Jim Suva and The Suva Files Blog

Rockford Files Firebird J-Turn Model

Rockford Files Firebird J-Turn Model

By Smokey Fegley

In 2018, Smokey Fegley built this model of the famous J-turns that James Garner did on The Rockford Files.  His attention to detail is great. 

Below are pictures taken by Smokey as he built this wonderful model.

 
Making of the TV Screen.

He used a Fonzie head and modified it to make into James Garner, for his model.

   

The finished model is beautiful. Look at the detail on the dashboard.

 

Smokey is a true artist and I thank him for creating this model.

 

 

 

The Rockford Files: The Lost Films

The Rockford Files: The Lost Films

By Jim Suva, Photos By Dan Wolfe

In March 1974, The Rockford Files pilot premiered. The show was picked up as a series and Mike Post and Peter Carpenter, renowned musicians and song writers, wanted to do a new style of title sequence for the show. Mike had come up with the theme song and wanted to match it to some photos of the streets of Los Angeles. He hired photographer, Dan Wolfe.

Dan used a long range camera and followed James Garner and Noah Beery around Los Angeles to get the photos needed for the title sequence used on the series opening. The idea was to get non-posed pictures. He wanted the images to look candid and natural.

The photos that were used are instantly recognizable as part of The Rockford Files. They capture Los Angeles in the 1970’s as a time capsule.

Fast forward a few decades. A gentleman named Richard Ivler contacted me to see if I was interested in purchasing several hundred film images from this photo shoot for The Rockford Files. I gladly purchased them from Richard, and have started converting them to digital pictures.

Richard is a big fan of The Rockford Files and got interested in photography because of the opening credits of each episode. He was 14 or 15 years old when he got his first Nikon F2 professional camera and a dark room. Then, in 1975, Richard was in high school and taking a photography class. His teacher had his former student, Dan Wolfe, come into class to do a presentation. Dan showed the class a 35 mm film featuring the opening credits of The Rockford Files. The presentation validated for Richard that he wanted to do more photography.

In the mid-1990s, Richard had a friend who knew Dan Wolfe. Dan was looking for someone to be an Administrator/General Manager to oversee his multiple companies. Richard met with Dan and they spent several hours talking. Richard was given the job, and spent 17 years working for Dan. It was a busy job, since Dan, who is a graduate of Art Center College and is a helicopter and fixed wing pilot, also owned Dan Wolfe Photography, Wolfe Air Aviation, Wolfe Burgers and Pasadena Production studios.

In 2011 Dan Wolfe bought the former Northrop/Grumman complex at Hawthorne Airport and moved his offices and airplane fleet to the offices and hangar. Dan was downsizing and getting rid of old awards, plaques, and files. Richard opened one cabinet and noticed two shopping bags full of rolls of film. Richard asked Dan what he wanted to do with them. Dan said to just trash them. Richard luckily took a look at the film on a light box, and it turned out they were all the outtakes from that original Rockford photo shoot.

Richard took them directly to his car trunk, thus saving the films for history. They would have been lost forever if it was not for Richard. Now it is my job to preserve and share these images with my fellow Rockford/Garner fans.  Here are a few of them.

 

     
James Garner shopping.
     

A number of people over the years have asked who this actress is with Jim?  We now know, Gayle Hunnicutt is this actress, who appeared with Jim in the opening credits.  Gayle had worked recently with Jim on the movie Marlowe.

     

Jim on the phone and exhausted in the Firebird.

   

Jim at the Laundromat.

       

Having fun at the Police Station.

       

Notice the Manufacturers license plate on the Firebird. This before they put on the 853 OKG plates.

       

Inside Rockford's Trailer.

          

          

       

Some of the pictures above you have seen on the internet, but I have added some of the other pictures associated with them.

I hope everyone enjoyed these historical photos.  I am always looking for items and stories to add to this blog and for my Rockford Collection.  If you have anything you think might be interesting, please contact me at: jimsuva34@aol.com.

 

 

 

Stuart Margolin Passes away today 12/12/22, The Rockford Files.

Rest In Peace Stuart Margolin! A great Actor and Director. You will be greatly missed.

Stuart Margolin Passes away!

 

Poncho Perfection Article on 32nd Annual Indian Uprising

Here is an article that was in the October 2022 Issue of Poncho Perfection magazine.  I wrote this article on the 32nd Annual Indian Uprising.  I hope you enjoy the read.

 

Next years 33rd Annual Indian Uprising will be on August 11th through the 13th 2022.  We hope to see you there!

