My last sports car!

[biker_reject]

I don't have a car anymore, just a pick 'em up truck. This was the last car I had (and sold it in '05). It's a '86 Pontiac Fiero GT 5 sp V-6. It has custom leather seats, MOMO steering wheel/shifter/pedals, custom white guage faces, custom sub enclosure, 500 watt Sony/Phoenix Gold/ Pioneer/MTX stereo components, Eibach suspension, Enkei/Bridgestone wheels and tires, Holley/ACCEL/K&N engine stuff with Poly dog bone engine mount. I also raised the factory wing with 4" stanchions and fabricated the front air dam. I owned it for 14 years and did all the work myself. Before I sold the "Plastic Fantastic", I was planning an engine swap. But, since I started riding sportbikes in '95, I hardly ever drove it. The Fiero basically became a garage queen and a really good stereo on wheels! Every time took her out, people would stop me and ask about the car. One time a young teenage girl asked me if it was new, and when I told her that it was an '86, she asked who made it. I said "Pontiac". She was totally shocked! Funny shit, eh?

 

[Ease]

Nice lookin fiero.

Looks real clean without the spoiler imo

 

[duncan]

bet you'll regret selling that one. very sharp. *thumbs up*

 

[biker_reject]

I used to take the wing off every now and then. I would plug up the mounting holes with those black auto upholstery fasteners and a dab of silicone sealer. That way, I could have two different looking cars! I used to miss it after I sold it, but I got over it pretty quickly. Riding sport bikes does that to you, I guess. I don't look at cars the same anymore. I used to be a sports car nut, but now it's more like a passing interest. The Fiero was the first thing I ever sold on Ebay. Ain't that something? I thought so. Now I see Fieros selling on Ebay for more than mine, and they don't look near as finished. Oh, well...

 

[locOleoN]

nice stance...
the stance really makes or brakes the look of a car...

 

[biker_reject]

I agree! I always thought the Fiero didn't quite look right. After I wrecked my first one (awesome crash absorption, BTW), I bought the GT, which I've always wanted. The Fiero's huge wheel wells, small wheels and high profile tires really bothered me and I knew it had to be lowered with larger wheels and wider, low profile rubber. It totally finished the look of the car. Unfortunately, when I purchased 17" wheels, those were the largest diameter available. 18" or maybe even 19" rear and 17" front wheels would have looked incredible. With the addition of Eibach springs and HD sway bars with poly bushings, the handling transformed the car also. I actually considered running it in SCCA autocross, but didn't because I would have to compete in a higher hp class.

I'm not a big fan of logos and badges on cars (sport bikes are different), but I always thought this looked cool on my car.

 

[BigBSBusa]

That's nice! Always thought they looked cool, but could never fit in one. Wound up with a 95 Mitsubishi 3000GT and loved it.

 

[biker_reject]

I had to give a buddy of mine a ride home one night and crammed his 6'-3" one-biscuit-away from 300lb ass into the passenger's side. He fit, but just barely. I was once in the market for a Dodge Stealth twin turbo back in the mid 90's. It's the same platform as the 3000GT. I liked the lines better and there didn't seem to be that many on the road. Brutal performance. I couldn't get the wheels to break loose on a test drive. All wheel drive AND twin turbos? Damn, boy!

 

[Swagger]

Fiero GT! Always been a favorite of mine, had a V6 5-spd a few years ago but unfortunately it hadn't been treated well before me and I couldn't keep up with the problems enough to even consider making any improvements. Someone's underhood hackjob caused a fire and that was that.

The only thing I didn't really like was the (period correct GM) squared off, boxy interior bits but these days that'd be easy enough to change.

 

[mysta2]

I wanted one of those back in the days before I bought my MR2. Call me crazy as everyone does but I actually kinda preferred the earlier notchbacks. It's kinda sad that they're all being kitted these days.

The cramped interior of these things is half the fun, I once managed to get myself and three girls in my mr2 (had to open the sunroof) ...my center console will never be the same.

 

[biker_reject]

I sold German cars e.g. Porsche-Audi-BMW-Mercedes Benz, in '07 and when customers asked my what my favorite car was, I said it was the Cayman S. They looked at me like I was crazy. "Really???" they would ask as we stood in the midst of Carrera 4s and M6s. In truth, it made me think of my Fiero or what the Fiero should have evolved into. The Cayman had a very raw race car feel, and the engine noise from behind the head would make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. The Fiero GT at redline had a angry growl. It's just too bad it didn't have the hp bite!

 

[JRK5892]

the girl i dated in HS her dad collected these suckers! i took a fararri to prom! it was a fiero kit car.. ha even had one wiht a northstar motor in it!!! sick fast...
my fav was an all black GT on 20's black... i rocked that car all the time!
still one of my favorite cars... I used to go with him to all the club meetings and crap, these guys know this car! just awesome... poor mans vet is what they used to call them.. now they are treasures! there is a guy up the street from me with a gold GT i have been trying to get off him for years! it just sits in his drive wasting away!

 

[Docta Jones]

Weren't there a bunch of people throwing Grand National engines in those for a while. Now THAT would be fun. That is seriously the nicest Fiero I have ever seen.

 

[biker_reject]

Hell, probably! So far, I've heard of owners shoehorning the Cadillac Northstar, Buick Quad Four, Chevy 350 short block, Olds aluminum V-6(?), transversely or longitudinally mounted Corvette engine, or just turbo charging, supercharging, and/or stroking the stock 2.6. The problem with the car itself is the rear cradle which holds the engine and rear suspension is subject to rust. The body panels also deteriorate if the car spent most of it's life in the sun. Mine was a garage queen for many years and the body panels looked almost new. I've seen a lot of Fieros and the flexible body panels were so rough. It's a shame most weren't taken care of.

 

[Ease]

... Someone's underhood hackjob caused a fire and that was that ...

Weren't underhood fires a common problem with fieros?

 

[biker_reject]

A few of the early '84 4 cylinder models did have engine fires. Since then, heat shields were installed on all models including the V-6. Ever since the reports of fires, everyone automatically assumes all Fieros catch fire.

 

[Ease]

A few of the early '84 4 cylinder models did have engine fires. Since then, heat shields were installed on all models including the V-6. Ever since the reports of fires, everyone automatically assumes all Fieros catch fire.

I take it that's a common question in fiero-owner circles then?

Didn't assume all fieros caught fire... Just had heard it was a 'common' problem.

Guess it's like the corvair or pinto "blowing up" if they get hit from behind, lol.

 

[biker_reject]

Oh, God yes. I don't know how many times I'd heard the question or comment about Fieros catching fire. HA! It's just like questions or comments about sport bikes. e.g. "Is it fast?" "It looks uncomfortable" "Plastic bikes" "Cookie cutter bikes". How about this one? "What's a cafe racer?" I'm kinda getting tired of explaining that one!

 

[Syke]

How about this one? "What's a cafe racer?" I'm kinda getting tired of explaining that one!

I figured the answer to that question years ago: "It's what you used to call a sportbike - back when you had to build your own." I still get it on summer Saturdays at quitting time at the shop while the squids watch me go through the starting ritual on the Bonnie. The looks on their faces are priceless!

 

[biker_reject]

That's a good description! From what I know, a cafe bike was an attempt by riders to replicate the GP bikes of their time. The only real standard was to strip the bike of unnecessary parts, replace the handlebars with lowered clip-ons, modify the exhaust, and the seat. Therefore, the rest is up to interpretation and the imagination and fabrication skills of the builder. Is that correct?