Original Rockford car had a 403?!?

[Bonnewagon]

This 1977 Firebird Formula is the actual Rockford Files sound car used in '77. This guy found it, restored it, and here it is. What a beauty! Jay Leno featured it in this video.

 

[GP403]

Without watching the video, that sounds perfectly reasonable. IIRC from 77-79 the 403 was used in California and high altitude locations (Colorado etc) bc it was better for emissions than the Pontiac 400. 🤷‍♂️

** except stick cars.

 

[Bonnewagon]

I always felt they used at least a 400 or 455 to get the performance needed. Even a 350 could be hopped up plenty but an out-of-the-box 455 would have been perfect. Since they were using a Formula, I figured a special order engine would have been an easy lift. Interesting that they removed all the Formula decals, spoiler, Formula steering wheel, and scooped hood, to make it look like a base car. I guess the 403 was all California allowed but that was a pretty nice engine too.

 

[78Delta88]

Without watching the video, that sounds perfectly reasonable. IIRC from 77-79 the 403 was used in California and high altitude locations (Colorado etc) bc it was better for emissions than the Pontiac 400. 🤷‍♂️

** except stick cars.

Van Nuys cars were Oldsmobile 403, Goodyear GT Radials. Ohio cars were Pontiac 400, TA Radials.

 

[78Delta88]

Coming back from Afghanistan 2009 there was a Gold Rockford Car. Not hero car, was backup car, supposedly dash by glove box signed by Jim Gardner. Some of the history was suspect but car was fair. I was watching on eBay it got up to 4,500 during day while working at the plant. It sold before I got a chance to sit down and watch the auction.