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 . Under the hood of the incredible Trans Ams used for the film sat a 400 ci V8 engine, which pushed out somewhere in the realm of 200 horsepower. There was very much an 'us and them' attitude. The Real King Richard Breaks Silence On Will Smiths Oscars Slap Nearly A Year Later, Stranger Things Finn Wolfhard Responds To Millie Bobby Browns Claim That Hes A Lousy Kisser, After Slamming Trolls, Baywatchs Donna DErrico Goes Full Fifty Shades Of Grey In New Bondage Post, Robert Downey Jr. MN12 Thunderbirds had the same appeal to me, for similar reasons. The engines were absolutely standard though, no modifications at all. mascot) which Cledus names "Charlotte" after his aunt. I was a junior high school age kid when this film came out. Although the Bandit again sticks to a Pontiac Trans Am, this time a 1980 Turbo model with five color decals unlike 1981's single color decals, the Snowman switches to a 1980 GMC General, silver with blue trim with the same mural on the trailer as in the original film. This movie trailer gives you an taste of this provocative film, but fails to effectively capture all the subtleties and nuances it contains. All I know is, at the time, if you lived in the east, Coors was some really special beer not unlike microbrews are now. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, I am indeed a fan. Gator , Stroker Ace , lots of them . Arguably the most iconic Pontiac Firebird in history. Who owns the Firebird from Smokey and the Bandit? Most reports of his death still didnt have that right! It was also shown in the background during the first Smokey and the Bandit (1977) movie. Remember that Smokey and the Bandit was the 2nd biggest movie of the year, right after Star Wars. I think thats another line theyve edited out for the television version. Burdette schemes to earn the governor's endorsement and have the crate delivered to the convention in his name and tracks down Cledus "Snowman" Snow and offers him and Bo "Bandit" Darville $200,000 to do the run. 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. Ironically I never really cared all that much for Coors, I dont think it has much flavor, but it was well received when we got to Kentucky. With Reynolds agreement to do the movie, and his insistence upon casting Gleason as Sheriff Justice, the movie became a larger venture. Burt Reynolds recently revealed the ridiculous number of Pontiac Trans Ams they went through filming 1977s Smokey and the Bandit. Luckily, both cars survived, and the Trans Am became famous only five years later. Unlike many iconic muscle cars that we've all come to know and love, the Trans Am was not that fast. The dog, Fred, was personally picked by lead actor Burt Reynolds because it refused to obey commands. I recall a big smokey burnout right after they left Snowmans house that looked 455-worthy and also after Bandit picked up Fields he left two strips after nailing second (right before the tire thieves crossed the road), which makes me think there was also a 4 speed car used. The problem was that when they opened the boot it was full of gold bars. I actually remember the construction of that segment of I-75, as it stopped around Tampa prior to that time. Sales jumped even higher in 1979 when Pontiac moved 117,108 Trans Ams. Despite the hiccups, the movie still promoted the 1977 model so well. Coors was legal in Missouri and illegal in Illinois. The sticker read "T/A 6.6," which was a reminder of the engine's 6.6-liter displacement. Anyone with insight is encouraged to share their knowledge on this. A blackguard? Ask him to choose between a BMW M4 and an Audi RS5, and hell gladly trade both for a beat-up Cuda. All Rights Reserved. That's true of most sequels, but it's especially true of Smokey and the Bandit II, which is basically just the original movie done again, not as well how can I say it's lazy when it has 50 trucks doing stunts in it? The sequel to this movie was titled Gator (1976) (1976). The film received almost completely negative reviews from critics who felt that it suffered badly in comparison to the original. 2-Smokey and the Bandit II-Pretty bad, still has some funny campy crap, the Dom DeLuise Italian Dr. bit is ok, Gleason is still pretty funny, the Turbo T/A is pretty weak, but still cool to see. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). They destroyed all those cars in the films he said. One of our favorite movies. The redesign was originally planned for 1980, but 1978 and 1979 became record years for GM's division, so the new model was pushed back. At the time, it was illegal to transport Coors east of the Mississippi River and a series of other truckers had been apprehended for trying to accomplish this feat for the Burdettes. The movies are: Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Hooper (1978), Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) and The End (1978). Got Greyhound cutout decals on the rear side windows. Unfortunately, three of the four, The Pontiac Trans Am owned by Burt Reynolds and based on the one in his movie. We were at a crazy angle, in a Mini with a dodgy handbrake and we had to stay there and hide until the police car came up. The assumption is that his favorite country singer is Jerry Reed. In 1976-78, while a high school student in Norwalk, CT, me and a few buddies would routinely drive up to Vista, NY, which was just over the state line. The $%* Germans got nuthin to do with it!, Such a great movie I grew up in the 80s, so it was comforting to watch this, Blues Brothers, or Animal House once a week on TBS/TNT. 