"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
07/21/2014 at 12:56 • Filed to: daily turismo
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"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
07/21/2014 at 12:56 • Filed to: daily turismo | 3
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It was not without sadness !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that actor, racer, and all around nice guy James Garner passed away this weekend of natural causes at the age of 86. Garner's first big break in the acting world was as the lead in the TV series !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but as gearheads we will forever remember his breakout as the lead in the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
Most of the other actors in the movies were only willing to drive the cars at low speeds or flat out refused to do anything other than towed shots, but Garner discovered he had a knack for high speed driving and he developed a fascination with racing that continued for many years.
Garner's interest in racing even landed him a sponsorship from AMC to prepare a number of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but Garner was unable to participate in the race due to a conflicting film commitment. However, as an automotive symbol of Garner's legacy there is nothing quite like the 1975 (and in later seasons 1977) Pontiac Firebird proudly displaying the 853OKG California blue plate as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! clashed with bad guys from Malibu to Death Valley.
Daily Turismo published a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! special feature back in January of 2013 that featured a number of the cars from the show, but yesterday we got a great suggestion from DT reader Andy L who wrote: To honor the life of James Garner, and his best-known role as James Rockford, maybe it would be proper to feature a Firebird Esprit. Rockford's iconic ride throughout the Rockford Files series was a gold '77 model.
After a little searching, I could not find the exact model and color. This is no surprise, as gold was never an option on a 1977 Esprit. It was for T/A's only. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is an example of a seemingly nice Esprit in Pender, NE. It is a 1980 model.
Like the main actor of the Rockford Files, the Esprit was classy and understated. Engines available in the Esprit during this period were the 231ci V-6 with 105hp, a 301 with 145hp, and a 350 with 170hp. If you wanted the 400ci or 403ci engine, you would have to opt for the Formula or the "screaming chicken" T/A. We can assume that the Hollywood prop masters gave Jim Rockford a little something extra in his ride to keep the chase scenes exciting.
The featured car has a bottom-of-the-line 231 in it, which is fine because anyone interested in making an Esprit of this era go fast will need to abandon the numbers-matching selling point regardless of the original mill. We like the steelies and the fact that the A/C has been updated.
If you can handle an interior in this shade and you aren't in a hurry to go anywhere, this might be the car you need to channel Jim Rockford's understated '70s style.
Thanks for the great suggestion from Andy (as well as his excellent description republished above) and help us find the ultimate Rockford tribute Firebird. Comments below.
RIP James, keep the tires warm with Rockford turns in heaven while you wait for the rest of us.
Image credits; wikipedia, craigslist, oppositelock.
Originally published as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
> DailyTurismo
07/21/2014 at 13:01 |
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His car.
briannutter1
> DailyTurismo
07/21/2014 at 15:22 |
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Thanks for the writeup on him. Always admired the man.