For many of us that grew up watching the Smokey chase the Bandit, we were saddened to hear of the passing of Burt Reynolds last week. I’m certain for many that it will cause a renewed appreciation for the late-1970’s Pontiac Tran Ams. This one found here on Craigslist in Frontenac, Kansas, might cause a few Bandit fans to take a look.

This 1979 Trans Am is powered by the 403 Olds V8. The seller states that this car has under 84,000 original miles, including the original drivetrain. An engine rebuild helps to reset that clock to some degree, though. A set of headers, Comp Cams camshaft, and a Posi-Trac rear end at least make the 403 seem like less of a slouch.

Without detailed pictures of the interior, it’s hard to tell how good or bad it really is, even though the seller states that the front seats need work. The door panels clearly need work, which may tell the rest of the interior’s story. That steering wheel and unique brushed aluminum dash are still enough to get many enthusiasts excited about a project like this.

It’s tough to say what the market for these cars might do with the passing of the Bandit, but a renewed interest may cause an upswing in what they start going for. The seller states that this one is pretty solid, although there is mention of patchwork from rust. The pictures appear to show a solid project with a lot of potential. With a lot of mechanical work already in place, it looks like the next owner could focus on cosmetics. Could a Trigger tribute car be in the future for this one? And is the $7,000 asking price fair to get started?