1977 Pontiac Trans Am SE
Sally Field: "Does this thing move?"
Burt Reynolds: "Oh, yeah."
---
Like Smokey and the Bandit, the movie that made it famous, the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am is easy to dismiss as a buffoonish, overblown mockery of a once-great art form. Certainly both the movie and the muscle car are obvious, gauche, and deeply imbued with the cheesiness characteristic of the 1970s. Personally, I think that is at the root of their appeal.
Last year I wrote a series of posts on Poseur Muscle Cars, honoring such punchless extroverts as the Ford Mustang II, Chevy Monte Carlo SS, Dodge Magnum XE, Ford Gran Torino, and Spirit-based AMC AMX. The '77 Trans Am would seem like an obvious candidate for Poseur Muscle Car (dis)honor--after all, as the Trans Am's horsepower ratings sagged in the mid-1970s, the body kits and graphics kept getting flashier and gaudier to compensate.
The difference? The Trans Am was the real thing--the car most of those poseur muscle cars wanted to be when they grew up. Compared to its contemporaries, the Trans Am was still a potent car. Relatively speaking, it still brought the thunder.
A 1977 Trans Am SE like the one featured in Bandit sported 400 cubic inches, or 6.6 liters, of meaty V-8. It looked fantastic--sharp in the right places and flared and muscular in the others. That shape, draped in glossy black paint and gold regalia, was a complete knockout. The gold engine-turned dashboard wasn't subtle, but it was gorgeous.
To the casual onlooker, the '77 Trans Am SE looked like the perfect muscle car combination. With a beefy engine, flared fenders, sport seats, and of course the iconic screaming chicken decal on the hood ... well, the '77 T/A looked like a worthy successor to the legendary 1973 Trans Am SD-455 as master of all muscle cars.
There was one rub, but it was a big one. Those 400 cubic inches generated only 180 horsepower--about half of the estimated 310-370 net horsepower the illustrious SD-455 produced. With about the same horsepower on tap as a 1995 Toyota Avalon, the '77 Trans Am offered similar acceleration numbers as well--0-60 in around 8.5 seconds.
A brightly plumaged muscle car that accelerated like a feeble mid-1990s Toyota family sedan doesn't sound like a particularly compelling muscle car, but the '77 Trans Am has two mitigating factors working in its favor.
The first is context. The late 1970s were a dark time for performance. Pollution regulations, fuel shortages, and spiraling insurance costs had combined to nearly kill performance cars during that dark decade--only a few renegade pickup trucks remained to fly the flag of unfettered, unregulated performance.
The list of real American performance car son the market was down to two--the Corvette and the Trans Am. In the context of this era, when a sub-10-second 0-60 time was considered an accomplishment, even this somnolent version of the Trans Am was one of the hottest American cars available. Unlike the Poseur Muscle Cars mentioned above, it backed up its bravado with some brawn.
The second mitigating factor was handling. You wouldn't expect a 1970s muscle car with a massive V-8 mounted way out front to handle particularly well. You would be wrong. To quote from a contemporary Car and Driver test of a big-engined T/A:
"Handling is (the) ace in a hole. Detroit has never offered a better car for snaking down a country road at speed, and that character remains almost intact ... fast, sensitive steering gives the car keen reflexes ... the fact is, you couldn't choose a more capable machine for getting out of trouble."
I'm not claiming a 1977 Trans-Am 400 is the equal of a modern Lotus Elise in the twisties; but in a late-1970s world populated by elephantine Chevrolet Impalas, Plymouth Gran Furys, and Lincoln Marks, Trans Am was a vicious predator.
So, what about the movie? I recently rewatched Smokey and the Bandit and found it astonishingly good. Perhaps this is testimony to the power of low expectations. I came in expecting awful acting and slapstick comedy--what I got was a real movie with genuinely likable characters, surprisingly snappy dialogue, and an endearingly subversive worldview. There was even a quiet, dialogue-driven scene between Reynolds and Fields that very nicely illustrated the cultural divide between the North and South.
