Your chance to catch the Bandit

“For the good old American lifestyle: For the money, for the glory, and for the fun… mostly for the money.”

It’s a great line, from a great movie. At least, I thought it was great when I was kid. Of course, I’m talking about Smokey and the Bandit. Known as much for the Pontiac Trans Am as anything else, it has to be said.

Now, you can buy Burt Reynolds’ own  1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ‘Bandit’ Sports Coupe. The car is fully restored, and includes special Bandit insignias on the headrests.

If you’re interested you need to get yourself to the Houston Classic Auction on 2 May. Full details after the jump.

[Source: Worldwide Auctioneers via autoblog]

‘Burt’s Bandit’ Heads the Star Cast of Automotive Icons to be Auctioned in Houston on May 2nd

Worldwide Auctioneers, responsible for the sale of some of the world’s greatest collector cars, has confirmed today that a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ‘Bandit’ Sports Coupe, currently the property of Mr. Burt Reynolds, will go under the hammer at its fifth annual Houston Classic Auction on May 2nd.

Immortalized in the 1970’s movie Smokey and the Bandit, the Trans Am became a screen legend in its own right, starring alongside Burt Reynolds, Sally Fields and Jackie Gleason in the cops and robbers box office hit. Burt Reynolds acquired this special example for his own use, properly restored with slight modification for ‘the Bandit’ himself, before the TV series began. It wears the full black and gold paint scheme, snowflake rims and body ground effects with flairs and spoilers. The interior is decked out in full gear, complete with embroidered Bandit portrait headrests and Cobra CB radio, ready to check out the 10-20 of the Smokeys.

Having been on loan to the famous Peterson Museum in Los Angeles, this unique automobile is now ready to make its next coast to coast beer run. ‘This is a great opportunity to obtain a very quickly appreciating collectible car, owned by one of Hollywood’s most notable celebrities’, said John Kruse, Managing Partner. ‘Instantly recognizable, it’s an investment that is sure to attract attention wherever it goes’.

Now in its fifth year, the Houston Classic Auction looks set to once again reward both collectors and enthusiasts with a mouth watering array of over 100 spectacular vintage automobiles, of all makes and from all eras. Among the selection of very special sports racers, select American muscle cars and stately European and American classics is a singular 1960 Scarab Grand Prix Race Car, awesome 1968 Shelby GT500 KR Convertible, magnificent 1933 Duesenberg LaGrande Cowl Phaeton and gorgeous 1951 Ferrari 340 America Berlinetta Coupe. Racing fans will also get a rare chance to see Corvette racing legends Dick Guldstrand and Delmo Johnson reunited with some of the celebrated race cars that contributed to their success on the track, as a selection of iconic Corvette racers go under the hammer.

‘We are thrilled and honored to once again be responsible for bringing some of the finest automobiles in the world to Houston’, said Rod Egan, Managing Partner and Chief Auctioneer. ‘We look forward to another great sale’.

Held in conjunction with the fourteenth annual Keels and Wheels Concours D’Elegance, the Houston Classic Auction is on Saturday May 2nd 2009 at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas. Further details regarding any current consignment may be discussed with either Rod Egan or John Kruse on 260-927-0000. Full information on the sale, admission and advance bidder registration can be obtained by calling 260-927-0000 or visiting www.wwgauctions.com. Media and sponsorship enquiries should be directed to Jo Snyder on 512-507-7867.