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As soon as I saw this listing, I began hearing The Rockford Files TV Show theme song in my head, which, to be honest, is a pretty good theme song. In fact, the Mike Post/Pete Carpenter song was released as a single and spent two weeks at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975. The popular detective drama, which ran from 1974 to 1980, starred the likable James Garner as Jim Rockford, an L.A.-based private investigator. One fan of the show gave this reason for the show’s popularity: “Garner played Rockford as an everyday guy. He lived in a mobile home with his dad and got beat up a lot. Not your average 70’s TV Private Investigator!” Garner, who was trained by champion driver Bob Bondurant, was considered one of the best drivers in Hollywood, so naturally The Rockford Files had plenty of car chases and car action with Garner behind the wheel. It was Garner’s decision to choose a Pontiac Firebird for the show, feeling it matched the blue collar, usually cash-strapped character he portrayed. Most sources say Firebird Formulas, disguised to look like Esprits, were used in the series since its firmer suspension and more powerful V8’s were better suited for stunt work. Okay, enough background and history on the TV Show, let’s talk about this particular Firebird. The seller says it was bought from a TV writer in Sherman Oaks, CA, who said she was gifted the car from comedian Bill Burr. The seller hasn’t been able to authenticate the vehicle and assumes it’s a tribute/replica car (but will include what they’re saying are the original license plates from the TV Show: “853 OKG” with April 1977 DMV tags). Currently residing in Calabasas, California, this 1977 Pontiac Firebird is for sale here on craigslistfor $25,000. Thanks again to our pal, Pat L., for sending this tip our way.
The seller gives us scant details about the car, describing it as “original restored” and “in mint condition for its age with nearly perfect gold exterior and nearly perfect tan leather interior.” For 1977, the Firebird got a bit of an upfront facelift that featured four rectangular headlights and a more aggressive look. Based on the photos, the paint (which I believe is Sierra Gold) is very presentable and shiny and I’m not spotting any rust or major dents and dings. The glass, lenses, and trim looks good as well and it’s sporting the correct Rally II wheels.The tan interior with its comfortable-looking Morrokide seats looks original and in good shape for a 45-year-old car. The photos weren’t taken in the best lighting and it’s hard to tell if the seats are discolored or not. The carpet, dash, door panels, and console all look very good and this ‘Bird appears to be equipped with electric windows and factory AC.No photos of the engine bay are supplied and the seller claims it has a 400-cubic inch V8 with roughly 85,000 original miles on the clock that’s mated to an automatic transmission. So, what do you think? Without documentation tying it to James Garner and the TV show, it’s just a tribute car in very good condition for its age. I’m not sure the seller will get that asking price of 25 G’s since Hagerty’s values a ’77 Pontiac Firebird with a 400 V8 in #1 Concourse condition at $23,400. Oh, and if you call about the Firebird and get an old-school answering machine, be sure to leave your name and message at the tone and the seller will get back to you.
Ron, I never get tired reading about the Rockford Files. I watched an episode a few nights ago, and that incredible theme song is still playing in my head.
I think we can all agree, Rockford Files was a great show, mostly because James Garner was such a likable guy. Naturally, my favorite character was his dad, Rocky ( Noah Berry) and the trucking references. Everybody with a Firebird wanted to be Rockford, like the Bandit Trans Am, sam ting.
This car? Oh for cryin’ out loud, lot of gold Firebirds, maybe, who cares, it’s just a nice NON Trans Am Firebird. They were neat cars, except in snow.
Trivia alert,,,what invention did the Rockford Files debut that changed our lives dramatically,,forever?
Ha! Good one, and the use of the BFs private jet for a weekend of your choice,,what, no BFs jet? Anyway, it was the 1st time most of us saw an answering machine. It changed history in that, for the 1st time, you could screen your calls, didn’t have to talk to the boss, or that fling you met 6 to 8 weeks ago. It opened the floodgates for the lack of interaction we have today.
