Chuck Stovall Jr.
I was born and raised in Northwest Arkansas.
I grew up on grits, fried everything and small block Chevy's. I was 3 years old
in 77 when Smokey & The Bandit came out. I didn't see the movie but I heard and
saw the Trans AMs running around town. I could not understand why my dad had to
drive an old Oldsmobile when there were cool cars like those. When I was 8, we
got a Satellite dish and I first viewed Smokey & the Bandit. Right there, I made
a pact with my friends that someday, I would own a car just like that. I never
strayed from that kid's dream.
In 1999, I purchased my Bandit from a retired Doctor in upstate New York. He was
the original owner and parked the car in 1980. I was looking for a fixer upper
but came across this dream car instead. The car is a 1977 SE 400 4-Speed with
Hurst Hatches. It had 24,200 original miles and had been sitting in a Garage for
over 20 years. Everything was original, the paint, sticker, 8-Track, interior
and even the factory AC Delco plugs, wires and cap were there. I popped the
trunk, and to my surprise, the original never mounted spare tire, unused air
canister and T-Top bag were all still there too. I gladly paid full asking price
and I have never stopped grinning since.
To get the car running, I had to replace the radiator, tires, ignition and rear
leafs. After that, she purred to life and I drove it all the way to Arkansas.
Bandit and I now reside in Colorado, just outside of Denver. Since buying my
Bandit I have put over 7,000 miles on it. It has never seen rain nor snow and I
keep the custom car cover on it even in the garage.
Hammer Down,
Chuck Stovall Jr.
