Jalopnik: Smokey And The Bandit Will Change Your Life.

Writer's too young to know the synchronicity with the election of Jimmy Carter, and the enshrining of all things 'country' for a few years. Remember "Carter Country"? A little while later, the US grew disillusioned with their hayseed populist. I think it was the bare feet on the White House conference table. Carter straightened up and became more formal. There was even a feint at an FDR 'fireside chat', complete with cardigan, if my memory serves.