Burt Reynolds Signs Off On New Trans Am ‘Bandit Edition’

Pontiac may no longer be around, but you can still go out and buy a new Trans Am, provided you’ve got deep enough pockets. Trans Am Depot out of Tallahassee has been building new Screaming Chickens from fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaros for years now, and they’re at the New York Auto Show this week to show off their latest creation, the Trans Am SE Bandit Edition.

The Bandit Edition is a Camaro SS that’s been rebuilt from the ground up, with the Trans Am’s signature split grille, quad square headlights, ground effects, and a massive rear lip spoiler. Snowflake wheels, a black and gold paint job, a Screaming Chicken decal on the hood, and genuine T-Tops complete the iconic look of Burt Reynolds’s ride in Smokey and the Bandit.

Under the hood, the Trans Am Bandit Edition benefits from the advance of technology since 1977. The car is powered by a 7.4-liter General Motors V8 supercharged that puts out 840 horsepower, a huge upgrade from the meager 185HP that the 1977 Trans-Am had. The car also has a lowered suspension, upgraded brakes, a Hurst close-ratio, short-throw shifter on six-speed manual models, and much more.

The interior is dressed in custom leather trim, with a set of retro-faced gauges. It is emblazoned all over with its own “Bandit” logo depicting the profile of a man in a cowboy hat with a bandana over his face. And each of the cars bears Burt Reynolds’ authentic signature on the dashboard.

Just 77 cars will be built, representing the year of the movie’s release, as well as the model year of the Trans Am featured on-screen. Trans Am Depot has been built similar cars in the past, but what makes the latest so special is that Reynolds was involved in the design and development.

Tod Warmack, Trans AM Worldwide director, stated: “Having Mr. Reynolds endorse these cars is very special. Growing up, behind around some of the greatest muscle cars in history and now having the legend himself as part of our family, we are humbled and honored.”

If you want one of these iconic cars, it’ll set you back a cool $115,000. But hey, can you really put a price on your childhood? East bound and down, loaded up and truckin’, we gonna do what they say can’t be done..