The Rockford Files - J-turn compilation

Compilation of all the times Jim Rockford did his signature move The J-turn(/Rockford/Reverse-180) on the series. I included a somewhat poor attempt from ''White on White and nearly perfect'' (The move's probably a little bit harder to do in a hotwired and not-so-nimble Mercury Montego) and a different take from ''The No-cut contract'' that appeared in the preview. Including those, the total count comes to 13.

[@tommerwhite]

At 16 I practiced this move in my dads Buick lasabre in the empty ski hill parking lot down the road from my house a dozen times before I started nailing it. didn’t notice the cop car in the back corner. He lit em up, stoped me and walked up to the car and said OK Rockford let’s see your license……no ticket just a smile and be on your way. Coolest cop ever, I am sure he enjoyed the experience more than I did. Thanks Jimbo

[@wandaarnt234]

WOW great story cheers from Pennsylvania 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@aleksai9993]

That's a fun story. a buick lesabre was my first car and I think they're perfect sleepers for moves like that lol. My friends did an irish turnabout in mine, which meant getting it up on two wheels in a cul-de-sac. We barely felt the impact of it touching back down.

[@DTD110865]

What year was the LeSabre? My family had a 1980 diesel sedan, but I never tried anything like this.

[@CapybaraSociety]

Man seeing all these reply’s I grew up in the wrong era

[@bbo40]

I did this type of 'driving' in a school parking lot one snowy evening in the early 80's. Cop came up to me also and asked "What are you doing !?" I told him I was practicing my snow driving skills. He looked at me for about 10 seconds and said "take off from here" and he left.

[@Rick-ps8xx]

Here in Ontario during the winter of 76, I found myself spinning on an ice covered hill. I couldn’t get traction. Rather than panic, I thought, “What would Jimbo do in this situation?” I dropped my 68 Fairlane into reverse, accelerated backwards down the narrow gravel road and then spun the wheel. The Ford swung full 180 degrees and I quickly slapped the shifter into D. That road crossed a bridge at the bottom. I’ve often thought just how “sideways” things could have gone but it seems my dedication to Rockford Files wasn’t wasted time. Isn’t it great to once be young and dumb and live to tell the tale?!

[@deedubya286]

Here in Saskatchewan, during a winter sometime in the 80s, a friend of mine wanted to show me how to do a Rockford on a gravel grid road. We had to walk to a nearby farm to find someone to pull us out of the ditch with a tractor. It's not a easy as Garner made it look!

[@legion0101]

If you are reading this, you are here, which means you are cool af.

[@justusjanssen2241]

In German the "J-turn" is actually called "Rockford-Wende" - Rockford turn

[@ds440RB]

He made it look so easy, he was a natural. He was a natural at driving and he was a natural at acting. That's the best driving you'll ever see on TV, and James Garner did all of it himself. What a legend, miss you Jim. Watching him always brings me a smile.

[@parrisgeorge9708]

I've seen a few interviews and stories about James Garner's driving skill. From what I remember he invented the J turn and also a big part of the reason for him to do the lions share of stunt driving was because he was better than the vast majority of stunt drivers in the TV space at the time. He owned a few race teams and was an avid racer himself.

[@ds440RB]

@@parrisgeorge9708 He was better than most stunt drivers at the time, Hal Needham was really the only guy who was better. It was an amazing time for actors who were great drivers too, like Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Burt Reynolds, and Gene Hackman, I'm sure I'm missing some. But James Garner will always be my favorite. And you're right, he owned an AMC team for a while, were there other ones too?

[@SparrowNoblePoland]

Hasselhoff said he could teach the J-turn anyone in 5 minutes. I tried it, and it's really easy, just as long as you have a car with weight distribution that does the trick, and is low enough not to roll over.

[@Dreamskater100]

Totally. Agree. ' That's the best driving you'll ever see on TV,'- So True.

