaper Firebirds combined, Smokey and the Bandit had to have a hand in that. Many nameplates lost their performance credentials, and some of them, like the Ford Mustang, were redesigned without a V-8 engine. Due to his financial difficulties in 2014, Reynolds put his vast collection of artwork and memorabilia up for auction, including the Trans Am. Lets take a look. In response, Needham told Reed that he liked the song so much that if Reed changed even a word or a note, Needham would "choke him". Im gonna barbecue your ass in molasses., Re: The picture with 4 ladies and the wagon and van. Burt Reynolds may be 79, but he shows no signs of slowing down. Comments Except that shes not sagging. Sally Field and Burt Reynolds began a relationship after meeting on set. In its place was the nonsensical "scum bum." . [15] All four of the cars were badly damaged during production,[16] one of which was all but destroyed during the jump over the dismantled Mulberry bridge. All I know is, at the time, if you lived in the east, Coors was some really special beer not unlike microbrews are now. I've heard . The Trans Am was a high-performance package for the Firebird, Pontiac's take on the Chevrolet Camaro. The Trans Am used for said jump was equipped with a booster rocket, the same type that was used by Evel Knievel during his failed Snake River Canyon jump. A 1975 Pontiac Grand Prix with a Buick Electra behind it. Dodge pitchman Sheriff Joe Higgins. Im pretty sure that the car that barks second when he takes off with Frog had to be a stick. Back then if Ida wanted an ex Police Car its be a CHP salvage Dodge or Plymouth ~ BIG roomy and _comfy_ , handled well and went like stink . With that in mind, Ill go with what Ive heard from my Georgia friends, to wit Sheriff Justices diablo sandwich is the Macon version, which is made with fried eggs and red hots. The paint code for each truck was coffee brown with gold trims and the 48-foot (15m) mural trailer used was manufactured by Hobbs Trailers in Texas with a non-operational Thermo King Refrigeration unit. [33] Reynolds was given the 1977 vehicle used during promotion of the film as a gift, though the car itself never actually appeared in the film. Other than Jackie Gleason upstaging every other cast member, the perceived star of the show is this 1977 Pontiac Trans Am. It was destroyed in Smokey and the Bandit II and in a flashback scene in Part 3. Some people have ripped this film as being thin on plot; others have called it a documentary about life south of the Mason-Dixon Line. These two 1967 Ford Galaxies (CC here), soon to be redecorated by a Kenworth road tractor, do not. Anyway, on the trip east, we stopped at a grocery in Topeka, Kansas and bought 16-18 cases of Coors, all that we had room for in the car. In Smokey and the Bandit, there were eight 1977 Trans-Am cars and approximately the same number of police cars (but some said ten). In return, Reynolds portrayed Boss Hogg (originally portrayed by Sorrell Booke) in the film adaptation The Dukes of Hazzard (2005). I know that Trans Am that . The original Blues Brothers movie from 1980 is a classic, and fans were excited when a sequel was announced in 1998. . The worldwide gross is estimated at over $300 million. For Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), Needham asked for and received 10 Trans Ams and 55 Bonnevilles with no trouble. I will confess, however, that it was a fun movie to watch and I have caught it on TV a time or two in recent years with my kids. The cop cars with the hood scoops were ex-DeKalb County (Georgia) cruisers. The 1977 features rectangular quad headlamps instead of only two round lights, a unique slanted and V-shaped nose, and a center-mounted hood scoop. American Brands: AMC, Jeep and All Others, Tractors, Lawn Mowers, Off-Road Equipment, CC Outtake: The CC House, and With a New Recent Exotic Addition, CC TV Outtake: This Used Car Commercial Didn't Make It On The Air, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cODPt3T0cHE. Mr. Reynolds elevated the dreck that he appeared in to a higher level, that is, enjoyable. Additionally, he can give you several reasons why theres still no replacement for displacement. But the true standout of Smokey and the Bandit is the car driven by The Bandit, the iconic black and gold 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. I still couldnt resist lighting up the Pontiacs tires while executing my T-turns. I enjoyed the hell out of my 1976 Dart Pursuit. These Furys, as well as some of the LeMans units, have hood