A Detailed Look At The Pontiac Trans Am From Smokey And The Bandit (2024)

Following its release in 1977, Hal Needham’s Smokey and the Bandit became a fan favorite, eventually grossing an impressive $300 million at the box office. It wasn’t just Burt Reynolds and Sally Field that made this possible, though, with a little help coming by way of four wheels, too. Namely, a black and gold Pontiac Trans Am — a car that went on to be idolized by everyone from teenagers to dads across America.

The story went that a wealthy Texan, Big Enos Burdette, and his son, Little Enos Burdette, wanted to drink Coors at the Southern Classic truck rally in Atlanta. The problem was, however, that it was illegal to sell Coors east of the Mississippi River without a permit.

That’s where Bo “Bandit” Darville and Cledus “Snowman” Snow came in — played by Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed, respectively — who were two bootleggers up for the challenge of transporting 400 cases from Texarkana to Atlanta. This, of course, wasn’t without its risks, and the two needed some muscle to help them along the way.

The Pontiac Trans Am, with its head-turning looks and speed capabilities — or so it appeared on-screen, anyway, but we’ll get to that later — was provided to the duo to distract law enforcement and divert attention away from the illegal cargo.

On the second leg of the run, Bandit is stopped by a woman fleeing from her wedding — Carrie, played by Sally Field — which makes him a target of Sheriff Buford T. Justice, the father of the man due to be married. The results are a series of high-speed chases, crashes, and gravity-defying stunts. We give you a detailed insight into this iconic movie car and the star's current whereabouts of this Pontiac now.

Updated August 2022: We have updated this article on the iconic Trans Am from the hit movie - "Smokey And The Bandit", and give you insight into where it is right now.

Related: Here's Where To Find Burt Reynolds' Iconic 'Hooper' Pontiac Trans Am

Background History Of The Pontiac Trans Am

When it comes to classic cars, the Pontiac Firebird holds a well-deserved place in the hall of fame. More specifically, though, it’s the Trans Am model that really takes the spot. The variant was first offered in 1969, designed as a performance package to take the somewhat-conservative pony car and dial things up a few notches.

And up a few notches, it went, with the power increased and handling improved dramatically. Despite this, however, the car was quite slow to take off initially, and it wasn’t until a little Hollywood help and clever marketing that things really began to go up for Pontiac. Enter the second generation of the Trans Am and the model under the spotlight here.

The car ran from 1970 to 1981, with a choice of four engines, three transmissions, and two different front ends being released during this time. The car was a huge hit, especially after Smokey and the Bandit was released, with the sales of facelift models up by 25,000 and 48,000 in 1978 and ’79, respectively.

Interestingly, the Trans Ams used in Smokey and the Bandit were actually pre-facelift, 1976 versions, with the front, ends switched out for the 1977 models. The result was quad headlights — instead of the previous two — a central hood scoop and, of course, the slant-nosed front. If you prefer yours even bolder, though, then take a look at these Pontiacs that are modified to perfection.

What Made The One Used In The Film So Special

Okay, so the subheading here is somewhat misleading, as there were in fact four Trans Ams used in the film. Three out of the four cars were totaled during filming, which is unsurprising given the torture Bandit put the Trans Am through jumps, crashes, and driving through rivers.

They were all identical, though, each one as aggressive-looking as the next thanks to the T-top, hood scoop, and iconic “Screaming Chicken” decal — a logo that went on to be one of the most recognized car emblems in the world.

The result has made the car extremely sought after amongst enthusiasts, so much so, in fact, that a replica version — formerly part of Burt Reynolds’ personal collection — was sold at auction in 2019 for a staggering $317,500.

RELATED: 14 Little-Known Facts About The Smokey And The Bandit Trans-Am

Performance Figures Weren't The Highlight Here

The power, however, wasn’t quite as impressive as the looks. But did that matter? Definitely not. A bit of camera trickery, clever alterations, and Bandit’s driving skills meant the Trans Am was idolized regardless of what was under the hood.

The 6.6-liter sticker on the bonnet, for example, was actually a nod to models from 1969 — which had in excess of 304 hp, prior to emissions regulations — to make the Trans Am seem more powerful than it was. The engine, which was actually delegated by its cubic inch size, was a 455 cu-in 8-cylinder putting out 203 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque.

It wasn’t going to set any land speed records, but it certainly didn’t stop the Bandit. If you prefer yours with a little more brawn under the bonnet, then fear not, as there are modded versions of the Trans Am that have the power the car deserved from the factory.

Where Is The Pontiac Trans Am From Smokey And The Bandit Now

The movie star yet again changed owners in 2022. And this time the famed Pontiac Trans Am from Smokey And The Bandit sold for a whopping $495,000 at Scottsdale 2022 auction, breaking its previous record by a chunky margin. It was apparently bought by Gene Kennedy (a friend of Kennedy's), owner of Bandit Movie Cars which is located in Palmetto.

Sources: Pontiac, General Motors, Julien's Auction, Barrett Jackson