Where Is the Original Semi Truck From Smokey and the Bandit?
The 1977 movie, Smokey and the Bandit, follows the adventures of The Bandit (Burt Reynolds) and his partner, Cledus ‘Snowman’ Snow (Jerry Reed) as they try to evade Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason) while transporting cases of Coors beer from Texas to Georgia. One of the most memorable aspects of this iconic film is the semi truck driven by The Bandit.
The semi truck used in Smokey and the Bandit was a 1977 Peterbilt 359 EXHD, painted black with red flames along its sides and hood. It was originally owned by Harold Owens, a truck driver from Dallas who had painted the flames on it himself. The truck was leased by Universal Studios for filming in 1974 and returned to Owens after filming wrapped up in 1976.
Before being leased by Universal Studios, Owens had already made several modifications to his semi-truck, including adding air horns and a CB radio antennae so that he could talk to other drivers on long-haul trips. He also added an extra 100 gallons of fuel capacity so he could travel further distances more easily.
In 2006, Harold Owens sold his beloved semi-truck for $80,000 at an auction in Georgia. The buyer was Rick Hendrick, a NASCAR team owner who purchased it as a gift for Jeff Gordon, one of his drivers at that time.
In 2011, Jeff Gordon donated the truck to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis where it has been on display ever since. Visitors can still see this iconic piece of Hollywood history at its permanent home in Indianapolis.
Conclusion
The original semi-truck from Smokey and the Bandit can be seen today at its permanent home in The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis where it has been on display since 2011. It is still recognizable with its black paint job with red flames along its sides and hood – just like it appeared in the classic 1977 movie starring Burt Reynolds as The Bandit.
