Tim, I would have seen that flic at the movies when it came out in 77.
If I was an Alberta kid with a junker of a car, I'd probably think (just think) of how me and my pals could skooch over those cement blocks, rig up a ramp and give her a try....
(just watched a youtube clip of the Bandit jump scene, and man o man, wasn't racism fun back in the 70s???--Jackie Gleason character......)