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1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula dressed down to Esprit Look

Sale price: $125,000.00 make an offer

Sale type: Fixed price listing

Technical specifications, photos and description:

Year:
1978
Mileage:
12,000
Engine:
5.7L 350Cu. In. V8 GAS OHV Naturally Aspirated
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1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula dressed down to Esprit Look for sale

Current customer rating: current rating for this car(2.5) based on 221 votes
Used in the TV series Rockford Files and several made for TV moviesDocumented with a letter of authenticity from Ray Claridge of Cinema Vehicle ServicesPresented in as-filmed condition11. 62 original milesFactory Formula model that was modified to look like an Esprit to better suit Jim RockfordOriginally Glacier Blue but painted Gold for use in the Rockford FilesThe hood was swapped and rear spoiler removed350 CI V-8. automatic transmissionRadial Tuned SuspensionAir conditioningPower steering and brakesVery recognizable Rockford Files FirebirdFormerly part of the Nelson Performance Car Museum in Sioux Falls. South Dakota

One of the most likeable characters on television in the ‘70s was James Garner's portrayal of private detective Jim Rockford. whose adventures were chronicled weekly in the highly popular hit The Rockford Files. The show had a wide variety of characters ranging from Jim's father Rocky to his pals police captain Dennis Becker and local hustler “Angel” Martin. The most enduring symbol of the show. however. was Jim Rockford's Pontiac Firebird Esprit. Car chases were a recurring event in the show. and were usually highlighted by the famous Rockford Turn or J-Turn. in which he would make an escape when cornered by his antagonist by accelerating backwards and cranking the wheels to reverse direction. enabling his escape. Garner claimed in a Season One DVD interview that he always performed the stunt himself. no surprise given his proven skill behind the wheel. which he first publicly demonstrated in the classic racing film “Grand Prix. ” The Rockford Firebird was updated a number of times throughout the show's run from 1974 to 1980. but not after 1978. when this Firebird Formula was repainted from its original Glacier Blue to match the Copper Mist used in previous seasons. To match the earlier Esprit models. the car's scooped hood was replaced with a standard unit and the three-piece rear spoiler was removed and the holes filled. The reason the car was carried over into the 1979 and 1980 seasons was simple: Garner disliked the new front end treatment introduced on the Firebird in 1979. It didn't hurt that using the same car for three years running underlined Rockford's perennially rocky personal finances. Formerly part of the Nelson Performance Car Museum in Sioux Falls. South Dakota. the car is equipped with a 350 CI 4-barrel V-8 engine. automatic transmission. AM/FM radio. power steering. power brakes. power windows and air conditioning. It is presented in “as-filmed” condition with 11. 62 miles and is documented with a letter of authenticity from Ray Claridge of Cinema Vehicle Services.

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Comments and questions to the seller:

from Aidan Petoyan, dated 05 may 2022
Hi, Is this still for sale?

Thanks.

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