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• The Rockford Files originally aired from 1974 to 1980 and won an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series along with two Best Actor Emmys for James Garner. Plays Jim’s dad, Rocky. Guest stars include Tom Selleck, Rita Moreno, Louis Gossett, Jr. And Isaac Hayes. Sundays 11AM/10C - 1PM/12C.
• Automotive performance was in steep decline when The Rockford Files started filming in 1974, but the Pontiac Firebird, with its available big V8s, reasonable size, and relatively nimble handling, was a bright spot in a dark age. Garner did well in choosing the Firebird.

MGM - Theme from the TV series (1974-1980), starring James Garner.

Though they were nowhere near as flashy as the typical “star car,” the no-nonsense Pontiac Firebirds that James Garner drove on The Rockford Files are among the best-loved TV/movie vehicles of all time.

Jim Rockford is the only TV detective with a driving move named for him. The late James Garner, who played Jim Rockford, didn’t invent the reverse 180-degree “J-turn,” but he used it so often in The Rockford Files television series that the maneuver is forever associated with the character. To execute a “Rockford,” Jim Rockford would drive about 35 mph in reverse, then let off the gas, turn the steering wheel sharply, and pull on the emergency brake. The car’s front end would swing around 180 degrees, and Rockford would be off—now driving forward.

It’s not surprising that James Garner would make a driving maneuver famous—he was considered one of the best drivers in Hollywood. He was trained by champion driver Bob Bondurant for the 1966 movie Grand Prix, and got hooked on racing in the process. Garner’s automotive career highlights include forming American International Racing, driving at Daytona and Sebring, racing in six Baja 1000s, and driving the Indianapolis 500 pace car three times.

The Cars of The Rockford Files

Though the model years changed over the course of the show, Jim Rockford’s personal set of wheels was always a Pontiac Firebird. Seen here are a 1974 example (left), and a 1977, both in Sierra Gold.

Naturally, there were plenty of car chases in The Rockford Files. Garner said, “Car chases and car action were a big part of the series, and I did most of the driving myself. That was my fun.” When it came time to decide what Jim Rockford’s ride would be, Garner picked a Sierra Gold Pontiac Firebird Esprit. Rockford was poorly paid (if he was paid at all) by his clients, and Garner wanted to convey that somewhat cash-strapped status in his character’s choice of transportation. In his autobiography, Garner said, “Rockford’s Firebird was also a character in the show. I’ve been asked why he didn’t have a Trans Am instead. Well he would’ve liked one—it’s much sexier—but I didn’t think he could afford it. The Firebird was more of a blue-collar car, a stripped-down version of the Trans Am, with a sticker price of about $3000 for the 1970 model. And I thought it handled better than the Trans Am.”

Automotive performance was in steep decline when The Rockford Files started filming in 1974, but the Pontiac Firebird, with its available big V8s, reasonable size, and relatively nimble handling, was a bright spot in a dark age. Garner did well in choosing the Firebird.

Jim was given to borrowing the vehicles of his friends and loved ones. Two such vehicles were his lawyer’s Porsche 914 (left) and father’s accessorized GMC pickup.

Most sources say Firebird Formulas, disguised to look like Esprits, were used in the series. The Formula would have been better suited to stunt work, with its more powerful V8 and firmer suspension. The 1974 Formula came standard with a 350-cid V8 that put out 170 horsepower, and offered a 225-hp 400-cid V8 as an option. For 1975, Formulas had a standard 175-hp 350-cid V8 or an optional 185-hp 400-cid V8. In 1976, horsepower of the Formula’s 350 dropped to 160, but the optional 400 stood pat at 185 hp. For ’77, the standard Formula engine was a 301-cid V8 with 135 hp—a 170-hp 350 and a 180-hp 400 were optional. In 1978, the standard Formula engine was a Chevy 305 V8 with 145 hp. Optional once again were a 170-hp 350 and a 180-hp 400. Formulas used by the show would probably have had the 400-cubic-inch V8.

To look the part of an Esprit, a Formula would have its rear spoiler removed and its scooped hood replaced with a plain Esprit hood. The show bought three Firebirds each season. James Garner didn’t like the styling of the 1979 Firebird, so ’78s were used until the show ended its run in 1980.

Tom Selleck played recurring character Lance White, a detective with a ritzy Cadillac Eldorado convertible.

Rockford’s license plate—853 OKG—was the work of Meta Rosenberg, James Garner’s agent and executive producer of The Rockford Files. OKG stood for Oklahoma Garner, and 853 represents August 1953, when James Garner landed his first acting job. (If you’re REALLY into trivia, look closely at the lead photo of this article and note that the 5 and the 3 on the license plate got mixed up at least once.)

Other cars in The Rockford Files included a 1975 GMC K-1500 pickup with Vic Hickey accessories driven by Rockford’s father Rocky (played by Noah Beery). Rockford’s lawyer and sometimes girlfriend Beth Davenport (played by Gretchen Corbett) drove a 1975 Porsche 914 in the first season. For seasons 2-4, she switched to a 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SL.

