Burt Reynolds ‘Bandit’ Trans Am auctioned for AU$415K
Images: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions.
The enduring popularity of the 1977 feature film Smokey and the Bandit was in evidence this past June when original and reproduction memorabilia from the film, as well as Bandit items owned and connected to Burt Reynolds, went to auction.
Conducted by specialty Hollywood memorabilia auctioneers, Julien’s Auctions, the ‘Property from the Estate of Burt Reynolds’ sale was held over two days and featured hundreds of items.
While Reynolds, who passed away last September, had a long career both before and after Smokey and the Bandit, the fun and dumb chase film remains one of his most popular roles. As such, the Bandit-related items were expected to sell well ahead of the 15-16 June auction.
Leading the way was a 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in signature Bandit black and gold livery. While it didn’t actually feature in the original Bandit movie or its sequels, this car was special, as it was owned by Reynolds and business partner Gene Kennedy before his death.
Reynolds is reported as stating he always wanted to own one of the Trans Ams originally used in the film, but as most were destroyed in the spectacular stunts, he had to make do with promotional cars built in period, or more modern reproductions and Bandit homages.
The last Trans Am personally owned by Reynolds, the ’79 car was built by Bandit Movie Cars for Reynolds and used by him on the 2017 'Bandit Run', as well as on several cross-country rallies that celebrated the 40-year anniversary of Smokey and the Bandit that year. With 70,000 original miles, the car also made an appearance on "Bitchin' Rides" in the US.
Against a US$300,000 low estimate, the ex-Reynolds ’79 Trans Am sold for US$317,500 (AU$415,000 approx.) and was the top-selling lot from the auction.
Oher Bandit-related items included a Pace CB Radio and Scanner of the type used in the film, signed by Reynolds, that sold for US$25,000 (AU$32,600 approx.); more than six times its pre-auction estimate.
Also excelling was an original Smokey and the Bandit script, also signed by Reynolds, that came to auction with a US$2,000 high estimate and sold for US$37,500 (AU$49,000 approx.), while Reynolds’s own 35mm copy of the movie sold for a whopping US$21,875 (AU$28,600 approx.) against an estimate of only US$300.
A genuine piece of Bandit memorabilia was a battered door from a Georgia State Patrol car (possibly a Chev Caprice) wrecked in the filming that was signed by Reynolds and almost doubled its estimate to sell for US$10,240 (AU$13,400 approx.).
Finally, a writing desk made for Reynolds using the front clip of a genuine ’79 Trans Am was the bargain amongst the Bandit items, selling for a very reasonable US$4,375 (AU$5,700 approx.)
Unrelated to all the Bandit memorabilia, a 2014 Cadillac ATS owned by Reynolds and detailed in tribute to his alma mater Florida State University football team sold for US$41,600 (AU$54,400 approx.).
For full results and further details from this auction, go to: juliensauctions.com
