Exotic Fieros

Fiero replicas - exotic looking sporty cars

The Fiero Mera - the most common 'kit car'.
Note the stock 1986/7 Fiero GT wheels & interior!



A Fiero-based Pantera replica



A Fiero-based Enterra replica



A Fiero-based Ford GT replica



Some Fiero-based Ferrrari replicas - now we're getting serious!





Some Fiero-based Lamborghini replicas - now we're getting ridiculous!

The innovative Fiero space-frame design and chassis lent itself to all kinds of creative interpretations. Aftermarket retailers created a variety of body kits that could turn a lowly Fiero into an exotic looking sports car. The key word here is 'looking'. The factory body panels could simply be unattached in a few minutes (which made repairing these cars very easy) and replaced by those from the kit manufacturer. Often the replica was built from a used Fiero that also had an engine-swap. The engine compartment was designed to accommodate a larger engine (which is why the factory V6 fit so well). I've seen Fieros that had 3.4L V6s from GM's mid-size cars (from a Grand Prix), 3.8L V6s (from a Firebird), or even Northstar V8s (from a Cadillac) installed in a Fiero. Most people who spent the money on one of these kits wanted a powerful engine too. But (and there's always a but) keep it mind the rest of the car was created from GM's 'parts bin' Late model 1987 GTs and 1988 GTs, Formulas, and Coupes had significant suspension improvements. Most fans mistakenly believe that the 1988 model was the only one to have the major performance improvements - but like everything else about the Fiero, Pontiac gradually introduced improvements designed to turn the Fiero into a real sports car. It was a classic case of "too little too late". Only the 1988 Coupe had significant suspension changes; many of the improvements to the GT were introduced along with the new body style and 5-speed Getrag transmission in 1987 (except for the monochrome paint treatment and different front/rear wheels and tires). SO.... while a Fiero-based kit car may look like an exotic foreign sports car at a distance; it may actually have the suspension of a Chevette. (No, not a Corvette)

Still they are fun to look at and every so often one appears on Autotrader or eBay when the owner doesn't know what to do with it anymore. Usually they appear at Fiero enthusiast shows and everybody gawks at them, but I wouldn't consider this a collectible car. In fact, most auto 'experts' do not consider ANY Fiero to be a collector's car - at least not yet. They are not classic Corvettes or even Mustangs. But (here we go again) they were unusual and produced in limited numbers (especially the 1988 GTs) due to declining sales. And it was an unusually innovative product from General Motors; not known for being innovative. So I believe the time will come when the Fiero gets the respect from car collectors that it should. Prices for 1988 GTs in showroom condition with under 15K miles have reached the 5 figure range - which was unheard of just a few years ago. Considering a fully-loaded GT with T-Tops topped at about $15K; its amazing that some people are asking that much for a used one today. And then there are some that time forgot.....

In 2010, a dealer was advertising this 'brand new' never-titled Fiero GT for $40,000 WOW!

The 1984 Indy Fiero

The Indy Fiero

The 1984 Pontiac Fiero is among the most unique cars ever to pace the Indy 500. It is the only mid-engine car ever to pace the 500, as well as the shortest car to ever hold the honor. It is also one of very few 4-cylinder cars to pace at Indy. However, the engine in the Fiero pace car was far different from the 92-horsepower version found in the production model Fiero. This bored out 2.7L engine produced 232 horses and turned a lap at better than 136 MPH. The Pace car also featured an air intake located above the roof to help cool the mid-engine car.

The Indy Fiero - the 1984 Indianapolis 500 pace car. These photos are of the actual pace car. The chrome wheels are different. The replica ordered from the factory came with the optional aluminum wheels painted white. Of course, the 232hp 4 cylinder engine was also much different. The Pontiac Fiero was driven by John Callies, the manager of the Performance Motorsports division of Pontiac, at Indianapolis Speedway. The 1984 Fiero Indy pace car replica - Amazingly, this car beat the brand new for '84 Corvette for this honor. No wonder Pontiac had such high expectations that this car would be a success.

The 1984 Indy Fiero - a replica of the Indianapolis 500 pace car sold by Pontiac. To commemorate this event, Pontiac produced 2000 Indy Fiero replicas. Of those, approximately 250 had the 4-speed manual transmission.

Notice how the decals on these cars are different. Some match the Pace car exactly. They're probably an after-market addition that cost $45 each; along with the 'Pontiac' windshield decal which was available for $30 on the internet. The Pace car had these decals, but I believe they were either dealer-installed options or after-market customizations on the Pontiac replicas. Some have them, but others do not. A few replicas also have the huge decklid-mounted air intake that the Pace car had. This was definitely an after-market option since I do not think Pontiac even offered it.

This model was only available in 1984 and was produced in a very limited edition. It was only available in white and and had red & light grey leather seats. The interior is difficult to restore because none of the parts are commercially available. Everything must be custom made, which is why a nice one is very rare. It came with the anemic 92hp 'Tech 4" engine (the only Fiero engine available at the time) rather than the engine created for the actual pace car. One with very low mileage that is in showroom condition is very collectible today. But be careful, a lot of owners of generic 1984 Fieros bought aftermarket decals and options and tried to make their car look like a replica. Most people who bought a new one or a low-mileage car kept it. Check the VIN carefully!