James Garner's Heuer Carrera Watch

James Garner's Heuer Carrera watch that he wore on "The Rockford Files" is going to auction.  Here is a link to the story;

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/james-garner-heuer-carrera-watch-phillips-auction-1235126324/?fbclid=IwAR1udk_BtYw3NxKHYMIHj9MA_ZqwAL1GKSla_R5v0YXXI5CwR1WzXXW7LpQ

 

Update 6/20/22:

The collection of the late actor James Garner—primarily watches from Cartier—was a highlight of the auction, with a portion of its collective sale value of $223,020 going to support the James Garner Animal Rescue Fund. One of Garner’s lots was a one-of-a-kind TAG Heuer Carrera with a personalized dial that sold for $176,400, nearly six times its low estimate. It was acquired by a collector with deep pockets: the TAG Heuer Museum. Garner was a race car enthusiast, an Indianapolis 500 pace car driver and producer and star of the 1966 movie Grand Prix.

James Garner's Custom Van Article

Here is an article about James Garner's customized van.  In reality, it belonged to Luis Delgado.  Luis was a good friend and long time business partner Mr. Garner.   Jim did drive it  at times.

Firebird Times Article on Rockford Firebird

If you are interested in joining the The Firebird Chapter of the Pontiac-Oakland International club, see the application below.

Rockford Files 1977 Firebird Formula Tribute For Sale

Rockford Files 1977 Firebird Formula Tribute, For Sale

   

A friend of mine named Dean, is selling this beautiful 1977 Rockford Files Tribute Firebird. It was born a Firebird Formula, Dean purchased it in April of 2017 and restored it to an Esprit Rockford Files Tribute Model in 2018, with a new hood, trunk lid and badging. He bought the car from the original owner in Northern Minnesota, who was storing it in his parent's barn. It was originally Brentwood Brown. It had literally no rust on it making restoration very easy. 

An Appraisal was done by Ron Pittman-Certified IAAA in 2019, scored 100%. See Attachment below.

In total, Dean has $36,222 invested in the Car, but he would consider any reasonable offer.

The Tan Leather interior is original and was in beautiful condition, except a 3" separation at the beading of the driver's seat which was repaired by Rigg's Brothers Auto Interiors. Dean replaced the Doe Skin carpeting.  Need to replace A/C Fan Resistor (Have new Part). Has 2 slow oil leaks from sitting, will fix or deduct repair cost off sale price.

   

   

1977 Pontiac Firebird Formula Rockford Files Tribute

Vin# 2487P7N109026

Mileage: 86,799 miles, Purchased with 86,655 miles.

   

 

Drivetrain, Interior, Engine:

- Engine: 350 Cubic inch 4 barrel Carb

- Transmission: 3 Speed Automatic

- New Tires Coker 15" whitewall radials

- Original Buckskin Upholstery

- New Buckskin Carpeting

- New Pontiac Floor Mats

- New Weather-Stripping

- New Master Cylinder

- A/C converted to R134a

- New Brake Lines

- New Radiator/Hoses

- New Belts

- New Battery Cables

- New Front Headlight Bezels

- New front Suspension Components

- New Rear Leaf Springs & Components

- New Shocks

- New Holly 650cfm 4 barrel (have original Rochester)

- Edelbrock Performance Manifold

- New Edelbrock Air Cleaner

- New Black Edelbrock Valve Covers

- New Plugs and Plug Wires 

- New interior Door Handles Bezels

- New Map Pocket

- New Sun Visor Support Bracket (1)

- New Beige Body side Moldings

- New Chrome rain Gutters

- New "Fisher" Door Jam Sill Plates 

- New Marker Lights

- New Headlights (4)

- New Badging

- More, but would have to look at paperwork.

Paint:

- Painted Body (Door Off Restoration) 1965 "Pontiac GTO Tiger Gold" in 2018 ($11,000)

- Engine Block painted Pontiac Blue in 2018

- Painted Rear Axel- New Differential Cover

This is really a beautiful complete Rockford Files tribute Firebird. This Firebird starts and runs strong and the clock is not currently hooked up. Dean wanted to offer this Firebird to a fellow Rockford Files fan first, before he takes it to an upcoming auction.

This vehicle has been sold.

 

 

1970 - 1977 Replacement AM/FM Radio for Pontiac Firebird's.

1970 - 1977 Replacement AM/FM Radio for Pontiac Firebird's

 

I replaced my stock AM/FM radio with this MAX performance, model RFZ184 radio. It sounds so much better and it looks stock. It has 2 sets of RCA out jacks, a built in extension cable for you I-Pod or MP3 player and a built in USB extension to use a thumb drive or charge your cell phone.  Plus it has a remote control to help operate the AM/FM radio.

 

This is the stock AM?/M Radio.

Here are 2 pictures of the replacement AM/FM radio.

 

1974 Firebird Esprit For Sale on ebay

Over the years people have asked me if I know of any Firebird's for sale, to make into Rockford Firebird's.  Well a friend of mine has this 1974 Firebird Esprit 400 on ebay.  I have not seen it in person, but you should check it out.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/304133493934?_trksid=p2471758.m4704

 

 

 

  

  

The original Rockford Files Firebird was an 1974 Esprit with a 400 engine. The only real difference between this car and the on from the series is the black interior.