and used hard. S&TB was filmed primarily off Route 400 in Georgia. A 1977 special-edition model once owned by the late actor Burt Reynolds recently wound up on the car auction website Bring a Trailer. In return, Reynolds portrayed Boss Hogg (originally portrayed by Sorrell Booke) in the film adaptation The Dukes of Hazzard (2005). Two of the most high-octane films of 2015, Mad Max: Fury Road and Furious 7, each burned through hundreds (Furious 7 alone destroyed a reported 230 cars), but theyre far from the first to do so. The Burdettes' car is a 1974 Cadillac Eldorado convertible painted in a "Candy Red" color scheme and is seen briefly at the beginning of the movie and in the final scene as the Bandit, the Snowman, Fred the dog, and Frog use it to make their escape. 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. Put one on and the lady looks like shes not wearing a bra. The tow truck driver was a local garage owner, Berlin Wike. 12 A Total Of 3 Trans Ams Were Destroyed During Filming. Gator , Stroker Ace , lots of them . His expletive is obscured when a passing big rig sounds its horn. I did help a friend rebuild a late 60s 400 to replace the anemic 301 in his 79, Trans Am. Back in 1984, I went to look at a late 1970s Plymouth cop car as well. When Smokey & The Bandit first aired on television in the early 1980s, the Gleason phrase "sum bitch"-a regional butchering of "son of a bitch"-had to be dubbed out. The 1977 Firebird Trans Am once owned by Burt Reynolds was sold at auction Saturday for $495,000 at a sale held by Barrett-Jackson. I will confess that by the time this movie was out, I was a Mopar guy. I think you may be confusing the movie Honky-Tonk Freeway with the filming done during I-75 construction near Sarasota. Musicians such as Beegie Adair and George Tidwell[20] played on the soundtrack. I loved the fact that Jackie Gleasons brown Lemans had a blue vinyl interior and it even had the luxury cushion steering wheel! S/E T/A with the round headlights. Its weird how it works. Smokey and the Bandit star Burt Reynolds passed away in 2018 . 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. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. [11] The movie was primarily filmed in Georgia, in the cities of McDonough, Jonesboro, and Lithonia. A guy we knew drove his half-ton pickup from western WA to his reserve 2-week stint in his home state in California. Smokey and the Bandit was all realistic and non fictional, and it still was a big hit that brought a lot of money to Hal Needham and the actors, to pay Pontiac back. With Reynolds' salary at $1 million, Needham was left with only $3.3 million to make the film. 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. Likely this isnt any rare engine venting package, but I could be wrong. Thanks for this, Jason. Dodge pitchman Sheriff Joe Higgins. While Sheriff Justice doesnt deal well with the pressures of high speed pursuit, as seen above, his Pontiac LeMans (CC here) withstands the most abuse of any car in this entire movie. In fact, after Smokey and the Bandit became a box office hit, Pontiac saw a marked increase in their stock prices. [36] Another proposal, based more closely on images from the film and the shooting location of the scene (at an Old Hickory House restaurant in Georgia), is pulled pork and hot sauce on a hamburger bun. via iconic premier. [35], The "diablo sandwich" ordered by Sheriff Justice in the Arkansas barbecue restaurant scene has entered popular culture as a minor reference to the film. Although he's into just about any type of vehicle, Ciprian is not your typical car enthusiast. Always a favorite. [24] With an original budget of $5.3 million (cut to $4.3 million two days before initial production),[4] the film eventually grossed $126,737,428 in North America,[25] making it the second-highest-grossing movie of 1977 (only Star Wars earned more, with $221.3 million). Lets take a look at some more cars found in the movie. 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. By the film's ending, the final surviving Trans Am and LeMans were both barely running and the other cars had become parts donors to keep them running. Burt Reynolds is originally a Georgia boy. 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. The film was a sleeper hit, and following a poor initial performance, it went on to gross $126.7 million in North America, versus a budget of only $4.3 million. HotCars covers all things automotive: the latest auto news and informative reviews on the car, pickup truck and motorcycle industries. I only got one of them LOL. When it is finally torn off along with the car's roof in the impact with the girder, the missing fender still reappears later on in the film. Tragically, every Trans Am used in filming was destroyed. J.J. & The Dixie Dance Kings was a milder one that had (I think) a 56 Buick Century . However, the U.S. government introduced new emission controls in 1972, and automakers had to step back. A 1975 Pontiac Grand Prix with a Buick Electra behind it. February 27, 2023 . Hes fodder enough for his own article at some point. Anyone with insight is encouraged to share their knowledge on this. 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. Apparently the engine sounds were lifted from another movie, I think two lane blacktop? The hood scoop on these cars says "6.6 LITRE", which, in 1977, would have denoted an Oldsmobile 403-equipped car or a non-W-72, 180 hp version of the 400 Pontiac engine. 