9
Tman
Dec 25, 2022 at 10:04am
Don’t forget about Beth!
11
Shuttle GuyMember
Dec 25, 2022 at 10:48am
“it’s just a nice NON Trans Am Firebird.” I’ve always liked the Formula’s over the Trans Am’s.
My older brother was dialed into the Rockford Files and we used to watch it on TV. One weekend back in 1977 he drove back home from our local Pontiac dealership with a new yellow and black Firebird Formula. He had previously owned two older Javelin’s but this new Pontiac was incredible! Our dad was a Pontiac man as well. Danny traded in his ‘73 Javelin and financed the balance on this new Firebird. He was only 19 at the time.
This appears to be a nice survivor but a picture of the engine compartment would have been nice. Sounds possible it could have been part of the TV show?
Consider how many TV shows and movies featured Firebirds, from Smokey and the Bandit to Kitt and the Rockford Files. All of those were the work of Eric Dahlquist, whew earlier on his career was editor of both Hot Rod and Motor Trend. Eric had his own PR firm, The Vista Group, for decades. He passed away at age 79 on December 24, 2016. He became friends with Herb Adams, which led to me meeting him a few times. He and his colleague A.B. Shuman had a lot to do with the publicity the 1964 Tempest that Bob Tullius drove in the 1971 Trans-Am series, the Gray Ghost, the 1973 NASCAR Grand Am, and the Silverbird.
That’s it. That duo did many tv theme songs of the 1970’s & I guess the 1980’s. Although my tv watching was somewhat limited in the 1980’s, especially prime time tv. Never even saw a Cheers episode or for that matter a Friends episode in the ’90.s
And to me TV became basically garbage to the point i wanted neither cable or satellite tv. Even more so since I grew up in the era of Free TV.
Why pay for garbage ?
Sorry to hear you feel that way, 80s & 90s , I feel, were simply the best TV shows. Shows you really felt connected to the characters. The Norman Lear shows, Happy Days, That 70s Show, Home Improvement, Seinfeld, Northern Exposure( my favorite) Friends was hoaky, but Cheers was a very heartwarming show, and sorry you missed it. stuff you could relate to. Unlike today, where disemboweling zombies, planet destruction, or blood and guts emergency shows are the top draw. THIS is the era I hate, and if it wasn’t for football, I wouldn’t even have a TV. It’s all ads. Remember when it was like 3 commercials for an hour show? Now it’s 2 minutes of “show”, and 15 ads. Are people really that stupid enough that they will buy a Subaru or cell phone because it’s plastered in their face 20 times an hour? I suppose they will.
Also, that song was catchy, but the all time best music intro then was Hawaii 50, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASvQ-bNURn4
3
Car Nut Tacoma
Dec 25, 2022 at 1:22pm
Lovely looking car. I used to watch *”The Rockford Files”* when I was a boy. I didn’t think anything of either James Garner or his character, Jim Rockford, but I was most interested in the cars driven throughout the series. My favourite was the Firebird Esprit.
Nice car, but most likely a tribute. The OKG license plates prove nothing as you can buy replicas for under $20 and the ’77 DMV sticker can be found on eBay. The license plates used on the show weren’t issued by the DMV but were props made by the studio prop department.
Also, the color does not look Rockford-correct. The Rockford cars reportedly were repainted in a special Sierra Gold color by the studio while this car appears to be the RPO Buckskin color.
Never watched it, when it was first on since it was on Thursday I believe at 9pm est…..and at that age….Thursday was All the Beer you could drink nite at The Wooden Keg, for $3 Although come to think of it, Rockford might have been on, on Friday nite and while it wasn’t All the Beer you could drink nite, was out either on a date or looking for one or something maybe not so long term. lol
But Rockford was, other than Star Trek & Gilligan’s Island, maybe the most re-broadcast show in syndication, of it’s time for decades.
I think I first started watching it, when a TV channel in Steubenville, Ohio
went 24 hours(which was one of the first) and they played it every weekday nite, late. Like 1 am.
