By Bo Durban and Nikolas Worden - 10/26/2022
This very special Trans Am was one of several used in the filming it Smokey and the Bandit
Unique Characteristics
There were minor details about each Trans Am that made them unique. We used these details to identify each Trans Am as it was used in the movie.
For Car #1 its unique characteristics include:
- Windshield has a "G" logo in the lower center of the glass. This embedded logo is called a "bug" and denotes "Guardian" brand glass.
- Small dent in the driver's door just below the door lock.
- After 9/4/76 this car had its shoulder harness seat belts removed.
- Automatic transmission.
- Pace CB144 model radio install to lower dash panel, just right of the steering column. You never actually see the CB radio but you do see the CB microphone and the direction of the curly microphone wire help identify the location and model of the CB radio. Especially when you compare it to the other Trans Ams where you can see the CB model and location.
- RH High Beam headlamp is out.
This car absorbed a lot of damage while filming the highway scenes on GA400 on 10/7/76 and 10/8/76. This damage adds to its list of characteristics:
- RH front wheel flare was ripped off of car when it cut across the median.
- LH font corner of car hit the ground hard enough to bend the frame when it drove down hill prior to driving under the overpass
- At the same time it bent the corner of the bumper down, bent the LH fender out and lost the LH front wheel flare.
Additional damage occurred when they filmed the Trans Am exiting the football field.
- The CB antenna was ripped from roof and when it was reinstalled it appears slightly crooked.
- The left hand driver's door appears to scrape a fence post which leaves a large indent in the door for later scenes.
Scenes Used
Here is a list of scenes we have identified where Car #1 was used in the movie using its unique characteristics. The scenes are listed in chronological filming order. Not necessarily the sequence they appear in the film.
Cledus house
This is the first time we see the Trans Am on screen. It is identified as Car #1 by the "G" logo in the windshield, seat belts are installed and the small dent in the driver's door you can see as Bandit drives away. This scene was filmed on 9/2/1976. The earliest filming date for this car.
Texarkana warehouse
Car #1 is identified by the seat belts and the small dent in the driver door you can see when Bandit stops in front of Wayne's department store. This scene was filmed on 9/4/1976.
Arkansas Night - Hide Behind Building
Car #1 is identified by the seat belts and the small dent in the driver door you can see when the light reflects on the door as Bandit slowly pulls forward. This scene was filmed on the evening of 9/4/1976. The scene was filmed at the town square in McDounough, GA. Apparently this car was the second choice. The first car they used slammed into the curb so hard when rounding the corner that it blew out the tires and destroyed the suspension along with both RH wheels. The car had to be towed away and Car #1 was pulled off the car hauler to finish filming the scene. For now we are assuming this damaged car was Car #2 as we don't see Car #2 again for several more days.
Pond - Day 1
Car #1 was used at the pond scene, identified by the "G" logo on the windshield. This scene was scheduled to be filmed on 9/10/1976. Note that the seat belts are now missing. This is the first time filming at the pond in Jonesboro, GA. This is when we see Burt, Sally, Jerry and Fred the dog.
Kissing Bridge
Car #1 was used when Bandit and Frog stop for the kissing bridge scene. It is identified by the dent in the door and the "G" logo on the windshield. This scene was filmed in Helen, GA between 9/13/1976 and 9/15/1976.
Funeral Procession
Car #1 was used to cut in front of the hearse at the funeral procession on the morning of 9/17/76. This scene was filmed in Lithonia, GA, just north of Redan Park, where the Football Field jump scene was filmed.
Off Road
Car #1 is used for this power slide onto the dirt road. The car is identified by the small dent in the driver's door. This scene was filmed next to Redan Park.
76 Truck Stop
Car #1 is identified by the small dent in the driver's door. This scene was filmed at a Union 76 truck stop off of I-85 in Duluth, GA on 9/18/1976
Crane
This scene where Sheriff Justice rips his roof off we believe was filmed on 9/20/1976. The Trans Am that swirves to miss the beam has its seats belts removed. Since Car # 2 was still damaged, we deduce that this is Car # 1.
