The Suva Files, which started with The Rockford Files Firebirds and is evolving into interviews with Cast and Crew members as well as other TV shows and Movies.
Here is the latest addition to my Suva/Rockford Collection. This year for my Birthday, my wife Julie purchased a number of slides, negatives, proof sheets and original drawings. These items are from a photo shoot by the Vista Group in 1979. It features James Garner and the vehicles from The Rockford Files. They were creating a poster for GMC Trucks.
Here are some of the pictures from the GMC Truck photo shoot. The Cherokee Productions trucks are in the back belonged to James Garner.
These pictures are from the Rockford Firebird and the Trans Am Kamback wagon being added to the shoot.
Here are two posters that came out of this photo shoot.
I am always looking for Rockford Files photos and memorabilia. If you have anything, please contact me at: jimsuva34@aol.com
Since I am a big Rockford Files Fan, I have been looking for a screen used Firebird from the show. Unfortunately, the ones that are still around are not for sale and are priced out of my price range. So I have decide to start a Collection/Museum for display for fellow fans of the show. So I am looking for items used on The Rockford Files or items related to the show. If you have anything that could be added to the display just email me. Email address is below.
I have more items that would not fit in the display cabinet. Such as copies of scripts, posters, magazines etc...
If anyone is interested in seeing my display and are in the Chicagoland area, just drop me an email: jimsuva34@aol.com
Here are two articles from 1977. Rob Morris found these, so a big thank you to him. The first article talks about one of the shows new Firebirds, being stolen from Universal Studios. The second describes the filming of a car chase scene, from the episode: "The Bees, The Trees, and T.T. Flowers".
The Pontiac Registry is a wonderful resource, for all Pontiac models. Here is a link to their website: https://www.pontiacregistry.com/. If you love Pontiac's as much as I do, please consider joining this group.
Two years ago, I received the opportunity to purchase a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 that was used on The Rockford Files. This car was one of three used, on the last two seasons of the series. This Firebird was used as the sound car. Meaning this car was used primarily for filming dialog inside the car and was also used for exterior filming as well. The best part of this Firebird is that James Garner purchased this Firebird, after filming stopped on the show and owned it till May of 1981.
Now the owner at the time wanted more money, than I could afford. Plus, this car needed a complete restoration, new interior, leaking fluids and had a couple of rust areas that need attention. So I gave the owners contact information to two friends of mine that deal with vehicles for the movie and TV industries.
They purchased the Firebird and had Michael Flaherty of Custom Design LTD in Wisconsin do the frame on restoration. I met with Mike in February 2018 and went over the Firebird with him in regards to what had to remain from filming Rockford. Since this was a sound car there were holes drilled in areas to run wiring for a allegra sound recorder, that use to be mounted in the trunk. They also had mounted plugs in exterior of the car for power and microphones. The Firebird even has the original Garner mic bay that sits in the console. Of course there is also a skid plate mounted under the engine and transmission, so that it could be used for stunt driving. All of these items were retained.
The object for buying the Rockford Firebird, was to preserve the car as much as possible. The 78 Firebird was finished just two weeks before it was auctioned on January 19, 2019.
My friends asked me to come out and represent them at Barrett-Jackson and help sell the Firebird. This was a once in a life time opportunity for me. Plus to be able to stand by an original screen used Rockford Files/Garner owned Firebird was wonderful.
Barrett-Jackson is more than an auction or car show. It is an event that every car person should experience once in their life. Everyone I met that worked for Barrett-Jackson were so nice and helpful. The fans of The Rockford Files that I met were great. All day Friday and Saturday I was by the car telling people about the history of the Firebird. There were plenty of people from all walks of life that were checking out all the cars and trucks on display.
I got to meet with Kevin from Bitchin Rides and saw celebraties like Gary Sinise, Motor Trend hosts: Christy Lee , Mike Joy, and fellow Chicagoan Chris Jacobs.
Saturday afternoon the owners arrived and told me, they wanted me to ride in the Firebird onto the block for the auction, which was the biggest trill, since I watch the auctions on TV, all the time.
The Firebird was moved into the holding line around 1:40 pm. Author Matt Stone, who has written a number of car books which includes James Garner’s Motoring Life was there to talk about the Firebird on the TV coverage, from the auction block. Matt and I had an enjoyable lunch together and talked about Garner and the Firebird. There was a wide variety of food vendors to choose from and different displays and a Restoration Row of vendors to check out.
After lunch I went to find the Firebird in one of the two holding areas, in line for the auction. I had a wonderful opportunity to talk with a number of people that were interested in the Rockford Firebird. We moved the car through the first staging area to the second, which is located right outside the door of the auction building. Once it was time to drive the Firebird into the building, I sat in the passenger seat and was still answering questions about the Firebird till it actually went up on the ramp to the block.
Below are two videos from the Discovery Channels coverage of the auction.
I can’t thank my friends enough, for such a wonderful opportunity. The Rockford Firebird sold with buyer’s premium for $115,500.00. I had estimated it would sell between $100,ooo and 125,000. So I was pretty close.
The car was purchased online by a Pontiac-Oakland International Club member and hard-core Rockford Phile who wants to remain anonymous. He considers himself a caretaker of a small, but important part of television history and wants to share the car with fellow Pontiac and Rockford enthusiasts at car shows and if they’re interested – museums. He felt it was important for the car to remain in the United States and ideally in southern California where the show was filmed.
Next up he will be installation of the correct “Custom” or deluxe upholstery and door panels original to this car (and all Rockford Firebirds of all years of the series). Other plans for the car include tinting the exterior rub strips (currently white) to match the color of the interior as these cars had back in the day.
The car drives like a new car – just like the owner’s 1978 Esprit did when it was new. I am so happy that the owner plans to share this Firebird with all of us and not just put it a collection in a garage somewhere.
All of us Rockford fans will be anxiously awaiting to see this car hit the Car Show circuit in the near future.
Well Rockford fans, here is your opportunity to bid on an original screen used Rockford Files Firebird. It will be interesting to see what it will sell for.
Here are two links to Ted Ferfecki's 1/64th diorama videos. These videos show how he made the Rockford Files Firebird, Rocky's pickup and Rockford's trailer.
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