This Firebird is nice btw, but I like the single headlight Bird’s better, of which Rockford used the first few years of the show.
And he had some pretty good looking seat covers in that car too !
Like Linda Evans for one. And he never let Angel drive it. Smart !
I was a tremendous fan of the show, Rockford, Angel, who sadly we lost last week, The Firebird, I was and still am a Pontiac fan, have a 73 Grand Prix SJ 455 in my garage mint condition, but my main reason for watching the show was Beth Davenport, his sometime lover/ Attorney, whom as a 15 year old boy I was in love with, and if your a Beth Fan, watch Columbo episode Exercise in Fatality, she’s in a barely there bikini, has a shake to her and Columbo nearly forgets why he rang the bell
Always liked the Rockford files and many other movies Gardener starred in. Thought he was a great actor. My nephew
Had a late model Firebird with the T-top model. Got cut off and clobbered a concrete light pole. No seat belts nearly killed him
& his fiancé. (Wasn’t wearing them) Today he has a damaged brain. Lesson AlWAYS wear a seat belt!!! The life you save may be your own!!!!!
I had a 1976 firebird esprit Strange car as it had the 250 6cyl,also a 3spd on the tree and it even had t-tops.It was also that bright Yellow exterior.I dont know why this firebird reminded me of that odd ball firebird i had ,but i would bet there was not a lot like mine. Weird car but fun car.
The last genuine one used on the show is in the Tim Wellborn collection and was a Trans Am altered to look like an Esprit,it also was repainted a different shade of gold than factory to film better.
Nice car but I think a bit pricey with no documentation.Could you imagine if their was still a world w/o tweeter,twatter,fakebook and schmick schmock or whatever all that garbage is so kids could drive their bikes home before dark and watch a little tv like the Rockford files after dinner.Loooong gone sadly.
As high schooler’s in the late 70’s we’d take our cars in reverse way to fast, cut the steering wheel hard while dropping it in drive so as to swap tail for nose and keep going but forward’s in the same direction. That was called “Doing a Jim Rockford.” When we get together now we still laugh about that.
“ I don’t care what the government says! I’ve been waiting 50yrs to get that ! It’s mine and you’re not gonna take it from me!”. That was actor Leif Erickson on the “Paradise Cove” episode of the Rockford Files. Season 6. Loved James Garner and Loved the Firebirds, chase scenes and of course “Angel”, Stuart Margolin. This car will sell because of Rockford Files. Without the show, it’s just another gold Firebird. Best of luck to the new owner.
It was always great to come home after a rough day at school/work and kick back with a cold one and watch Rockford. He usually got beat up and stiffed on his $200/Day plus expenses All of a sudden my day didn’t seem so bad.
I can’t let this thread go without mentioning Joe Santos, another great actor and provided many funny lines as Sgt. Becker.
The add is gone so maybe Beth saw this and got sentimental……………..
Ron, I never get tired reading about the Rockford Files. I watched an episode a few nights ago, and that incredible theme song is still playing in my head.
I think we can all agree, Rockford Files was a great show, mostly because James Garner was such a likable guy. Naturally, my favorite character was his dad, Rocky ( Noah Berry) and the trucking references. Everybody with a Firebird wanted to be Rockford, like the Bandit Trans Am, sam ting.
This car? Oh for cryin’ out loud, lot of gold Firebirds, maybe, who cares, it’s just a nice NON Trans Am Firebird. They were neat cars, except in snow.
Trivia alert,,,what invention did the Rockford Files debut that changed our lives dramatically,,forever?
The answering machine!
Ha! Good one, and the use of the BFs private jet for a weekend of your choice,,what, no BFs jet? Anyway, it was the 1st time most of us saw an answering machine. It changed history in that, for the 1st time, you could screen your calls, didn’t have to talk to the boss, or that fling you met 6 to 8 weeks ago. It opened the floodgates for the lack of interaction we have today.
Don’t forget about Beth!
