Crippled Burt Reynolds Back In A Trans Am

Burt Reynolds is enjoying past glories while promoting the new "Bandit" Trans Am — but the crippled "Smokey and the Bandit" star has to lean on the car that made him famous! The new promotional video for Trans Am features Burt talking about the latest model of the classic auto that he rode in the hit "Smokey" movies.

But readers of The National ENQUIRER know why the film legend is only seen while being seated or leaning on the Trans Am. Burt's in such bad shape that he now uses a motorized wheelchair to get around!

The ENQUIRER was there last year when longtime fans were saddened to see Burt struggling to make it through personal appearances to promote his autobiography. A stunned studio audience on "Live! with Kelly and Michael" awkwardly waited through Burt's long stroll to the couch after his introduction.

"Burt has terrible problems with his back," an insider said at the time, "but he's insisting that he's okay once he's sitting down. Burt's at an age where he loves meeting fans, and he thinks of this book tour as one of his last hurrahs!"

And now Burt is reliving his 1970s glory days for Trans Am. He's never seen walking or moving through the long video to promote the new model, though. The ailing actor — whose autograph is featured on the new car — is even kept in a dark setting that covers how Burt leans on the Trans Am for support!

Burt, 80, reportedly claims his physical problems are the result of an “an old football injury,” but insiders told The ENQUIRER that it’s much worse than that: “If he has to move any kind of distance, he uses a motorized scooter! It’s very sad to see this once-vital man laid so low!”