[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

... Garner may have pulled some strings to have a couple special ordered with an older color to be consistant with the 76-77 versions of Rockford's Firebird.

my recollection of what I have read is, when the cars couldn't be special ordered in the correct colour, they repainted them - like this Formula - in the same shade of gold as the pilot/first season car.

I believe that a number of years ago HPP had a Firebirds of the Rockford Files article, and more recently Smoke Signals had a multi issue series on them & the show.

[Stuart]

They kept them the same color from year to year for continuity. It also allowed them to re-use stock footage from earlier years (while the average person may not have noticed, most gear heads quickly noticed when the car changed years in the middle of a chase scene. )

I've read that initially the producers wanted to use a Trans Am or Formula, but Garner made them use Esprits instead - he figured it would be more realistic, since a private investigator who was always hurting for money wouldn't have been able to afford the fancier models.

[vidguy]

Originally Posted by Stuart

They kept them the same color from year to year for continuity. It also allowed them to re-use stock footage from earlier years (while the average person may not have noticed, most gear heads quickly noticed when the car changed years in the middle of a chase scene. )

My wife and I have always watched the Rockford Files episodes and love them. Recently there was a scene where exactly that happened. From a '76 to a '72 or '73 in a quick cut of the chase scene.

[1965gp]

I saw this car today- very nice

[Frank R]

105K with the fees $115,500.00. The Rockford Files has always been one of my favorite shows but that was way put of my reach.

[Stuart]

Here's a fun Youtube video - a compilation of Rockford turns from the show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X7XGmS6Pe4

[Big Mike]

Originally Posted by goatless

Just came across this. Supposed to be a Formula car made to look like an Esprit for use in the TV series. Owned by James Garner after the series was done.

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Even...D-FILES-227110

Could you buy a Formula 400 with a 403 Olds engine in it? Any year?

[71GP76TA]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

Could you buy a Formula 400 with a 403 Olds engine in it? Any year?

Yes.. '77-'79

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

Could you buy a Formula 400 with a 403 Olds engine in it? Any year?

The model went through some changes;
- in 1970 the full model name was "Firebird Formula 400"
- in 1971 that was changed to denote one of the three eavailable engines, this format was carried through to 1975 - which was the last year that they were referred to as "Formula 350"* or Formula 400**
- in 1976 the engine size was dropped from the model name, it simply became known as the "Firebird Formula" - my guess is that this was probably in part due to the new Formula appearance package.

So technically there was no "Formula 400" in 1977, instead the Formula model came standard with a Drivetrain (like the TA), and had specific drivetrain options not available to lesser models.

Is that about as clear as mud?

* = for 1975 the base 'L30' 350/2bbl was one of two optional engines; the 'L65' 350/4bbl returned that year - and remained available through to 1977.

** = The 400cid engine was the top engine option for the Formula (and for the Trans Am until Pontiac, swayed by public outcry brought the 'L75' 455 back to the option list; of which less than 900 cars were built) for 1975. The 455 was not available on a Formula after 1974.