how many cars destroyed in smokey and the bandit

The 403 Olds T/A was a dog, stock, but with some easily obtained parts, could be turned into a very nice low 13 second tire melter. 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. Sales of the coupe exploded after the film hit the silver screen and set unprecedented records for both Pontiac and the Firebird nameplate. 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. Its amazing, you should watch it. 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. The unrestored car reportedly showed up on eBay back in 2015, but no one wanted to buy it. 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". Needham saw an advertisement for the soon-to-be-released 1977 Pontiac Trans Am and knew right away that would be the Bandit's car, or, as Needham referred to it, a character in the movie. 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. Free shipping for many products! Anyone who enjoys Colonnade sedans will love Smokey & the Bandit. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, 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. 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. Except that shes not sagging. All I know is, at the time, if you lived in the east, Coors was some really special beer not unlike microbrews are now. We also learn that every launched satellite will eventually fall back to Earth, such as this 1972 Plymouth Satellite (CC here). That parking lot was full of Trans Ams! 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. That came out in 1981. The whereabouts of the remaining Smokey and the Bandit car, the one that was used to promote the movie, remained a mystery for years. [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. Thats all true. [31] Smokey and the Bandit was released in the United Kingdom on August 28 and was a success there, garnering positive reviews. [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). Smokey and the Bandit II is a 1980 American action comedy film directed by Hal Needham, and starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, . The scoops were added by the department because the engines ran so hot. 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. Regular film-goers might not pay much attention to the car's engine sound, but gearheads will quickly notice that something is off. I beg to differ Mr -Nate. After passing Buford's badly damaged cruiser on the roadside, Bandit gets on the CB and initially directs him to the Burdettes, but then respectfully gives his real locationright behind Buford, who continues his chase leaving Junior behind, and with more parts falling off his cruiser as he limps off after Bandit. Cause theyre thirsty in Atlanta Its lack of additives and preservatives meant that Coors could spoil in one week without refrigeration, explaining the film's 28-hour deadline. 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". A dastardly scoundrel? And back then what I wanted most of all was a highly customized Vette with exposed headlights. As such, it took a lot of sweet talking by former stuntman Needham for Pontiac to cough up three Trans Ams and three LeManses. The Trans Am was already pretty popular in the mid-1970s, with sales hitting 68,745 units in 1977. Coors is still brewed just outside Denver, Colorado. I had no idea that it was going to become a 70s classic. [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. Somehow this store had a regular supply. Let us dissect this flick to better examine it. The three original films introduced two generations of the Pontiac Trans Am and the Dodge Stealth in the television movies. Rockford Files also featured Firebird, and was on since 1974, and Fs sold well despite gas crunch I and inflation. 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. The advertisements lampoon the film and feature a Pontiac Trans Am and a cover version of the song East Bound and Down. Mr. Reynolds elevated the dreck that he appeared in to a higher level, that is, enjoyable. At the drive-in of all places. Both sequels used another Trans Am, not a Cadillac Eldorado, as seen below. I was a junior high school age kid when this film came out. The original Blues Brothers movie from 1980 is a classic, and fans were excited when a sequel was announced in 1998. . Most reports of his death still didnt have that right! Was it a heathen? Needham and assistant director David Hamburger spent 30 hours revising the shooting schedule.[4]. 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. [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. How Many Cars Did Blues Brothers Wreck | Car Geek The truck at the shell station is actually a 75 or 76 Toyota Hilux. 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. Ive always loved this movie. As I did Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. Supposedly there was a stick car for the burnouts and an automatic car for other shots. 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. Most of the dialogue was improvised on set. But would the black and gold T/As be as desirable today without the movie? My family did all grocery shopping in Cape. Back in 1984, I went to look at a late 1970s Plymouth cop car as well. As if GM owes them something. [12] The area around Helen, Georgia, was used for some locations. I've heard . What were the police cars in Smokey and the Bandit? 