[@gerrett108]

Well said! My Dad and James Garner could be mistaken as twins, bummer. I haven't seen Pop since I was a kid. Nostalgic, I am, watching Rockford files

[@danielhightower8318]

That's why we call this move the rockford

[@aaroni5074]

In Canada amyway

[@robbyddurham1624]

@Mark Allemand this and the hand brake 180 into the next lane of traffic.

[@thatbiguy1975]

im in mn and no question, always called a rockford

[@GonnaTagYa]

My driver instructor taught me how to do this in an icy parking lot using the E brake. Fun stuff!!!

[@doylesinclair4499]

Loved these J turns! BUT, my favorite parts of Rockford was when some bad guy would get to his trailer and Rockford would go into the kitchen and ask the bad guy if he wanted a cookie, 'They're home made!' the bad guy would decline and Rockford would say, 'well, I'm going to have one, I'm starving' and then he'd pull that snub nosed .38 out of the cookie jar. The bad guys would sometimes say, 'You keep a gun in a cookie jar?' and Rockford would shrug and give a failed smile. . . LOL

[@literallyunderrated]

If you dont have a snub nose in the cookie jar then your not a responsable gun owner

[@Daxtarr1]

As a kid growing up in Minnesota, I was so happy when I learned people outside of Minnesota knew what the "Rockford turn" was! Also, amazing theme song.

[@franktower9006]

Even here in Germany a bunch of people call it the Rockford turn (die Rockfordwende).😁

[@-Mike-69]

It's know as a Rockford in Toronto.

[@travisn4493]

Born and raised in Anoka, still whippin Rockfords

[@williwwilliwwilliwwilliw7371]

RIP, James Gardner. Loved you, man!

[@sludge4125]

You can’t even spell the guy’s name correctly, dumfuq?

[@niteclydn]

*Garner*

[@danrobinson572]

This was one great tv 📺 show. They don't make tv shows like this anymore and that's a fucken shame!!

[@gregwddriver]

I did my first J Turn on a dirt road in a '69 Dodge Coronet. Nothing fills your car with gravel faster than this maneuver with the passenger windows down.

[@frankzito1660]

Best cop/private eye show ever

[@ToriSavage]

The Rockford files is still one my favorite shows on NBC how can you not love James Garner he is definitely a 💯

[@randybach4581]

As a kid, you knew exactly what to do when someone yelled from the back seat of the car “pull a Rockford” 😂

[@fredflinstone5431]

Where I come from, this is "The Rockford" .... I bet the secret service probably even calls it that behind closed doors....

[@bws53]

I tried this once in my '86 Ford Ranger, successfully, but damn near turned into a barrel roll.

[@romanstar7550]

see thats what im thinking gonna happen . im wondering how fast and far the wheel must be turned to start the 180

[@MonsterHobbiesModelCarGarage]

@@romanstar7550 You were probably too high-centered in the truck. I'd try this in my 1972 Olds Cutlass, but it needs to be rebuilt first.

[@gregwddriver]

The center of gravity is pretty important. I did it in a '79 F150 running from some gas pipeline guys. Glad you pulled it off.

[@lgarthy]

Love him more than any other TV star. I used to do these in my 1972 Ventura. But the hubcaps would fly right off (and they were never as smooth as Jimbo's). He is rightfully a legend.

[@kickinvideo333]

"Sticks and Stones" J-turn is my favorite because Jim's being chased by the hot rod Corvette into a roadblock. As the Vette pulls up next to him, Jim smiles at the guy and kicks it into reverse 😆👍🏼

[@SmittyDonutFactory]

Love a great vid that delivers EXACTLY what it promises. 😬😬

[@Marcke-tb1hb]

Brings back good memories. Thank you.

[@matthewroy7718]

Best way to pull out of a parking spot.

[@wandaarnt234]

Love the Rockford Files ....he was a master no other actor then and now compares ....cheers from Pennsylvania 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@sludge8506]

Ever hear of steve mcqueen, champ? 🤦‍♂️

[@vykan]

I dare netflix to make a tv series like this. No computer effects or nothing. Just pure fun driving and good acting. Double dare.. With nice music and stuff.

