The Bandit is east bound! (PIcs)

Modeling Subjects Autos
21

Ok actually it goes like this the '76 50th Anniverary TA was the original triple black car. Not many people even knew about it as SATB had not come out yet. In the film it was basicly the '76 with the updated body improvemnets for the '77(basicly hood and shaker scoop and different bezels on the headlights) and retained it’s 50th aniv. black vinyl interior. This was also the first year of the “6.6 Litre” designation for the 400 engine as the 455 was put out of production. In the '77-'78 model year the car was released as a production car for “Bandit buyers”. Same car with more gold trim inside and out such as the gold spoked steering wheel and instrument facia was sold as the Pontiac Trans Am SE(Y82 special Edition).

Rob

22

Thats good info Rob. My friend that got this one wanted black interior but decided it looked better with the tan. I think so to being that it’s that small if it was all balck it would just look llike a big black piece of plastic sitting on the shelf. Good history behind it though. I don’t really remember everything about the car since when it was released I was riding around town in a stroller [:)]

23

Lizard: I was not trying to bash your buildup in any way, shape, or form. Figured since the subject came up I would forward my information on to others looking for the poop on the real car. [(-D]

24

Hey none taken, I freely admit that it’s not an exact replica but a creation of mine. I do always like learning as much as I can about stuff though.

25

Nice T/A, I have built many of these since they came out in 1977.

I would like to add some clarification to the comments left by x factor, regarding the real cars.

I agree the model year is 1977,but the real car would not have the 8" snowflakes, as they didn’t appear until 1978, and then only as a part of the WS-6 package.The 7" snowflakes in this kit are correct for the year and the movie car.

This may be difficult to do as a model, but the shaker scoop was unique to the 1977 model year, it was alot lower in the hood, and has a very distinct ridge running the length of it.

I agree that the interior was black in the movie car.

This may be hard to realize, but the cars were not made for the movie, they were a planned model by Pontiac, and known as the Special Edition, not the Smokey and the Bandit edtion.

As far as my take on the kit, I’ll say the biggest problem areas are in the shape and fitment of the wheel flares, and as mentioned before, the exhaust manifolds, and the lack of any good body to chassis mounting locations.

The other area is, the front end sits far too high, and needs a good lowering.

Sorry if I come off sounding like a know-it-all, but after owning my Trans Am for 22 years, I have had alot of time to study the type.

Keep up the good work!

26

I’m still kicking myself in the ****** for getting rid of my '78 T/A. It was originally red with the red velour interior but the chap who had it before I did painted it black and deleted all the decals. It was equipped with the L-72, T/A 6.6 litre engine (220 hp) with a Borg-Warner 4 speed. It originally had the rear drums but I converted it to rear discs. I had that car for about 5 years before I parted with it.

Oh well…the ragtop Mustang GT I have now more than makes up for it

27

After reading all the responses that you got on “The Bandit” Lizardqing2, I thought I’d go out and pick one up, and did so. I’ll give my opinion on assembly of it when I finish, ok? I do know a little about difficult assemblies, as I once put together a '70 Boss, what a pain in the nanas that one was…later

28

Nice looking TA Chris. Thanks for posting the pictures of it.
mark95

29

Chris, somehow I’ve missed this thread over the past few weeks (if not months!). How could I…? I’m a great fan of the Bandit movies (My American wife says I’m I’m sad, I know…).

Great build, despite the aggravation that the kit brought you. I just love it…! Will you build another one for me…??!