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Detroit City Council nixes stunt involving 'Smokey and the Bandit' car due to Confederate flag

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DETROIT — The Detroit City Council has canceled a stunt involving the car from the movie "Smokey and the Bandit" that was planned for an upcoming classic car show show because of the car's Confederate flag license plate.

The high-flying jump involving the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am was to take place during the Detroit Autorama in early March.

The move comes less than two years after the Autorama advertised a stunt at its 2017 show involving the General Lee from the "Dukes of Hazard" — the famous 1969 orange Dodge Charger emblazoned with a Confederate flag on its roof. The Autorama promised city council that the car involved would not include a Confederate flag, but did not keep its promise.

This year's Autorama is the first show since the death of Burt Reynolds, who starred in "Smokey and the Bandit" and drove the Trans Am in the movie.

The Detroit Autorama is a showcase for classic cars that's taken place in the city since 1953.