The Malaise Era tried its best to take the shine off of the muscle car genre, and while many great names fell by the wayside, Pontiac's Trans Am only grew in status. Helped no-doubt by the beloved Smokey And The Bandit films, the Trans Am became an icon of the 70s, and is still a favorite of many muscle car fans today.If buying and owning a 50-year-old relic isn't for you though, there is another way, and taking this path sidesteps all the pesky downsides of owning a Malaise-era American muscle car. The answer comes courtesy of Trans Am Worldwide, it looks just as good in black and gold, but this time it boasts more than 800 horsepower. The Bandit Rides Again MecumIt's a tricky business, reviving an old and iconic nameplate. Some manage to pull it off really rather well, just direct your glances to the work of both Eagle and Singer for exemplary examples, whereas other retro revivals are rather best forgotten. We won't name any names. So, when Florida-based firm Trans Am Worldwide announced they would be recreating the classic Pontiac Trans Am – but by using a sixth-gen Camaro as a basis – it felt like a bold gamble.However, there really was no need to worry, as the risk paid off. This was far more than a cheap front-lip and some fancy decals, Trans Am Worldwide really went to town on the Camaro, and the more you look, the more you see. You'll find removable T-top roof panels, redesigned front and rear fascias, custom-embroidered seats, door cards, carpets, alloy wheels designed to replicate the look of the originals, and of course, a screaming chicken or two. Custom gauges and smart, modern infotainment systems also take pride of place, completing the package.Mecum Trans Am Worldwide acquired the rights to the Trans Am name, so in many ways, this really is a genuine 21st century Trans Am, rather than just another modified Camaro. But of course, that Camaro connection helps to keep it in the family, too, which makes it seem that much more like a genuine article. The firm didn't just churn out these Bandit Editions either; other models included a Hurst, Super Duty, and Outlaw Edition.Mecum But the Bandit Edition was truly the one to go for — all 77 units were signed by Burt Reynolds himself, plus he held an integral role in both the design and development of the vehicle, in addition to advertising, of course. Far More Furious Than Pontiac Or Chevrolet Ever Intended MecumWhen Reynolds himself was furiously piloting Pontiac's finest across the silver screen, he was at the helm of a 1977 example. Okay, technically he was grappling at the wheel of a '76 example with cosmetic modifications to make it look like a '77 model, but we're going to gloss over that. His particular Trans Am was optioned with a 400 cubic inch V8 and four-speed manual, providing it with around 200 horsepower. Not huge amounts, but about right for a Malaise Era muscle car, and just enough to jump the Mulberry Bridge.However, 200 hp just does not cut it in the modern day and age. It's barely enough for a hot hatchback, let alone a muscle car. The Camaro upon which the Bandit Edition Trans Am is based is a 2015 1SS Coupe, which means under the hood as stock sits a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8, hooked up in this case to a six-speed automatic. Potent yes, but satisfactory for a Trans Am reboot? The Bandit Edition builders say no.And so, it's a case of out with the old and in with the new. From what information is available, it looks as if most of these Bandit Edition cars take motivation from a 7.4-liter LSX 454 V8, which proudly adorns a 2.9-liter Whipple twin-screw supercharger. Power swells to a far more admirable 840 horses, and torque sits right around 720 to 730 lb-ft — at the wheels.It's worth noting at this point that Trans Am Worldwide offers a number of different engine and output options across the cars made there. Some leave with "just" 450 hp, whereas others can kick out north of 1,000 hp, even as high as 1,500 hp, so there really is no single spec sheet to be rolled out for these cars. Instead, each example needs to be looked at as an individual, rather than a run of a series.Mecum Owners aren't just handed an 840-horse Camaro and told to just deal with it, though, as supporting mods are fitted to help drivers deal with the insane power. As standard, the Camaro SS came with four-pot Brembo calipers, and both performance pads and slotted rotors can be optioned when choosing the Trans Am's spec.In addition, uprated springs and sway bars are equipped, which both lower it by around an inch, in addition to tightening the chassis up a good deal, too. Only 77 Were Made, Here Is Your Chance To Own One MecumSo, you love Smokey And The Bandit, you've got an empty space in the garage, and you think the stars are aligning. Sorry, but there is some bad news: all 77 of these Bandit Editions have been made and sold. Alas, you're left perusing the classifieds once again. But a glimmer of hope shines though, as one such example is coming to Mecum's Indy sale this May, and it's a peach.It's number 11 of 77, it comes equipped with the mean 840-horse supercharged V8, and there's only 655 miles on the clock. Effectively, this is a brand-new Trans Am, with all the goodies, too. You'll find Burt Reynolds' signature on the dash, a screaming chicken on the hood, and there is even a matching car cover and cowboy hat – perfect.Mecum Just the price to cover, and the numbers will more than likely cover that glimmer of hope with a thick sheet of cloud. Mecum doesn't state a reserve or estimate here, but older listings for used Bandit Editions can be seen on the Trans Am Worldwide site. A number of 840-hp examples like this have been advertised for somewhere in the region of $225,000–$275,000, while some 1,000-horse examples can be seen between $250,000–$299,000. Should You Just Buy An Original Trans Am? Pontiac Assuming the Bandit Edition coming up for sale soon still commands a similar figure, it's clear to see that getting behind the wheel of this legend reborn is not an option for most mere mortals. But what about buying a regular Trans Am from the 70s? Is that more attainable? In a word, yes. Far more attainable.In fact, a genuine ex-Burt Reynolds '77 Trans Am sold for $172,000 in 2020, so you could have had the genuine article for less than what is essentially a modified Camaro (albeit a very smartly modified Camaro). Should that still be a bit steep, not to worry; regular but smart '77 models typically trade for between $30,000 and $80,000, depending on just how nice you'd like them to be.Mecum Of course, what these now 50-year-old relics can't offer is the real-world drivabaility of something like the modern interpretation. A six-speed auto, heated seats, smart infotainment systems — these creations can be used day-in, day-out with little thought, whereas with something knocking on the door of a half-century old, generally you're just happy if it starts first time, and doesn't leak on the driveway too much. What About A Camaro? With that being said then, if it's a muscle car with everyday driving credentials that you're after, why not just buy a 2015 Camaro SS? According to the CarBuzz Marketplace, models like this trade hands for around $25,000. You could easily pick up a smart, low-mileage example, drop in a crate motor and supercharger, do a few supporting mods, and no doubt still have heaps of cash left over in comparison to the $250,000-ish that's asked of the Bandit Editions.What you will end up with though, is a modified Camaro, and not a 21st century Trans Am. If Trans Am Worldwide had gone for a lower-effort approach, no doubt these creations would be more attainable, but they didn't, and so they're not — it's as simple as that.Plus, in a world of million-dollar Singers and other equally expensive restomods, doesn't the Bandit Edition look quite cheap in comparison? Don't think of it as an expensive Chevy, see it instead as an entry-level restroom — whatever helps you justify that winning bid.