Started watching on Netflix with Season 1, currently at episode 16 part 2 and certainly the chases are exceptional. Better than Starsky & Hutch and the Firebird Espirit which I guess is a 350CID engine really moves in some of the sequences. Engine must be modified.
BTW, do love the bit with the lady who certainly knows how to road race the Firebird.
"Lousy damn suspension!".
Love the car chases. The one on season two's "Gearjammers" Pt. 1 is one of the best.
This I know for a fact: James Garner did all of his own driving, including all chases and stunts.
Spenser with an "S", like the poet.
He use to race with McQueen on the track back in the day. God I miss James Garner. Best show in the 70's!
shareup to season 2 episode 7 and am loving the car stuff and the old look of the city streets. Reminds me of Miami back then. Gotta love the light traffic.
share3 words... Life was Simple..
shareSo true.
shareOnly in hindsight.
Valar morghulis
The one thing about Movie and TV chases that bugs is the Mario cart effect. That is no mater how well you drive the other characters will catch up and no mater how bad you drive you may not catch up but you will never be to far from the pack. What that means is no mater the performance of the vehicles in a chase it will always be a close "Race", unless something happens to aid the getaway.
shareJames Garner had a passion for cars way way back. He thought the stunt driver could do a job, so he took over. Producers were not happy with the fact their Star was putting himself in danger but it seems Jimmy won in the end.
Have you guys heard of the Rockford turn? David Hasselhoff did that stunt on Knight Rider. It's was the only one he was allow to do.
Often referred to as the J-Turn.
shareThe one vs the truck in the episode called the dark and biology ground is pretty great. That episode has a few good car chases.
shareJames Garner was an accomplished driver and racer. In the movie Grand Prix James Garner didn't use a stunt driver. Mr Garner drove many different type cars and raced in the Baha endurance race several times and I believe he won a trophy one year. The Esprit he drove in TRF's had a beefed up suspension and used the same engine under the hood of the Pontiac Trans Am. The 1974 Rockford car had 400 cubic inch engine with dual exhausts, factory Pontiac wheels, console and automatic transmission. All standard features of Firebirds a the time. His car did however have a sport suspension to do the stunts he was required to do. The man could drive a car thats for sure.
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