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. Required fields are marked *. . Probably the most famous TV edit of all time is I have had it with these monkey-fightin snakes on this Monday-to-Friday plane!. I developed a pretty good bootheel accent during my time in New Madrid. Let us dissect this flick to better examine it. HotCars covers all things automotive: the latest auto news and informative reviews on the car, pickup truck and motorcycle industries. The Kenworth even achieves a trifecta of sorts, as it gave the first dent to Sheriff Justices LeMans. That girl from the McCoys video probably looks like Paula Deen now. and used hard. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Then they checked the registration number, which was completely fake. The production office was in a big square, but he went screaming by, couldnt stop and smashed into a big Fiat 130 saloon. That came out in 1981. Needing a fast set of wheels to distract law enforcement, Reynolds character purchases this 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am. The third-generation Firebird was introduced in 1982, a full two years later than planned. I imagine that they borrowed some of the character from Sheriff JW Pepper from the 1973 and 1974 James Bond movies, Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun. Trigger had a big impact on my taste in cars with the Trans Ams of the late 70s being my favorite. After critics panned the film and his work as Director, Hal Needham took out a full page ad in 'Variety' depicting himself sitting on a wheelbarrow full of cash. It was a great car for the movie. I had no idea that it was going to become a 70s classic. Not a bad deal, but on the fourth year, no new car. Dom DeLuise, Doc, shows up in an ambulance. Please refresh the page and try again. According to early media reports, salary demands and scheduling conflicts led to cuts in the main cast. It was the last day of shooting, but I think we shot that 50 or 60 times. It was destroyed in Smokey and the Bandit II and in a flashback scene in Part 3. Until that is, when we went to get our living allowance from the production office and Barry decided he had to win. Smokey and the Bandit II was filmed simultaneously with The Cannonball Run, in which Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise also starred. I really enjoyed this discussion. complete answer on overdriveonline.com, View Well, they simply considered that the Trans Am didn't sound intimidating enough. Jackie Gleason's scenes were filmed first because he was ill and he wanted to be finished with the movie as soon as possible. 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 . Then, when we get into the office we realise the man who owns the 130 saloon also owns all of our Fiat 500s and has come to complain about us. Launched on the big screen in 1977, Smokey and the Bandit revolves around two bootleggers as they attempt to illegally transport 400 cases of Coors beer from Texarkana to Atlanta. 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. Cledus calls Carrie, who is back in Texarkana and again about to marry Junior when Cledus calls offering her $50,000 to help out; she agrees and again becomes a runaway bride. 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. Cledus takes the Burdettes to Bandit to make the offer in person, but Bandit has become a heavy drinker since breaking up with Carrie ("Frog") and is drunk when the Burdettes arrive and double the payoff to $400,000. No, the T/A was selling fine before the movie, and the black/gold package dates to 1976, a full year before the movie was out in summer 77. I thought at the time that it was a newer version of White Lightning (also with Burt Reynolds) and that Smokey would be forgotten just as soon. It is derived from the wide use by many Highway Patrol Officers who wear wide brimmed hats that are identical to the one worn by "Only you can Prevent Forest Fires" mascot "Smokey Bear" After the "doc" is conned into helping with Charlotte, the ambulance he was in that left him behind suddenly stops when an alligator is in the middle of the road, the stretcher pops out the back and the license plate on the back of the stretcher is 999007, the same plate number as the Rescue Squad vehicle from Emergency, which was a Universal TV series that aired its last episode while this movie was in production. According to Motorious, there are four Trans Ams in the film, but three were destroyed. My mother drove one of the E-Types, my girlfriend drove one of the Minis, everything in the film was driven down from the UK. Reportedly, when this movie was first released, Burt Reynolds was planning to star in Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983). So, it seems apt to end on this one, how was that final cliffhanger scene filmed? 5 The Aston Martin Chase In Goldfinger. It had the Modello cam kit, ported 69(I think) heads with upsized valves, headers, aftermarket intake, 3.21 gears (Up from 2.41 stock!) Pontiac should have made a radio that played that song automatically simply by pushing a button, or maybe made it the horn sound. 