What Engine Did the Smokey and the Bandit Semi Truck Have?

The 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit, starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, and Jackie Gleason, is a classic film about fast-driving truckers. The story follows Bo “Bandit” Darville (Reynolds) as he takes on a challenge to transport a truckload of beer from Texas to Georgia in 28 hours. The movie is remembered for its iconic semi truck, driven by Bandit’s partner Cledus Snow (Gleason).

The semi truck seen in Smokey and the Bandit was a 1977 Kenworth W900A.

It had a long wheelbase and an aerodynamic design that helped make it one of the most recognizable rigs of the time. The truck was powered by an 8v71 Detroit Diesel engine, which was capable of producing 350 horsepower and 950 pound-feet of torque. It was mated to a 5-speed transmission and had air brakes for added safety. With this powerful combination, the semi truck could easily reach speeds up to 80 mph.

The Kenworth W900A also featured other features that made it perfect for the movie’s stunts. It had an adjustable suspension system that allowed it to be lowered or raised depending on what kind of terrain it needed to traverse. Additionally, its steel frame allowed it to take jumps without any damage, which came in handy during some of the movie’s more intense scenes.

To summarize, the semi truck driven by Cledus Snow in Smokey and the Bandit was a 1977 Kenworth W900A powered by an 8v71 Detroit Diesel engine. This powerful combination allowed the rig to reach speeds up to 80 mph while also featuring an adjustable suspension system and steel frame that allowed it to handle any kind of terrain or stunt with ease.

Conclusion:So what engine did the Smokey and the Bandit semi truck have? The answer is an 8v71 Detroit Diesel engine capable of producing 350 horsepower and 950 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 5-speed transmission with air brakes for added safety.

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James Gardner