Hi, im new to the forums and i was wondering if it would be easier and cheaper to buy a fiero and stretch it and widen it to pantera specs or to just buy a complete custom frame. The reason i ask is because im 23 years old and dont have 40-60k laying around to buy one of those cars, and when or even if i could buy one the price would be much higher. I already have a complete body i can use to make molds for a fiberglass or aluminum body out of. Also would want to throw in either a straight 5 or a straight 6 engine so i wouldnt have to worry about balancing and have good gas mileage, and have modern comforts like gps, and whatnot.
The answer to your question depends entirely on what tools you have and what skills you have. Doing a stretch isn't that hard (just finished a 12" stretch on mine). But that is just a tiny part of the project you suggest. Are you really prepared for a project of that magnitude?
Why ruin a fiero to make it into a pantera? I have had discussions about kit cars and frankly, I think it ruins the car but others (a lot) disagree. I'd suggest you either buy a Pantera or buy a Fiero. Don't turn one into the other.
Why ruin a fiero to make it into a pantera? I have had discussions about kit cars and frankly, I think it ruins the car but others (a lot) disagree. I'd suggest you either buy a Pantera or buy a Fiero. Don't turn one into the other.
I won't try to hijack the thread to argue the point, but I think it is still in line with the original post about using a Fiero as the base for a kit car. I agree that a good condition GT should stay as a Fiero... I'm not as attached to notchies. The best thing about a Fiero as a base for a kit car is that it is often a great way to save a trashed Fiero. Most kits end up stripping the Fiero down to a very basic state and then adding custom braces, supports etc. Sometimes a Fiero may be too far gone to economically save it and restore it back to original, but since most of the car gets stripped off for the kit car, this usually isn't a concern. I think all Fieros beyond saving as a Fiero could (should) be given new life as a kit car. And they really are an awesome way to begin a kit car project!
I am 24 myself and Ill tell you exactly what to do with that 40-60K you have laying around... Use it as a down payment on a house; one with a huge garage with enough space to work on your future Fiero!
------------------ "Discord" Red 1988 GT under restoration!
I am 24 myself and Ill tell you exactly what to do with that 40-60K you have laying around... Use it as a down payment on a house; one with a huge garage with enough space to work on your future Fiero!
I'm pretty sure he said that he doesn't have 40-60K....hence wanting to use the Fiero as a base....but by the time he is done, he will have definitely spent that amount.
Sometimes a Fiero may be too far gone to economically save it and restore it back to original, but since most of the car gets stripped off for the kit car, this usually isn't a concern. I think all Fieros beyond saving as a Fiero could (should) be given new life as a kit car. And they really are an awesome way to begin a kit car project!
As a builder and previous owner of many kits, I WILL agree not to tear up a good car to do it. All the ones I did were running and driving cars, but far from excellent. The biggest good part of owning a kit over the real thing is the maintenance costs. While you may spend as much building a replica as buying a real one, try getting any exotic repaired. For example a brake job on a 308/328 costs around $5000. A good used engine is $25,000. Working on real ones, theres many other issues. I was on a waiting list for over a year thru the dealer waiting for an OEM horn button and front signal lens for a 308. Most any unrestored Panteras are rust factories. Your lucky to find one not ready to break in two, or have the engine fall out the bottom.
[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 07-03-2015).]
Hi, im new to the forums and i was wondering if it would be easier and cheaper to buy a fiero and stretch it and widen it to pantera specs or to just buy a complete custom frame. The reason i ask is because im 23 years old and dont have 40-60k laying around to buy one of those cars, and when or even if i could buy one the price would be much higher. I already have a complete body i can use to make molds for a fiberglass or aluminum body out of. Also would want to throw in either a straight 5 or a straight 6 engine so i wouldnt have to worry about balancing and have good gas mileage, and have modern comforts like gps, and whatnot.
The bigger question to add to the cost aspect is probably are you going to college, work long hours, gonna have kids? These things can cause a big project like this to stall indefinitley.