Sure, there was a little silliness, especially towards the end, and the movie is in no particular danger of being named to any American Film Institute lists. But unlike its sequels, or The Cannonball Run, Smokey and the Bandit was a real movie that didn't make me feel like I was losing brain cells by the minute.
I was struck by the picture of the South painted by Smokey and the Bandit, and how clearly it foreshadowed The Dukes of Hazzard. This idealized version of the South is a lush world of green forest, burbling streams, picturesque two-lane blacktop, an intricate network of dirt and gravel roads, and more opportunities to jump your car than you can shake a collapsed crossmember at.
This mythical South is populated by coolly cheerful heroes, engaged in genial and victimless law-breaking. These laconic heroes are opposed by corrupt but bumbling authorities and aided by decent regular citizens eager to help turn the tables on the authorities. Even setting aside the fantastic vehicular scenery--ubiquitous muscle cars and full-size, big-block police cruisers--it's an incredibly compelling world. Dukes calls its heroes "two modern-day Robin Hoods," and that's really what's going on here.
It's easy to bash Bandit and Dukes for their unrealistic excesses, but these are really tall tales and myths--modern Southern fables, where Burt Reynolds and Sally Field stand in for Robin Hood and Maid Marian, where Reynolds and a heroic black Trans Am replace Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.
Reynolds was supposedly the star of Bandit, but I found two characters even more compelling than the Bandit. The first is the Trans Am itself, which steals the show with its inexorable power and implacable cool. The second is the late Jerry Reed, whose completely believable and lovable portrayal of the truck driver Cleetus "Snowman" Snow upstages the other human actors. His good humor, manic laughter, and thick accent ("we're 28 minutes ahead of sched-you!") made him the most believable and by far the most fun of the characters.
"Put that hammer down and give it hell!" --Jerry Reed
Amen and RIP, Snowman.
Bandit was the second-largest-grossing movie of 1977 behind only Star Wars; it captured the public's imagination, and it helped make the '77 Trans Am an object of automotive lust for an entire generation. I feel for the '77 T/A owner who saw Bandit in theaters, though. After watching Reynolds fishtail, powerslide, billow tire smoke, and rocket through rural Georgia in his modified Trans Am, it would be intensely frustrating to walk out of the movie to a visually identical car with only 180 horsepower.
In recent years, the surge of interest in classic muscle cars has caught up to these late 1970s Trans Ams, particularly the Bandit cars. And thanks to the magic of aftermarket performance parts, crate engines, and resto-modding, these cars are getting new life with performance components that give them the performance to match their looks.
Noted restomod enabler Year One partnered with Burt Reynolds to produce modernized '77 Trans Ams in three levels of tune--the most potent of which offers 650 horsepower from an 8.8-liter, 540-cube V-8. For those keeping score at home, that's 3.6 times as much horsepower as was available in 1977. Thankfully, it comes with modern suspension and brakes to keep all of those horses under control. I'd be interested if Year One could also put Sally Field in the passenger seat, Smokey on my tail, and Iceman on the other end of my CB radio.
The four photos of the immaculate '77 Trans Am come from All Muscle Cars.com; I spotted the Smokey & the Bandit movie poster in an XBox forum, and the restomod picture comes from Year One's Bandit page. The video below shows some of the Trans Am's best scenes from the movie. I love watching Jerry Reed exclaim, "Ho ho ho!" as he lays eyes on the Trans Am for the first time.
--Chris H.
Garrick Moravek on June 09, 2009 at 04:15 AM
It's snowman, not iceman. Iceman is Topgun. Snowman is Jerry Reed's character
79 owner on July 16, 2009 at 10:22 PM
i bought a 79 TA as my second car a few years ago, first was a 76 231 century so the stock 403 in my TA (rated at 180hp) seemed very fast!
since rebuilding the engine shortly after buying the car and beefing it up much more than stock it can now compete with more modern cars, in the straight line that is.
with its classic body lines and style, historic value and the fact that i am absolutly in love with my TA i have no desire to get rid of it. if i ever want a faster car i will spend the money modifying my TA and enjoy its classis looks and feel.
east bound and down!
starcarcentral on September 24, 2009 at 12:35 PM
The bandit was such an iconic star car! If you love famous movie and TV starcars, they are alive and well in hollywood, and doing charity events! www.starcarcentral.com Nate Truman has gathered many of the most famous cars, and now there are chapters around the USA and the world!
