Hello New Fiero owner here. Recently purchased a GT that has been sitting for the last 10 years The VIN shows a H code for the year. The car is a Yellow 5 Speed GT Everything I read or can find states that the color was not available in in any year but 88. Yellow was introduced in July of 87 in a press release . Is this a 88 with a 87 VIN ? Half year ?? The build date on the door shows June 1987 . I need to dig into the car to look at the frame condition. I am a life long car guy but first time Fiero wrench. This maybe a parts car. The rust investigation starts soon.
Any thoughts or input welcome
Thanks John

http://www.gafiero.org/vin.shtml

E=1984
F=1985
G=1986
H=1987
J=1988 (Corrected as per information in next post)

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 04-22-2018).]

quote Originally posted by JohnWPB: E=1984 F=1985 G=1986 H=1987 I=1988

0ops. J=1988 they never used I.

88s had VIN stickers on the body panels, so you can figure out quickly if your car was re-painted.

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 04-22-2018).]

So did the 87's.

I find looking at the suspension to be the fastest way to identify an 88.
On an 88:
On the front: The shock goes thru the center of the spring, not off to the side of the suspension.
On the rear: The brake caliper is on the rear half of the rotor, and there are 3 links from each hub to the cradle, not a-arms.

quote Originally posted by GT414: Yellow was introduced in July of 87 in a press release . Is this a 88 with a 87 VIN ? Half year ??

Is this right? Do they mean the 1988 Fieros that were built in 87?
I haven't ever seen a 1987 in Yellow.

Isn't July the month they re-tool for the upcoming production year and start promoting the new models? I could see a press release for the new colors in that time period.

quote Originally posted by Domtech: I find looking at the suspension to be the fastest way to identify an 88. On an 88: On the front: The shock goes thru the center of the spring, not off to the side of the suspension. On the rear: The brake caliper is on the rear half of the rotor, and there are 3 links from each hub to the cradle, not a-arms.

^^^ Do this. Then you know for sure...

Look under the rear toward the cradle.
IF you see the parking brake cable - it IS an 87 model.

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The RPO code will tell you the true color of the car and if it were a repaint or not.
it is located under the hood on the driver well well.
the color code will scart with a BC/CC and then WAxxxx

Here's a clip from Motor Trend that puts together reviews beginning in 1982. At 16:20, the 1988 Fiero (in yellow) is introduced in September. I believe this is the month the cars first hit the dealerships. July for re-tooling the assembly lines, August for production.

https://youtu.be/-GgHYe6KKzg

Yellow became available on 11/16/87, silver was discontinued 11/30/87.

Yellow paint code is 53.

[This message has been edited by olejoedad (edited 04-23-2018).]