Burt Reynolds’ classic cars will be sold to the highest bidder at a Las Vegas auction on September 29.
The “Bandit” was laid to rest September 19 in a private funeral in Florida, but his legacy is still hitting the gas. While the Michigan-born actor Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. will be canonized in his iconic roles in Smokey and the Bandit, The Longest Yard, Hooper, The Cannonball Run, and more, the truest and most wily expression of his immortality is in his garage.
Unimaginably lucky (and deep-pocketed) bidders will win big at the Barrett-Jackson’s upcoming Las Vegas auction in Mandalay Bay Resort on September 27-29. A trifecta of Reynolds’ movie cars (titled and registered to his name), including the 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula, and 1987 Chevrolet R30, are heading to the block.
“These are more or less the last of Mr. Reynolds’ movie cars,” says Reynold’s friend and business partner Gene Kennedy. “When they’re gone, they’re gone.”
Chance are you’re not heading to Las Vegas for the affair, but who are we kidding — a Firebird won’t go for $50 and a half-eaten protein bar. Still, we can dream of getting behind the wheels.
1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Reynolds said the Firebird Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit was his favorite car out of all his movies. “When Jerry Reed saw it in camera for the first time, he said, ‘Honey, hush!’” said Reynolds. “And of course I got to ride around with Sally (Field)… Falling in ‘like’ with Sally is the best memory I have from those films.”
The car at auction is an exact duplicate of the car used in the cult classic, CB radio and tires included. Powered by a 400ci V8 engine and backed by a custom-built 200-4R automatic transmission, the bonus of his replica is that there’s a new A/C unit.
1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula
This Hooper recreation not only pays homage to the rocket-powered flying car used to jump bridges in the ’70s action film but also nods to the prowess of stuntmen at that time in Hollywood’s history. The California license plate reads “STUNT.” It’s on record that Reynolds did a handful of his own stunts in the car with professional Glenn Wilder, including driving through a set that came crashing down in a burning fury only moment after. It’s hard to tell this ride apart from a real flame thanks to its sexy, fire-engine red paint job.
Sure it’s got a wicked 403ci V8 engine and automatic transmission, but more importantly, the car comes with a replica silver jacket Reynolds wore in the movie.
1987 Chevrolet R30 Pickup
You might be inspired to take this Chevy on a cross-country race a la Cannonball Run, seeing as the truck is a direct remake of the film’s Indie Hauler. And like most of Reynolds’ cars, this R30 pickup jumped over a moving freight train in the iconic desert scene. So don’t underestimate it, even when compared to the sleek Firebird. This baby can run through hotel walls like butter.
Beneath the hood is a 496ci V8 engine with FiTech fuel injections mated to a 4L80E automatic transmission. Power steering, new brakes, and AC are among the “modern” makeover additions.