[@wandaarnt234]

Cannot be remade only one Garner cheers from Pennsylvania 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@blindriv3r]

pretty sure it wouldn't be 'politically correct' now lol

[@joedq]

Always loved the Rockford Files, J turn is definitely 'The Rockford' Thanks for sharing

[@ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

James Garner is from Norman, Oklahoma. And we call that maneuver a "Rockford". Or a "Rockford Turn".

[@niteclydn]

I just remember i was allowed to watch the intro to this show, then it was bedtime, circa 1982

[@Cerl84]

it was called Jim Rockford:Private Investigator and came on right after the news. syndication.

[@eedgerton769]

Most impressive one of the series was "Second Chance" (at 0:56). How on earth did he avoid smacking the other car?

[@cybersquire]

Mad skillz, yo.

[@rya3190]

lots of practice, coupled with retakes, likely (plus, it doesn't hurt that he knew about what he was doing a half hour in advance)

[@jjs777fzr]

Rya 31 - ahhh yeah and he had mad skills as a race car driver in real life - so theres that

[@bobjohnson205]

My favourite, too. A very impressive show of stunt driving by Garner. I'm presently repairing my parking brake so I can properly perform a 'Rockford', but I don't think I'll be trying it in a back lane right away! Probably a HUGE parking lot at first! lol

[@bobjohnson205]

In July '18 I was at Paradise Cove in Malibu. The back of the restaurant and parking lot layout has changed quite a bit since 'The Rockford Files' days. Sigh! No longer any room to do a 'Rockford' like was seen @38 seconds in this video. Double sigh! lol

[@jeepguy220]

the bandit made the trans am famous, but Jim Rockford made the firebird awesome!! James garner as Jim Rockford was the TV character I wanted to be as a kid! the coolest car and place to live and hottest women! I thought back then gretchen corbett was a fox and bummed she left the show. R.I.P James garner I glad we still have Jim Rockford on dvd.

[@utacity]

luved rockford files..all time fav show at a time in my life that was young and felt alive and free, go rockfish!

[@alvan4080]

One of my all time favorite shows

[@billjenkins687]

He was a genius. I have actually used this turn in real life and it totally works. God Bless James Garner.

[@bluestate69]

you had to use that turn in real life? are you a private investigator too?

[@SirKaldar]

I used it a couple of times delivering pizza.

[@richardvinsen2385]

Bill Jenkins I used this move about 4 hours after I got my driver’s license in 1979. I had just picked up a friend in my parents’ 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra to go to a movie when some idiot went through a stop sigh and nearly hit me. I laid on the horn and flipped him off. This displeased him so he then proceeded to chase us, trying to force us into the oncoming lane of traffic. I made a quick left down a side street but he was soon behind me again. We were traveling about 50mph in a 25 mph residential street when I somehow got the idea to pull a Rockford. I let him get next to me, then I slammed on the brakes, through the car in reverse and did the J-turn. By the time he caught up with me I was turning into the Police Department. He didn’t pursue. Who says TV can’t be educational?

[@billjenkins687]

@@bluestate69 Law enforcement officer, now retired.

[@rockhammer3297]

Watching the train scene in Polar Express and had to explain to the wife what a Rockford was. Perfect example.

[@castlejunkie0935]

Garner did it so many times those who were stunt drivers started calling it a "Rockford" and it stuck

[@jondoe8889]

I recently read that a guy who had guested on the show saw RF was filming across the street. He took his mother over to meet Jim. An exec said he was busy, and to come back later. Jim got up to meet the mother - and spent the next 90 minutes teaching the exec some manners!

[@vernshein5430]

That actor was Gerald McAranney.

[@richardbadaracco5148]

@@vernshein5430 McRaney

[@mh_golfer]

Never seen anyone do the J-turn like James Garner. Everyone else stops for a second before going forward.

[@wg7644]

well you have to shift

[@iFixJunk]

He only did this 13 times?! It felt like every episode! ...seeing this was really good for my soul.

[@geemanbmw]

Rockford Files has always put me in a good mood everything about the show.

