If you grew up obsessed with black Pontiacs and CB radios, you probably owned an ertl smokey and the bandit diecast car before you were even old enough to have a driver's license. There's just something about that 1977 Trans Am that sticks in your brain. For a lot of us, the movie wasn't just a high-speed chase through the South; it was a religious experience centered around a car with a giant gold bird on the hood. And while most of us couldn't go out and buy a real Firebird the day after seeing the film, we could definitely beg our parents to take us to the toy aisle for an Ertl version.
Ertl has always held a special place in the hearts of diecast collectors because they didn't just make toys—they made miniature replicas that felt substantial. When you pick up one of their Bandit cars, it has that cold, heavy feel of real metal. It's a far cry from the lightweight plastic stuff that fills up most toy shelves these days. Whether you were playing in the dirt or keeping it pristine on a shelf, those Ertl models were the gold standard for movie fans.
Why Ertl and the Bandit Were a Perfect Match
Back in the late 70s and early 80s, Ertl was the king of "working" vehicles and licensed movie tie-ins. They had this knack for capturing the grit of a vehicle. When they got the license for Smokey and the Bandit, it was a match made in heaven. The movie was all about the machinery—the roar of the engine, the shifting of gears, and the gleaming paint under the Georgia sun.
Ertl understood that the Bandit's Trans Am wasn't just a car; it was a character. They put effort into getting the "Screaming Chicken" decal right on the hood, which was the most important part for any kid. If that bird didn't look fierce, the whole car was a bust. But Ertl delivered. They captured the gold pinstriping, the honey-comb wheels, and that aggressive stance that made the Trans Am look like it was going 100 mph even when it was sitting on your nightstand.
The Legendary 1/18 Scale Beauty
If you really wanted to impress your friends back in the day, you had to have the 1/18 scale ertl smokey and the bandit Trans Am. This thing was a beast. At that size, you could see everything. The doors opened, the hood popped up to reveal a detailed engine, and the steering wheel actually worked.
I remember the first time I saw one of these out of the box. The t-tops were the coolest part. Being able to look down into the interior and see the tiny dashboard and those bucket seats made it feel so much more real. For a kid, it was the closest thing to sitting in the cockpit with Burt Reynolds himself. Collectors today still hunt for these 1/18 scale models because they look incredible on a bookshelf or in a display case. They have a presence that smaller scales just can't match.
The 1/64 Scale: The Pocket-Sized Outlaw
Of course, not everyone had the space or the allowance for the big 1/18 scale models. That's where the 1/64 scale versions came in. These were roughly the size of a Matchbox or Hot Wheels car, making them the perfect size to carry around in your pocket. You could bring your Bandit car to school, race it across your desk during lunch, and hide it in your pocket when the teacher walked by.
Despite their small size, Ertl didn't skimp on the vibes. They still managed to get that black and gold color scheme just right. These smaller versions are probably the most "played-with" items in the collecting world. If you find one at a flea market today, it's usually covered in "battle scars"—chipped paint on the fenders from jumping over imaginary bridges or scuffed roofs from a simulated roll-over. Honestly, those chips and scratches just add to the character. It shows the car was loved.
Don't Forget the Snowman's Rig
You can't talk about an ertl smokey and the bandit collection without mentioning the heavy lifter of the group: Cledus Snow's Kenworth W900. While the Trans Am was the star, the truck was the reason for the whole journey. Ertl produced some fantastic versions of the Snowman's rig, complete with the iconic mural on the side of the trailer.
The mural—a stagecoach being pulled by horses—is one of the most recognizable pieces of movie art in history. Getting that onto a toy trailer was no small feat, but Ertl made it happen. Having the truck and the car together is the holy grail for most fans. There's something deeply satisfying about seeing that black Trans Am parked next to the massive Kenworth, just like they were at the truck stop in the movie. It completes the scene.
Variations and Anniversary Editions
Over the years, Ertl released several different versions of these classics. They didn't just stop in the 70s. As the movie hit various milestones—like its 25th or 30th anniversary—Ertl would put out special editions. These often came in fancy packaging with "Anniversary" logos, and sometimes they even featured slightly updated tooling or better paint finishes.
Some of these later releases included "Dirty" versions, where the car looked like it had been racing through the mud and dust of the Southern backroads. For the hardcore collector, these variants are a must-have. It's one thing to have a shiny showroom Bandit car, but it's another thing entirely to have one that looks like it just finished a high-speed pursuit through a construction site.
The Thrill of the Hunt Today
Finding a vintage ertl smokey and the bandit piece today is a bit of a treasure hunt. You can't just walk into a big-box store and grab one off the shelf anymore. You have to put in the work. eBay is the obvious go-to, but there's a certain magic in finding one in the wild.
I've spent many Saturday mornings at swap meets and antique malls, digging through bins of old toys hoping to see that flash of black and gold. When you finally spot one—especially if it's in the original blue and white Ertl carding—your heart skips a beat. The prices can vary wildly depending on the condition. A "mint in box" 1/18 scale Trans Am can fetch a pretty penny, while a loose, well-loved 1/64 scale car might only cost you a few bucks.
Why We Still Care
It's been decades since Smokey and the Bandit first hit theaters, so why are we still talking about Ertl diecast cars? I think it's because those cars represent a specific kind of freedom. The movie was a rebellion against "the man," a middle finger to authority, and a celebration of the open road.
Owning an ertl smokey and the bandit model is a way to hold onto that feeling. It's a reminder of a time when movies were simpler, cars were cooler, and the hero always got away with it in the end. For many of us, it's not just about the plastic and the metal; it's about the memories of sitting on the living room rug, making engine noises, and imagining we were the ones behind the wheel, outrunning the law with a trunk full of Coors beer.
At the end of the day, these Ertl models are more than just collectibles. They're tiny time machines. Whether you're a serious collector with a temperature-controlled display room or just a guy who wants a cool car on his desk, the Bandit's Trans Am will always be the king of the road. And as long as people keep watching the movie, Ertl's little black cars will keep racing into our hearts. Keep your pedal to the metal and your eyes peeled—that next great find might be just around the corner.