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Jim Rockford v2 with Firebird Esprit!
Hi, Everyone.
First customs post from my tablet...hope it goes okay.
I first did a Jim Rockford custom back in 2008. Here's the link to that:
I was happy with it overall, but was fairly new to customs and sculpting and I always wanted a bit more definition in his face, especially nose and lower jaw. When I did my Tank Sullivan (James Garner's character in Space Cowboys) awhile back,I added in more jaw definition and it made me want to revisit Jim Rockford even more.
BUUUUTTTTTT.......the lure of the Firebird Esprit beckoned. I searched for a 1/9 scale car, but the Processed Plastics, Inc. firebirds posed several issues:
1. they're not made to accommodate figures
2. they can be pricey on eBay and other sources
3. they often have been well played with and many are in rough condition
4. they didn't make a 1978 model; only a 1979. James Garner reportedly got new Firebirds for The Rockford Files but the last few years of the show, he stuck with the 1978 because he disliked the 1979 model. This is just one more reason I love the guy. LOL! I agree with him whole heartedly.
Here is a photo of the car as I received it:
Please be gentle with your crtiticisms of the car. I feel vulnerable and sensitive. HAHAHA. Actually, I had to transform it from a 1979 Trans Am into a 1978 Firebird, armed only with a dust mask, dremel, sand paper, modeling putty, and paint. Lots of paint. And patience. Lots of....er....a bit of patience.
I made two Jim Rockford v 2.0 figures in the hope of giving one as a gift. I tried to improve upon the 2008 version with better fitting clothes and a Type S body rather than an original Type 2 Mego body. Clothing fits more tightly on Type S bodies, as you all know, so they border on being a bit too tight, but they don't hinder poseability. I liked my original backer card and used it again with the exception of changing "The Rockford Files" from white letters matching the start of the show (where you see the playing cards and hear the answering machine message) to black italicized letters matching the DVD sets for the show. The backer card colors on version 2 figures are a bit greener due to a new and generic inkjet cartridge.
Carded figures, front, version 2 figures flank version 1 figure in center:
Carded figures, back:
Head comparisons and closeups:
Jim Rockfords with the infamous Firebird Esprit. I ordered automotive paint *the* color of Jim Rockford's car (although some say James Garner had the color tweaked a bit).
You can see in the photos that one Jimbo is hogging the Esprit! LOL!
Thanks for looking!
First customs post from my tablet...hope it goes okay.
I first did a Jim Rockford custom back in 2008. Here's the link to that:
I was happy with it overall, but was fairly new to customs and sculpting and I always wanted a bit more definition in his face, especially nose and lower jaw. When I did my Tank Sullivan (James Garner's character in Space Cowboys) awhile back,I added in more jaw definition and it made me want to revisit Jim Rockford even more.
BUUUUTTTTTT.......the lure of the Firebird Esprit beckoned. I searched for a 1/9 scale car, but the Processed Plastics, Inc. firebirds posed several issues:
1. they're not made to accommodate figures
2. they can be pricey on eBay and other sources
3. they often have been well played with and many are in rough condition
4. they didn't make a 1978 model; only a 1979. James Garner reportedly got new Firebirds for The Rockford Files but the last few years of the show, he stuck with the 1978 because he disliked the 1979 model. This is just one more reason I love the guy. LOL! I agree with him whole heartedly.
Here is a photo of the car as I received it:
Please be gentle with your crtiticisms of the car. I feel vulnerable and sensitive. HAHAHA. Actually, I had to transform it from a 1979 Trans Am into a 1978 Firebird, armed only with a dust mask, dremel, sand paper, modeling putty, and paint. Lots of paint. And patience. Lots of....er....a bit of patience.
I made two Jim Rockford v 2.0 figures in the hope of giving one as a gift. I tried to improve upon the 2008 version with better fitting clothes and a Type S body rather than an original Type 2 Mego body. Clothing fits more tightly on Type S bodies, as you all know, so they border on being a bit too tight, but they don't hinder poseability. I liked my original backer card and used it again with the exception of changing "The Rockford Files" from white letters matching the start of the show (where you see the playing cards and hear the answering machine message) to black italicized letters matching the DVD sets for the show. The backer card colors on version 2 figures are a bit greener due to a new and generic inkjet cartridge.
Carded figures, front, version 2 figures flank version 1 figure in center:
Carded figures, back:
Head comparisons and closeups:
Jim Rockfords with the infamous Firebird Esprit. I ordered automotive paint *the* color of Jim Rockford's car (although some say James Garner had the color tweaked a bit).
You can see in the photos that one Jimbo is hogging the Esprit! LOL!
Thanks for looking!
Awesome! Magnificent! Brilliant! Genius! Fantastic! You already had me with version 1 of Jim but, now I am in absolute awe with two version 2s AND Jim's iconic Firebird. I love, love, love The Rockford Files and I just love the meticulous details of your customs - yes, I noticed the 853 OKG license plate! 
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