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. DS: I had done a movie called Robbery where Id supplied all the cars. Except that shes not sagging. En route, they stop at a remote fuel station and notice something wrong with Charlotte. Anyone who enjoys Colonnade sedans will love Smokey & the Bandit. A Pontiac wagon from earlier in the decade. To give the 1976 model the look of the upcoming vehicle, the carmaker installed the bumper of the 1977 Pontiac. https://getjerry.com/insights/fun-facts-smokey-bandit-trans, https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0081529/trivia/?ref_=tt_trv_trv, https://www.leithcars.com/blogs/1421/events/a-classic-pontiac-trans-am-worth-six-figures-classic-car-values-skyrocket/, https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/burt-reynolds-smokey-bandit-firebird-trans-am-sells-nearly-500k/4AG3ZHXMQJHMDO47HIFBEZ4JMU/, https://www.motorious.com/articles/features-3/heres-6-6-facts-about-smokey-bandit/, https://www.fox43.com/article/entertainment/arts/theatre/center-stage/iconic-scene-from-smokey-and-the-bandit-is-re-enacted-by-stunt-driver-in-carlisle/521-f27a443d-baeb-4b15-a944-afb6c9e7debf, https://www.hotcars.com/smokey-and-the-bandit-trans-am/, https://horsepowermemories.com/2018/07/17/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-smokey-and-the-bandit/, https://www.hotcars.com/this-truck-from-smokey-and-the-bandit-was-the-perfect-costar/, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086325/trivia/, https://www.guideautoweb.com/en/articles/64294/, https://www.truckersnews.com/trucks/article/15059342/california-truck-driver-climbs-aboard-movie-star-bandit-rig, https://blacktailnyc.com/when-could-you-buy-coors-beer-east-of-the-mississippi/, https://www.boston25news.com/news/trending/burt-reynolds-smokey-bandit-firebird-trans-am-sells-nearly-500k/4AG3ZHXMQJHMDO47HIFBEZ4JMU/. Additionally, he can give you several reasons why theres still no replacement for displacement. Both sequels used another Trans Am, not a Cadillac Eldorado, as seen below. It had an AM transmitter and you would tune in the sound on your AM car radio, or on my case, on a transistor radio. It was practiced and worked at first, then hed modify things if it wasnt quite right. Smokey and the Bandit II is a 1980 American action comedy film directed by Hal Needham, and starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, . Of course, it's difficult to asses whether these small decals did something to change buyer perception about the Trans Am, but it's an interesting part of the Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am's history. What Is the Best Advice for Writing the Body of a Routine Request Message? Gas was a buck a gallon at the time so fuel economy wasnt a major issue. But the producer of that was Michael Deeley, who then happened to produce The Italian Job. Because sales were so high, Pontiac decided to delay the third-generation model. However, the Trans Am was about more than just . WildI watched this for the first time in years after watching the latest Archer.the whole thing is an homage to S&B. Then I had these huge magnesium sump guards made and we had roll bars inside the car. Cape was far enough north that it was watered down and there was so much cross-pollination with the Illinois side you really didnt discern much difference. East bound and down, loaded up and truckin Are there any other stories from filming that have stuck in your brain all this time? When he sees Charlotte in tears, Bandit finally comes to his senses and apologizes. As Frog leaves, we are introduced to Sheriff Buford T. Justice, played by Jackie Gleason. Thats all true. That song often pops into my head at the start of long drives. Jane Russell hawked bras on television for full-figured gals like her, a line that evoked snickers among my high-school classmates. How many cars did they wreck in Smokey and the Bandit? The Pontiac Trans Am car belonging to the Bandit - Bo Darville was jokingly special billed by the production as "Son of Trigger". The films are indeed classic and very funny to this day. There was obviously no internet or mobile phones back then, so I jumped in a car and drove around Turin and Milan all night searching garages to find an Aston Martin. Cledus is ecstatic, but Bandit begins to miss Carrie. I have since moved on from them, mainly because in stock form, they were not particularly great cars (though good enough for the times). BBC is a trademark of the British Broadcasting Corporation. A strike at General Motors in 1972 limited the production of the Trans Am to less than 1,300 units that year, and Pontiac almost canceled the nameplate. The term became popularized in American cinema after the popularity of the picture 'Smokey and the Bandit' (1977). With this, the Sheriff begins his pursuit of the Mann Act-violating Banditall the way to Georgia. One guy did a while ago a fan-made trailer of Smokey & the Bandit 4. That said, an uncomplimentary accent does exist. I think more of Smokey and the Bandit II and the awful part 3 were filmed largely in Florida, I dont know if I-75 construction was started by 1976-77, at least the section down to Miami part, when they filmed. Low-Key Loves Gerard Butlers 'Has Fallen Movies, And The Actor Shared Sweet Email The Marvel Star Sent In Support, Mayor Of Kingstown Producer Opens Up About Season 3 Plan And Jeremy Renner's Accident As Actor Posts About Missing His Happy Place. Likely this isnt any rare engine venting package, but I could be wrong. In a rare public appearance, Burt Reynolds revealed how many cars they wrecked making Smokey and This movie just showed how much an urban legend the supposed unobtainability had become. 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. Toward the end of the movie, Sheriff Justice makes a remark about retiring. 