scoops. and the Dixie Dance Kings, and Burts car was a 57 [56?] Wealthy Texan Big Enos Burdette and his son Little Enos have sponsored a racer in Atlanta's Southern Classic and want to celebrate in style when he wins, so they are seeking a trucker willing to bootleg Coors Beer to Atlanta for their refreshment. Below is probably another DeKalb County cop car. My drivers ed driving range car was an ex-patrol colonnade Pontiac LeMans Enforcer. While it's sad that the other two cars were destroyed . Sales of the coupe exploded after the film hit the silver screen and set unprecedented records for both Pontiac and the Firebird nameplate. How many police cars were wrecked in Smokey and the Bandit? Thanks for this, Jason. I still regret selling mine almost 30 years ago. We stopped in that same Safeway later on the way back home from southern Cal, and they had a huge display of cases of Coors out on the floor near the checkstands. The Pontiac Trans Am seems like a natural choice for Smokey and the Bandit, but the car was only a few inches close to not being used in the movie. My family did all grocery shopping in Cape. The rub? The truck at the shell station is actually a 75 or 76 Toyota Hilux. This gives rise to various continuity errors with Justice's patrol car, which during some chase sequences is shown with a black rear fender, which then reverts to the car's bronze color again in later scenes. Coors wasnt pasteurized. I think you may be confusing the movie Honky-Tonk Freeway with the filming done during I-75 construction near Sarasota. A series of four made-for-TV spin-off films (Bandit Goes Country, Bandit Bandit, Beauty and the Bandit, and Bandit's Silver Angel) were produced in 1994 for Universal Television's Action Pack with actor Brian Bloom playing a younger version of the Bandit. Somebody locally is selling a Regis Plymouth Fury ex Florida Police with gasping 318 V8, he will for the right money toss in a 440 with it. Duarte or maybe ir was Arcadia , it was white with a red & blue pinstripe , we dropped $400 (an ungodly sum back then) on a re paint and pin striping but could _not_ sell that wretched POC , it took us two years IIRC . Nice article Jason I was a fan of this movie when it came out I look back now and think, wow, did I really think this was entertainment?????? Two units were 1974 models, as evidenced by standard silver Kenworth emblems on the truck grille, and one unit was a 1973 model, as evidenced by the gold-painted Kenworth emblem on the truck's grille, signifying Kenworth's 50 years in business. Please refresh the page and try again. They destroyed all those cars in the films he said. I'm afraid I was responsible for a good few of those. In October 2020, a Smokey and the Bandit TV series was revealed to be in development, with a pilot written by David Gordon Green and Brian Sides and also executive produced with his Rough House confederates Jody Hill, Danny McBride and Brandon James, as well as Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins of Fuzzy Door.[44]. [4] Just two days before production was to begin, Universal sent a "hatchet man" to Atlanta to inform Needham that the budget was being trimmed by $1 million. As a kid that T/A, the General Lee, and KITT were largely responsible for defining my taste in cars and that carries through to today. [5] Sally Field only accepted the part after her agent advised her that she needed a big movie role on her rsum. It follows the adventures of a couple of truck drivers bootlegging Coors, which couldnt legally be sold East of the Mississippi River at the time. Some of the original sound effects (such as Cledus's dog Fred barking) and music (such as the final chase to the Southern Classic) were removed and not replaced. how many cars were destroyed in smokey and the bandit 2. "Smokey and the Bandit" stars Burt Reynolds, Sally . If it wasnt for Smokey & the Bandit, the Dukes of Hazzard TV series would not exist. I think Stroker Ace is after Smokey and the Bandit, though there was Hooper, which was about a stuntman, it also had Sally Field, it was from 1978 or so. Musicians such as Beegie Adair and George Tidwell[20] played on the soundtrack. The comedy has been remastered to DVD standards. Most reports of his death still didnt have that right! The commercials were produced after Stewart mentioned that the movie was one of his favorites.