Newbie wants 2 clone ROCKY'S TRUCK!!!

[rockys75]

Hello, being from the North East and of the Boomer gen, I always enjoyed THE ROCKFORD FILES on TV during the 70's...Anyway, the thrust of my questions is does anybody have a handle on what year his TV DAD'S GMC was, what Options and does it still survive on the UNIVERSAL TV Lot? I mean, it's alot to ask for a TV show 25 yrs out of production, but my friend built up a "77 Firebird Espirit a la Jim Rockford, so I thought this would be a fitting duo to show at local meets. Anyway, here's an educated guess on the truck...

[SIZE=3]1976 GMC shortbed flareside , K-1500 4wd, 350cid w/th350, air steering, brakes, windows, silver grey with red side inserts, custom pinstriping with custom roll bar , hickey winch and bed tarp KC Hi-lites........????????????

Any links or add info would be helpful, plus I think Rockford showcased other GMC stuff like the 1979 STREET COUPE (454 GMC SWB) and other stuff

GREAT FORUM!!!!!!!

[bigblock73]

First off, welcome to the forum.

I have had many people E-mail me at my web site address asking or suggesting I put pics of this truck on my tv & movies page http://www.73-87.com/7387_Novelties/TV_movies.htm but I don't have anything on this truck.

Sooo, I will stay tuned and see if anything comes about with this thread.

[rockys75]

Yeah, being a boomer and fan made me realize the importance of cloning this rad truck, besides, is Rock/Files on DVD? Maybe some stills frames or printouts would narrow it down and trying to contact the property masters on the UNIVERSAL LOT might give us a shot......

Plus, Have the opportunity to buy a few SWB frames of that vintage along with a SILVERADO LWB cab, a mix and match affair that would closely duplicate ROCKY'S rig.

BTW, Jim always put up ROCKY'S truck for BAIL!!!!!!!

SUPER SITE!!!!!!!!!

[Greenlee]

I still watch the re-runs of this show. Like alot of t.v. shows, I suspect they may have used more than one truck. I am pretty sure I have seen subtle differences in different episodes with little details like the gas cap or camper hook ups.

It shouldn't be too hard to get still pics from the show. I can record and pause with my Tivo, but I'm not sure how to get it from there to the internet.

[rockys75]

Bad rain day here in NE, so I'm on the 'net, found out the Model is a SEIRRA CLASSIC model, might be a 74-77 model year......Also, Used Stock 15x7 rims with trim rings and center caps, like on Gentleman Jim, still can't get a clear pic of it although I understand Rock/Files is coming out on Dec 6th on DVD!!!!!!

Trim Level had the chrome strips that ran the outline of fender/.doors/bed/ along with slider rear window and chrome accent strip below cab break line.
Top of cab was painted same deep red as bodyside insert.Roll bar differed from season to season, so I suspect it was custom made. Small mirrors on both doors...... Was hood painted red also? Another fuzzy VHS screen capture I had had grab bars on upper cab behind doors, with a faint orange? accent pinstripes on red areas of truck, too...

Check out chuckschevytruckpages.com, a 76 GMC 2wd has basic color/moulding outline on it.

Can't wait for DVD's

[SmittySmith]

I found this stock photo in my web searching, looks like it may have been taken in the Universal Studio's vehicle lot (notice sign that says Rockford Files) and looks like it is showing the basic vehicles used in the show. Probably would get better photos and info from the studios. Good luck with the project and be sure to report your progress...

Smitty

[Captkaos]

The red one in the foreground is a GMC Street Coupe. The one in the back looks like an Indy Hauler hood, but that isn't the correct color for one. Could be a reflection.

BTW, the truck changed per year, so it won't always appear the same.

[bigblock73]

Smitty, awesome photo! Would you care if I used it on 73-87.com...under the TV & Movies page?

[SmittySmith]

Hi Jeff,

Fine by me, I borrowed it from a site I found in my search, not sure where it originated. But it was on more than one site, so it may be public domain by this time.

Regards, Smitty

[bigblock73]

Moonlight, is there anything you DON'T have!

