Autoblog

SEMA 2009: Breaker, breaker, we got ourselves a Bandit

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:38:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac

Kevin Morgan Phoenix Trans Am Concept 2 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last year in Las Vegas, graphic designer Kevin Morgan showed off the first Trans Am rebody of the new Camaro at SEMA 2008. This year he is back with T/A version 2.0 for SEMA 2009. While the original "Phoenix" T/A 1.0 had the Bandit color combo we know and love, a few of the details were off in making it a true '77-'78 Trans Am redo.

For this year's show he's rectified that situation with a new quad-headlight front fascia and a few other changes that bring it more in line with the uber Firebirds we remember from our misspent youths. Slip into one of these black and gold Trans Ams and before you know it you'll be East Bound and Down, calling for the Snowman on your CB to help you stay one step ahead of Smokey. Built in conjunction with fabricator Todd Otto, one-off versions can be ordered to spec, and a kit version will also be made available through Trans Am Depot starting in early 2010.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Kevin Morgan Trans-Am Concept

SEMA 2009: Breaker, breaker, we got ourselves a Bandit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Reborn Trans Am makes fire-breathing entrance in Dayton

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, Pontiac

Kevin Morgan Pontiac Trans Am - Click above to watch two videos after the break

Few Pontiac models will be missed by as many people as the Trans Am. From its humble origins in 1969 as an option package on the two-year-old Firebird platform through the Super Duty days and the Bandit Special Editions, right on up to the final Ram Air LS1-powered F-Bodies from 2002, Pontiac's longest-lived muscle car has always enjoyed a loyal following.

So dedicated are these Poncho fanatics that the Trans Am name seems destined to live on past the death of the brand that originally spawned it. We've taken a look at Kevin Morgan's Phoenix TA revival once already, and now the first such Camaro-based machine has been driven off the car carrier in front of a few hundred screaming ~~chickens~~ fans at last weekend's 25th Anniversary Trans Am Nationals in Dayton, Ohio.

Perhaps fittingly, this initial 'bird was painted up in a classic black and gold paint scheme complete with a fire-breathing hood applique and a split front beak reminiscent of the 1977 and 1978 Trans Ams. Naturally, there's a shaker scoop mounted atop the quivering hood feeding fresh air into what we assume is a stock LS3 6.2-liter V8 putting out 426 horsepower. The only things that are missing are T-Tops and a CB radio. Well, that, and a young Sally Field. Click past the break to watch the video.

Gallery: Phoenix Trans Am

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Reborn Trans Am makes fire-breathing entrance in Dayton

VIDEO: Reborn Trans Am makes fire-breathing entrance in Dayton originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Burt Reynolds' own Bandit Trans Am to be auction in May

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Auctions, Pontiac, Celebrities, Specialty

Click above for an image gallery of Burt Reynolds' Bandit Trans Am

The black-and-gold Special Edition Pontiac Trans Am will forever hold a special place in the minds and hearts of Americans old enough to remember how little there was in the way of performance in the mid-to-late 1970s. Standing as a lone bastion of V8-powered adrenaline, the TA refused to give up its ties to the muscle car era, which otherwise died an inglorious death around 1973.

Many point to the Smokey and the Bandit movie franchise for igniting sales of Pontiac's screaming chicken. In our minds, the star of the show was undoubtedly the car, but who can forget the image of Burt Reynolds and Sally Field running from Buford T. Justice, ably played by the late Jackie Gleason?

Fans looking for the ultimate expression of Burt Reynolds adoration will have the chance to bid on the star's own personal 1978 Pontiac Trans Am Special Edition as it goes up for auction May 2nd in Hiuston. According to the car's description, it's been fully restored and features embroidered Bandit portrait headrests and, of course, a period-correct Cobra CB radio. Full press release after the break.

Gallery: Burt Reynolds' Bandit Trans Am

[Source: Worldwide Auctioneers]

Continue reading Burt Reynolds' own Bandit Trans Am to be auction in May

Burt Reynolds' own Bandit Trans Am to be auction in May originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Fan-made Smokey and the Bandit 4 trailer

Dan Roth — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Pontiac, Celebrities, Specialty

Click above to watch video after the jump

No, this isn't real. That said, there are some snippets in here that appear to have had some kind of budget when they were shot. We can't place where all these clips were sourced from, but YouTuber Ryanassert did a good job of stringing them all together into something cohesive. Then there's that cover of Jerry Reed's "Eastbound and Down." You'll either love it or hate its neo-punk-pop styling, but who cares when you're looking at clips of Year One's modern Bandits spliced with the finest seasonings of Buford T. Justice's nuggets of wisdom.

