was the trans am in smokey and the bandit stock

WAS THE TRANS AM IN SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT STOCK UPGRADE

Base FirebirdĪs had been the case since the second-generation Firebirds were introduced in 1970, the car was available in four models. The color scheme was introduced the previous year, and along with the “screaming chicken” decal on the hood, represented the definitive Trans Am of the decade.

While sales of the Firebird had been rising since 1973, the use of the black and gold Special Edition Trans Am by Burt Reynolds in “Smokey and the Bandit” brought increased awareness to the car. This is in contrast to the 200 horsepower available from the previous 455 engine, and in sharp contrast to the 310 horsepower that was available just a few years before. The aforementioned 403 engine was available as an option, and increased horsepower to 185. Trans Am models were equipped with a 400 CID V8 that had been available the previous year, though horsepower dropped by five to 180.

WAS THE TRANS AM IN SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT STOCK UPGRADE

That engine was still available as an upgrade option. This engine came standard with both the Esprit and the Formula models, which until 1977 came with a 350 CID engine producing 170 horsepower. The base V8 model was a new 301 CID engine rated at 135 horsepower. Instead, the base models included a Buick 231 CID six-cylinder that produced 105 horsepower, five less than the previous year’s 250 engine. For the first time since the Firebird was introduced in 1967, a 250 CID six-cylinder was not offered as the base engine. The engine lineup was nearly completely revised. Under the hood, however, things were quite different from the previous year.

Visually, the front end change was the only major difference between the 19, but the updated front, commonly called the “Batmobile” nose, offered fresh styling for the car that was continuing to grow in popularity.

Was the trans am in smokey and the bandit stock