The Bandit Run Cruising Through Michigan This Week
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To say that Smokey and the Bandit had a massive impact on American car culture would likely be an understatement. Released back in 1977 amid the malaise era – a time period noted for poor quality in the automotive industry – Smokey and the Bandit single-handedly revived sales of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and led to the creation of the cult following the muscle car enjoys to this day. Case in point, the annual Bandit Run is dedicated to celebrating the Trans Am and its era, and will be running though Michigan this week.
Put on by Restore a Muscle Car, the 2024 Bandit Run commemorates Smokey and the Bandit by way of tearing up Michigan roadways in the infamous Pontiac Trans Am. Kicking off on Sunday, June 9th in Holland, Michigan and ending on Thursday, June 13th in Pontiac, Michigan, this year’s Bandit Run features more than 110 Trans Ams with drivers from 28 U.S. states and Canada.
It’s worth noting that this event is also a food drive in partnership with the Salvation Army, so folks are asked to bring a canned good for donation.
In other Pontiac-related news, GM Authority recently reported on why the fifth-generation Pontiac GTO flopped in the United States. According to the man who designed the Holden Monaro – the Australian vehicle the GTO was based on – the fifth-gen GTO failed due to improper branding.
“As a Chevrolet, it would have been really successful,” GM Global Design Vice President Simcoe remarked. “It really didn’t carry itself as a GTO; it didn’t meet the expectations. The last thing you want to do is take a vehicle that’s unknown, an iconic badge / brand, and put the two together because all you’re doing is putting a target on that vehicle.”
Other often-cited reasons include pricing, the lack of a convertible option, boring styling, and competition from a lower-priced Ford Mustang.
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Sheriff… do the letters F.O. mean anything to you?