Burt Reynolds’ Five Free Pontiac Trans Ams Ended When a New GM President Took Over

The Smokey and the Bandit fame helped cement the Pontiac Trans Am’s iconic status. GM reportedly offered Burt Reynolds a brand-new Trans Am every year for the rest of his life after a call from the then-president. Over five years he received new Trans Ams (many given to family; he kept one), but in the sixth year the deal stopped when a new GM president—who admitted he didn’t like Reynolds’ movies—took charge and canceled the arrangement.