The new 840-horse Bandit Trans Am would give Smokey a run for his money

By Miles Branman Published March 30, 2016

It’s been almost four decades since the Pontiac Trans Am was made famous as the co-star of the film “Smokey and the Bandit.” Now that the automaker has since gone bust, the only way for the world to greet a revived classic is through the work of Trans Am Depot, a specialty tuning shop that has introduced a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro-based limited-edition Trans Am.

That’s not all, Trans Am fans, the other co-star of “Smokey and the Bandit,” Burt Reynolds, has signed each of the 77 examples of the new car and was there to introduce the vehicle.

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Worthly reports that when asked about the rise of the Trans Am and the movie that made it famous, Reynolds says, “it was hot in every way. It was a love story and most guys like a love story with a car in it.”

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The movie also had a special place in Trans Am Depot co-founder Tod Womack’s heart. “To see Smokey and the Bandit, it’s like you remember your first kiss, you always remember where you saw the movie, who you were with,” he said. Gee, doesn’t that just make you all warm and fuzzy?

Brother and co-founder Scott Warmack recalls that within two weeks of the movie’s debut, their father bought not one, but two Trans Ams. I’ve never quite understood why people would buy two of the exact same car, especially a new (at the time) vehicle, but hey, if you love something that much …

And the brothers really must love the cars, because since 1977, the two have owned nearly 50 Trans Ams. Obsession? Possibly, but who else better to build a revival of the iconic Bandit-mobile?

For a long time, the Warmack brothers have been told that Burt Reynolds needs to be part of their business, and finally their dream has come true.

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Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…

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