[StealthBird]

He's trying to cash in on the current "Banditmania" because of all the attention the Burt Reynolds auction car obtained. A lot of people go nuts over the 76-81 Special Edition Trans Ams, especially the 77 version, because of the "Smokey And The Bandit" movie. The Special Edition cars typically go for 50% more than regular Trans Ams.

But honestly, if that $450K 1977 Trans Am that Burt Reynolds car didn't have celebrity status, it was a $10K car. Someone wanted the title with Burt's name on it. Love it or hate it, "Smokey And The Bandit" was one of the most iconic car movies of the 1970's. It made the 1977 Trans Am famous, especially the Special Edition version, and Pontiac rode a huge wave of popularity as Trans Ams sales grew at a healthy pace over the next couple years.

Pontiac didn't use the term "Bandit" anywhere until 1981, and by this time Trans Am sales were sagging. "Smokey And The Bandit II" was released in 1980.