By all accounts, James Garner was a pretty awesome guy. He was a good looking dude who starred in many movies and television shows and perhaps above all for BangShift fans, he was a car guy to the core. Whether it was his constant flogging of Pontiac Firebirds on The Rockford Files, or the work he did on movies like Grand Prix, and the documentary called The Racing Scene, James Garner was a car guy on and off the screen.
In our eyes, the most impressive part of his racing resume was the American International Racers team that he operated from 1967-1969. This was not just a name only type thing, this was a legit international racing operation that fielded cars at races like Sebring, Daytona, and LeMans during those years. Garner was an active part of the organization and didn’t just like racing because it was a popular thing, the man had speed in his blood. Lots of people remember the cars that he went desert racing in like the Baja prepared Olds 442 and the AMC Scramblers. While his acting career kept him from the kind of frequent competition we know he craved, Garner was a multi-time Indy 500 pace car driver and we have heard stories that more than once he strapped into a car with an assumed name just to keep the prying eyes of the studio executives at bay. How cool is that.
Most importantly, James Garner was awarded multiple Purple Heart medals for wounds he received during his service in Korea. One of the medals was awarded in the early 1980s, decades after his service had ended, but it was still a very meaningful reminder of his work for our country. If James Garner never made a tv commercial, movie, or cool show he’d still be a national treasure.
James Garner lived as full an 86 years as any man that has ever walked the face of the Earth. We know that he and McQueen are at the big track in the sky getting ready to strap in and make some noise. Godspeed big guy, your career on the screen and on the track will live long in the annals of car guys everywhere.
SCROLL DOWN FOR SOME COOL JAMES GARNER VIDEOS –
Yup ! Like Paul Newman , Steve McQueen etc … he was the real deal . RIP
movie star with a BangShifty Soul
Well said guys, RIP
He definitely had motor oil in his blood. His legacy will live on for decades. Bye Jim and thanks for everything you did to entertain us.. . Mission Accomplished!
James Garner was a true legend , RIP Jim, and thanks for all the memories.
Don’t for get the Gentleman Jim and Beau James trucks also.
RIP James.
Always liked the Vic Hickey prepped Oldsmobile 442’s that he used to run.
I will miss “Ole Jimmy” and Rockford files is one of my favorite old shows. He was one of the oldies but goodies. I’m sad to hear he died. Another ‘end-of-an-era’. Rest In Peace! James.