Silverado RST Gets the Bandit Treatment for SEMA
Chevrolet Silverado RST is modified from front to rear with the livery of the legendary Trans Am.
Over the past decade, there have been many Chevrolet Camaros at the SEMA Show which have been transformed into a Smokey and the Bandit tribute car, but at this year’s show, a Chevy Silverado will be on display in the unmistakable black-and-gold trim. According to the team at GM Authority, this truck is presented by Toyo Tires, Saleen Automotive and Legendary Concepts, this Chevy pickup has been transformed into a wicked sport truck, including an aggressive aero package and a supercharger that leads to more than 700 horsepower.
Silverado Turned Bandit Truck
The Chevrolet Camaros that have been built to pay tribute to the Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am often have a body kit that makes them look less like a Camaro, but there is obviously no way to make a new Silverado RST look like a 1970s Pontiac Firebird. Instead of trying to make a vehicle look like another, this Chevy pickup has been heavily modified with the inspiration – and the color theme – coming from the famous movie car. There is only one image thus far, but this picture is worth a thousand words.
Based on the artwork, it looks like the majority of the exterior body panels are aftermarket, or modified considerably from stock form. Up front, there are huge vents on the corner of the front fascia with a deep-reaching lower fascia opening and an aggressive chin spoiler. There is also a custom grille, with a shape that copies that of the chin spoiler.
As we move back from the front end, we see a large hood scoop, flared-and-vented front fenders, side skirts that close the gap to the ground, flared bedsides and an angled rear spoiler. Of course, this Silverado rides and huge aftermarket wheels with gold trim, and that gold trim is found on the grille, the front fascia vents, the Firebird logo on the hood and on the fender vents. We have included a picture of a stock Silverado RST for comparison, with the silver paint allowing a better look at the factory body lines.
We would guess that there is more gold trim on the inside, but we won’t know until the truck debuts at SEMA.
Supercharged Power
According to the team at Toyo, this Chevy Silverado RST is powered by the modern 5.3-liter small block V8, which offers 355 horsepower in storm form. This truck has been outfitted with a Magnusen DI supercharger that lifts the output up to 700 horsepower, but with other supporting modifications, this Bandit-themed pickup is likely making more than 700 horsepower at the crankshaft. One of those upgrades is a full Magnaflow exhaust system, but this truck is more than just a body kit and engine build.
Based on the limited details, we know that this Silverado RST has a set of Brembo 8-piston monoblock calipers and based on the stance, we would bet that it has some suspension upgrades as well. Of course, to make the most of that power, this truck rides on Toyo Proxes ST III tires.
The Bandit always seemed like the kind of guy to pick a smaller vehicle over a truck, but if he needed to haul himself, his girl and three of his good buddies, we imagine that this would be the Silverado for him.
Photos: Toyo Tires
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