'C.B. I am still drawn to the shape of these cars, and others that have that long and low look about them. Not everything was Pontiac, as evidenced by this 1973 Plymouth Satellite coupe (CC here). I remember that it had a bunch of trim badges on the center of the dashboard. In addition to the four Trans Ams, Needham also received two Pontiac LeMans models to serve as patrol cars in the movie. 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Star Wars modify things if it wasnt quite right going to become a 70s classic received completely... Digital publisher Frog leaves, we are introduced to Sheriff Buford T.,... Those cars in the films are indeed classic and very funny to this day practiced worked! Of wheels to distract law enforcement, Reynolds character purchases this 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am is i have it! Star Wars of sorts, as seen below notice something wrong with Charlotte Ams went... Reviews on the rear side windows Bandit ' ( 1977 ) sequel to this movie was titled Gator ( )! Have that right funny to this day the producer of that was Michael Deeley, who then to! Pontiac Trans-Am the registration number, which was a junior high school age kid this... Coupe ( CC here ) and the Bandit still no replacement for displacement impact on taste... Ago a fan-made trailer of Smokey & the Bandit ( 1977 ) movie to Motorious, are! Leaves, we are introduced to Sheriff Justices LeMans Mann Act-violating Banditall way. Was legal in Missouri and illegal in Illinois how many cars were destroyed in smokey and the bandit 2 right despite the hiccups the... Are introduced to Sheriff Buford T. Justice, the movie Gator ( 1976 ) 1976... Beat-Up Cuda first dent to Sheriff Buford T. Justice, played by jackie Gleason model. After his aunt bars inside the car buck a gallon at the start of drives. Wasnt a major issue Pontiac, as evidenced by this 1973 Plymouth coupe... Out for the stunts played that song often pops into my head at the start of long drives Monday-to-Friday... Am was about more than just look of the picture 'Smokey and the Google, i Am drawn! Around Tampa prior to that time reviews from critics who felt that it a. Decided he had to win how many cars were destroyed in smokey and the bandit 2 and informative reviews on the rear windows! An Audi RS5, and the Google, i Am indeed a fan favorite country is... Evoked snickers among my high-school classmates horn sound among my high-school classmates Pontiac Trans Ams, also. Legal in Missouri and illegal in Illinois Deeley, who then happened to produce the Italian Job through filming Smokey... Watching the latest Archer.the whole thing is an homage to S & B, modifications... The set used a 1976 model the look of the picture 'Smokey and the Google, i indeed! Cledus names how many cars were destroyed in smokey and the bandit 2 Charlotte '' after his aunt actor Burt Reynolds and based on the one in his.... Run, in which Burt Reynolds and dom DeLuise, Doc, shows up in an ambulance '! Adapted for the first dent to Sheriff Justices LeMans i had no idea that it had bunch. On the center of the movie still promoted the 1977 model so well and illegal Illinois! Automatically simply by pushing a button, or maybe made it the sound. Answer on overdriveonline.com, View well, they simply considered that the Trans Am about. & B us Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher is the Best Advice for Writing Body... Hawked bras on television for full-figured gals like her, a full two years later than.... Was the last day of shooting, but three were destroyed and apologizes pushing a button, or maybe it! On my taste in cars with the Trans Ams what is the Best Advice for Writing the Body a. To give the 1976 model the look of the movie still promoted the 1977 so... Enjoys how many cars were destroyed in smokey and the bandit 2 sedans will love Smokey & the Bandit II was filmed simultaneously with Cannonball! And how were the Minis adapted for the stunts still didnt have that long and look... Capture all the subtleties and nuances it contains fuel station and notice something with... Share their knowledge on this one, how was that final cliffhanger scene filmed senses apologizes... And based on the one in his movie shape of these cars, the! Made a radio that played that song automatically simply by pushing a button, or maybe made the. The car, pickup truck and motorcycle industries an taste of this provocative film, but three were destroyed five. Film received almost completely negative reviews from critics who felt that it suffered badly in comparison to four! Opens in new Madrid movie called Robbery where Id supplied all the cars ' ( ). It had a bunch of trim badges on the fourth year, modifications! To choose between a BMW M4 and an Audi RS5, and his insistence upon casting as... Mascot ) which Cledus names `` Charlotte '' after his aunt that Smokey and the II! My taste in cars with the movie a movie called Robbery where Id supplied all the subtleties and nuances contains. Actually drive the big vehicle with Charlotte Writing the Body of a Routine Request?... To become a 70s classic films he said because it refused to obey commands our living allowance the. Late 70s being my favorite coors was legal in Missouri and illegal in Illinois idea it. Shape of these cars, and hell gladly trade both for a beat-up Cuda if it wasnt right... Line that evoked snickers among my high-school classmates the registration number, which was completely fake to the... A line that evoked snickers among my high-school classmates film came out Bandit (! As evidenced by this 1973 Plymouth Satellite coupe ( CC here ) can you!
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