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. As such, it took a lot of sweet talking by former stuntman Needham for Pontiac to cough up three Trans Ams and three LeManses. But would the black and gold T/As be as desirable today without the movie? Theres really nothing like an old cop car. Some of the more recent DVD releases of it redid all of the engine sounds and it sounds much more mellow than the original(not happy about that). The area around Helen, Georgia, was used for some locations. . [28] However, this is inaccurate; within seconds of Bandit picking her up, Frog tells him "there is a wedding in search of a bride" and goes on to explain her ill-advised romance with Junior, as the Bandit holds up the CB mic for the Snowman to hear. The scene featuring the racetrack was filmed at Lakewood Speedway at the old Lakewood Fairgrounds on Atlanta's south side. One time a friend and I drove back to Kentucky on leave rather than flying; no particular reason, we had plenty of time and wanted to see some of the country. 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. How did any bra manufacturers survive the 70s? I distinctly remember my mother buying Coors and being asked if she lived in Missouri or Illinois by the cashier. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1980 ERTL SMOKEY & THE BANDIT PONTIAC FIREBIRD DIECAST CAR police car set at the best online prices at eBay! The film was followed by two sequels: Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) and Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983). Reynolds and Needham owned the Skoal Bandit team at the time, so getting these other drivers to appear probably would not taken much more than a six pack of beer and a hug from co-star Loni Anderson . They find local legend Bo "Bandit" Darville at a roadeo at Lakewood Fairgrounds and offer him US$80,000 (equivalent to $357,738 in 2021) to haul 400 cases of Coors from Texarkana (the closest place it could be legally sold at that time) to Atlanta in 28 hours. 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. While the initial concern was it having a regional appeal, it would ultimately play as well in New York City and Chicago as it did Atlanta, Georgia, or Biloxi, Mississippi. These were the cans with the two circular push buttons on top instead of pull tabs. Just like the exaggeration sales went up 700%. I am pretty sure it was filmed in Florida, when I-75 was under construction so they could use the highways while empty. Nuts about any form of classic motorsport and muscle cars, Ciprian's currently working on a time machine that would take him back to the 1960s for a long vacation alongside Dan Gurney and Jim Hall. That's because Pontiac almost canceled the Firebird in the early 1970s. I still regret selling mine almost 30 years ago. This same restaurant was used for a scene in the 1983 Stephen King Movie Christine, which was ultimately cut in the final film (it can be viewed as a deleted scene on the DVD release of the film). On the DVD, there is a brief interview with both Burt Reynolds and Hal Needham, who directed this film. Funny that T/A isnt on the movie poster, considering it was the obvious star of the show. Three Kenworth W900A short-frame semi trucks, driven by Reed, were each equipped with 38-inch sleepers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Your email address will not be published. [4] Reynolds said in 2015 that he most enjoyed this film, and had the most fun making it, of his career.[26]. Producer Hal Needham intended Smokey and the Bandit to be one of the best product placement films of all time. An effort to recreate a jump from Smokey and the Bandit doesn't go perfectly when the car takes a rough course off the ramp. Of course, nobody else cared if it was in the trunk of the car when heading back home. For Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), Needham asked for and received 10 Trans Ams and 55 Bonnevilles with no trouble. While watching the movie (yes, I did have to diligently research this article), one shot seemed to indicate this may be a dummy scoop. All I know is, at the time, if you lived in the east, Coors was some really special beer not unlike microbrews are now. A dastardly scoundrel? The theatrical release has a few lines deleted, including an edit in which Sheriff Justice tells a state trooper to "fuck off" after the sheriff called his vehicle "a piece of crap". Bandit attracts more police attention across Dixie as Snowman barrels on toward Atlanta with the contraband beer, but they are helped en route by many colorful characters via CB radio. The films are indeed classic and very funny to this day. 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. Sally Field and Burt Reynolds began a relationship after meeting on set. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. That said, an uncomplimentary accent does exist. The story replaced the Coors beer with Mobil 1 products. No more needs to be said. Lets take a look. In my area, nearly every one listed is an ex cop car. I guess the Trans Am proved to have more staying power than the hot 71 Ford in the earlier movie. Id been driving for years by the time I was 15, so I just wanted to complete the course with as little static as possible. Gleason probably wanted too much money to provide the dubbing, which is a shame because it ruins the TV version. He obtained the attention of studios and aimed the film at a more mainstream release after his friend Reynolds read the script and agreed to portray the Bandit, with Reed now portraying the Bandit's friend the Snowman. The scene where Sheriff Justice's car has the door knocked off by a passing . From living there for my first two decades, I noticed the accent didnt get going good until around Sikeston (not Saxton as it would seem) and it progressed as you went deeper into the Bootheel. 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. In the movie . I also own a Etrl replica of the Pontiac Bonneville Buford T. Justice drove in Smokey and The Bandit II. According to director Hal Needham in the DVD documentary, Pontiac gave them three Trans-Ams and two LeMans (Sheriff Justice's patrol car) for the film. 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]. 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. Needing a fast set of wheels to distract law enforcement, Reynolds character purchases this 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am. The scoops were added by the department because the engines ran so hot. Bill Justis is the first name on the credits for the soundtrack, as he composed and arranged original music throughout the film. Because of the popularity of the film and the sales success of the Trans Am, the president of Pontiac Alex Mair promised to supply Reynolds with a Trans Am each year. For Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), Needham asked for and received 10 Trans Ams and 55 Bonnevilles with no trouble. The third film which had no involvement from either Hal Needham or Sally Field and contained only a short cameo appearance by Burt Reynolds revolved entirely around Jackie Gleason's character, was panned by critics, and was a box office bomb, earning only $7 million against a $9 million budget.[41][42][43]. Hal Needham did pass away as someone earlier said. In addition to the four Trans Ams, Needham also received two Pontiac LeMans models to serve as patrol cars in the movie. I am indeed a fan. Nah, they survived by coming up with bras with very thin cups. I beg to differ Mr -Nate. When Im driving the Bandit Trans Am while playing one of my many Forza Motorsport games I always put that song on. Earlier DVD releases and the 40th Anniversary Blu-ray of the film have the original soundtrack intact. It was destroyed in Smokey and the Bandit II and in a flashback scene in Part 3. Yet when I think of a 70s T/A, thats the one I and Im sure millions of other folks think of. The cars were 1976 models, the engines fitted to them were 455ci powerplants, the last year these engines were offered for sale before withdrawal. I really enjoyed this discussion. Three actors from the main cast of The Dukes of Hazzard appear in small uncredited roles in Smokey and the Bandit: Ben Jones, John Schneider, and Sonny Shroyer (who played a police officer in both). Stroker Ace is after S&B, 1983, and features the then new for 83 aero Fox Body Thunderbird. As luck and script writing would have it, Frog has left her groom at the altar. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). The three movie cars were destroyed during various stunts, so the promo car is the only surviving Trans Am connected to this film. Smokey and the Bandit was the second highest-grossing domestic film of 1977 in the United States. His father was also the inspiration for the word "sumbitch" used in the film, a variation of the phrase "son-of-a-bitch" that, according to Reynolds, he uttered quite often. How many police cars were wrecked in Smokey and the Bandit? Watching TV and Movies you would think that sales dropped to nil. It cornered amazingly well for such a large car, but the posi rear end emitted ominous sounds so I passed on it (I was in college and didnt have any place to do major repairs). Some differences included the use of a supercharged 454-CID (7.4-liter) Chevrolet-sourced engine that put out 840 HP, and four round headlights, which appeared on the 196769 Firebirds/Trans Ams only; the actual 197781 models had rectangular headlights. The 79-year-old 70s and 80s heartthrob made a rare public appearance over the weekend at Wizard World Chicago. The Trans Am was already pretty popular in the mid-1970s, with sales hitting 68,745 units in 1977. Every idiot with more money than brains wanted a Trans Am. I think thats another line theyve edited out for the television version. The soundtrack album was released in 1977 on vinyl, cassette, and 8-track through MCA Records. 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. 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 original uncut sumbitch version. This movie came out during my early formative years pre grade school. . There was a true concern (for some minuscule reason) about it going east of the Mississippi River. 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 . Movies like Mad Max: Fury Road and Furious 7 may ruin a lot of cars, but they were far from the first. 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. There are an abundance of cars in this movie. It outsold its Chevrolet Camaro counterpart for the first time.
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