[39]. This is obvious, because there is no fuel tank on the underside of the trailer to power the refrigeration unit, and the unit is never heard running. The next movie, Smokey and the Bandit II, featured the same cast and an updated version of the Trans Am.The second version of the Smokey and the Bandit car was a 1980 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that had a similar paint job, the updated front end, and gold "Turbine" style wheels.The 1980 models featured a turbocharged 4.9L Pontiac V8, but that still wasn't enough power for the stunt personnel. Neither Buford nor any other lawmen know of Snowman's illegal manifest, while Bandit is likewise unaware that Buford is chasing him because of Carrie, whose jumpiness inspires Bandit to give her the CB handle "Frog". How much did the Smokey and the Bandit car sell for? Not all the police cars had hood scoops. Burt Reynolds as the Bandit can always count on the truckers on the other end of his C.B. Reynolds and Field began dating during the filming.[13]. This was the lull between Gas Crisis I and II, 1976-78, and Boomers were wanting stylish cars. Whaddya expect outta a guy what drives a conversion van? In the U.K., the heavily dubbed version was shown for several years, particularly by the BBC. S/E T/A with the round headlights. As Fred Flintstone was modeled off Ralph Kramden, the Jackie Gleason character from the 1950s television showThe Honeymooners, the tone and intonation of the dubbing was highly convincing. Thats all true. Well, they simply considered that the Trans Am didn't sound intimidating enough. Other sources in East Texas (from whence Sheriff Justice hails) are familiar with the popular regional delicacy known as the Diablo Sandwich. Luckily, both cars survived, and the Trans Am became famous only five years later. I have to admit, thats a pretty fantastic story, and as a major movie star, Im sure Burt Reynolds was able to figure out another way to acquire a means of transportation. via iconic premier. As a former Club Wagon pilot, I happen to like his Econoline. Only one survived, and it's priceless. The remaining Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am is currently owned by Florida car collector John Staluppi. I fondly remember lots and lots of terrible B grade movies @ the drive in in the early to mid 1970s all featuring cars racing , smashing and so on . In the movie . A diablo sammich from my understanding is a like a Sloppy Joe but with taco seasoning added in for spice. I have since moved on from them, mainly because in stock form, they were not particularly great cars (though good enough for the times). Now then you mentionned Sheriff JW Pepper, I decided to post some Youtube clips of him. When I was a kid, there was an old record from the 50s around the house that was a collection of radio and tv bloopers. One was a radio ad for a movie that went something like: . Gleasons Justice is the stereotypical Southern sheriff, as seen in this clip. Im probably in the minority as usual, but I prefer the Black and Gold 50th Anne. So lets explore this car (and truck) heavy flick, all while giving those who have not seen it a glimpse into a movie whose complexity and intellect remains unparalleled within the history of cinema. Although he's into just about any type of vehicle, Ciprian is not your typical car enthusiast. You can see in some shots in the movie that the Bandit Trans Am has 1976 style gold honeycomb wheels instead of the gold snowflake wheels from the 1977, I think at least one of the cars used in filming was a 1976 converted with a 1977 front clip. He had quite a few orders for Coors beer, and when he stopped in Weed, CA, on the way home, he went into the Safeway and asked for twenty-four cases of Coors. Heres how it works. The DVD set meets NTSC standards. I have worked a long time to eradicate the one I had but it still crops up periodically from exposure, like you experienced. In addition to the four Trans Ams, Needham also received two Pontiac LeMans models to serve as patrol cars in the movie. So, for years one, two, and three, he got a shiny new Pontiac. If you somehow managed to miss Smokey and the Bandit in the years between the films 1977 release and now, you should rectify that situation immediately (to be fair, it was released two days after Star Wars, so its understandable if it slipped through the cracks). In 2006, a DVD re-release was issued of Smokey and the Bandit featuring a digitally remastered audio track with 5.1 Dolby-compatible surround sound. The new Hot Pants scene had to quickly be refilmed as a part of a second unit in the San Fernando Valley and was shot at a drive-in restaurant near Hansen Dam named Baby Beef Burgers, which has since