The 1988 Fiero Formula

The Fiero Formula - Pontiac's least popular Fiero and one of the most collectible today

The Fiero Formula - appeared as a 1988 model only. It was $2,000 more than the base Coupe model and provided four features that were borrowed from the more popular GT model: 1) the 2.8L V6 engine (which was not an available option on the 1988 Coupe) 2) the rear wing 3) the black or gold honeycomb wheels, and 4) a black or white decal on the lower portion of the doors that read 'Formula'. It was a shameless rip-off of the Firebird Formula model, which was also just an appearance package. The last three appearance options cost about $500 max; so the buyer was spending $1,500 for the better V6 engine (which had been available for much less in the earlier SE and 1985/6 GT models. Most customers considered the Formula to be 'a rip-off' so there weren't very many ordered. The result is that a 1988 Formula with very low miles in showroom condition is considered one of the most collectible Fieros today. Pure supply and demand.

This example is what my very first Fiero looked like. It had the optional automatic transmission.

The 1984-1988 Fiero Coupe

Fiero Coupe - the original design

A sporty 'commuter car'

Here are a few pics of the 1984 - 1986 Fiero Coupe model. Originally it was introduced in just two colors: red and white just like the original Corvette. (GM was trying to be cute :-) Later in the same model year they introduced the silver and black colors; which is why you still see so many of these old Fieros on the road (with over 100K miles). Almost everybody who wanted one ran out and bought it in the first year. Those who couldn't get one, bought it the next model year.

These pics show a few of the popular options: 1) pop-up sunroof - I had one which made the cabin feel more spacious, but it rattled as it got old and the seals began to dry out. They also tended to leak; which ruined the headliner. 2) the real cool looking aluminum wheels - these were an option in the early years but were made standard equipment in 1988. The standard wheel covers are shown on the silver coupe. 3) the black luggage rack on the rear decklid. This was a $100 option that was totally non-functional. I never saw anybody stap any luggage to it but it gave the rear end a sportier look. Note how the red and silver ones look a little 'naked'.

Pontiac hadn't introduced the rear wing yet - it first appeared on the 'notchback' GT model.




 

Then sales started to plummet; mostly because it was such an impractical car... and the performance didn't come close to the looks. The standard Tech4 four cylinder engine was really just the old Iron Duke motor that debued back in ... 1962 ... in the original Chevy II so much for GM's "Performance Division" going all out on actual performance. The new 2.8L V6 which debued in the GT model was a much better engine - and one not shared with other GM cars.

Here's the first 1985 Fiero GT with the original 'notchback' bodystyle. These cars are very different mechanically from the 1988 models. It looks a lot like the later 1988 Fiero Formula, doesn't it?

Here's an early 1986 Fiero GT 'notchback' coupe with very rare wheels. This is why Pontiac called the mid-year GT redesign a 1986 1/2 model. The stock gold color aluminum wheels that came on it.

Here's a silver 1986 Fiero Coupe with the optional silver aluminum wheels.

Note the lower body accent stripe in 1986.

Here's a blue 1987 Coupe with custom wheels. This very rare color was only offered in 1987.
Note the different color ground effects from the 1985 and 1986 GT model:

They saved the best for last. Here are several 1988 Coupes with the optional aluminum wheels that became standard equipment on the final 1988 Coupe model.

What's different about it?

Note the front and rear bumper covers. The earlier coupes had the twin black pads to carry on the Pontiac twin grille theme. In 1987, the bumper covers were changed to be a more rounded body-color plastic. Also, in 1984 (only) the rear deck lid was completely flat. There as a black 'grate' over the engine; but not enough ventilation. This was blamed as the cause for the early models overheating. In 1985 and subsequent years, there is a 'bump' over the engine compartment. This styling change was solely intended to give the engine more breathing room. In the restyled Fiero GT fastback model that first appeared in 1986 1/2, this 'bump' was fully integrated into a new decklid design.

My white 1988 Fiero GT

My 1988 Fiero GT - The last and best year. Its in showroom condition.

 

Here's my third Fiero - its a GT in white with matching ground effects and the black honeycomb and chrome wheels. It has grey bucket seats with the rare lumbar support option, automatic, air, cruise, rear wing, power windows, door locks, and mirrors. It has the 2.8L V6 that was standard in the GT model. Customizations: dark window tint, custom spare tire cover, custom Fiero floormats and that's all! Everything else is stock. Everything works; including the gauges and cold A/C. Option I wish it had: T-Tops

 

Its 26 years old and has only 53,000 ACTUAL miles.

I bought it in the midwest and trailered it all the way to sunny southern California. The undercarriage is flawless (never saw snow) and the paint is 99% perfect. (I suspect it had a new clear coat put on the front fascia, rear fascia, and rear wing, but the previous owner said it was never repainted which is supported by the maintenance records). Interior is 99% perfect and still smells like new. The car still has plastic covering the carpeting under the floor mats. The car had multiple owners, but was meticulously maintained. I got handwritten notes indicating that it had the oil changed with Mobil1 every 3,000 miles and the previous owner said it has NEVER been parked outdoors.

Fate: Its now parked in my garage next to another Fiero GT. And yes, I have a BIG garage! I'm trying to figure out how to squeeze another classic car in there too. That would be real sweet.