James Garner (1928-2014)

[Duke W.]

...just read that he passed, yesterday, of natural causes in his home at age 86.

Many of you probably remember that he owned a Corvette racing team back in the late sixties/early seventies that was called American International Racing.

I guess it was just coincidence, but in the last couple of weeks I watched four old James Garner movies.

He was a real likeable guy. I was a fan from the beginning of his hit TV show "Maverick" back in the fifties, and when he became a Corvette racer a decade later... that was even better!!!

I think it was his participation in John Frankenheimer's 1966 film "Grand Prix" that gave him the racing bug.

Duke

[Ronald F.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

Just watched him die in Notebook yesterday! What a freaky coincidence,

[Mike G.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

some great photos of Jim's American International Racing cars being prep'd. at Gulstrand's. Wingate is in there too. www.airl88.com

[Steve B.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

I read that this morning too. He seemed like a good guy.

[Mark D.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

Yep, seemed like a hep cat and a cool dude.

RIP, Jimbo

Mark

[Tom R.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

Yeah...I grew up on Maverick and thoroughly enjoyed the movie roles he played as he matured in his craft of acting. He was great and in later years he should much emotion in his characters but always with a touch of humor! Everytime we lose one of the greats from my childhood...I little part of me goes with them. Its sad...it shows the eventuality of our humanity or something like that.

[Timothy B.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

R.I.P. Maverick

[Gary C.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

In the late 60's, James Garner was involved in the Willow Run drag strip east of Oklahoma City. He wanted to add a road course to the track. Lived there at the time and several of the guys I raced with were involved with Mr. Garner and the road course. There were some developer issues and the road course was never constructed.

Gary
....

[Roger W.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

He was great in the TV show "The Rockford Files" in the 70's . I remember that he sued the producers because they said that after expenses, including repairing the dents in the Firebird that he drove after every episode, there was very little money left for him. I don't know how suit turned out.

[Mark H.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

He was great in the TV show "The Rockford Files" in the 70's . I remember that he sued the producers because they said that after expenses, including repairing the dents in the Firebird that he drove after every episode, there was very little money left for him. I don't know how suit turned out.

Found this:

In July 1983, Garner filed suit against Universal Studios for US$16.5 million in connection with his ongoing dispute from The Rockford Files. The suit charged Universal with "breach of contract; failure to deal in good faith and fairly; and fraud and deceit". It was eventually settled out of court in 1989. As part of the agreement Garner could not disclose the amount of the settlement.

Which means he won. Universal probably told him, "Okay, we'll give you your money as long as you don't tell anybody how much."

[Mike E.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

Here are a few other photos of his '68 L88.









Mike

[Ron G.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

Like all of you folks, I was and still am a big James Garner fan. I recently taped one of the movies he was in called Grand Prix. Also, from what I understand he had ordered a new 1969 427/435 tuxedo black coupe with bright blue leather interior for street use. This car was also equipped with side pipes from the factory, but then again, what else would you expect from Mr. Garner. He was a real "car guy". I wonder where that car is today.

[George J.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

His autobiography that came out a few years ago was a good read. I usually don't read those types of books, but his life seemed so interesting. RIP

George

[Mark D.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

Who's the fellow between Guldstrand and Garner?

[Bill M.]

Re: James Garner (1928-2014)

Loved the Rockford files he put the Firebird on the map. I remember the NY auto show Firebird display with the theme song in the background.