A History of Theme Vehicles
Over the years, I’ve built a few theme vehicles that have turned heads and sparked conversations. My very first was the AMS Performance shop van, which I transformed into an A-Team Van. After that, I took on some iconic projects, including building the World’s Fastest Hearse, a couple of Bluesmobiles and my pride and joy—a Smokey and the Bandit Restomod ’78 Trans Am.
When it came time to build another shop van for my independent McLaren shop Cannonball Garage and my CNC machine shop MDI-Co, I knew I wanted something fun and unique. Our previous shop van, “Milkjug,” was a trusty 2nd-generation Honda Odyssey, but it was nearing the end of its life with high mileage. I’d heard great things about the 3rd-generation Odyssey, so I decided that would be the foundation for the next project.
The Birth of “The Vandit”
The idea came to me in a vision while driving back from the Amelia Island Concours in the Cannonball Record Fraud Taurus with my buddy Sean. As we brainstormed ideas for another A-Team van, we quickly realized how overdone that theme had become. Tossing around increasingly ridiculous ideas, inspiration struck: a Smokey and the Bandit-themed Honda Odyssey, which I would name “The Vandit.”
The Ultimate Honda Odyssey Makeover
I found the perfect starting point in a black-on-black 2007 Honda Odyssey Touring with 200k miles on the clock. After some routine maintenance, I began the transformation.
- Lowering and Wheels: I lowered the van by 1 inch and added gold mesh 18-inch JNC wheels with Firebird center caps for that classic Trans Am vibe.
- Graphics and Details: For the graphics package, I turned to my go-to artist, Dan Gray. I gave him a general concept, and, as always, he nailed it. I took the rendering to Greg Zoetmolder, who printed and installed the graphics. But something was missing and Greg nailed it—pinstripes! Adding that final detail brought the entire look to life.
- Exterior Features: To complete the exterior, I added:
- A plastic hood scoop labeled “3.5 Liter.”
- Fake air duct stickers on the fenders.
- Reshaped taillights using vinyl to mimic the ’77-’81 Trans Am.
- Twin dual chrome turndown exhaust tips.
- A Wilson 1000 CB antenna for the full Smokey and the Bandit aesthetic.
Vandit Interior Upgrades
The interior of The Vandit carries on the retro theme:
- A Gold Galaxy CB radio, a nod to the film’s trucker culture.
- A faux brushed aluminum dash complete with the classic “radial tuned suspension” decal for authenticity.
- An outside stereo system with four marine speakers and a separate radio, perfect for blasting songs from the Smokey and the Bandit soundtrack.
- Radenso DS1 Radar Detector and TMG Laser Jammers to avoid any “Smokey” encounters.
Ridiculous Van, Ridiculous Unveiling
When The Vandit was finally complete, I knew it deserved a debut as over-the-top as the van itself. I had built the Van in secrecy and wanted to make a big splash, so I called in a few favors. My buddy Rob from Kyro Creative helped put together an epic video shoot in an empty warehouse, featuring both The Vandit, me dressed as Burt Reynolds and my Survivor Trans Am “The Dirty Bird”. We pulled out all the stops—smoke machines, dramatic lighting, and everything in between. It was completely ridiculous for a 200k minivan, but it captured the fun, larger-than-life spirit of the build perfectly.
Why Not a Pontiac Van?
One question I get asked a lot is why I didn’t use a Pontiac van for this build. The Pontiac Transport from the 90’s looks like a space ship. The Pontiac Montana from the 2000’s is unreliable, has an unappealing shape, and is more expensive to maintain. The Odyssey, on the other hand, is affordable, practical, and durable, making it the perfect platform for this project.
Interestingly, a lot of people don’t even realize The Vandit is a Honda Odyssey and ask what kind of Van it actually is!
From Shop Van to Daily Driver
The only downside to The Vandit? It turned out too good. I originally planned to use it as a shop van, but it’s become my daily driver instead. My wife loves borrowing it to haul the kids around, and we end up putting 20,000 miles on it each year. It’s even become a minor celebrity, regularly appearing on local car spotter pages.
What’s Under the Hood?
Another common question is what I’ve done to the engine. Surprisingly, it’s completely stock. I’d love to add a turbo, but the Odyssey’s transmission can’t handle much more power. While an Acura 6-speed swap is possible, I’ve kept it simple since it just needs to get me from point A to point B.
That said, my dream upgrade would be a transverse LS4 Chevy V-8. Maybe one day…
The Verdict
The Vandit is, without a doubt, my favorite vehicle. It’s reliable, fun, and always turns heads. Whether it’s getting gas or spotted on the road, it never fails to spark smiles and conversation. Smokey and the Bandit is about the thrill of the open road, and The Vandit proves you can capture that same spirit—even in a Honda Odyssey.
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