Cool pic!

[rockys75]

Major kudos 2 you and others who replied, I was right about the orange striping and the hood being painted, now we gotta bug universal for the specs on this rad truck....
Anyway to post mag article or would it cause probs?
And BB73, pluleeeeeeze list it on your site!

[TexasJeff]

Hey guys I agree that was an awesome truck, I watch the "Files" in reruns here in Houston all the time. I think over the years the truck did change with each season, heck sometimes even in the same show, different years, different paint, but the overall concept stayed the same. The picture that Moonlight post of the the magazine cover looks great, I just don't ever remember seeing the brush guard on the front of the truck painted red in any of the shows, but I could be wrong. I would love to see pics of the truck if and when you duplicate it.

[SmittySmith]

Awesome Find Moonlight! You ROCK!

[Slonaker]

I remember the firebird used to change years while driving down the road. I have seen it go from round to square headlights without slowing down.

Slonaker

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by rockys75

And BB73, pluleeeeeeze list it on your site!

I will post the image smitty posted to 73-87.com, and I PM'd Moonlight about his. If he is willing to share, I will post it as well.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by Slonaker

I have seen it go from round to square headlights without slowing down.

Slonaker

Now that is funny!

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by moonlight

Hey Jeff,
Sorry, I've been busy with some important stuff so I didn't get back to you. I've said it before, love your site. I'd be happy if you added the pic ......... hope you're making progress on your truck ...... it's gonna be a killer when it's done!!!!!!!!!
Mark

Thanks Mark...on both accounts. I haven't done much on the truck, with winter approaching, I have been doing more house stuff than truck stuff.

Do you have access to only the cover pic, or can you scan the article as well (if you have the magazine)??

Also, PM me your mailing address.

[StreetCoupe]

Here's a slightly different GMC promotional poster I ran across. It's a little larger so you may be able to get a better view.

[78 Chevyrado]

Here's some more of the grey one in the background

Gray and Red 2 tone GMC


I thought about putting the red two tone insert paint on mine when i had it painted. wouldnt have looked bad. I was going to use that new dodge red. the one in the commercials.

[87 V20 Scottsdale]

I don't know about anyone else, but I like those Astro's in the background. I could live without the Indian chiefs though.

[Restrorob]

Originally Posted by 78 Chevyrado

Here's some more of the grey one in the background

Now that's the one I remember from waaay back then !

[87 V20 Scottsdale]

BigBlock73 posted some stuff on his site about Rocky's truck http://www.73-87.com/7387_Novelties/TV_movies.htm

Scroll down a little from the top and you'll see it, five or so pages scanned.

[Toxic Redline]

It was Jim's dad, Joseph "Rocky" Rockford's. The truck was a GMC Sierra Classic 4x4, customized with maroon and silver paint and Hickey aftermarket accessories including a grille guard, twin-tube roll bar with lights, a winch, twin 15-gallon auxiliary fuel tanks, trailer hitch, door steps, matching maroon tonneau cover, and an aftermarket steering wheel.


The truck changed every year from 1974 to at least '77 or '78.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_j...#ixzz1FVVJQq4x


via Answers.com

[jitteryguy]

Originally Posted by 87 V20 Scottsdale

I don't know about anyone else, but I like those Astro's in the background. I could live without the Indian chiefs though.

they are cool, when I was little my Dad drove a truck like that for SafeWay. he swore the big "S" on the side stood for Sam !

[StreetCoupe]

I've been meaning to post this for awhile. It aired Feb. 24th 1979 titled "A Material Difference", Season 5 of the Rockford Files. Rocky's truck is in for service. They give him a loaner, which turns out to be a Street Coupe. There is a lot of great footage, including a chase scene. I bought the Season 5 DVD, just to have this episode. I've tried to figure out how to download a portion of this with little success. Instead, I found a promo for the episode on youtube (posted below). It only shows the truck for about a second at the end. If you are interested, you can purchase it online for a reasonable price, the episode was well worth the $13 it cost me for the whole season.

1979 NBC Mrs. Columbo Series Premiere & The...