Three Trans Ams Were Destroyed During Filming
The filming of “Smokey and the Bandit” was not without risks. Three Pontiac Trans Ams were destroyed to make the movie as a result. The first Trans Am destroyed was a pre-production 1977 model provided by Pontiac for use in the film. During filming, the car was damaged beyond repair while performing a high-speed jump over a creek. The car was replaced with a modified 1976 model. The second Trans Am to be destroyed was a modified 1976 model used for close-up shots and interior shots (via Slash Gear).
The car was destroyed in a crash while filming a scene where the Bandit’s car crashed into a police car. The third and final Trans Am to be destroyed was also a modified 1976 model. The car was destroyed during the filming of the climactic chase scene where it crashes into a roadblock and explodes into flames.