[@boydmking1]

Best car, best show, and best actor - Rockford Files!

[@digitalmagicAR]

1:08 was my favorite but :58 is just amazing - I had to watch it 3 times to make sure he didn't hit the other car! Great show! And cool that Garner sometimes did some J-turns himself

[@Onry1]

0:58 Jim shaved a few layers of paint on that wagon...

[@ants8527]

When i was a kid watching this show in the early 80s i thought James Gardner was Bob Barker lol🤣😂🤣

[@CaminoAir]

I knew Garner starred in 'Grand Prix', but I didn't know he was such a highly capable driver/stunt driver in real life.

[@roquefortfiles]

Garner was a better stunt driver than the stunt drivers. Steve Cannell said so. Whenever you see the famous reverse 180 that was Garner doing them.

[@chrislewis4163]

He also drove in the desert Baja endurance races. He has quite a racing on and off road history.

[@roquefortfiles]

@@chrislewis4163 Yup. I've read his biography

[@OppositeGeorge]

He was the best driver by far among the actors in Grand Prix. So much so that they had only Bondurant coach him. He ended up interested in cars and driving as a result.

[@roquefortfiles]

@@OppositeGeorge Garner was as good or better than the stunt drivers they hired for Rockford. He did nearly all of the famous car chases on the series. In fact he performed the famous reverse 180 turns almost every time. I love the show so much I bought a 77 Firebird.

[@jeremyhicks6787]

I tried driving my new Camaro like my friend Jimmy Rockford. I tore off my back fender. It cost me more than $2,500 to get it fixed. Nobody drives like Jimmy; he's the best!!!!

[@williambabyak1094]

If it's any consolation, I attempted a J-turn with my '77 Buick Regal coupe once. Damned nearly did a 'neutral drop', lunching the transmission! I hope there's some small comfort in that story!

[@jr_gotrocks4796]

I love this theme song, it's right up there with, mission impossible and lost in space as my top 3 tv show theme songs that easily get stuck in my head for no apparent reason

[@rescue270]

Me, too, and the "Dallas" theme gets in there, as well...

[@somegoodfella]

Reminds me of times I used to watch reruns on TV early in the morning on saturdays. You had Columbo, The Rockford Files and the A-Team. A great trio of shows about good guys fighting baddies! And James Garner did hell of a good job doing those J turns! They should-a had him as a character in Initial D.

[@JorgeRodriguez-po7kx]

That's what I liked about these 70's Cars Transmissions 😅😅😅 they were bullet proof

[@romanstar7550]

great post ! one of best tv shows ever , top 10 easily . jim and angel was a classic duo

[@DirtNastyCivilian]

I’ve honestly never known it to be called a J-turn. We always called that maneuver a “Rockford”.

[@johnquest3102]

EVERY episode should have had a J turn and a sexy female client, but that would have been too formulaic.

[@sludge4125]

The Rockford Files was *never* formulaic. :)

[@krr2469]

My favorite was the opening telephone answering machine scene. Set up the rest of the show.

[@bjtucker5]

I like formulaic 😉

[@lancecorporal9894]

What made the Rockford files so great was that things didn't always work out perfectly for him. Jim had his flaws but he would always try and help and somehow would end up still broke 80% of the time. I read they tried to reboot it like they did Magnum PI but the end result was so terrible they shelved it. They will never recreate the magic of this show, Garner played the character perfectly to the point you would forget the character was fictional.

[@ericwsmith7722]

You need the right movie star to play him, not just the latest pretty face hunk,some one Like Vince Vaughn or even Emilio Esteves , and of course the right supporting cast. and they would never do anything as grooling as Garner did, 24 episode seasons ... Now a days even a block buster hit the studio,s only will do maybe 12 per season . ..less for a hour show.

[@lancecorporal9894]

@@ericwsmith7722 Well. James Garner was quite the leading man in his day but I get what you are saying. When they started the Rockford files he was in his 40s and these days they would not take a chance on many actors beyond their 20s

[@MarcosLopez-yz2wr]

Never knew he made up this Stunt!!! Named after his first initial

[@DTD110865]

I was going to ask if such a turn was possible with anything other than a 2nd Generation Pontiac Firebird, but the episode "White on White and Nearly Perfect" answered that.

