New SPEED series replicates Smokey and the Bandit beer run tonight

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American Truckers does the Smokey and the Bandit beer run – Click above to watch video after the jump

SPEED is looking to revamp its program lineup as it enters its 15th year on the air. One of the programs that’s set to hit televisions is called American Truckers. Hosted by Rob Mariani, the series looks at iconic rigs, amazing routes and the people who make up the industry. To kick off the series, the crew of American Truckers has decided to get down to business and re-create a route with which most of your are familiar: the epic 1,800-mile beer run from Smokey and the Bandit.

The first and most important part of the journey (besides the beer, of course) is making sure they have the right vehicles. Bud Brutsman, producer of American Truckers, Rides, Overhaulin’ (the list goes on…), and his crew acquired a 1974 Kenworth W900 Snowman tribute truck. Year One stepped up to the plate and handed over the keys to a resto-mod 1978 Pontiac Trans-Am. The Bandit car is packing a 605-horsepower LS7 engine with a five-speed transmission, Baer six-piston calipers on 14-inch front and rear rotors and a roll-cage with a five-point racing harness.

Vehicles in order, the team set out on their journey from Atlanta with their sights set on Texarkana. How’d they fare? Read on to find out…

Gallery: Year One Pontiac Trans-Am Ban III resto-mod

[Source: Speed | Image: Year One]

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New SPEED series replicates Smokey and the Bandit beer run tonight originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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