Stephen Ellison on September 28, 2009 at 05:21 PM
I brought my 1977 s/e edition trans am new in august of 1977 at the age of 21 years old, and still own it today with 47,000 miles on it. It's a ta 6.6 liter engine four speed with every option avabile. I added the power trunk release,duel map dome light rear console 15x8 rear snowflake wheels.Four point roll bar heavy duty sway bars rear and front with heim joints battery relocation kit to thr right rear. Koni shocks front and rear,sub frame connectors fuctional hood scoop from a 1974 gto and water injection. My friend's and me would go past the movie houses after the move smokey and the bandit would let out,what a memory from back in the good old day's
james on December 29, 2009 at 01:55 PM
hello i love trans ams i would love to have a 77 y82 ta my question is whats the difference between the 77 y82 trans am and the 78 y82 trans am when i look at a lot of pictures the only difference i have been able to notice is sometimes by the headlights or the grill but i am not sure if the ta i was looking at was just a plain ta or if it was an actual se so i am confused if anyone knows wich i know you all do give me a clue ye e-mail me at jaymus777@yahoo.com with any answers please !!! apreciate the help thank you sincerly jaymus lightem up and burnem out lol
steve meyer on January 03, 2010 at 07:59 AM
i have a 77 trans am with 4800 miles original miles when i bought when i was 22 yrs old no one had one i even took it to the drive in movie smokey and the bandit a lot of people were around my car i love this car not to many left and iam proud to say iam the original owner
Blueshield6630 on January 10, 2010 at 01:02 AM
I just watched Smokey & the Bandit on HBO Family, also watched #2 and 3. The first is my favorite and one of my favorite movies ever. I was 7 years old in 77, I remember everyone had the CB's and Fuzz Busters. I was already a gear head at the age of 7, My first lust with cars began with the Munsters Coach and the TV show Batman (1966), the Barris Batmobile is still one of my favorite cars ever. After that I remember watching Starsky & Hutch only to see the 1974 Grand Torino, then of course the 69 Charger General Lee in the Dukes of Hazzard. I heard the people that made the Bandit also did the Dukes series. From there I loved cars... Then the 1982 Trans Am and the Knight Rider series ( I have an LU5 82 T/A I have been hoping to convert into Kitt since 2006). My list goes on and on, the Time Machine Delorean from back to the future was cool too.
Anyway The Smokey and the BAndit movie was and will forever be a part of my history, I actual got teary eyed during a few scenes because it brought back many fond memories of that time. I remember my family went to see it at our local drive in theater opening weekend. I was hooked, I still love the 77 Bandit edition and would give my left nut for one, The YEar One cars are very nice but I would be happy with an original.
behkam on January 29, 2010 at 01:37 AM
im looking for transam 77(non t-top)
Kevin on March 06, 2010 at 06:50 PM
Purchased a new 77 T/A at Meyer Pontiac in Belleville Illinois. It was a beautiful car in Buccaneer Red w/white interior. Had Belleville Heating and Air Conditioning install the T-Tops (factory licensed installer)because Pontiac was not installing the T-Tops on a factory ordered car that wasn't a "Bandit Edition". Had to sell the car in Colorado when family started growing. Still would like to find that car......if only!!!
Lindsay on April 12, 2010 at 02:43 AM
Hi! Chris. Nice car and thanks for the information. I love classic cars and they have very unique style and it’s true that there parts are very rare to get. The classic muscle car really rocks. The insurance for such classic cars are also very easy to get and quick now-a-days. I have gone through some of the insurance site where the insurance company offers the best cover for the classic cars and also offers benefits. You can also apply online and can get the insurance with in less time. http://carinsuranceclassic.co.uk/
Randy on July 07, 2010 at 03:17 PM
I've cloned a '77 Base model into a Formula. I did an engine transplant last year from the base v6 to a freshly built and bored .30 over Chevy 350 with a Holley 4bbl and Edelbrock aluminum intake. It's mated to a TH350 to 3:23 rear geers. Now that she's running, it's an absolute scream! It rumbles to life and that distinctive front end peaks out of the driveway at oncoming traffic. When that opening appears, the Formula locks in like a slot car and is propelled into traffic smoothly and swiftly, with that American V8 roaring the little Honda/Subaru's,with the big noisy tailpipes, away.
