One of our local Fiero friends has a Monza IMSA bodied car with a 350 and a 4 speed. It's got all the swoops, scoops, flares, vents, splitters and panel paint you could ever want. It's really pretty cool!
I had a Monza WAAAAY back in the day with a 305/auto. It ran well (for what it was) but the drivers door got stuck. Since it had a console, I couldn't get in through the passenger door very well so I had to do the Dukes of Hazzard thing. The detent on the floor shifter keeping it in Drive broke so I accidentally shifted into 1st at highway speeds once. Once was all it took. Broke all of the motor mounts and pushed the motor/fan into the radiator. Destroyed the radiator, fan and most of the accessories on the front of the motor. I think I paid $300 for the car so I sold it for about that and bought something else. Probably should have kept the car and fixed things.
I had a 1980 sunbird hatch.. iron duke/auto.. nice car for what it was.. upgraded to the larger brother when They came out in 1982 As the 3rd gen f body is nothing but this car made bigger
Traded my 1979 Sunbird for a Fiero. I put a 3.8 liter in it. First car was a '76 Astre. Even owned an 80 Monza , 78 Starfire, and a '78 Sunbird. And then there was the '77 odd fire 3.8 liter, just to throw a weird one in there.
Back in the day, I seriously considered building such a monster. Had a couple of friends that built them. One was a Vega, the other was a Monza. Ultimately, both vehicles required strengthening of the frame and structural components. Let's face it, they simply weren't designed or built for major horsepower/torque applications. But, they did provide a kick ass ride while they held up. Actually glad I didn't pull the trigger on such a project. Would have been wasted money. Never really been a huge drag racing fan anyway. Loved auto crossing but, that's another type of build and story.
But then, I can't tell you how much money I've thrown at Fieros.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 11-06-2017).]
I think the early Vegas were a very good looking car. Kind of like a miniature Camaro from the same time period.
I'd love to have one that's all-original with the original engine, although by this late date I am not sure many are still running. I roll my eyes at cruise nights in my Fiero when people come out of the woodwork and suggest it needs a V8 swap... It would probably be worse with the Vega. "Man you need to tub this thing and drop in a big block!!!"
I think the early Vegas were a very good looking car. Kind of like a miniature Camaro from the same time period.
I'd love to have one that's all-original with the original engine, although by this late date I am not sure many are still running. I roll my eyes at cruise nights in my Fiero when people come out of the woodwork and suggest it needs a V8 swap... It would probably be worse with the Vega. "Man you need to tub this thing and drop in a big block!!!"
LOL, the hazards of getting old. There was a time I believed throttles only had 2 positions, closed or wide open. . NOW, its gimme something with heated seats that will cruise me where I'm going in comfort and with no particular hurry. If somebody gets impatient, **** 'em. They'll wait.
Mine was yellow with Pontiac rally 4 lug wheels and a tan interior.. The iron duke would diesel bad, I normally would shut it off with the parking brake on, and it in gear up against the shop wall, and it diesel for 30 seconds or more..
I never had one, but I kinda wish I did. They are typical ugly American 70's 80's cars in basic trim, but very cool in a beefed up trim. But that Buick Reatta in the back ground of the first pic, has always been on my wish list.
Closest I ever came was a Maverick Grabber. A peppy little thing ..302/auto I bought & drove for a few months then gave to my daughter, but it was crappily made other than the drive train.
A guy in my area has one of these, I've seen it at local cruse ins:
-
A friend of mine has a 78 or 79 Sunbird, its blue with a white interior.
(Id have to find a pic and use PIP.)
Oh man... is that car rear wheel drive?
There was a guy who was literally giving me one... said he had too many cars and didn't want it anymore, and said I could have it for free, just wanted me to pay for the new tires he had just put on it (was like $200 bucks). I didn't want it because my buddies and I assumed it was front wheel drive, so we told him no thanks. It was in perfect condition. I didn't really even get out of the car to look at it much past what I could see from the window of my Fiero... hahah.
That was like 16 years ago, but oh well.
Is this the same platform that the "Lil' Wide Track" Pontiac was built off of? I've always wanted one of those.