If this video doesn't inspire you to spend the next three hours on YouTube searching out Bandit clips, there's something wrong with you. When you're done with the Bandit trailer, there's other fanboi fantasies for Knight Rider, the A-Team, even the Cannonball Run. Check out the video embedded after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Fan-made Smokey and the Bandit 4 trailer

VIDEO: Fan-made Smokey and the Bandit 4 trailer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Trans Am SE signed by Burt Reynolds

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 04 May 2008 09:53:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Pontiac, Celebrities

Click on the image to see more high-res shots of this '78 SE Trans Am

Mid-to-late 70's Pontiac Trans Ams have really been picking up steam on the collector car market. While not nearly as powerful as their more muscular 1969-1974 forebears, the later TAs certainly have a unique and ~~gaudy~~ manly-quality about them, helped in no small part by their association with '70s icon Burt Reynolds and, of course, the Smokey and the Bandit movie franchise. The vehicle you see in this auction is a particularly nice example of the breed. As a 1978 Special Edition Y/82 Trans Am equipped with the desirable Pontiac 400 engine with 4-speed manual tranny, this is already a collectible vehicle. The original Hurst Hatches and AM/FM/8-track player and CB radio along with the rare rear-console add to this bird's rarity.

For real Burt Reynolds aficionados, though, this fire-breathing Poncho offers something truly special: his signature on the dash. Not only that, Burt drove the vehicle around while he was in Georgia helping to develop Year One's Bandit Edition replica car and it has been on television numerous times. With all it has going for it, don't expect this car to come cheap. In fact, it's already past $46 grand with days still to go in the auction.

Gallery: 1978 SE Trans Am Auction

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Trans Am SE signed by Burt Reynolds originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 May 2008 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maximum Burt: celebrating the acme of manliness at the Burt-a-thon

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Guys, if you look a little more hairy and feel a bit more manly at 8:45 PM August 14, don't be alarmed. That's when the 2007 Rolling Roadshow Tour Burt-a-Thon begins in Atlanta, Georgia "celebrating the manliest being in human history." Gruff-voiced festivities will begin with a drive-in triple feature of Smokey and the Bandit, Sharky's Machine and White Lightning. The next day features an actual competitive scavenger hunt from Atlanta to Texarkana, ending at another drive-in screening of the film and refreshment provided by a semi trailer full of Coors. The two most incredible things about the festival, however, are that the grand prize in the scavenger hunt is "an actual 70's era Pontiac Firebird," and that there's a picture of Burt Reynolds on the web site... naked. If you're in the Southeast, and you appreciate real men, sign up now. If you go VIP, you'll even get a free mustache.

Thanks for the tip, Mehugtree!

[Source: Original Alamo]

Maximum Burt: celebrating the acme of manliness at the Burt-a-thon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Year One Bandit T/A in action! - UPDATED with latest version

Dan Roth — Thu, 03 May 2007 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Videos, Pontiac

UPDATE: Our friends at Year One graciously hooked us up with the latest version of this video - embedded after the jump.

"Bandit you're reckless and you live much too hard..."

We feel a full-fledged late 1970s lovefest coming on soon. Not that it'd be any worse than the resurgence of 1980s pop culture among those that didn't live it. Let's just say it was bad the first time, and hasn't improved with age. One thing that is better this time around are the Bandit T/A recreations from Year One. We reported on these a while back, and since we're all hot for the darn thing, here's some more eye candy. Looks like Sheriff Buford T. Justice finally has his day in the sun at the end of this short promo video, which we've embedded after the jump.

[Source: Year One]

Continue reading VIDEO: Year One Bandit T/A in action! - UPDATED with latest version

VIDEO: Year One Bandit T/A in action! - UPDATED with latest version originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2007 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bandit Run offers T/A lovers a chance to be Burt for a day

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Pontiac, First Drive

Besides the obvious Smokey avoidance capabilities and river-jumping fun, you might be wondering what else you can do with your newly acquired YearOne Bandit T/A. Well, the good folks at YearOne, along with Restore A Muscle Car, Motortopia, and 78TA.com, have organized the first Bandit Run to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of the original Smokey and the Bandit film. It'll be a recreation of the route Burt Reynolds took in that American cinema classic, taking participants from Texarkana, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia, passing through Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama along the way. East bound and down, indeed.