“it’s just a nice NON Trans Am Firebird.” I’ve always liked the Formula’s over the Trans Am’s.
In the show Rockford’s Dad didn’t live with him.
With that front end,it just isn’t a “Rockford” car.
Rockford DID have a 77/78 front end car. Actually he had that front end the longest because he disliked the 79-81 front end.
James Garner was partial to the Firebird Esprit. All of the Firebirds were, at his request.
This, according to AutoWeek: https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a1823146/jim-rockford-and-his-sierra-gold-firebird-esprit-were-our-favorite-underdogs/
My older brother was dialed into the Rockford Files and we used to watch it on TV. One weekend back in 1977 he drove back home from our local Pontiac dealership with a new yellow and black Firebird Formula. He had previously owned two older Javelin’s but this new Pontiac was incredible! Our dad was a Pontiac man as well. Danny traded in his ‘73 Javelin and financed the balance on this new Firebird. He was only 19 at the time.
This appears to be a nice survivor but a picture of the engine compartment would have been nice. Sounds possible it could have been part of the TV show?
We just lost Angel this 2 weeks ago. AKA Stuart Margolin RIP
Great actor. Rockford files brought me in the house on FRIDAY nights as a kid!
Consider how many TV shows and movies featured Firebirds, from Smokey and the Bandit to Kitt and the Rockford Files. All of those were the work of Eric Dahlquist, whew earlier on his career was editor of both Hot Rod and Motor Trend. Eric had his own PR firm, The Vista Group, for decades. He passed away at age 79 on December 24, 2016. He became friends with Herb Adams, which led to me meeting him a few times. He and his colleague A.B. Shuman had a lot to do with the publicity the 1964 Tempest that Bob Tullius drove in the 1971 Trans-Am series, the Gray Ghost, the 1973 NASCAR Grand Am, and the Silverbird.
Actually, Pontiac never offered that color of rockfords car, the studio came up with it,,
Theme song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ScJz0fLRmw
That’s it. That duo did many tv theme songs of the 1970’s & I guess the 1980’s. Although my tv watching was somewhat limited in the 1980’s, especially prime time tv. Never even saw a Cheers episode or for that matter a Friends episode in the ’90.s
And to me TV became basically garbage to the point i wanted neither cable or satellite tv. Even more so since I grew up in the era of Free TV.
Why pay for garbage ?
Sorry to hear you feel that way, 80s & 90s , I feel, were simply the best TV shows. Shows you really felt connected to the characters. The Norman Lear shows, Happy Days, That 70s Show, Home Improvement, Seinfeld, Northern Exposure( my favorite) Friends was hoaky, but Cheers was a very heartwarming show, and sorry you missed it. stuff you could relate to. Unlike today, where disemboweling zombies, planet destruction, or blood and guts emergency shows are the top draw. THIS is the era I hate, and if it wasn’t for football, I wouldn’t even have a TV. It’s all ads. Remember when it was like 3 commercials for an hour show? Now it’s 2 minutes of “show”, and 15 ads. Are people really that stupid enough that they will buy a Subaru or cell phone because it’s plastered in their face 20 times an hour? I suppose they will.
Also, that song was catchy, but the all time best music intro then was Hawaii 50,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASvQ-bNURn4
Lovely looking car. I used to watch *”The Rockford Files”* when I was a boy. I didn’t think anything of either James Garner or his character, Jim Rockford, but I was most interested in the cars driven throughout the series. My favourite was the Firebird Esprit.
Nice car, but most likely a tribute. The OKG license plates prove nothing as you can buy replicas for under $20 and the ’77 DMV sticker can be found on eBay. The license plates used on the show weren’t issued by the DMV but were props made by the studio prop department.
Also, the color does not look Rockford-correct. The Rockford cars reportedly were repainted in a special Sierra Gold color by the studio while this car appears to be the RPO Buckskin color.