Pond - Day 2
Car #1 was used on this 2nd day of filming the pond scene. Notice that the CB antenna is missing it's shaft. Filmed on the same day as "Ready Roy"
Ready Roy
Car #1 was used for the close up scene when Bandit and Frog stop for the Mississippi road block. The car was identified by the "G" logo on the windshield and the missing seatbelts. Based on a behind the scene picture we were able to determine this scene was filmed in front of the same pond Fred went for a swim. This would have been filmed approx 9/21/76. Note the missing CB antenna shaft.
Rocking Chair
Car #1 is identified by the small dent in the driver's door. It is visible as the camera car drives parallel with the Trans Am as it passes under the bridge. This scene was filmed on GA400 just south of Cumming, GA. This scene was filmed approx 9/22/76.
"Bye, Bye, Baby" Bridge
There are no identifiable marks on this car, however since this scene was filmed in Cumming, GA we are assuming it is Car #1 because Car #2 was used as an insert car while filming in Cumming.
Buford Dam
There are no identifiable marks on this car either, however since this scene was filmed in Cumming, GA we are assuming it is Car #1 also.
Diner
Car #1 was used for the exterior shots during the diner scene. You can just make out the dent in the door when Frog stops to pick up Bandit. This scene was filmed on 9/23/1976. This scene was filmed at Old Hickory House in Forest Park, GA.
Fairgrounds
Car # 1 was used for the grand return of the Bandit filmed at the Lakewood Fairgrounds on 9/27/76 and 9/28/76. You can identify the car by the dent in the door when Bandit gets out of the Trans Am
Highway - Motorcyle Cop - flip off scene
Car #1 is identified by the "G" logo in the windshield and the missing seatbelts. This was filmed on approx 10/1/76 on Hwy 54 near Hampton, GA
Highway - Motorcyle Cop - 2nd unit
Car #1 is identified by the small dent in the door. This scene was filmed on GA400 just south of Cumming, GA on 10/5/76
Highway - Lost Wheel Flare
There are no identifiable marks on this car, however since CAR #1 was used as a hero car in the previous scene, which was filmed on the same day and location and because we can track the damage done to this car starting with this scene we can use this damage and other cues to identify this car later and back identify it as Car #1. 10/5/76
Highway
This is car #1 based on the missing wheel flare. 10/5/76
Highway
This is car #1 based on the missing wheel flare, but now the car gains even more damage when it goes down the hill and bends the frame. 10/6/76
Highway
This is car #1 based on the missing wheel flare. 10/5/76
Highway - Bent Frame Damage
This is car #1 based on the missing wheel flare, but now the car gains even more damage when it goes down the hill and bends the frame. 10/6/76
After Frame Damage
Highway
This is car 1 after the frame damage, you can tell by the way the car teeters on 2 wheels when it makes a sharp turn and the front bumper is bent on the drivers side. 10/6/76 (This is assumed to be the next day because the police cars changed models)
Smokey Red 22 - Georgia
The Smokey Red 22 scene was initially filmed in Georgia on 10/8/76 in Conyers, GA. The film was damaged and it had to be reshot in California later. Car # 1 appears in this one scene of the GA filming sequence.
Leaving Football Field
Car #1 was used to film the scene of the Trans Am exiting the dugout after the Football field jump. This was filmed approx 10/9/76. The Trans Am received even more damage as the driver door scraped one of the fence posts as it busted through the fence. It also rips the CB antenna off the roof. In the 2nd take you can see the door damage and a magnetic antenna was used as a quick fix to finish the scene.
Arkansas Farm
Car #1 filmed another scene at the farm, aka "Driving through people's back yards". You can see the large dent in the driver's door as it rounds the tree and as it crosses the road in front of Sherrif Branford's car. Notice how the front wheel lifts high off the ground because of the bent frame. This was filmed on approx 10/11/76.
Last Stretch
Car #1 is looking pretty sad in this scene. The frame is bent, the front fender is bent and sticking out and you can see the large dent in the driver's door. Also, the CB antenna has been repaired, but is now crooked. This was filmed on approx 10/11/76 and was likely the last scene Car #1 was used in.
