Smokey and the Bandit was an unexpected blockbuster hit in 1977, selling more tickets than all other movies that year except Star Wars. As a result, Pontiac showrooms were flooded by buyers looking for the exact same black and gold "Bandit" Trans Am that Burt Reynolds drove in the movie. Pontiac could not make these "Bandits" in sufficient quantities to satisfy the demand in 1977.
In 1978, Pontiac sold two "Bandits" - the exact same black and gold Trans Am that Burt Reynolds drove, and this stunning "Solar Gold" Y88 Special Edition Trans Am. For the Y88, Pontiac "reversed" the paint scheme - the body was painted Solar Gold and the screaming chicken and stripes were dark brown. The "reverse bandit" was a strikingly beautiful car and it outsold the black and gold car in 1978.
Problems with the solar gold paint caused the "Reverse Bandit" to be discontinued for 1979, making this the rarest of all Bandits. The black and gold "Bandit" continued to be sold through the 1981 model year.
Comparing today's image to yesterday's will also show the significant differences in the two versions of Pontiac's famous "screaming chicken" hood decal.
@anazad511@fueast Thanks for the nice comments, Ana and Alison - but this is not cropped, it was composed this way. The majority of my shots are not cropped.
