11th May 2003, 21:37

Hi,

I was just doing some research on 1978 Pontiac T/A's.

I was interested in buying one from someone I know, they say it is "a smokey and the bandit edition." How can I tell? What is so great about that specific edition too?

Can someone help out? I have a few more questions too, just trying to get a good deal.. you know..

Thanx.

5th Jun 2003, 07:40

WILL a 400 motor and 400 transmission out of a 1977 T/A fit into any 1978 firebird without any modifications?

15th Jun 2005, 12:47

There is no real "Smokey and the Bandit" edition Trans Am as far as Pontiac is concerned. It is just a black special edition 1977 Trans Am with the gold decal package including the Gothic lettering and the looped style bird. These were actually a carry over package from the 1976 special edition Trans Am. They also have the Hurst t-tops and the snowflake rims. It is more of an appearance package than anything else, but still extremely nice looking.

25th Jan 2006, 22:15

I would like to point out that the 78 t/a put out more like 300 horsepower.

Yeah dyno.

6th Apr 2006, 14:10

Tomorrow I travel 3,100 miles to go and get the car of my dreams, minus the 4 speed. 78' formula 400. It's worth every mile!

14th Nov 2007, 23:08

There actually was a Bandit Edition Trans Am; it was offered in 78 if I'm not mistaken. It had a 455 CID motor, very rare... it also came from the factory with a CB radio. For all you people who don't know, in Smokey and the Bandit, in all of the chase scenes, the car had a 455 in it...

It is impossible to do a 180 in this car... 180K without a doubt is possible.

16th Dec 2007, 11:51

If you watch the "extras" on the Smokey and the Bandit movie they will tell you that they did not have any custom T/A's for production. They were given 3 Trans Ams totally stock and had to shoot the whole movie with them, piecing them back together as they went. If you watch closely you'll see a few scenes with the older honeycomb wheels on the cars and details like that... They had a very small budget on this film as they never expected it to be nearly the success it was. Pontiac did not back them on it other than supplying the three cars and a couple of police cruisers. As far as a '78 with a 455...That would have been a trick since the engine was out of production in any Pontiac after 1976. You may have seen a custom job created by a private company.