Smokey and the Bandit car to be shown at "Hot Rod Reality" stars new locale

[Rachel Galvin]

On Saturday, March 22, Bubba’s East Coast Rods and Customs will host the grand opening of their new facility at the Pennock Industrial Park on Indiantown Road in Jupiter from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. One of the main attractions will be the ORIGINAL 1978 Trans Am given to Burt Reynolds after filming the forever popular Smokey and the Bandit movie.

The car, which is owned by Rick Schmidt of National Parts Depot (NPD), is normally showcased in the NPD Museum in Ocala. Because of his respect and admiration for Tom and Bubba Lloyd, Schmidt is bringing the Bandit’s car south to Jupiter. This is a once in a lifetime chance for Burt Reynolds fans to see the automobile that secured a place in history for the American muscle car. Also on hand will be Supermodel Layla Von Athey, who frequently brings a touch of beauty and elegance to the pages of "Hot Rod Deluxe" magazine.

Compliments of Rick Rodriquez and Dave Hall of the Bandit Run, the Smokey and the Bandit trailer and two police cars from the movie will also be on display. Under the direction of Mark Sharone, members of Southeast Rods and Customs Club, the Corvette Club of the Palm Beaches and the Stingray Corvette Club will show off their beautifully maintained hot rods and muscle cars.

Bringing his signature sound to the main stage will be Palm Beach County’s busiest singer/guitarist bluesman Joey George. Joey has performed and/or recorded with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors and John Fogarty… just to name a few. He is a regular at a number of local nightspots including B.B. Kings.

Bubba’s East Coast Rods and Customs, with a second facility in Fairfax, Virginia, is well known across the country and internationally for its code of honor in dealing with customers. The company is run by the father/son team of Tom and Bubba Lloyd, the hosts of the popular TV show "Hot Rod Reality." Bubba, 25, is an exceptionally talented master craftsman and designer, with a reputation for building some of the best cars in the industry.  A second show, which will be filmed at their Jupiter facility, will soon begin airing on a major national television network.

For more information, contact Donna Carbone at 561 385-1584.