In 1977, the film "Smokey and the Bandit" hit the silver screen and took the automotive world by storm. The black and gold Trans Am Special Edition driven by Burt Reynolds quickly became one of the most iconic movie cars of all time, and inspired countless Americans to head to their local Pontiac dealers. Sales for the Trans Am skyrocketed after the film's debut. Even today, this increased demand has caused true Special Edition cars to maintain higher value. However, the availability of reproduction parts has enabled Firebird and Trans Am owners to create their own more-affordable tribute builds, such as the example seen here.

Classic car restoration is a passion that bridges generations. Whether you're just learning how to turn a wrench or you're a veteran builder with decades of experience, everyone can appreciate the transformation of a timeless vehicle. We always enjoy meeting up-and-coming young classic car fans, and assisting them with their first projects. Tyler Baird, of Huntington Beach, California, is an excellent example of this group. Despite still being in high school, he's already spent several years restoring his 1980 Camaro Z28.

We're always glad to see the third-gen F-body cars getting the appreciation they deserve. Ten or fifteen years ago, few people would have considered the 1982-92 Firebirds and Trans Ams candidates for restoration, but now that these cars are becoming more collectible, the prices for clean examples are on the rise. This white 1986 Trans Am is one of the cleanest we've seen, and shows how much these cars stand out in 2015.