Burt Reynolds to auction off 1977 'Smokey and the Bandit' Trans Am

CARLISLE, Pa., April 10 (UPI) -- Before Vin Diesel and "The Fast and the Furious," there was Burt Reynolds and "Smokey and the Bandit." Back then, the car to have was the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am, and Reynolds, the Bandit himself, is set to auction his off.

This is not just any '77 Trans Am. It's an exact replica of the one driven in the 'Bandit' films -- a special edition Y82 model with a Hurst T-Top, black interior and a 6.6-liter engine.

Carlisle Auctions announced the consignment on Facebook Wednesday, April 8.

The winning bidder at the April 24 auction, taking place at the Carlisle Expo Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, will also receive the title proving Reynolds owned the car. Its dashboard and hood is autographed by the action star, who only acquired the car a year ago.

To undertake the actor's last 'Bandit' restoration, Reynolds' hired old friend Harold Murphy, owner of Murphy Auto Body and Restoration in West Palm Beach, Florida, to personalize the car and return it to peak condition.Harold Murphy and Reynolds have worked together on his cars since the company's first event in Florida.

In December of 2014, Reynolds sold another 1977 Trans Am from his collection for $450,000. An expert on the make, Rick Deiters, told Fox News that car, "wasn't in as good a condition as some others I've seen."

And that is what makes this new car all the more exciting.

"That speaks volumes to the demand not only for the car, but for ones owned by Reynolds," he said. "In my opinion, this last car from his collection is a really good and correct one."

This is the last of Reynolds' car collection to be going up for sale. Once this "Smokey and the Bandit" tribute car crosses the block, the 79-year-old actor will pursue other interests.