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What were the police cars in Smokey and the Bandit? The side vents give it away. The worldwide gross is estimated at over $300 million. During this time, the Firebird also surpassed sales figures of the Chevrolet Camaro. Reynolds and Field began dating during the filming.[13]. The theme music "East Bound and Down" was sung and co-written by Reed (credited under his birth name, Jerry Hubbard) and Dick Feller. During their run, they are pursued by Texas county sheriff Buford T. Justice (Gleason). Though no authoritative source identifies the composition of the sandwich, there are several possibilities. 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. Comments Stroker Ace is after S&B, 1983, and features the then new for 83 aero Fox Body Thunderbird. Required fields are marked *. Needham stated that by the end of production, there really wasnt much left of any of the three. I have worked a long time to eradicate the one I had but it still crops up periodically from exposure, like you experienced. 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. Some fellow classmates were extras on the film set, and it was a big deal around here at the time. 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. It was destroyed in Smokey and the Bandit II and in a flashback scene in Part 3. 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. So these kind of represented a rebellion attitude to the government mandated diesel econo hatches everyone thought we were going to be forced to drive in the 80sinterestingly 1979 was also the best year for the Corvette too. I am still drawn to the shape of these cars, and others that have that long and low look about them. Haul my wife and four shelter adoptee mutts in it. Jesus, did you just call Carmine a car novice? 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. Ask him to choose between a BMW M4 and an Audi RS5, and hell gladly trade both for a beat-up Cuda. Dont let his grumpiness fool you though; hes more than excited to provide the latest news and reviews on the most interesting cars in the industry. This movie just showed how much an urban legend the supposed unobtainability had become. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cODPt3T0cHE, We got a cage strong enough to hold you For Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), Needham asked for and received 10 Trans Ams and 55 Bonnevilles with no trouble. Reynolds was the top box office draw from 1975 to 1982, then his movies really started to go downhill. I dunno about the Foley sounds, I have a T/A with a 400 and an open/no catalytic true dual exhaust, and it sounds really close to how the Bandit car sounds at idle during some scenes from the movie. [8] Niver provided much of the western attire worn in the film, as well as the custom-made sheriff's uniforms (waist size 64") that Gleason wore throughout the film. 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". Thanks for this, Jason. A 1975 Pontiac Grand Prix with a Buick Electra behind it. Reed would eventually play the Bandit in Smokey and the Bandit Part 3, in which Reynolds only appeared in a cameo near the end. Further, as Pontiac has deliciously obvious product placement, anyone who delights in 70s era Pontiac iron will experience visual ecstasy. [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. The T/A is just as quick as my present Challenger is, but the Challenger doesnt have anything close to the throttle response it had, and I miss it. They return one minute after their time limit, but instead of taking the payoff, Carrie and Bandit accept a double-or-nothing offer from Little Enos: a challenge to run up to Boston and bring back clam chowder in 18 hours. The truck at the shell station is actually a 75 or 76 Toyota Hilux. The 1978 Trans Am is an exact duplicate of the "Smokey and the Bandit" movie car, finished in black and gold with a screaming chicken on the hood. A segment of the CMT program Reel Eats used a sloppy joe-style recipe consisting of seasoned ground beef, corn, and sour cream. Producers of Smokey and the Bandit wrecked 26 cars while filming the movie in 1977. The unrestored car reportedly showed up on eBay back in 2015, but no one wanted to buy it. Cledus "Snowman" Snow (Jerry Reed) drives the truck while his good buddy Bo "Bandit" Darville (Reynolds) serves as the "blocker," a fast car used to divert police attention away from payload. 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. While made to take advantage of the ongoing 1970s CB radio fad, the film added to the craze. 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. 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. One guy did a while ago a fan-made trailer of Smokey & the Bandit 4. The soundtrack album was released in 1977 on vinyl, cassette, and 8-track through MCA Records. 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. (first posted 2/28/2014) The fourth highest grossing film in the United States in 1977 was the Academy Award nominatedSmokey & The Bandit. NY 10036. 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. Except for Gleason, the original actors mostly redubbed their lines for the television version. The differences between the two are major. WildI watched this for the first time in years after watching the latest Archer.the whole thing is an homage to S&B. 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. How did any bra manufacturers survive the 70s? thebandit77transam 2009-04-14 14:04. andre1969 wrote Pontiac supplied 5 brand-new cars for "Smokey and the Bandit". That came out in 1981. A dastardly scoundrel? While the Snowman drives the truck carrying the beer, the Bandit drives a Pontiac Trans Am to distract law enforcement (called blocking) and keep the attention off the Snowman. Let us dissect this flick to better examine it. He claimed that the Bandit is never made aware of Frog's leaving Junior at the altar, which is why the Bandit continually asks why a Texas sheriff is chasing him. It outsold its Chevrolet Camaro counterpart for the first time. 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. Im still trying to get clarification on what a diablo sandwich is though. We also learn that every launched satellite will eventually fall back to Earth, such as this 1972 Plymouth Satellite (CC here). Along the way they tussle with tough as nails Texas Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason), pick up a runaway bride nicknamed Frog (Sally Field), and have all kinds of awesome times on the highway. . The directorial debut of stuntman Hal Needham, the film follows Bo "Bandit" Darville (Reynolds) and Cledus "Snowman" Snow (Reed), two bootleggers attempting to illegally transport 400 cases of Coors beer from Texarkana to Atlanta. [37], The first run in 2007 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie, The Bandit Run was the brainchild of Dave Hall, owner of Restore A Muscle Car. 