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The truck alongside the Bandit’s Trans Am in Smokey and the Bandit was a Kenworth W900A. Kenworth says the production used three trucks—two 1974 models and one 1973 model—and specifies a 36-inch sleeper configuration. Its distinctive long hood made it a memorable costar, while the available evidence does not establish detailed engine or transmission specifications for each movie truck.
What truck was in Smokey and the Bandit?
Kenworth’s model history identifies the film truck as a W900A with a 36-inch sleeper. The manufacturer says three trucks were used: two from 1974 and one from 1973. The available information does not identify which truck appeared in particular scenes.
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The W900A’s long hood was more than a visual signature. Kenworth explains that it accommodated longer diesel engines and a larger radiator. That design helps explain why the truck stands out on screen, without requiring assumptions about the exact equipment fitted to each filming truck.
The three filming trucks
| Detail | What the sources establish |
|---|---|
| Model | Kenworth W900A |
| Sleeper | 36-inch sleeper, according to Kenworth |
| Trucks used | Three, according to Kenworth |
| Model years | Two 1974 trucks and one 1973 truck, according to Kenworth |
| Scene assignments | Not specified in the cited manufacturer history |
Overdrive’s production retrospective also identifies a 1974 W900A as one of the three trucks. It reports that director Hal Needham filmed the opening race at Atlanta’s Lakewood Speedway.
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Why it works as a costar
The W900A gives the film a working-truck presence distinct from the Trans Am. Its long hood and sleeper make it visually recognizable, while its role in the story places a commercial truck alongside the movie’s more agile, attention-grabbing car. Calling it the “perfect costar” is an interpretation of that contrast and screen presence, not a documented quote or a measurable distinction.
Kenworth’s explanation of the longer hood offers a grounded detail behind the look: it provided room for longer diesel engines and a larger radiator. The sources consulted do not verify the precise engines, transmissions, horsepower, or torque of each truck used in filming, so those specifications should not be treated as established facts about the movie vehicles.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
What kind of truck did the Snowman drive?
The truck identified by Kenworth is a W900A, configured with a 36-inch sleeper.
How many trucks were used in Smokey and the Bandit?
Kenworth says three trucks were used: two 1974 models and one 1973 model. Overdrive also describes a 1974 W900A as one of the three.
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The sources cited here do not establish the engine fitted to each filming truck. Kenworth explains that the W900A’s longer hood could accommodate longer diesel engines, but that does not confirm a specific engine for the movie vehicles.
Where was the opening race filmed?
Overdrive’s production retrospective reports that the opening race was filmed at Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta.
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![Smokey and the Bandit [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61OKg2zYKYL._SL160_.jpg)
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Sources: Kenworth’s W900 history; Overdrive’s production retrospective.
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