Update: The one-off Firebird built for Burt Reynolds just sold for $255,000 at auction, and that’s still a pretty good deal considering what you’re about to find out about it.
In 1977, Smokey and the Bandit made the Pontiac Trans Am a household name. In that particular spec, black with a golden bird, it was America’s sweetheart. This 1978 Pontiac Firebird is a Formula, not a Trans Am, and it’s one year older. So it couldn’t have been in the movie. However, it used to belong to Burt Reynolds himself and is looking for a new home.
This is a Bring A Trailer auction I’ve been waiting to see for a couple of weeks. Firstly because the shots are by the legendary Ted7, and second because the spec is pretty interesting. Basically, Reynolds’ car is way better than factory condition and comes with a few upgrades.
Being a Firebird Formula, the car could have had any number of regular engines, like the Chevy 305 or 350. Of course, the cream of the crop was the T/A 6.6-liter producing up to 220 hp in 1978. However, Burt’s personal car has been fitted with a Butler Performance 8.2-liter V8 paired with a five-speed manual transmission.
Not a T/A, but better
This engine was specifically built for the Pro-Touring theme of the Firebird and produces somewhere over 600 hp. According to the builder, the 8.2-liter has been matched to an aluminum intake and heads, an aluminum radiator with dual fans, ceramic-coated headers and 3″ exhaust with Spintec mufflers.
The 5-speed manual is from Tremec and was coupled with Hurst Line-Lock. On the chassis front, the build boasts mini-tubbed Detroit Speed, QA1 coilovers, and RAMC billet 18″ Snowflake wheels with Nitto Drag Radials.
The Firebird’s body was originally painted Platinum but was sprayed in black paint, which looks as glossy as Darth Vader’s helmet. Upgrades include a Shaker hood, fog lights, vented fenders, a rear CB antenna, a rear spoiler, while the interior features embroidered leather and upgraded speakers. Burt bought this car in 2016 and passed away just two years later, so he didn’t get to enjoy it that much.
Chassis number 2U87L8N183594 has a pretty interesting story on its own. The “L” means this originally came with the 350 cubic-inch V8 which produced only 170 horsepower, so about a quarter of what its replacement delivers.
It was auctioned at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale event in 2017, where it fetched $275,000. However, not many people know that the “Bandit” replica was confiscated and government-auctioned in 2019. That kind of history can actually add value to a famous car.