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. I agree, despite people saying you sound cute, it seems like they think Ellie Mae Clapett or Jethro Bodean. It was something regarding distribution limits. When it was over, I cried and cried and cried because I didnt want it to end. How many smokey and the bandit movies are there? If you watched the second clip above, this truck should look familiar. It airs on cable tv all the time. Burt Reynolds may be 79, but he shows no signs of slowing down. Frog not included. Ive also looked at a Fox based LTD cop car and an early 1991 whale Caprice 9C1 detective model, burgundy on burgundy cloth. Also up for auction was a go-kart replica of the car, which sold for nearly $14,000. Heres how it works. Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Burt Reynolds recently revealed the ridiculous number of Pontiac Trans Ams they went through filming 1977s Smokey and the Bandit. [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. No more needs to be said. On top of Burt Reynold's top-notch acting, Smokey and the Bandit is also famous for the Pontiac Trans Am that the actor drove throughout the film. I also own a Etrl replica of the Pontiac Bonneville Buford T. Justice drove in Smokey and The Bandit II. [10], Principal photography of the film began on August 30, 1976. I've heard . Wanting to promote the aesthetically modified 1977 model, but lacking cars owing to delays in production start-up, GM modified four 1976 Trans Ams with '77 spec bodywork and decals for the film. These questions all need to be answered. So many classic quotes in this movie. [27] In his review in the Chicago Tribune, Gene Siskel gave the film two stars and complained that the film failed to tell the audience when the clock started on the beer run, thus reducing suspense. Even when the 2nd gen was already coasting on fumes, and defanged, and after the reasonably shitty Smokey and the Bandit sequel, Pontiac managed to pump out 107,000 Trans Ams in 1980 and 70,000 for the 2nd gen Trans Ams swan song in 1981. 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. Did I mention how much I enjoy reading all the back stories and niggly details I can only get here ? This movie was filmed in Georgia as well. It had amazing throttle response, with a hit that either scared people, or made them giggle. . I did help a friend rebuild a late 60s 400 to replace the anemic 301 in his 79, Trans Am. And the 400 Pontiac or 403 Olds versions could be made to run well. A group of Trans Am owners and fans of the movie take part in an annual road trip from Texarkana to Jonesboro, recreating the route taken by the characters in the film. 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". 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. Here's What We Know So Far, Jonathan Majors On Getting Jacked To Play Kang The Conqueror: Hes In The Avenger (Weight) Class, How 90 Day Fianc: The Other Way's Kris And Jeymi Might Have Already Spoiled Their Storyline, Why Creed IIIs Michael B. Jordan Avoided Saying Action Or Cut On The Set, Young Sheldon's Iain Armitage Reacting To Surprise Video From Survivor's Jeff Probst Is Like Sheldon Cooper Meeting Leonard Nimoy. [17], In 1977, Coors was unavailable for sale east of Oklahoma. East bound and down, loaded up and truckin In fact, after Smokey and the Bandit became a box office hit, Pontiac saw a marked increase in their stock prices. You will receive a verification email shortly. Some weren't that lucky and were discontinued altogether. [30] Upon meeting Reynolds, Billy Bob Thornton told him that the South considers the film to be less cinema and more documentary. It just seems wrong to see that car in any fashion without hearing that song. 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. The third-generation Firebird was introduced in 1982, a full two years later than planned. Just like the exaggeration sales went up 700%. The muscle car market reached a peak in the late 1960s, as the car was becoming larger, more powerful, and more aggressive by looks. One of those things that will make my kids think Im crazy some day. Chevy almost did the same with its counterpart, the Camaro. Arguably the most iconic Pontiac Firebird in history. Many hardcore fans of Burt Reynolds' most iconic movie, 1977's "Smokey and The Bandit," know that none of those cool black Pontiac Trans Ams with gold trim survived the stunts in the film. In the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit, a high-speed chase ensues between the police and the Bandit (Burt Reynolds). 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. Jane Russell hawked bras on television for full-figured gals like her, a line that evoked snickers among my high-school classmates. Here are 20 facts about the Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit. (it did taste a lot better than Bud as I recall). Of the many cars saved from the fire was the only surviving Knight Rider KITT Super Pursuit Mode car created by Jay Orberg. How much did the Smokey and the Bandit car sell for? I have always loved this movie, watched it dozens and dozens of times on TV, video, DVD, laserdisc, almost any form of media. For a little visual variety of sorts, and possibly an indicator of what car was about to be wrecked, the producers did branch out to use the 1975-era Plymouth Fury as another police car. Thats all well and good, and it worked smooth as silk for a good while. And then they made the biggest mistake of their lives and went to national distribution. The sound came from a 1955 Chevrolet Custom, the same car that was used in Two-Lane Blacktop and American Graffiti, films launched in 1971 and 1973, respectively. He gave Needham a preview of the song and, getting no reaction, offered to rewrite it. And all of us easterners suddenly discovered it was nothing more than another Budweiser/Miller/etc. 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. Additionally, he can give you several reasons why theres still no replacement for displacement. Of course, we could argue that Needham could have used the engine note of a Pontiac GTO from the golden muscle car, but the 1955 Custom recordings were probably readily available, and he just didn't need the hassle. 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. Actor Henry Corden, who voiced Fred Flintstone after original performer Alan Reed died the same year the film was released, was used to replace a considerable amount of Sheriff Justice's dialogue.