David Stanford on August 23, 2010 at 11:18 AM
My 1977 T/A was stolen in Atlanta along with two other cars. A $25,000 reward has been posted for the T/A. 404-431-7001
MIKE on September 01, 2010 at 05:27 PM
you know when i was a kid and went to the drive inn to see Smokie and the Bandit i wanted the car really bad I knew back then they were pretty much gutless engines, well I now own one up here in Alaska and it does not take much to pull some serious horsepower out of that 400 motor I'm keeping the car stock looking but adding some tweeks to the engine and powertrain and damn that car handles great for a heavy 1970's sled, it has the stock suspention also I was suprised when i bought it for $7500.00 the a/c and cruise control still works and i'm keeping it that way :)
Ms Mitchell on January 01, 2011 at 01:46 PM
I just finished looking at this trans video that brung back a lot of memories,but of course i didn't drive like that. I bought this car in a silver grey back in july of 77 brand new with only 7 miles on it when i drove it off the pontiac dealer lot. I still have it to this day parked in my garage. Such a beautiful car.
billy jr anaya billyjack on February 13, 2011 at 06:55 PM
i had the 77 t/a 6.6liter hurst ttops black and gold pinstripes i put a isky revmaster 550 lift 280 duration cam roller rockers and roller lifters and pop up pistions and 202 valves and weinhouser intake with a 850 duble pumper holley carb and hooker headers and slamed the front end to about 1 1/2 inch off the ground in the center part of the frame and 2 inch lowering blocks on the posatrac rear end and found 4 et ploshed 14/10 mags and bfgoodrich 265/50/14 tires and a turbo 400 b/m transmission.that mofuker was bad to the bone,and i drove iot to work every day to seagate hard drives company and raced a chevlle with a blower every morning from fremont to san jose after work at 5:00am on 680 hwy
RIc on April 07, 2011 at 10:48 AM
I was fortunate enough to have had a '77 Bandit, with 6.6 Litre.
The movie was great, do not know how many times I have scene it, even at the drive-in (remember those) in it once. I was disappointed in the fact that in the movie, the brakes were used for all stunts. The car was balanced well 2200 pounds front axle, 1900 rear (mine per truck scales). And without a doubt, it was capable of doing 180 degree turns, at 50 m.p.h., on a two lane road, never touching the brake! Ending up in the oncoming lane, easing up on the throttle, to gain traction.
Of course, sliding around Tn. mountain curve rated at 20-40 m.p.h. at double the speed, or more cost tires, about a set a year. Would I do it again? You have to ask?
Danny on June 18, 2011 at 07:10 AM
I thought the car in smoke and the bandit was a firebird it looks exactly like one
Dave who had one on November 30, 2011 at 11:49 AM
I bought number 50 of these cars, produced in January 77 and delivered to me on Valentines day 77. Mine was a special order with no power windows (added 150 pounds per door), T/A 6.6 litre engine with 4 speed. Moded the car by removing smog control ( was illegal for a dealer to do, but not illegal for a private owner to do), putting 74 Trans Am true dual exhaust, (no headers) changed camshaft to 78 220 horse power version, changed rear end from 3.23 to 3.73, recurved HEI ignition and advanced timing to 30 degrees before top dead center. Car ran 13.78 quarter mile times,107 mph, at the track which figured out to 387 horsepower.
The handling was great for the times. Changed up from the 235 60's original tire to 255 60's all the way around, and could not be beat on a curvy road with the power increase and better handling.
Said all that to show that the potential was there, you just needed to find out how to get it. This car almost owned the streets here in Columbus Ohio with the exceptions of some late 60's and early 70's muscle cars that were still running around. Just wanted to let others know that this car could go fast with a few simple mods. Owned it for 13 years, 178,000 miles, and sold it for $1500 less than what I paid for it brand new. Wish I still had it.