Smokey and the Bandit episodes of the series. Needham saw an advertisement for the soon-to-be-released 1977 Pontiac Trans Am and knew right away that would be the Bandit's car, or, as Needham referred to it, a character in the movie. He contacted Pontiac and an agreement was made that four 1977 Trans Ams and two Pontiac LeMans 4-door sedans would be provided for the movie. The Trans Ams were actually 1976-model cars with 1977 front ends. (From 1970 to 1976, both the Firebird/Trans Am and Chevrolet Camaro had two round headlights, and in 1977, the Firebird/Trans Am was changed to four rectangular headlights, while
Smokey and the Bandit mishaps cause his cruiser to disintegrate around them. Bandit's antics attract more attention from police throughout Dixie while Snowman barrels on toward Atlanta with the contraband beer, but they are helped along the way by many colorful characters via CB radio. Neither Sheriff Justice nor any other officials know of Snowman's illegal manifest, while Bandit is likewise unaware that Sheriff Justice is pursuing him because of Carrie. The chase begins to intensify when, moments after crossing back into Georgia, Snowman is narrowly rescued by Bandit after being stopped by a motorcycle patrolman, and state and local police escalate their pursuit