What Happened to the original Trans Am In Smokey and the Bandit 2?

In "Smokey and the Bandit II," the original Trans Am from the first film is not featured prominently. Instead, a different Trans Am is used, as the original car was reportedly damaged during the filming of the first movie. The film shifts focus to new adventures, and the iconic car serves more as a symbol of the Bandit's escapades rather than a central element of the plot. Ultimately, the legacy of the Trans Am continues, but the original vehicle does not return.