More than four decades after its release, Smokey and the Bandit continues to hold a revered spot in the pantheon of car culture cinema. The 1977 Burt Reynolds-led chase film didn’t just entertain—it fueled the dreams of countless muscle car fans. Here are 6.6 fun facts that even diehard fans may not know about the Trans Am, the cast, and the legacy it left in tire marks.
1. Speedometer Sleight of Hand
When Sally Field’s “Frog” asks if they’re going 110 mph, eagle-eyed viewers noticed the speedometer actually reads 110 kilometers per hour—about 70 mph. The moment plays as a cheeky wink to attentive fans.
2. The Real Muscle Under the Hood
The car’s aggressive growl may have sounded wild, but the 1977 Trans Am packed a modest 400ci V8 making around 200 horsepower. It wasn’t a speed demon—but in the era of smog controls and gas rationing, attitude mattered more than acceleration.
3. That “6.6-Liter” Badge? It’s a Throwback
Unlike most American cars in the ‘70s that used cubic inches, the “T/A 6.6-Liter” decal was a nod to European styling and Pontiac’s 1969 Trans Am roots.
4. Faking the Roar
Believe it or not, the beastly engine note in the movie didn’t come from the Trans Am at all. Filmmakers used audio from a heavily modified 1955 Chevy—borrowed straight from Two-Lane Blacktop and American Graffiti—to amplify the sound of rebellion.
5. Black and Gold Debut
That now-legendary black-and-gold paint scheme? 1977 was the first year Pontiac offered it. The dramatic contrast, pinstriping, and hood bird made it the star of every scene—and every teenager’s bedroom poster.
6. Buford’s Roots
Jackie Gleason’s hilariously unhinged sheriff, Buford T. Justice, was inspired by a real Florida police chief known to Burt Reynolds’ father. Gleason improvised much of his dialogue, including his infamous “sumbitch” catchphrase, which softened over time as Buford spiraled deeper into comic chaos.
Bonus: Only One Survived
Of the four Trans Ams Pontiac provided to Universal, three were destroyed during filming—including the one used for the epic bridge jump. Only one lived to tell the tale.
