by Bo Durban
January 22, 2022

I just received my 1977 Pontiac Sales Brochure in the mail. If it wasn't for this little booklet and what Hal Needham saw inside...a few short weeks before they started filming Smokey and the Bandit...we would be living in a completely different world today...

THE BACK DOORS OF THE TRUCK

As Bandit swings them open, Cledus adjusts one of two ramps that have now been mounted on the rear of the truck's floor. As Cledus kicks the ramp into place, Bandit climbs into the back of the trailer and disappears.

After a moment, there is a deafening roar and suddenly, two headlights are GLARING straight at camera.

NEW ANGLE

A beat and slowly, a full-blown SHELBY COBRA II appears from inside the truck. As it moves slowly down the ramp, we see it has twelve coats of black lacquer, red pinstriping, aluminum mags, twelve-inch Firestones, the works. A mean machine.

On the rear bumper is a CB antenna matching the one on the truck.

CAMERA FOLLOWS

as Bandit guides the Cobra down the ramp. Cledus quickly folds up the ramp and dumps it back into the truck. He slams the metal doors closed and crosses to the Cobra.