Never watched it, when it was first on since it was on Thursday I believe at 9pm est…..and at that age….Thursday was All the Beer you could drink nite at The Wooden Keg, for $3 Although come to think of it, Rockford might have been on, on Friday nite and while it wasn’t All the Beer you could drink nite, was out either on a date or looking for one or something maybe not so long term. lol
But Rockford was, other than Star Trek & Gilligan’s Island, maybe the most re-broadcast show in syndication, of it’s time for decades.
I think I first started watching it, when a TV channel in Steubenville, Ohio
went 24 hours(which was one of the first) and they played it every weekday nite, late. Like 1 am.
This Firebird is nice btw, but I like the single headlight Bird’s better, of which Rockford used the first few years of the show.
And he had some pretty good looking seat covers in that car too !
Like Linda Evans for one. And he never let Angel drive it. Smart !
Angel did drive the car. He hid money in the driver’s side door panel. Season 2.
None if the Firebirds in the ORIGINAL episodes had power windows period.
I was a tremendous fan of the show, Rockford, Angel, who sadly we lost last week, The Firebird, I was and still am a Pontiac fan, have a 73 Grand Prix SJ 455 in my garage mint condition, but my main reason for watching the show was Beth Davenport, his sometime lover/ Attorney, whom as a 15 year old boy I was in love with, and if your a Beth Fan, watch Columbo episode Exercise in Fatality, she’s in a barely there bikini, has a shake to her and Columbo nearly forgets why he rang the bell
Gretchen Corbett! Still going strong at 77 years young.
Always liked the Rockford files and many other movies Gardener starred in. Thought he was a great actor. My nephew
Had a late model Firebird with the T-top model. Got cut off and clobbered a concrete light pole. No seat belts nearly killed him
& his fiancé. (Wasn’t wearing them) Today he has a damaged brain. Lesson AlWAYS wear a seat belt!!! The life you save may be your own!!!!!
I had a 1976 firebird esprit Strange car as it had the 250 6cyl,also a 3spd on the tree and it even had t-tops.It was also that bright Yellow exterior.I dont know why this firebird reminded me of that odd ball firebird i had ,but i would bet there was not a lot like mine. Weird car but fun car.
The last genuine one used on the show is in the Tim Wellborn collection and was a Trans Am altered to look like an Esprit,it also was repainted a different shade of gold than factory to film better.
Nice car but I think a bit pricey with no documentation.Could you imagine if their was still a world w/o tweeter,twatter,fakebook and schmick schmock or whatever all that garbage is so kids could drive their bikes home before dark and watch a little tv like the Rockford files after dinner.Loooong gone sadly.
As high schooler’s in the late 70’s we’d take our cars in reverse way to fast, cut the steering wheel hard while dropping it in drive so as to swap tail for nose and keep going but forward’s in the same direction. That was called “Doing a Jim Rockford.” When we get together now we still laugh about that.
Lol we simply called it doing a Rockford
Good times -after i started driving the mini Toyota 4x4s i quit doing Rockfords for obvious reasons
“ I don’t care what the government says! I’ve been waiting 50yrs to get that ! It’s mine and you’re not gonna take it from me!”. That was actor Leif Erickson on the “Paradise Cove” episode of the Rockford Files. Season 6. Loved James Garner and Loved the Firebirds, chase scenes and of course “Angel”, Stuart Margolin. This car will sell because of Rockford Files. Without the show, it’s just another gold Firebird. Best of luck to the new owner.
It was always great to come home after a rough day at school/work and kick back with a cold one and watch Rockford. He usually got beat up and stiffed on his $200/Day plus expenses All of a sudden my day didn’t seem so bad.
Are all cars 5 times what they sold for in 2010?
I can’t let this thread go without mentioning Joe Santos, another great actor and provided many funny lines as Sgt. Becker.
The add is gone so maybe Beth saw this and got sentimental……………..
I always fantasized about Beth as a teenager, would have jumped in Rockfords shoes to have a night with her in his car
Yup, I crushed on her too.
Rockfish !