Rockford Style: 1978 Pontiac Firebird Esprit

As a teenager, I was fortunate that my father was an enormous fan of the TV series The Rockford Files. It meant that the show became a staple of our weekly viewing schedule. I never watched it for the action or adventure, but purely to catch a glimpse of the titular character’s Pontiac Firebird Esprit. I loved that car, which probably explains my affection for every derivative of the Second Generation Firebird range. This 1978 Firebird Esprit looks almost identical to the last car used in the series, down to the paint shade and wheels. It presents beautifully and is ready to head to a new home. The seller has listed the Firebird here on eBay in an undisclosed location in Canada. They set their auction to open at C$58,000, but have received no bids at this stage.

The producers faced a dilemma when choosing an appropriate vehicle for Jim Rockford to drive in the TV series. The Pontiac Firebird was their first choice, but they acknowledged that the character could not blend into the background in a Trans Am, and lacked the financial means to afford a Formula. The compromise was the Esprit, although the cars actually used were Formulas wearing an Esprit hood and badges. Therefore, the seller’s choice of this car is a fitting tribute. Its exterior wears Laredo Brown paint, which is identical to the Copper Mist used on the original cars. It presents beautifully, with no cosmetic shortcomings. The seller purchased the car from a seller in Ohio in 2005, and its location and the rustproofing treatment applied when the car was new mean that it remains rock-solid. The seller added a correct set of Rally II wheels with narrow whitewalls to complete the “Rockford” look. The trim is in excellent condition, and the glass is clear.

Powering this Firebird is a 305ci V8, with the factory quoting power and torque figures of 145hp and 245 ft/lbs for that model year. A three-speed Turbo 350 automatic transmission feeds the power to a 3.42 Limited-Slip rear end, with this classic also featuring power steering and power brakes. The power and torque figures aren’t earth-shattering, but the seller may have improved the situation. They installed an upgraded four-barrel Rochester Quadrajet carburetor to improve the V8’s breathing. Add an upgraded front stabilizer and a new rear stabilizer to the equation, and this Esprit should be fun to drive. Potential buyers can consider the Firebird a turnkey proposition that runs and drives extremely well.

Trimmed in Doeskin vinyl, this Firebird’s interior is as impressive as the rest of the vehicle. The seller added a factory tachometer and a genuine AM/FM radio/cassette player. Otherwise, it is as it left the factory. There is no evidence of wear, and the lack of deterioration confirms the car has been protected from harmful UV rays. As a survivor-grade car, the overall presentation and lack of obvious abuse suggest it has always been treated respectfully. It features a tilt wheel, and the recently refurbished air conditioning blows ice-cold.

Few people know that while Pontiac supplied a new Firebird each year during production of the series, The Rockford Files, its star, James Garner, refused to drive the company’s latest model after 1978. He disliked the styling updates performed for the 1979 model year, and the cars for the remaining production run were always portrayed as 1978 models. We have previously seen one of the original, verified cars, which we featured in this article. This Firebird isn’t the real deal, but it is a faithful recreation. It has received no bids, and the listing statistics are quite modest. Do you think the seller may need to compromise if this classic is to find a new home?