I just saw an episode of this detective show, The Rockford Files, starring James Garner and was blown away by how good it was, all the '70s cars and the great looking gold Firebird Esprit he drove. It was fun seeing fun poked at the SolCal sensiblities of the time. The series ran from 1974 - 1980.

I am definitely going to get this DVD collection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5pYtG_jo3o...related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_dqaWcLucQ

And luvin' that AMC Matador cop car!

I used to watch that every week. I loved that Firebird he drove, and he got a new one every year. It was always great fun to watch for commercials previewing the new fall season of this show, because I got to see what "next year's" Firebird looked like! I remember the shock at seeing the '79 for the first time in the preview commercial.

Loved the show, loved the car...

That Esprit was a damned good looking car. I luv it. I want one now. It makes James Garner way more handsome then he really is.

You didnt know about this Harley ? Oh yea, that was some nice car. I didnt know there was such a thing as an "Esprit" though. James Garner was a real car guy, and if Im correct did most of his driving in that show. He always gets the crap kicked out of him, great series that was. He's one of my favorite actors too, did some great movies as an old Gent, one with Sally Fields kinda touched me. He had some ties with Oldsmobile too, maybe a pace car for Indy and some racing.

Adam 12 - Lots of AMC cop cars

Manix - nice Barracuda or Challenger convertable

any of those old cop shows from the 60's & 70's will have scene after scene of the great American cars....Kojac ? Lots of old pimpmobiles, takes me back, makes me sad sometimes. Electras, Toronados, Rivieras, Regencys, Torinos, Galaxies, Eldorados, Continentals, NewYorkers, Devilles...........gee wiz.........

Ya, I've seen him in Maverick that old TV western series....he's very underrated in my opinion. And seen some great movies that he's been in.....ya, really liked that one with Sally Fields...forget the title.

Ive seen movies when he was younger and he really wasnt that good. As an mature man he really did some good stuff. What were the gamblin movies ? Was that Maverick too. Infact was that Mel Gibson ? Maybe Kenny Rogers, been about 10 years since I saw that.

After seeing that episode of the Rockford Files....I got a nice sense of the seventies that's overlooked...I can't explain it...a nice feeling.

That's it, I'm getting a gold Firebird Esprit, watch lots of westerns, drink beer in dark, woodsy bars, wear a moustache.....

The Rockford Files was one of my favorite shows. The beginning of every season, Jim got the latest year Firebird, up to the 1978 model. For whatever reason, he didn't get the somewhat ungainly looking 1979 or 1980 models (which were supposed to have pop-up headlights but instead had recessed headlights). His dad Rocky also got the latest model GMC truck every year.

There were a few Rockford TV movies not too long ago, but James Garner didn't really age gracefully.

*huge grin*

I absolutely LOVE that show! Course, the Firebird is what drew me in ... but, I loved all of the different aspects of the show ... Jim's relationship with Rocky, etc.

Course, watching it while on my road trips, I've seen Jim either drive, be chased by, or chase several 2nd generation Monte Carlos .

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Right on Knightfan......I like the theme music of shows from the seventies too....there was a certain quality, a sound of the era. Even the actual ring of the phone...not the electronic sounds of today.

bobo, are you sure he never got a '79? God, my mammary must be completely kaput. I thought he did get a gold '79.

My brother & I have debated on whether Rockford ever had the '73 style 'bird: I swear in the earliest shows he did, haven't found out for sure yet. I don't recall a '79-style, but I'm not a rabid viewer.

If you watch a bunch of shows, sometimes the 'crunch' 'bird (where his car gets damaged) is a different year than the one he'd been driving earlier that episode- fun to watch for. Always liked the show, got to see some episodes last summer while recouperating from some surgery. Still quite entertaining- esp the character interaction element.

My brother & I still call that move where he floors the 'bird in reverse, stabs the parking brake & spins the car around then takes off forward in one fluid motion, a "Rockford".

"Hi, this is Jim Rockford. At the tone leave your name and message - I'll get back to you"

A classic intro...then that great theme song...

Yup, and there was always some crazy message left on the machine.

Anyone else remember what he charged for his services? :AH-HA_wink:

What was the name of his shady snitch that was frequently on the program. Jimmy ? Maybe he always drove a Cadillac convertable, its been along time.

I cant remember what he charged, seems most of those PI's were always portrayed as working for next to nothing.

bobo, are you sure he never got a '79?  God, my mammary must be completely kaput.  I thought he did get a gold '79.

You have a milk-producing gland, Blu?

What was the name of his shady snitch that was frequently on the program. Jimmy ? Maybe he always drove a Cadillac convertable, its been along time.

Angel

I cant remember what he charged, seems most of those PI's were always portrayed as working for next to nothing.

$200 per day plus expenses

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Yeah, I probably caught every episode.

Yea Angel

I guess he didnt work for next to nothing........that was good money back then. I do remember him always saying that now. Im in the mood for some reruns now.

Rockford being stopped by the AMC Matador police:

I love this show too. I got into it big time a few years ago when Dejaview started showing it every night. My brother had a 76 Firebird that was the same colour. I saw an episode where he gets tdropped off in front of an Olds dealer and you see all the new cars on the lot.

My dad had a '73 Firebird Esprit when he was in high school.

Edited November 26, 200619 yr by mustang84

Rockford being stopped by the AMC Matador police:

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Can you tell the difference between a Matador and Ambassador ?

Macgyver with the jeep was more entertaining because of the cornyness to it.

Right on Knightfan......I like the theme music of shows from the seventies too....there was a certain quality, a sound of the era.  Even the actual ring of the phone...not the electronic sounds of today.

AMEN!

The themes to TV shows of the past had a character all of their own, too. The second the tune began, you knew what it was ... whether you heard it on radio or TV. These days, the themes seem (well, at least to me) to "blend in" ... and sound the same....

*shrugs*

If you watch a bunch of shows, sometimes the 'crunch' 'bird (where his car gets damaged) is a different year than the one he'd been driving earlier that episode- fun to watch for.

He he he...yes those "idiosyncrises" are so fun to see .

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"Every song, another scene" ... Dierks Bently ... 'Every Mile A Memory'

bobo, are you sure he never got a '79?  God, my mammary must be completely kaput.  I thought he did get a gold '79.

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I'm positive that he didn't get a '79. In regards to a '73, I don't think he had one of those either. They used a lot of stock footage on the show, so the year of the vehicle would sometimes change between scenes. The '74 Firebird would show up every now and then. It was easy to tell because of the different rear window.

Yes, I do remember seeing flashes of the smaller rear window and thinking how cheesy it was for them not to care.

Maybe that's why he never got a '79, because that nose and tail really stood out and it would have been too obvious when they were using stock footage.