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. Of course, nobody else cared if it was in the trunk of the car when heading back home. I am still drawn to the shape of these cars, and others that have that long and low look about them. This was the lull between Gas Crisis I and II, 1976-78, and Boomers were wanting stylish cars. As the 1969 classic 'The Italian Job' turns 50 years old, TG.com caught up with David Salamone, the man who piloted the red Mini in . Smokey and the Bandit | East Bound and Down - YouTube 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. Here is the LeMans; Gleason literally drives the wheels off: As an aside, heres a curious bit of trivia. East bound and down, loaded up and truckin When it was over, I cried and cried and cried because I didnt want it to end. During their run, they are pursued by Texas county sheriff Buford T. Justice (Gleason). Below is probably another DeKalb County cop car. The cars were wrecked on purpose to create the illusion of a high-speed chase. Ive also looked at a Fox based LTD cop car and an early 1991 whale Caprice 9C1 detective model, burgundy on burgundy cloth. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. However, in more recent years, the original version has been shown (on ITV, a commercial channel), usually with the stronger language edited out, often quite awkwardly. I certainly hope the guy hired to drive that 74 Ford Torino wagon was paid well for his work. With four miles left, Bandit, discouraged by the unexpected mounting attention, is ready to give up, but Snowman, who initially thought they would fail, takes the lead and smashes through the roadblock at the fairgrounds' main entrance. [5] Sally Field only accepted the part after her agent advised her that she needed a big movie role on her rsum. 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. Burt Reynolds plays truck driver Bo Bandit Darville. So, for years one, two, and three, he got a shiny new Pontiac. Nice job, I know its cheesy as heck but I love this movie and still tend to watch it when I see its on TV. 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. Trio of Burt Reynolds movie cars fetch $330,000 at auction, including It had not been used for some time and was repainted for the film. There was a problem. 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). Have the movie, cheesy as hell, but does have appearances by several NASCAR drivers of the day, including Dale Earnhardt (Senior, not Jr) Kyle Petty, Harry Gant, and one of my favorites of the era, Tim Richmond. 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 differences between the two are major. S/E T/A with the round headlights. I have only seen pieces of the second and none of the third; I plan to keep it that way. how many cars were destroyed in smokey and the bandit 2. Originally, the film was going to be a B-movie played only in the Southern United States. Jana, another oddity was that I could go to Carbondale and be asked where down south I was from. Set with his . Further, as Pontiac has deliciously obvious product placement, anyone who delights in 70s era Pontiac iron will experience visual ecstasy. 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. How much did the Smokey and the Bandit car sell for? On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 78% rating based on 32 reviews. 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. Gator , Stroker Ace , lots of them . Justice. Hal Needham did pass away as someone earlier said. Not all the police cars had hood scoops. 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. HotCars covers all things automotive: the latest auto news and informative reviews on the car, pickup truck and motorcycle industries. It seems Plymouth was in a distant second for product placement. With this, the Sheriff begins his pursuit of the Mann Act-violating Banditall the way to Georgia. How did any bra manufacturers survive the 70s? It was destroyed in Smokey and the Bandit II and in a flashback scene in Part 3. Many people believed beforehand that the film was not right for . One of those things that will make my kids think Im crazy some day. "Smokey and the Bandit" stars Burt Reynolds, Sally . 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. Rob's Car Movie Review: Smokey and the Bandit (1977) - Street Muscle Revisit this scene featuring "East Bound and. 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. In a rare public appearance, Burt Reynolds revealed how many cars they wrecked making Smokey and I am pretty sure it was filmed in Florida, when I-75 was under construction so they could use the highways while empty. how many cars were destroyed in smokey and the bandit 2 As I am finishing this article while Big Truck Week is winding down, here is a Kenworth with a 1973 Dodge Polara patrol car. You will receive a verification email shortly. I did help a friend rebuild a late 60s 400 to replace the anemic 301 in his 79, Trans Am. 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! 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). 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: . 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. Smokey & The Bandit was the first of three movies in that franchise. Whaddya expect outta a guy what drives a conversion van? The sticker read "T/A 6.6," which was a reminder of the engine's 6.6-liter displacement. [9] Though the film Moonrunners (1975) is the precursor to the television series The Dukes of Hazzard (19791985), from the same creator and with many identical settings and concepts, the popularity of Smokey and the Bandit and similar films helped get the Dukes series on the air. Id like to hear from Mr. Needham why so many of those police cars had what look like shaker hood scoops. Gleason was a genius, but this was not one of his better outings I prefer the Hustler and Gigot. . As deals were made for the actors and producers, the studio wanted to renegotiate my deal. In the Reynolds portion of the interview, he stated the movie prompted Trans Am sales to jump around 700%. While they did jump, from 46,700 in 1976 to 69,000 for 1977 with another 93,300 for 1978, it wasnt exactly 700%.