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Rockford’s Firebird Gold Was Not A Factory Color – Here’s The Story

Pat McKinney's 1977 Pontiac Firebird - nearly restored - which he authenticated to have been a screen-used model driven by James Garner on The Rockford Files
May 26, 2022 by Richard Piet

Some regard the car ’70s TV private eye Jim Rockford (The Rockford Files) drove as another character of the show. A gold Pontiac Firebird, the car was chosen personally by Rockford portrayer James Garner for its ability to do cool tricks, like the reverse-180 “J turn” maneuver (called a “Rockford” by some).

But, it turns out Garner was heavily involved in the use of the car, having even chosen the color – which was not a factory color. In this episode, we reconnect with Pat McKinney, who owns three screen-used Rockford Files Firebirds, to hear the story of the “Garner color” and the pains taken to prepare Jim Rockford’s Firebird for the screen.

More Garner/Rockford Episodes and Links

Our first episode with Pat McKinney, talking at length about how he came to own three Garner-driven Firebirds.

Jay Leno-Featured Rockford Files Firebird: The Backstory

James Garner’s Daughter Gigi talks about her well-loved dad

Author Ed Robertson Talks About 45 Years of The Rockford Files

James Garner Animal Rescue Fund – JGARF

Category: RidesTag: J-Turn, James Garner, Jim Rockford, Pontiac Firebird, The Rockford Files, TV cars
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