5/3/2013

Today we are going to look at the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am for the movie Smokey and the Bandit. At this time it was known as the second generation Trans Am from 1970-1981.  Smokey and the bandit is about two rich trucking company owners that want 400 cases of Coors beer for their refreshment in Georgia. One small problem, Coors wasn't sold east of Texas at the time. Local laws prevented it from being sold in many places because it was not pasteurized, therefore it has to be kept cold throughout transportation. At a local truck rodeo, the Texans locate legendary truck driver Bo "Bandit" Darville (Burt Reynolds) and offer him $80,000 to haul 400 cases of Coors beer from Texarkana, Texas to the "Southern Classic" in Georgia – in 28 hours, driving a total of 1,800 mi, for an average of 65 mph including all stops. Bandit accepts the bet and recruits his best friend and fellow truck driver Cledus "Snowman" Snow (Jerry Reed) to drive the truck, promising to buy him a new truck. Snowman brings along his dog, a Basset Hound named "Fred", for company. After requesting an advance from the Burdettes for a "speedy car", Bandit purchases a black Pontiac Trans Am, which he named Trigger and which he drives himself as a "blocker" car to deflect attention away from the truck and its illegal cargo. So this is where we are at now.

Second Generation 1970-1981
• All new body and chassis design with new front end and rear taillight design
• Only available in hardtop coupe
• New model lineup which consisted of a base Firebird, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am
• New interior design
• T-top glass roof option (first available in 1976)
• 455cu V8 available(1971-1976)
• Trans Am model offered only in 2 colors; white w/single blue stripe on hood, roof, and decklid; blue w/single white stripes
• Formula model uses dual air scoops on hood and Trans Am model uses "shaker" hood scoop design
• The "phoenix" hood bird decal (optional on 1973-1981 Trans Am models)
• Special Edition Trans Am models(1977-1981) package consisted of black exterior w/gold hood bird and pin stripes
• Pontiac 50th Anniversary Special Edition Trans Am available in 1976
• Super Duty 455 Trans Am available only in 1973 and 1974
• 1979 10th Anniversary Special Edition Trans Am; package consisted of silver exterior w/charcoal hood bird decal and body striping, silver interior with embroidered seats
• 1980 Turbo Trans Am Indy Pace Car model

Production	1970-1981 (all models)
Assembly	Van Nuys, California Norwood, Ohio
Body style(s)	2-door coupe
Engine(s)	301 in³ Pontiac V8 301 in³ Pontiac turbo V8 305 in³ Chevrolet V8 350 in³ Pontiac V8 400 in³ Pontiac V8 403 Oldsmobile V8 455 in³ Pontiac V8
Related	Second-generation Chevrolet Camaro  I got all my info. from wikipedia.org and firebirdfever.com.