been demolished. Put one on and the lady looks like shes not wearing a bra. Stroker Ace is after S&B, 1983, and features the then new for 83 aero Fox Body Thunderbird. I guess the Trans Am proved to have more staying power than the hot 71 Ford in the earlier movie. But would the black and gold T/As be as desirable today without the movie? The dubbed version isnt as bad as the Remastered Blu-ray. Haul my wife and four shelter adoptee mutts in it. Car movies are notorious for being tough on the very vehicles that give them their allure. [12] The area around Helen, Georgia, was used for some locations. Im still trying to get clarification on what a diablo sandwich is though. Jackie Gleason ad libbed a lot of his lines too. After the movie did well, Pontiac gave Burt a free Trans Am to drive for a few years. I also own a 1:18 scale version of the Bandit Trans Am. Since mentioning the Kenworth, it must be noted it was a redecorator of the highest fashion. The most noted change made for network broadcast was the replacing of Buford's often-spoken phrase "sumbitch" (a contraction of "son of a bitch"; usually in reference to the Bandit) with the phrase "scum bum". By the end of June, it had played in major Southern markets, including Charlotte, Atlanta, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Memphis, Dallas, and Oklahoma City, grossing $11.9 million. And theres beer in Texarkana.. And he succeeded as far as the Pontiac Trans Am is concerned. Amazing how a combination of desire and unobtainability can make an ordinary product special. The secrets behind the cars and stunts in 'The Italian Job'. Reynolds replied: We went through 12. The 1977 model wasn't out yet when filming began, so General Motors provided 1976 cars with front clips from the soon-to-be-released 1977 update. There was still a market for bras in the 1970s. Upon showing it to his friend, Reynolds told Needham that it was the worst script he had ever read, but that he would still make the movie. I remember reading somewhere that one of the cars was equipped with a 455 for some of the higher speed scenes. Some fellow classmates were extras on the film set, and it was a big deal around here at the time. It just seems wrong to see that car in any fashion without hearing that song. Every idiot with more money than brains wanted a Trans Am. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. He has no less than four movies listed as coming out, and they run the gamut from romantic drama to family comedy to horror mystery to action thriller. Well, at least that's what you saw in the movie. Pontiac should have made a radio that played that song automatically simply by pushing a button, or maybe made it the horn sound. Well, the Corvettes success is clearly due to Corvette Summer, @Jim I remember that movie! They retained the white steering wheels until 72 or so , just the thing to preveny burned fingers in the Desert sun . Everything You Should Know About The The Trans Am From Smokey And The Bandit, 10 Most Potentially Unreliable Electric Vehicles According To Consumer Reports, 10 Reasons Why It's Time You Should Buy A Bagger, Here's How Solid-State Batteries Will Change EVs Forever. I have only seen pieces of the second and none of the third; I plan to keep it that way. Pontiac gave Needham a total of four cars, three to use in the movie, and one as a promotional vehicle to drive around and advertise Smokey and the Bandit following its release. However, the U.S. government introduced new emission controls in 1972, and automakers had to step back. Weve got a long way to go and a short time to get there If I recall correctly, Firebirds in general (along with Camaros) were selling well prior to 1977, but the Trans Am was not the best-selling one. The cashier never batted an eye as she sold us the mass quantities of suds. The decals were changed to 1977-style units, as evidenced by the engine size callouts on the hood scoop being in liters rather than cubic inches, as had been the case in 1976. Needham and assistant director David Hamburger spent 30 hours revising the shooting schedule.