[Jack Gifford]

Yesterday morning the waitress said that a customer had paid my bill. He told her he wanted to buy breakfast for Burt Reynolds and pointed to me.
Even in my perpetual cowboy hat and boots, I bear no resemblance to Burt Reynolds! I assume he's seen me driving the 'Bandit' Suburban that Jim Wangers built.
I'm forever grateful for all that Jim did for us Pontiac fans.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

That's really cool.

I remember when Jim had it for sale on here, years ago.
Authentic RoundPort 455HO engine.
Something was weak with an area of the chassis from being a tow vehicle.

I'm sure you remedied whatever it needed.
The engine was worth about as much as the asking price at the time.

[PAUL K]

That great! Thanks for sharing

[hojs69]

Good story. I try to do the pay-forward breakfast thing for others every so often.

An elderly couple did it for me and my family when I was younger and the gesture stayed with me.

[Jack Gifford]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

... Something was weak with an area of the chassis from being a tow vehicle...

Yes, there's distortion of the front frame rails where the A-arms mount. It had negative camber which could not be corrected even with the maximum number of shims. I got it to positive camber by welding 3/8" thick spacer plates where the upper A-arms mount. It drives good now.
I believe it was Ed DeFrehn (sp?) in Florida who built the 467" engine. I've put another 60k or so miles on it and have yet to even remove a valve cover!

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

a current picture of the 'Burban Bandit would be enjoyed I bet . (hint) 😉

[johnta1]

I bear no resemblance to Burt Reynolds!

Here's a pic of Burt and Jack.
(trying to find pic of the 'Bandit' subburban)

[indymanjoe]

which one is jack? LOL

[burd]

He coulda thought you looked like Sally field

[PAUL K]

The Bandit

[grandam1979]

The suburban was at Norwalk one year I think I remember checking it out.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by indymanjoe

which one is jack? LOL

Exactly my question too .
A blow-up doll in the passenger seat with a wedding dress and brunette wig could stop traffic.

I think someone else listed it on here on Jim's behalf at the time it was for sale.
They didn't go into any detail on the frame , just that it had suffered from so much use in towing.
I expected fatigue in the rear or corrosion damage.

Glad that it was a fairly easy remedy for you Jack.

[Rachelsdad]

Congrats, Jack! You've now made the Big Time!

I was out of the hobby for about 40 years. In the mid-'80's, the Bonneville was just a shade over 20, so "an old car in really nice shape." Now, she's nearly 63 (January '63 build date), and naturally makes a spectacle of herself wherever we go... I was humbled by the kids working behind the counters at the roadside stops on my way to Springdale, AR last year who bought me coffee after seeing me drive up in her. It's a nice feeling to be acknowledged (in your case, Jack, even if through association with Burt and his Bandit!).

Paying it back is truly what's important, though, as we all recognize (with age comes wisdom - hopefully).

Cheers to you, Jack, and to your (formerly Jim's) Bandit Suburban!

[Jack Gifford]

A couple of pictures from the 2014 Bandit Run (Carlisle PA to the Outer Banks; but I only went to Sonny Leonard's shop to pick up a hemi head ported/flowed by Bill Anderson). The Suburban was welcomed by the TransAm crowd and I never had so much fun. Following the Snowman's rig was great- on some interstate stretches I even served as a "blocker" for him.

[LastoftheThinkers]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Here's a pic of Burt and Jack.
(trying to find pic of the 'Bandit' subburban)

Burt Reynolds with a younger Burt Reynolds if you ask me!