James Garner's Heuer Carrera watch that he wore on "The Rockford Files" is going to auction. Here is a link to the story;
04/08/2022
02/17/2022
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.
09/27/2021
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.
09/13/2021
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.
09/05/2021
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.
05/01/2021
Steven Phillips Interviews Jim Suva
On Friday April 30,2021 I was interviewed live on the radio, by Steven Phillips. Steven is a big Rockford Files Fan. Here is the link to the interview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdFPe-i1J_U
I hope you enjoy it.
Jim Suva
12/22/2020
Rockford files Firebird in Hemmings Classic Cars
My friend Bill Nawrot and I have stories about our Pontiacs in the February issue of Hemmings Classic Car magazine.
Here is the link to the article: https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/pontiac-people/amp?fbclid=IwAR3J-FkzTi4FnmmeYDNwnZ1ewdHCyOFAodzdDqfyJskE1Tc4_v2kcYbUP6g
08/30/2020
45 Years of The Rockford Files
45 Years of The Rockford Files
Written by Jim Suva
Black Pawn Press recently released Ed Robertson’s new book, 45 Years of The Rockford Files. This is the 3rd edition of his Rockford Files book. I have always said that the previous edition, 30 Years of The Rockford Files, is my bible on the show. This new book gave me the opportunity to talk with Ed to find out how he started out as a writer and host of his radio show, TV Confidential.
According to Ed’s mom, he learned how to read and write when he was five years old by devouring TV Guide cover to cover. He would make up his own shows and then make up loglines. (A logline is a sentence-long summary or description of a movie/TV show.) In school Ed became an English major; many of his teachers recognized his talent and encouraged him to write. Within a few years after graduation, Ed published his first work.
In 1993, Ed published his first book, The Fugitive Recaptured, a behind-the-scenes history of The Fugitive, the classic TV series starring David Janssen. The success of that book led to the publication of Ed’s two books on the career of James Garner, Maverick: Legend of the West (originally released in 1994) and This is Jim Rockford: The Rockford Files (first released in 1995, for the 20th anniversary of the show). In 2005, Ed updated his Rockford book as a second edition, called Thirty Years of The Rockford Files, and again as a third edition in 2020, under the title 45 Years of The Rockford Files. Both 45 Years of The Rockford Files and the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West are available through Black Pawn Press.
Ed Robertson is also host of TV Confidential, a radio show about television featuring interviews with the stars, writers, and producers of some of America’s most popular TV shows, including many of the shows that originally aired when we were growing up. Ed did a two-hour tribute to James Garner in 2014, while his previous guests have included Rockford writer/producer Juanita Bartlett plus many actors who appeared as guest stars on The Rockford Files. Here is a link: https://www.televisionconfidential.com/.
Ed not only admired James Garner, he actually met and talked with him. Ed shares some of his remembrances of Jim for the first time in 45 Years of The Rockford Files, including the thrill he felt watching Jim work one day during a visit to the set of First Monday. The revised third edition also includes about 60 pages of never before published information about Rockford, including a production memo from Stephen J. Cannell and Roy Huggins from 1975 that really sets the stage for the infamous “Glen Larson incident.” There’s also 20 new interviews, 6 new appendices, some new photographs, and a beautifully written foreword by Gigi Garner, James Garner’s daughter. The 3rd edition still has the wonderful drawings by Darin James Bristow, plus more information on the 1990s Rockford movies.
The reason Ed updated this book was to include more information about Rockford and to pay tribute to those who have passed away in recent years, such as James Garner, Stephen J. Cannell, Jack Garner, Luis Delgado, Roy Huggins, and Adele Mara, just to name a few.
James Garner passed away on July 19th 2014, and per his request, he had no memorial service. His daughter Gigi started the James Garner Animal Rescue Fund in his honor. It is a 501c3 charity with its donations going to help animals all around the world. Twenty-five percent of proceeds from the sale of 45 Years of The Rockford Files will be going to JGARF. For more information about this charity go to www.jgarf.org.
As a bonus, if you purchase 45 Years of The Rockford Files directly from Black Pawn Press, you will receive an MP3 recording of a conversation between Ed and Roy Huggins from February 1995. On this recording, Roy not only reads his original 26-page first-draft story “The Rockford Files” (which he later developed into the script for the Rockford pilot), but provides a running commentary about certain aspects of his original story that were later developed for the Rockford series. To order directly from Black Pawn Press, go to Rockford45.com.
Photo below from the collection of Ed Robertson.Ed with Roy Huggins.
If you would like an autographed edition of 45 Years of The Rockford Files, you can order that directly from Ed himself at https://edrobertson.com/rockford-45. (Ed told me that if you order the book directly from him, you will receive the bonus recording as well as a signed copy.)
In my opinion, this is a “must-have” book for any Rockford Files fan. I consider it the most detailed and best book available on The Rockford Files. Also, it is a nice way to honor James Garner by helping support the James Garner Animal Rescue Fund.
For more information about the award-winning author, go to https://edrobertson.com/
I would like to personally thank Ed Robertson for all the time and energy that he has put into all his books. He is keeping some truly wonderful TV shows alive for years to come.
07/29/2020
James Garner's Personnal Rockford Files Firebird on Jay Leno's Garage
From the Pontiac-Oakland International Car Club magazine, the Smoke Signals. Here is the story about James Garner's Rockford Files Firebird on Jay Leno's Garage. Guest and Rockford fan Mike Rowe takes Jim's Firebird out for a ride in Malibu. Click on thumbnails below to see larger version.
I even got a credit on the show.
I really like the picture of the Firebird at the Paradise Cove Pier.
Special thank you to the current owner of this Rockford Firebird as well Steve Reich, Jay Leno and the Crew of Jay Leno's Garage.
Jim Suva and The Suva Files
Star Car Research
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