By Bo Durban
February 13, 2023
FORD v PONTIAC
THE "FIRST DRAFT" BANDIT CAR
I received a few comments about the "Shelby Cobra" mentioned in my last post and in the early copy of the screenplay title "BANDIT"
The "first draft" screenplay was dated July 30, 1976 and has Bandit's car as a 1976 Ford Mustang Cobra II. Note that the script sometimes refers to it as a "Shelby" but Ford was using the "COBRA" name at this point. It wasn't technically a "Shelby".
The screenplay was dated 1 month prior to the first day of filming, which started on August 30, 1976. So, shortly after the screenplay was published is when Hal Needham discovered the Trans Am and picked it for the movie car. It seems like such a short time for that part of the story to come together:
- Hal sees Trans Am in the brochure
- Hal contacts Pontiac and negotiates a deal
- Hal contacts Pontiac and negotiates a deal
- Pontiac puts a face lift on at least 3x 1976 Trans Am Limited Editions to convert them to appear as 1977 Special Editions
- Pontiac delivers the Trans Ams to Georgia
- The crew modifies the Trans Ams for filming.
Even getting the Trans Am into the brochure is a story in and of itself. I will talk about that in a future post.
Excerpt from script:
THE BACK DOORS OF THE TRUCK
As Bandit swings them open, Cledus adjusts one of two ramps that have now been mounted on the rear of the truck's floor. As Cledus kicks the ramp into place, Bandit climbs into the back of the trailer and disappears.
After a moment, there is a deafening roar and suddenly, two headlights are GLARING straight at camera.
NEW ANGLE
A beat and slowly, a full-blown SHELBY COBRA II appears from inside the truck. As it moves slowly down the ramp, we see it has twelve coats of black lacquer, red pinstriping, aluminum mags, twelve-inch Firestones, the works. A mean machine.
On the rear bumper is a CB antenna matching the one on the truck.
CAMERA FOLLOWS
as Bandit guides the Cobra down the ramp. Cledus quickly folds up the ramp and dumps it back into the truck. He slams the metal doors closed and crosses to the Cobra.
