Smokey and the Bandit continues to be a movie that ripples through modern car culture. Despite the film releasing in 1977 (the same year as Star Wars: A New Hope and Close Encounters of the Third Kind), we still see modern interpretations of the iconic black/gold “Bandit” livery today despite both the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and Burt Reynolds no longer being with us.
Case in point, two “Bandit” themed pickup trucks are heading to the 2023 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction this month. One of which is a custom 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, while the other is a 2022 Jeep Gladiator, both of which do their best at giving homage to the Bandit and his famous Pontiac Trans-am he used to aid in one of the most famous beer runs ever.
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 “Bandit”
The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Bandit (Lot 742), is a true first edition vehicle and has a certificate of authenticity to prove it. The Bandit Silverado short bed 4×4 is powered by a 2.7L turbo 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Chevrolet Silverado Bandit truck also sports black and gold all around and both vehicles sport the famous “screaming chicken” on the hood (it’s really a phoenix, for those that don’t know), as well as made famous from the movie Smokey and the Bandit. The custom bandit outlaw features 35-inch tires wrapped around 24-inch snowflake style wheels, similar to that of the Bandit’s Trans-am.
2022 Jeep Gladiator “Bandit”
The 2022 Jeep Gladiator (Lot 792) is powered by a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It also comes with a certificate of authenticity but sports bigger 38-inch tires that wrap around 22-inch custom made bandit wheels. The Bandit Gladiator also only has 79 actual miles. Both vehicles sport “Bandit” decals on the side of their respective truck beds as well as along the hood.
Both of these vehicles encapsulate the attitude of the Bandit’s getaway muscle car very well, and while we’ve seen modern renditions, Bandit trucks are a welcome addition to the bandit crew. Both vehicles will roll across the Barrett Jackson auction block Jan. 21 to Jan. 29 with no reserve.