[@quincee3376]

Happy 50th anniversary to The Rockford Files!

[@bearb1asting]

Thank you for this GREAT video.

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

It's been said many times by a lot of people me included that Steve McQueen is the King of Cool, but does he have a stunt named after him.? No but Jim Rockford does. So for me James Garner aka Jim Rockford is just little bit Cooler than Steve McQueen. IMO.

[@frankjgornickjr3676]

On The Rockford files not only was James Garner an actor he was also a stunt driver he did all of his stunts he was a great driver!

[@scottgross582]

“Jimmy can loan me twenty?”

[@whitebreadcantjump]

Used to this quite a bit in my parents cars when I first got my license. Used to call it " a Rockfish ". :)

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

Nice! Great driving, great tv show, great car!

[@JorgeRodriguez-po7kx]

Always Loved these J-Turns on the Rockford Files They Make m 1:35 laughed 😅😅😅

[@mcqueenfanman]

No TH350s were harmed in the making of this show.

[@robbyddurham1624]

I think it might be harder on the rear end of the car. differential

[@mcqueenfanman]

@@robbyddurham1624 Those old f bodys had 8.5 rears, pretty stout diffs.

[@truthbknown4957]

Great show, still watch it.

[@james5460]

He almost took out that station wagon in that one scene lol.

[@reubenmetters9039]

I read your remark just at I watched it happen...LOL!

[@dirtworshiper2800]

Doin a Rockford we called it. Love that show still.

[@MrThunderMonky]

no wonder his character is so good at this, he gets shot at a lot

[@1Bandit455]

Best one was when he out handled that Motion prepared Vette :)

[@DeltaEcho303]

Love the stories from cops when they were in the academy and performed perfect J-turns on the first try. Their instructors would ask where they learned that and they'd say "Rockford Files." The instructors would nod in agreement and move on.

[@chouseification]

To this day, we just refer to a J-turn as "pulling a Rockford". I got to do one yesterday - had to turn around but the snowy roads had not been plowed yet... doing normal three point turn risks getting stuck in bank plus takes longer so somebody may come along and hit you... so Rockford it was. :D

[@dsummers3259]

There was one episode I saw of this where it was done in an alley. The front and rear bumper of the firebird only had inches of clearance!

[@monicajones5943]

Thanks for Posting. Very good content.Two thumbs ☝ ☝.

[@craiganthony9735]

We called the move 'Rockford Roll'.

[@JackManiacky]

There is a 14th J turn. S03E09 Return to the 38th Parallel. Thanks for posting the compilation. You're a true internet hero

[@richardkorpel3251]

Got curious so I checked. It's on here, but its mislabbeled as being from to protect and serve. Very sharp though.

[@bezarker68]

Why did I click on this video, now I'm gonna have to try it...

[@stephenrozario5742]

LEGENDARY AND CLASSIC TV SERIES 📺 THE ROCKFORD FILES

[@UfoDan100]

I wonder if James Garner did all of them or any of them ? He knew about race cars and was part owner of a race track.

[@richardkorpel3251]

@@pixiedust0755 It was said in the Garner Biography that Garner did about 70% of the driving, while his stunt double Roy Clark did about 30% (Mostly the rough stuff, like jumps and crashes).

[@0patience4flz]

Richard Korpel its James Garners birthday today....and great upload

[@emeyer6963]

@@0patience4flz 91 if he was still with us.

[@emeyer6963]

@@richardkorpel3251 RIP to Roydon Clarke.He passed away last year at age of 91

[@roquefortfiles]

Garner did nearly all of the stunt driving. Save for major dangerous stuff. He did all of the reverse 180s. He was a better stunt driver than the pro stunt drivers.

