Last updated on April 20, 2021
Todays cars are four 1978 Pontiac Firebird Esprits done in special Sierra Gold and a Tan interior. I took this photo on November 3, 2019 in front of the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. Yes, James Gardener drove one just like them in the TV show series “The Rockford Files”. If my memory serves me right one of them was from the TV series. You are looking at the complete compliment of The Rockford File Firebird Car Club. They are 4 friends who live in the area and thought it would be cool if they all had the same car and what better than the Jim Rockford Firebird. They like to take them out as a group and have breakfast at Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. Paradise Cove Beach is the property where Jim Rockford lived in his trailer. How appropriate!
The show used factory Formula 400 model that were modified to look like the cheaper Esprit model to fit the the Jim Rockford character in the show, To make the Formulas look like Esprits it was necessary to replace the twin scoop hoods with the flatter Esprit version of the hood, remove the rear spoiler and paint the cars the special Sierra Gold. James Garner liked the way the Formula 400 handled over the Esprit. The 1970s was a great decade for television. The Rockford Files with James Garner will go down in history for its memorable story lines and action.
Barrett-Jackson has one of the three Firebird Formulas provided by Pontiac Motor Division to the TV show “The Rockford Files”. They were used from 1978 until the series ended in 1980. The car is up for auction in Las Vegas on June 17th -19th. Use the link below if you want to see the car. STATUS: $115,500 SOLD · Jan 19, 2019.
Frank
Below is one of the features that were installed in the actual TV cars, an audio patch board for microphones built into the dash.