The cruise is open to all makes and models, but Trans Ams are especially coveted, particularly black '76-'81 T/As and SE models. The Bandit Run starts on May 15 and ends in Atlanta on May 17, just in time for participants to partake in the YearOne Experience which runs May 18-20. The registration is just $45/person, for which you'll get :

*Official black Bandit Run 2007 Tote Bag
*Commemorative High Resolution Map w/Hotel, Roadside service and other info available
*Bandit Run 2007 T-Shirt Black in color w/Design Front & Back available in all sizes ($20 Value)
*Bandit Run 2007 Lanyard, Holder and Badge (Allows pass to *BBQ, Bandit Run Parking Area at the YOE, Ceremonial *Bandit Run Parade lap and other special events)
*1 Year One Spectator Pass ($20 Value)
*1 Year One Bandit Parade Lap Pass ($25 Value)
*Official Bandit Run 07 Window Decal/Cling
*Honorary Bandit Run BBQ Lunch in Tupelo: ($8 Value)
*VIP status for parking at our infield space at Year One *Experience for your car (Priceless)
*Chance to WIN a Phoenix Graphix Decal Kit Certificate of Your Choice

For more details or to register, visit the Bandit Run website.

Thanks for the tip, Eric!

[Source: The Bandit Run]

Bandit Run offers T/A lovers a chance to be Burt for a day originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breaker, Breaker: Year One recreates Bandit T/As

Dan Roth — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Pontiac

click the pic above to view a gallery of Year One Bandit Trans Ams

Every now and then when I'm hammering to make time on a road trip, this is what goes through my head: "East bound and down, loaded up and truckin'..." Second only to Star Wars in 1977, Hal Needham's iconic Smokey and the Bandit also seared itself into popular culture like the Space Opera. Thirty years on, a black 2nd-generation Trans Am still makes us think of bootlegging Coors.

To commemorate the Burt Reynolds vehicle, Year One is teaming up with the veteran actor and building a limited number of Bandit inspired Trans Ams. These cars won't be highly suspect like those that pop up on eBay from time to time, or aftermarket kits like those made by Trans Am Specialties and Choo Choo Customs back in the day. No, they'll be the real deal, and Year One isn't taking the easy way out, either. Since the Bandit car was a T/A, all of the Year One cars will be true T/As, and titled as such. You could get away with a Firebird as a basis, but that's not how Year One rolls.

There will be three variations on the Bandit theme, BAN1, thru BAN3. All cars have full body restorations first. Floors are replaced, as are other needed panels, so that the hi-po Ponchos have the best basis to build from. Flush-mounted glass, smooth fender flares, custom projector headlights and LED taillights update the basic car. Chassis mods firm up the structure with subframe connectors, tubular control arms and high performance bushings and springs. The interiors get pimped out in the same custom fashion, with "Bandit" inserts on the door panels, modern seats, a race-inspired gauge cluster and the requisite CB radio. It wouldn't be a Bandit car if you couldn't pick up that mic and say "Snoman, gotcher ears on?" BAN2 and BAN3 packages get increasing amounts of performance from monster aluminum 455s or LS-derived engines, as well as further chassis tweaks and more toys inside the cockpit, like a nav system and race harnesses.

Some history, and Year One's press release after the jump

[Source: Year One]

Gallery: Year One Bandit Trans Ams

Continue reading Breaker, Breaker: Year One recreates Bandit T/As

Breaker, Breaker: Year One recreates Bandit T/As originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hot Rod wants your help selecting its next project car

Eric Bryant — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 14:34:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket

We certainly wouldn't claim that the only measure of a gearhead is the number of projects in his or her garage, but certainly it's a useful metric. By that standard, Hot Rod's David Freiburger definitely deserves his post as editor-in-chief, but even he has found himself with more cars than time and is now looking for some assistance in setting priorities.

Hit the link below to view and vote on the projects. We think that The Rallye Duster and NovaXCross would be hugely entertaining, but too many of our formative years were spent watching Smokey and the Bandit and so The Track Day TA is our pick. Note that no bonus points will be awarded to commenters who point out our fetish for cars from the disco decade that are built into all-around performers, as this has previously been established.

[Source: Hot Rod (Subscribe)]

Hot Rod wants your help selecting its next project car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jan 2007 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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