# Do you know why a 'Rockford turn' is called that? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 18, 2014, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686 "2014-10-18T07:18:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MostlyUseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MostlyUseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyUseless)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/1 "2014-10-18T07:18:40Z")
with the new cars, is it even possible? ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/2 "2014-10-18T07:32:22Z")
I am guessing from “The Rockford Files,” which had at least one car chase in each episode, I believe. I learned it as a “bootlegger’s turn” or “moonshiner’s turn.” They are fun to do but hard on the car. I learned it at a place which taught exciting driving moves, on a closed course. I believe I was in a 1970-something Ford Maverick which, frankly, spun too well. I think antilock brakes would pretty much make this move impossible but maybe with the hand brake? Not going to try it in my own car! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/3 "2014-10-18T08:15:52Z")
I’ve only ever heard it called a J Turn, but it looks as though Rockford Turn is indeed named after the show. There are several examples of it in this compilation: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pruex3pgX1g) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/4 "2014-10-18T08:54:29Z")
Didn’t know what it was until the description given by **HiS**. Both the show and the turn. I have heard it called something else, but I don’t remember what. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/5 "2014-10-18T09:14:29Z")
Totally doable with newer cars. It’s actually quite a lot easier to do with a front-wheel drive car, so if anything it’s probably easier to do in a typical modern family sedan than it was in Rockford’s old Camaro. ABS isn’t an issue because you’re not trying to lock the wheels up, you’re just using the brakes to help the rear wheels come to a stop. Using the brakes at all is optional and probably not necessary on a FWD car. The traction control would probably have something to say about the maneuver, but luckily you can turn that off. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/6 "2014-10-18T11:52:45Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > Totally doable with newer cars. It’s actually quite a lot easier to do with a front-wheel drive car, so if anything it’s probably easier to do in a typical modern family sedan than it was in Rockford’s old Camaro. Firebird. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/7 "2014-10-18T12:56:45Z")
How to do a j-turn: [http://www.drivingfast.net/techniques/j-turn.htm](http://www.drivingfast.net/techniques/j-turn.htm) It gives tips on different techniques when you have front wheel vs. rear wheel vs. all wheel drive as well as manual vs. automatic transmission and whether or not you have ABS. > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Firebird. Yep. Pontiac Firebird Esprit. According to Wikipedia, from 1974 until 1978 they always got a new Firebird each season. James Garner supposedly didn’t like the restyling done in 1979 so the last two years of the show kept the 1978 version. Wikipedia also says that according to James Garner, he did the j-turns himself. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/8 "2014-10-18T13:00:24Z")
I think the modern electronic stability control (ESC) systems would make it difficult for you to do such a thing, especially since a lot of them can’t be completely turned off. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/9 "2014-10-18T14:17:27Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Yep. Pontiac Firebird Esprit. According to Wikipedia, from 1974 until 1978 they always got a new Firebird each season. James Garner supposedly didn’t like the restyling done in 1979 so the last two years of the show kept the 1978 version. Well, Rockford was not the sort who could afford a Camaro, or even the options on a Firebird. Of course, it got destroyed twice that I can think of. There was never any explanation of how he could afford, or even find, the same model and color again. > [@](#): > > Wikipedia also says that according to James Garner, he did the j-turns himself. I believe it. During the filming of _Grand Prix_, some of the actual drivers working on the film said Garner was quite talented. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/10 "2014-10-18T14:47:37Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Well, Rockford was not the sort who could afford a Camaro, or even the options on a Firebird. Of course, it got destroyed twice that I can think of. There was never any explanation of how he could afford, or even find, the same model and color again. > > I believe it. During the filming of _Grand Prix_, some of the actual drivers working on the film said Garner was quite talented. As do I, he was quite heavily involved in racing esp. in the 1960s. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/11 "2014-10-18T14:59:24Z")
Yes, and it’s still doable, but starting off again after the turn isn’t as impressive. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/12 "2014-10-18T16:32:35Z")
I learned it as a “bootlegger reverse” from the tabletop game _Car Wars_. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/13 "2014-10-18T16:37:09Z")
Bootleg turn is how I learned it. The equivalent with a semi, needing a lot of flat road and more skill, is filed in my memory as an “Alabama roundhouse,” but I’ve never been able to find a convincing cite for the term. Not sure where I picked it up. I saw one successfully executed once, in the flesh (as it were), and it’s really, really, really impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/14 "2014-10-18T16:41:09Z")
Its doable, but its very hard on the U-joint. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/15 "2014-10-18T17:44:38Z")
I’ve never heard of a Rockford turn but I was a big fan of the show so I knew immediately what it was. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/16 "2014-10-18T18:18:19Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > Totally doable with newer cars. It’s actually quite a lot easier to do with a front-wheel drive car, so if anything it’s probably easier to do in a typical modern family sedan than it was in Rockford’s old Camaro. ABS isn’t an issue because you’re not trying to lock the wheels up, you’re just using the brakes to help the rear wheels come to a stop. Using the brakes at all is optional and probably not necessary on a FWD car. I’ll just add that if you want to attempt to do this, take the following precautions: [ul] [li]Find a large parking lot that is empty (no parking bumpers or speed bumps) and that has pavement in good condition;[/li][li]Have your suspension and tires checked to assure that they will not fail in mid-maneuver;[/li][li]Securely belt yourself into the seat and wear a helmet as the spin and interrupt can be quite jarring and can easily force your head into the B-pillar;[/li][li]Do this at less than 25 mph; any faster than that and you’ll risk rolling the car.[/li][/ul] It should go without saying that you don’t even want to attempt this maneuver in a truck, minivan, SUV, or one of those shitty, prone-to-flip-and-crush PT Cruisers. Use a vehicle with a low c.g. (sedan or lightweight wagon). Better yet, go to a professional tactical driving school and let an instructor teach you how to perform this maneuver properly using their well-maintained and appropriate vehicles. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/17 "2014-10-18T19:00:26Z")
Many years ago, I read a hilarious column by LJK Setright, the British contributor to C&D, about his mastery of the handbrake turn… until one time he executed an attempt before remembering that the handbrake went to the _front_ wheels on that model. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/18 "2014-10-18T20:00:26Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I learned it as a “bootlegger reverse” from the tabletop game _Car Wars_. This is the term I use as well, and I was gratified to find that Jackson used it in _Car Wars_ as well. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/19 "2014-10-18T20:27:45Z")
Incidentally, _The Rockford Files_ is on MeTV weekdays at noon. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686/20 "2014-10-18T21:36:13Z")
+1 to the professional tactical driving school. It is so fun! Of course they will make you sign all kinds of releases and then then will put you in what amounts to a space suit, but you might actually learn something that will help in your everyday driving. Plus it is fun! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-a-rockford-turn-is-called-that/701686.md?page=2)