[@jimbreedlove4672]

I tried this in my 75 Nova, halfway through the turn and i blew both air shocks. The body came down on my wide tires and chewed up my tires and screwed up my wheel openings. Oh dang

[@roachroacharito9113]

Many moon's ago, my bro had a sky blue '72 p.o.s. Pinto (the ignitable one!). Apparently, the emergency brake (hand lever) on it only grabbed one rear wheel hub and he eould use it to execute what he referred to as a 'Bat-turn'. If he was scootin' along in reverse, it would produce something similar to this j-turn move. Good times...good times, indeed.

[@rhino6285]

I can imagine how many transmissions were destroyed

[@howieloso]

What is a Rockford turn? The J-turn is also called a "moonshiner's turn" (from the evasive driving tactics used by bootleggers), a "reverse 180", a "Rockford Turn", a "Rockford Spin", or simply a "Rockford" popularized by the 1970s TV show The Rockford Files. A J-turn differs from a bootleg turn in that the vehicle begins in reverse gear.

[@howieloso]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX_Sl4mEprhgopY

[@howieloso]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2GyYZx5qcp_ec0

[@Shastavalleyoutdoorsman]

I Was doing this in a transam around the turn of the millennium. 😂 Never saw the show.

[@289Mustang67]

Most of the Firebirds were high-performance Formula models but the cosmetic features that identified them as Formulas were removed to make them look more like what a middle-aged man with a modest income would drive.

[@thatbiguy1975]

i still miss all the transmissions i destroyed attempting to achieve his level of smooth in that maneuver. did get decent. everyone in mn practiced that on the ice then move on to the tire destroying dry pavement.

[@digitalmagicAR]

Yeah that stuff is hard on cars. I've done them in my 78 Trans Am on dirt. My friend used to do them frequently on city roads in his little Del Sol.

[@markswinford354]

I taught Jimmy those moves. He was a good student.

[@mattfoley6082]

The last one turns in the opposite direction from the others.

[@anthonybakker2567]

That car always looked better WITHOUT the spoiler option.

[@Jrb_Vision]

Marlon wayans brought me here lol

[@bizwiick]

Dead

[@jimmyjohns6516]

My knowledge brought me here idk where I first learned what a rockford turn was but I found out at a really young age I think I was about 6 been amazed by it ever since come back now and then to watch

[@markreimer3852]

This video makes my Pulse Pound more than 3 cups of coffee.

[@bradlafferty6076]

What a beautiful car move

[@fivemega1]

Mr James Garner (Rockford) done that in every episode of "Rockford Files" series.

[@MonsterHobbiesModelCarGarage]

I wonder how he did it...and how he did it so perfectly.

[@Heisenberg2002]

i remember doing this in the mall parking lot with my 2010 Impala 😂😂😂

[@krazi77]

So that's where Freiburger got the name for that turn

[@johnfloyd2551]

He continued to use the 77-78 firebirds from 79 onward bc he didnt like how pontian did the 79-81 front clip

[@DK-ii5sc]

Came here after explaining to my girlfriend who James Garner is and the what the Rockford Files was. Then I showed her what and where the "Rockford" is. Super cool. Reminds me of my childhood.

[@Musiclover-zi6zd]

Awesome cars too!!!👍👍👍🍀

[@digitalmagicAR]

It sure seemed like they did more than 13 in the entire series but it was a long time ago and memory fails....however I am pretty sure I remember one that is not seen here where the camera is at the front of the car, and in 1 take Rockford gets in and reverses out away from the camera to do a J turn. I remember it because it was the first time I noticed for sure it was Garner driving. Can't remember which ep because it was over 25 years ago when I saw it

[@DE-ok4ld]

James Garner "the pioneer" of the J Turns!

[@mypronouniswtf5559]

That was a great era...If we knew how much the country would change I would have enjoyed and taken it in more...today sucks,people are crazy!

[@stephenrozario5742]

WOW THATS AWESOME 👌 👏 👍 AND AMAZING 👏 😀

[@w.s8676]

In Michigan we call it the Rockford slide

[@Dreamskater100]

Sublime.

[@robbyddurham1624]

I've done a j turn in a firebird. Probably other cars too. In the 80's