Tom Selleck played Lance White—a detective far more successful than Rockford. As a sign of his success, White drove a 1973 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. Of Garner, Selleck said, “every actor should take star lessons from James Garner.” Selleck believed that Garner’s down-to-earth demeanor affected the atmosphere of the Rockford set, and he tried to follow Garner’s example when he starred in Magnum, P.I.—where Selleck would drive a Ferrari 308.

The automotive star of The Rockford Files was always Jim’s Firebird; it was believable whether Rockford was outrunning villains or taking a leggy guest star to dinner. Almost a million Pontiac Firebirds were sold while The Rockford Files was on the air…and I’d like to think that Jim Rockford and his gold Firebird had something to with that.

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: Jim at the end of the episode follows Rocky to his pick-up truck. While they are going there, he's checking out some girl in jeans shorts. About 20 seconds later he's making a comment about art being a hedge against inflation, and in the background the same girl is walking in the same direction.(00:48:30)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: When Rockford slumps into the chair outside of his trailer, a man in bathing shorts disappears during the mid-action cut.(00:47:30)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Revealing mistake: Marilyn scribbles all over the picture drawing facial hair with a marker. As Rockford retrieves it, you can see that the prop is still of an immaculate photo.(00:42:10)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: When Rockford is rescued by Marilyn, a scarf appears under his head suddenly when it cuts to a close-up.(00:33:25)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: The sheriff's goons beat Rockford up, and he slumps back against their car. Depending on the angle, his left hand goes inside the jacket or over his right hand.(00:32:50)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: Rockfords drops the hitchhiker at her place, and they chat about going to dinner. In close-ups, Marilyn Polonski's left hand is next to her left shoulder on the car roof; every time it cuts to the slightly wider angle the left arm is placed across, so her left hand is in front of her right shoulder.(00:22:15)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: After he shows the picture to Marilyn Polonski, Rockford puts the picture away into his jacket pocket with his right hand, which turns into the left hand at the reverse shot.(00:21:40)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: In his search for the scammers, Rockford sees a cute hitchhiker. She leans into the car with a shawl in hand. In close-up, the garment drapes in by a whole lot less.(00:20:20)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: Rockford sits down teasing Moss about the beneficiary having to sue to collect. He holds a single sheet with both hands over the desk, but when he answers he has both hands on the opposite sides of the whole folder, flat on the desk. Similarly, later in the convo Rockford says he has a lead, Moss has his left hand on the chair, but is instantly flipping a page with that same hand in the reverse shot.(00:15:45)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: Rockford is at the insurance company. The secretary brings in a folder, Melvyn Moss grabs it by the top, and he holds it by the bottom in the reverse shot.(00:15:00)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: At the airport desk, Rockford does a masterful job impersonating a cab driver. During the scene, his hand is on top of the bag to opposite sides of the handle in shots and reverse shots.(00:13:15)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: Jim picks up the heavy groceries bags from the trunk. He's holding closer to his body the one with the eggs and the Stuffin, which instead is on the outside at the next cut.(00:05:50)

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Revealing mistake: During the opening set in Switzerland, all the cars have Swiss license plates from Lausanne with the Vaud canton emblem, but every single one of them has them mounted on license plate holders of the wrong size, showing that they all are cars from a different region/market.

The Big Ripoff - S1-E8

Continuity mistake: Jim is at the table of the cafe as the woman he is observing stops the car in front of a building. A man in the faraway shot walks past the car and the door it stopped in front of, but when we see the woman get out of the car in the next shot, the man is just only now entering in frame and moving past the car.(00:02:35)

This Case Is Closed - S1-E7

Continuity mistake: At the taco stand, Jim asks Susan 'What's your problem?' She answers while a guy who was nowhere in sight before passes behind her.(00:53:15)

This Case Is Closed - S1-E7

Rockford Files Filming Locations 1974

Continuity mistake: Rockford is incredulous about getting away so easily with a chore, and asks his dad 'You mean it's not gonna cost me or anything?' Rocky has his can of beer up high, but in the reverse shot his arm is on the armrest.(00:41:30)

This Case Is Closed - S1-E7

Rockford Files 1974 Episodes

Continuity mistake: At the Feds' office, Rockford asks FBI Agent David Shore 'Would you tell me what's going on?', with his hand on top of the mug. The hand was around it before the cut.(00:35:25)

This Case Is Closed - S1-E7

Revealing mistake: Torrance Beck and his men load Rockford on the car to dispose of him. They get ambushed, with 2 cars suddenly turning 90° blocking the road. Unexpected? Perhaps, but look at the asphalt; apparently it's a regular thing in that part of the road. There are already skidmarks reproducing the exact same movement.(00:33:30)

This Case Is Closed - S1-E7

Continuity mistake: After the fiasco at the gambling table, Rockford goes back to his motel. He parks his car pretty badly, oblique with the front wheel very far from the parking line. When he tries to chase the two 'chamber of commerce' gangsters, the car is waiting for him nicely parked.(00:27:30 - 00:30:30)

This Case Is Closed - S1-E7

Rockford Files 1974 Pontiac Firebird

Audio problem: Warner Jameson is making perfectly clear to Jim how much in control he is. When he says that he plays a mean game, part of the audio is dubbed in and does not mix with the rest.(00:21:40)

Rockford Files 1974 Firebird