A 1977 Pontiac Trans Am, formerly owned by Burt Reynolds. Photo by Edison Graff, courtesy Julien’s Auctions.
Released in 1977, the movie Smokey and the Bandit probably did more to sell Pontiac Trans Ams than any advertising campaign in the brand’s history. As the second-highest grossing film of 1977, it cemented actor Burt Reynolds’ reputation as a bona fide superstar, so it stands to reason that a car with ties to both the movie and the actor would command a premium price at auction. Last weekend a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am used to promote the film (but not in the actual filming) and later gifted to Reynolds sold for $450,000 at a Julien’s Auctions sale in Las Vegas, far exceeding the $80,000 pre-auction estimate.
The Pontiac was part of a Burt Reynolds-specific auction that included everything from paintings and sculpture through clothing and movie memorabilia, all formerly part of the actor’s personal collection. A gas-powered black Trans Am replica go-kart (also said to be a promotional item from Smokey and the Bandit) sold for $13,750, while the red-with-black trim “Bandit” jacket worn by Reynolds in the movie fetched $34,375. Even a shirt worn by Reynolds in the movie managed to achieve a selling price of $15,625, making the $20,000 paid for his “Bandit” cowboy boots seem like a relative bargain.
The 1977 Pontiac Trans Am sold last weekend had been given to Reynolds following its use in promotional appearances to support the film. A plaque inside the door identifies the car as being owned by Reynolds, and a copy of the title supplied with the car lists Reynolds as a previous owner. “Bandit” is even lettered on the driver’s door, just in case the car’s new owner forgets its provenance. Aside from these identifying features, the car is believed to be otherwise stock, equipped with a 403-cu.in., 185-horsepower V-8 mated to a three-speed Hydra-Matic transmission.
The sale bodes well for another Pontiac Trans Am with ties to Reynolds heading to auction next month. A 1978 Trans Am once owned by the actor but now being sold as part of the Wellborn Muscle Car Collection will cross the block at Mecum’s Kissimmee sale. Records show that this particular car (with no direct ties to any of the later Smokey and the Bandit movies) was owned by Reynolds from 2005 to 2009, and was once displayed at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. While the Julien’s sale is no guarantee of performance at the later Mecum auction, it demonstrates that interest in memorabilia related to Reynolds hasn’t waned over the years.
For complete results from last weekend’s Burt Reynolds sale at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, visit JuliensAuctions.com.
