The Fiero GT - sexy survivors

The mid-engine Fiero GT was a sexy-looking car even in stock form.


The Fiero still turns heads today and looks very modern even though it is  25 years old!

The 1986 1/2 GT:

The first version: the 1986 1/2 GT introduced the new fastback appearance featuring the flying buttress rear window design. The glass side windows are not functional; they simply created a dramatically different roofline. The car has the same flat rear window as the original coupe, but the decklid was also modified. The tailamps were entirely new and specific to the GT model. The front fascia was the same as the new appearance introduced earlier on the 1985 "notchback" GT. Although they had the same name, the earlier GT was really just a coupe with a different fascia and the 2.8L V6 engine. The 1986 1/2 model was an attempt by Pontiac to create a line extension - in an evolutionary way - much like the Corvette was incrementally improved with the 1962 model getting the new 'Stingray' rear-end while it maintained the older model's front-end. I believe this is an early 1986 1/2 model - the lower stripe is visible and was actually just a decal that I believe was only available on the first year 986 1/2 GT fastback model which was all new behind the doors.  These grey honeycomb wheels were only available in 1986/87.
 

This example of a white and grey GT with the optional sunroof is what my second Fiero looked like.
 

What's different?

The lower-body moldings are now light grey rather than black like the 1985 GT. In this late model year introduction, the only manual transmission was a 4 speed transmission that I believe was manufactured in Muncie, Indiana. It was the same 'economy' car transmission from the original Fiero coupe.

The 1987 GT:

The 1987 Fiero GT featured the flying buttresses that were a throwback to GM's 1950s design heyday. For such an old design trick, the sporty effect still creates a modern look 50 years later. I think the different color ground effects give it a sportier appearance like a Firebird Trans Am.

This example of a burgundy and grey 1987 GT is what my third Fiero looked like.

What's different?

1) In 1987, Pontiac introduced several new colors and dropped others. The most unusual was t I call 'Neon Blue'. It looks like the same color blue that later appeared on the Dodge Neon to me. Anyway, it was unusual and not very popular; which is why the the 1987 GT in blue with the manual transmission is one of the most collectible Fieros today. Pure supply and demand.
2) A new Getrag 5-speed transmission was offered as GM's stock of the old 4-speeds dwindled. It makes the car handle more like a sports car, but can be expensive to repair as these cars age. The original 3-speed automatic transmission was also available as an option (about $1000 more) but runs forever. My '87 and '88 GTs have the auto, but interestingly, the '87 is harder to shift.
3) Late model year '87 GTs also had some performance improvements that were carried over to the '88 GT.

1988 GT:









The following examples have the 'delete rear wing' option.


Yes - the rear wing spoiler came standard on the GT, but it
could be deleted. I think it made the car look 'naked' but the

ones without it are very rare today.







These examples have these 'factory T-Tops' although they weren't exactly installed in the factory. The cars that were ordered with this very expensive option ($2,000?) were actually shipped from the factory to an after-market supplier who removed the fiberglass roof panel and then installed the custom T-Tops before the car was shipped to the dealer. At least the customer didn't have to do it himself like earlier GTs when they initially were available as a customization.

Note the gold factory wheels on these other examples:

 

What's different?

1) The 1988 model received all the performance improvements Fiero enthusiasts rave about. But it was mostly the Coupe that benefited. It looked just like the 1987 coupe model, but got the same suspension improvements that had gradually been addeded to the GT model (except for the engine). If you wanted the better engine, you had to buy the costly Formula model; (see the Fiero Formula posting)
2) More color changes and the monochrome paint treatment with the ground effects painted the same color as the body that surprising makes the car look a lot different.
3) New wheels for the GT. They were painted black and the front wheels are not 'recessed' like the rear wheels are. This was part of the suspension enhancements for 1988. Optional gold-painted wheels were also offered. IMO, they are the best looking wheel the Fiero ever had and very hard to find today since there just weren't many cars ordered with them.

The most common customization:

Many people who bought an early GT splurged on custom chrome wheels like these examples. BIG mistake. They cost about $500 more at an aftemarket tire retailer and actually DE-valued the car since a collector prefers that it be in as original condition as possible. Fortunately, some owners who did this also kept the original wheels and will offer to give them to a buyer when the car is for sale if they still have them. Some people will sell the wheels separately on the internet.

Two 1987 examples:


A 1988 example with custom chrome wheels:

What's different? 1) The colors! By now, the original colors were becoming old. So Pontiac introduced several new colors in this model year: blue (non-metallic), yellow (non-metallic), and burgundy (medium-red metallic). The colors they dropped were bright red and white. Unfortunately, these were also the most popular colors so they were brought back for 1988. Silver had already been introduced earlier. 1987 was the only year that blue was available.