[4]. One of those things that will make my kids think Im crazy some day. After the movie came out, Firebird sales increased even more, but the Trans Am was now the most popular one. NY 10036. Just do a search for Crown Victorias on your local CL. The advertisements lampoon the film and feature a Pontiac Trans Am and a cover version of the song East Bound and Down. I know, Ive owned a 75 for 23 years. She is a runaway bride, sitting on the side of the road in her 1973 Chevrolet Impala coupe. As a publicity stunt, the Trans Ams used in the movie had different decals on the hood scoop. New York, And Coors itself limited its distribution to west of the Mississippi. Film critic Leonard Maltin gave the film a good rating (3 stars out of a possible 4) and characterized it as "about as subtle as The Three Stooges, but a classic compared to the sequels and countless rip-offs which followed". I looked at a Bluesmobile worthy 1977 Plymouth Grand Fury, the big ones, it was an ex Florida Highway Patrol car, but it had a pretty good amount of rust and it was pretty beat. When it was over, I cried and cried and cried because I didnt want it to end. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. [32], After the debut of the film, the Pontiac Trans Am became wildly popular, with sales almost doubling within two years of the film's release. The scene featuring the racetrack was filmed at Lakewood Speedway at the old Lakewood Fairgrounds on Atlanta's south side. Producers of Smokey and the Bandit wrecked 26 cars while filming the movie in 1977. The Trans Am used in the movie was a 1976 model with the front end of a 1977 car. Except for Gleason, the original actors mostly redubbed their lines for the television version. Ive also looked at a Fox based LTD cop car and an early 1991 whale Caprice 9C1 detective model, burgundy on burgundy cloth. Here is the LeMans; Gleason literally drives the wheels off: As an aside, heres a curious bit of trivia. The site's consensus states: "Not much in the head but plenty beneath the hood, Smokey and the Bandit is infectious fun with plenty of car wrecks to keep your eyes glued". [40] Major portions of the audio background have been modified with different engine sounds or tire squeals from the original film. I have at least 4 really good car buddies that will from time to time love popping this movie in to watch. and used hard. Of the many cars saved from the fire was the only surviving Knight Rider KITT Super Pursuit Mode car created by Jay Orberg. The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit is one of the most famous movie cars of all time. Reynolds was the top box office draw from 1975 to 1982, then his movies really started to go downhill. As such, it took a lot of sweet talking by former stuntman Needham for Pontiac to cough up three Trans Ams and three LeManses. "Smokey and the Bandit Pursuit Pack" is formatted as a box set that in presented in full color in widescreen. Good silly fun. (first posted 2/28/2014) The fourth highest grossing film in the United States in 1977 was the Academy Award nominatedSmokey & The Bandit. As I did Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. Naturally, it fetched the highest price with a . The scene where Sheriff Justice's car has the door knocked off by a passing semi-truck was shot on Georgia State Route 75, 3 miles (4.8km) north of Helen. Buford, with Junior along, ignores his jurisdiction and doggedly chases Bandit all the way to Georgia to retrieve Carrie while various mishaps cause his cruiser to disintegrate on the way. Gleason has a treasure trove of hilarious lines and it was this movie that started my love affair of cars back in the early 1980s. During this time, the Firebird also surpassed sales figures of the Chevrolet Camaro. Just like the exaggeration sales went up 700%. I dont know if I ever saw one in real life at the time, although I was pretty young then. Likely this isnt any rare engine venting package, but I could be wrong. While it is doubtful Pontiac sold very many LeMans police packages, if one views this show as realistic, it would seem nearly every county and highway patrol in five states purchased one of Pontiacs heavy duty offerings. Smokey & The Bandit Police Cars. "Buford T. Justice" was the name of a real Florida Highway Patrolman known to Reynolds' father, who was once Police Chief of Riviera Beach, Florida. Jackie Gleasons Buford T. Justice character is a supposedly an amalgamation of a few characters, including the real Buford T. Justicethere is obviously the Dodge safety sheriff from the 1970s ads, Burt Reynolds father was chief of police of Jupiter Florida, and a friend of his fathers, a Florida Highway Patrol officer was actually the REAL Buford T. Justice. It became Reed's signature song and is on multiple albums, including Country Legends and his live album Jerry Reed "Live!" This movie was filmed in Georgia as well. Smokey and the Bandit is a 1977 American road action comedy film starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Pat McCormick, Paul Williams and Mike Henry. The muscle car market reached a peak in the late 1960s, as the car was becoming larger, more powerful, and more aggressive by looks. Both sequels used another Trans Am, not a Cadillac Eldorado, as seen below. Jana, another oddity was that I could go to Carbondale and be asked where down south I was from. Reed also penned and performed the song for the opening credits, entitled "The Legend", which tells of some of the Bandit's escapades before the events of the film, and the ballad "The Bandit", which is in several versions in the movie and on the soundtrack. The film's theme song, "East Bound and Down", was written virtually overnight by Reed. This reminds me of the classic introduction (actually written by Dick Cavett) said by Jack Paar on The Tonight Show: I was 3 years old when the original came out, and do not remember any of these details but, supposedly this was the first movie my parents ever took me to. The movie had an even bigger impact on the Trans Am. Free shipping for many products! Behind Sheriff Justices Pontiac, there is a nice looking 1965 or 1966 Ford Mustang fastback and a Toyota pickup. Rockford Files also featured Firebird, and was on since 1974, and Fs sold well despite gas crunch I and inflation. In the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit, a high-speed chase ensues between the police and the Bandit (Burt Reynolds). Gas was a buck a gallon at the time so fuel economy wasnt a major issue. I drive a conversion van. Back in 1984, I went to look at a late 1970s Plymouth cop car as well. There has never been anything quite like late 1970s fashion in clothing. [30] Upon meeting Reynolds, Billy Bob Thornton told him that the South considers the film to be less cinema and more documentary. I started cruising through EBay and the next thing I knew I won the auction for a clean 400/4 speed/T-Top 78 Trans Am. A segment of the CMT program Reel Eats used a sloppy joe-style recipe consisting of seasoned ground beef, corn, and sour cream. That is an excellent question. [6] It would become one of Reed's biggest hits and his signature song.[7]. Jesus, did you just call Carmine a car novice? S&B is one of my all-time favorite movies and Im not apologizing. January 24, 2019 100 comments. Id like to hear from Mr. Needham why so many of those police cars had what look like shaker hood scoops. Before Gleason was cast in the film, Richard Boone was originally considered for the role of Buford T. Always loved this movie growing up. Out of four Trans Ams used for the filming of Smokey And The Bandit, three were completely totaled in the process. Burt Reynolds plays truck driver Bo Bandit Darville. HotCars covers all things automotive: the latest auto news and informative reviews on the car, pickup truck and motorcycle industries. Depends upon what he converted it from. [31] Smokey and the Bandit was released in the United Kingdom on August 28 and was a success there, garnering positive reviews. When Smokey and the Bandit first aired on American network television in the early 1980s, censors were faced with the challenge of toning down the raw language of the original film. Needham stated that by the end of production, there really wasnt much left of any of the three. Jane Russell hawked bras on television for full-figured gals like her, a line that evoked snickers among my high-school classmates. I certainly hope the guy hired to drive that 74 Ford Torino wagon was paid well for his work. The updated version of the film features sound inaccurate for what would be produced by the Trans Am or the numerous other Pontiac vehicles in the film. About two seconds after this picture was taken, these motorcycles were doing their best imitation of a stack of pancakes. [18] A 1974 Time magazine article explains that Coors was so coveted for its lack of stabilizers and preservatives, and Coors Banquet Beer had a brief renaissance. According to Wikipedia, the second movie was able to get away with destroying an INSANE number of brand-new Pontiac LeMans police cars because Pontiac had them sitting around in the southwest region, having been sent to a rental fleet in Phoenix without a/c. However, as our heroes were successful in delivering their truckload of Coors, the writers effectively poised themselves for a sequel. Sales almost doubled in two years, which is a very big deal given that the Trans Ams 1978 facelift was rather minor save for the front fascia.
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