tigeraid
July 20th, 2014, 11:28 AM
http://blogs.hotrod.com/hot-rodding-actor-jim-garner-dead-at-86-128309.html#axzz382RsxGvz
http://stblogs.hotrod.com/files/2014/07/Screen-shot-2014-07-20-at-8.48.01-AM.jpg
HOT ROD was saddened this morning to hear of the death of actor Jim Garner at 86 years old, lost to “natural causes,” according to CNN. Why would HOT ROD be interested in Garner? Because he was a hot rodder and a friend to our founder, Robert E. Petersen. Of course Garner is known to car guys for the movie Grand Prix (1966), and for the gold Firebirds he thrashed in every episode of The Rockford Files TV show (1974-1980). Few characters have a stunt move named for ’em, but many gearheads know the reverse 180 as a “Rockford.”
Off camera, Garner saw lots of action at the wheel. He was most seen in HOT ROD during his days at the Baja 1000, where he campaigned a series of “Grabber” Oldsmobile 442s modified for off-road racing. Several were hopped-up stockers, and one was the wild tube-chassis Banshee. In 1969, Garner’s shop prepped the team of AMC Ramblers that raced Baja. The shop in question was co-owned by Garner, and called American International Racers. It prepped Corvettes for competition at Sebring, Daytona, and beyond, circa 1967-1969. Much of this racing history is covered in a Garner documentary, The Racing Scene, released in 1970. It includes Baja, Daytona, and Sebring.
In later years, Garner maintained a car-promoting relationship with Pontiac and GMC. The August ’80 HOT ROD and July ’79 Motor Trend includes the “Diable Del Calle” GMC Caballo (El Camino) built for the actor. The October ’80 HOT ROD has a story on his GMC shortbed with a turbocharged 302 that was said to hit 140 mph at Indy. Perhaps the forerunner to the GMC Syclone?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pruex3pgX1g
http://stblogs.hotrod.com/files/2014/07/Screen-shot-2014-07-20-at-8.48.01-AM.jpg
HOT ROD was saddened this morning to hear of the death of actor Jim Garner at 86 years old, lost to “natural causes,” according to CNN. Why would HOT ROD be interested in Garner? Because he was a hot rodder and a friend to our founder, Robert E. Petersen. Of course Garner is known to car guys for the movie Grand Prix (1966), and for the gold Firebirds he thrashed in every episode of The Rockford Files TV show (1974-1980). Few characters have a stunt move named for ’em, but many gearheads know the reverse 180 as a “Rockford.”
Off camera, Garner saw lots of action at the wheel. He was most seen in HOT ROD during his days at the Baja 1000, where he campaigned a series of “Grabber” Oldsmobile 442s modified for off-road racing. Several were hopped-up stockers, and one was the wild tube-chassis Banshee. In 1969, Garner’s shop prepped the team of AMC Ramblers that raced Baja. The shop in question was co-owned by Garner, and called American International Racers. It prepped Corvettes for competition at Sebring, Daytona, and beyond, circa 1967-1969. Much of this racing history is covered in a Garner documentary, The Racing Scene, released in 1970. It includes Baja, Daytona, and Sebring.
In later years, Garner maintained a car-promoting relationship with Pontiac and GMC. The August ’80 HOT ROD and July ’79 Motor Trend includes the “Diable Del Calle” GMC Caballo (El Camino) built for the actor. The October ’80 HOT ROD has a story on his GMC shortbed with a turbocharged 302 that was said to hit 140 mph at Indy. Perhaps the forerunner to the GMC Syclone?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pruex3pgX1g