This B&W photograph is the engine compartment of a 1976 Limited Edition Trans Am that was converted to look like a 1977 Trans Am. It was used for a magazine article in Hot Rod magazine, issue January, 1977.

This is the same type of conversion that was done to the Trans Am(s) used in Smokey and the Bandit. There are no known pictures of the engine compartment of Bandit's Trans Am. This may be the closest representation we have for what it might have looked like.

I assume this car was modified by Pontiac and provided to Hot Rod magazine for evaluation.

Notable 1977 features:

• 1977 hood scoop
• 1977 Air cleaner base with round snorkel
• 1977 style spark plug wire retainer

Notable 1976 features:

• 1976 hood seal location
• 1976 VIR A/C filter

Other details:

• Missing fender to radiator support brace