The Bandit is back! (Well, at least the car is.)
Trans Am Depot unveiled a new limited edition replica of the signature car from the movie “Smokey and the Bandit” at the New York International Auto Show this week.
Brothers and founders Scott and Todd Warmack convert 2015 Chevrolet Camaros into their own modern day vision of the Pontiac Firebird. The Firebird and Camaro were sister cars introduced by General Motors in 1967 and manufactured until 2002. GM re-introduced the Camaro in 2009 but left the Firebird behind.
Trans Am Depot has teamed up with Burt Reynolds and will produce just 77 “Bandits”, a number that ties in well with the original.
“’77 was the year the movie came out,” another Todd said. “It was the model year of the car used in the movie.”
Reynolds will put his John Hancock on each every car.
“Well you’ve got it, whether you want it or not,” he quipped.
While it will look similar to the original there are a few tweaks to the design.
Designer Kevin Morgan created a special logo in commemoration of the car and they have also boosted the engine as well.
The original firebird would have offered less than 185 horsepower whereas Trans Am Depot’s is capable of 840.
“It’s like an airplane on the ground,” Reynolds said.
The car will also feature seats designed to match the 1978 version of the Firebird.
“In terms of just romantically, it certainly has a nice big, front seat, you know what I mean,” Reynolds hinted”.