Burt Reynolds’ “Smokey and the Bandit” Trans Am Car Sells for $450,000 at Julian’s Auction at The Palms
Julien’s Auctions, the auction house to the stars, concluded a whirlwind two-day auction of Property from the Life and Career of Award Winning Actor Burt Reynolds, including the sale of his personal “Smokey and the Bandit” Trans Am Car for $450,000 (Photo credit: Edison Graff).
The exciting auction event, which brought in $2.5 million in sales, featured personal effects, career memorabilia, and a museum-caliber fine art collection. The auction took place at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on Thursday and Friday with bidders from around the world bidding high and bidding often.
Burt Reynolds, best known as a leading film star, has had a storied career both on the big and small screen. Aside from his award-winning portrayals of some of the world’s most iconic characters in film and television, Reynolds is also a businessman who has owned a football team, a dinner theatre, working ranch and even a museum.
“Burt Reynolds is a legend who is loved all over the world,” said Darren Julien, President and CEO of Julien’s Auctions. “His collection which was full of iconic pieces of career memorabilia and personal items once again proves to be a solid investment with bidders who attended the auction from every corner of the globe this week.”
His brilliant acting career spans over six decades beginning with his breakout role on the hit 1960’s CBS-TV show “Gunsmoke” and including his leading roles in the films “The Longest Yard,” “Smokey and the Bandit,” “Stroke Ace,” “Boogie Nights,” “Striptease,” and who can forget “Deliverance.” The auction also showcased Reynolds’ fine taste in art with a vast collection of artworks and sculptures from some of the most sought after artists in the world.
Bidders from every corner of the globe could not bid fast enough on several items offered from Burt’s legendary career. Highlights of the auction included the “Smokey and the Bandit” Trans Am car which sold for $450,000, Reynolds’ Smokey and the Bandit jacket which sold for $34,375, the canoe made for the movie “Deliverance” which sold for $17,500, a pair of “Bandit” Burt Reynolds cowboy boots which sold for $20,000, a “Stroker Ace” jacket and promotional shirt which sold for $9,375, a “Smokey and the Bandit” Western shirt which sold for $15,625, the Burt Reynolds “Top Box Office Star of the Year” Award which sold for $5,312, the “Smokey and the Bandit” Go-Kart which sold for $13,750, a Burt Reynolds “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” badge which sold for $5,000, Burt Reynolds’ football trophy which sold for $$1,875, a group of Burt Reynolds police badges which sold for $3,750, Burt Reynolds’ license plate which sold for $5,937 and the Burt Reynolds-owned Bobby Goldsboro Hascal Haile guitar which sold for $10,000.
Other highlights included the 18K Gold Pocket Watch gifted to Burt Reynolds by Sally Field which sold for $13,750, Burt Reynolds’ 1998 Golden Globe Award which sold for $21,250, his 1990-1991 Emmy Award which sold for $28,125 and his 1983 People’s Choice Award which sold for $10,625. Reynolds’ “Longest Yard” film worn helmet sold for $8,125 and a John Wayne inscribed photograph to Burt Reynolds sold $11,250.“Many people know Burt Reynolds as the iconic superstar of film and television but what is equally impressive is his fine taste in art and sculptures,” said Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions. “It was such a privilege to spend time with Burt in curating this collection and this auction is an accolade to the world.”
Burt Reynolds’ art assortment featured an amazing collection of paintings, sketches, sculptures and prints. Reynolds’ eye for American and Western Cowboy related artworks is an extraordinary one. Among the art highlights were the “Big Burt” Bohlin Saddle on stand which sold for $43,750 while a second Bohlin Saddle on stand which was offered sold towards the end of the auction for $46,875, the Harold Shelton “Real Dogs” oil on canvas which sold for $12,500, a Fred Williams “The Duke” oil on canvas featuring Western cowboy film star John Wayne which sold for $8,750, a Thomas Kinkaid “Water’s Edge” oil on canvas which sold for $8,125, a James Hutchinson “My Florida” oil on canvas which sold for $5,937, and a Dan Poole “Magic Carpet” oil on canvas which sold for $4,687.
Burt Reynolds remains the quintessential movie star, a legend of both the big and small screen and a romantic leading man whose charm, dashing good looks and perpetual affection for the ladies has earned him an important place in Hollywood history.
For those who could not attend or bid in the auction, high glossy collectible Collection of Burt Reynolds Catalogs featuring all of the items offered are available for purchase at www.juliensauctions.com.