Comments or Questions About Your Fiero (Page 5/6)
reinhart MAY 31, 08:32 AM
It's funny when the cops go to write parking tickets here for me, they don't know what the model is (It's an 88 GT so no "Fiero" badging other than the front fascia) and I've had one put on the citation

Make: Pontiac;
Model: GT.

Cop was probably looking at the rear of the car trying to figure it out (there's the GT on the fascia rub strip and Pontiac for the tail lights).

Was pulled over once as well and the cop didn't know what the car was.
Trinten MAY 31, 10:15 PM
Neat thread. I've had some of the "usual suspects" (as others have posted)

1) "My <insert person> had one of those in high school!"

2) "I was a Pontiac mechanic. I hated working on those things. (I heard this one at AutoFair a few times)"

3) "How do you get the engine in there?"

4) "I knew someone with a V8 Fiero from the factory!" (usually I reply with "Oh really? They must have been a senior person at GM. Only the Board of Directors got the factory V8 models." or just a flat "no, no they didn't. At best they had a swap done." if I'm not in the mood to joke around).

5) "It looks sort of like that car from Ferris Bueller. Not the Ferrari, the other one that what's-her-face drove." <me> "Jeanie? The sister? Yes, she had the notchback version."

6) "Isn't that the car that was cancelled because it kept catching fire?" <me> "Yeah, that's the real reason I swapped out the engine and all the factory wiring. To make it safer."

7) (specific to my last Fiero) "Does that got a 350 in it?? It sounds like a 350!!"


Patrick MAY 31, 10:30 PM
I had parked my Formula in a residential area a few miles from home today while I was running some errands nearby. When I was walking back to my car, I found some young boy taking pictures of it with his phone. He was only about ten years old. With him was a younger girl, maybe eight years of age, who I figured was his little sister. They were probably walking home from school. I asked him if he liked the car. He nodded. I asked him if he knew what it was. I was expecting maybe a shrug in return. With no hesitation at all, the boy quickly responded... "A Pontiac Fiero". I was impressed!

Since he seemed to know something about these cars, I asked him if he wanted to see the engine. I opened the decklid, and the boy immediately commented... "Mid-engine, and it's a V6." Remember, this child was only about ten years of age! He asked me what the horsepower was. I said it was 140 HP for the V6, and 90 HP for the other available engine, the 4 cylinder. Right away he stated..."So, a difference of 50 HP". This kid could do math in his head faster than most adults! lol

Not wanting to raise suspicions with anyone (sad commentary on today's society), I felt it was time to go. I said to the kids that their Fiero lesson for the day was over, and I got in the car. I could see the boy in my side view mirror taking more photos with his phone... and the cutest thing of all... the little girl standing beside the car with her hands covering her ears, waiting for the engine to start!

It was perhaps the sweetest experience I've had with a Fiero (or any other car) I've ever owned.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 06-02-2023).]

Notorio JUN 03, 12:35 PM

quote
Originally posted by Trinten:

...

3) "How do you get the engine in there?"

...




That is priceless!
Notorio JUN 03, 12:37 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:
...

It was perhaps the sweetest experience I've had with a Fiero (or any other car) I've ever owned.

...




Isn't life grand? Minutes before this you had no idea that this was about to happen. And what a great pair of kids. Gives me some hope, actually.
Patrick JUN 03, 08:07 PM

quote
Originally posted by Notorio:

Isn't life grand? Minutes before this you had no idea that this was about to happen. And what a great pair of kids. Gives me some hope, actually.



Yes, they were nice kids. Obviously well brought up.

I believe in paying forward. When I was just a little kid (60 years ago or so), I can still remember a backhoe operator, who was working in our neighborhood, taking the time to show a bunch of us little kids how to properly use a yo-yo. Yes, it was simpler times back then! lol I always appreciated the fact that this stranger was nice to a gaggle of kids who he'd never see again. So when I saw this ten year old boy showing a genuine interest in my car, I thought it was a good opportunity to perhaps give him (and possibly his sister as well) some fond memories to hang onto. Never hurts to show another human being, of any age, some respect.
Dukesterpro JUN 05, 09:08 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Yes, they were nice kids. Obviously well brought up.

I believe in paying forward. When I was just a little kid (60 years ago or so), I can still remember a backhoe operator, who was working in our neighborhood, taking the time to show a bunch of us little kids how to properly use a yo-yo. Yes, it was simpler times back then! lol I always appreciated the fact that this stranger was nice to a gaggle of kids who he'd never see again. So when I saw this ten year old boy showing a genuine interest in my car, I thought it was a good opportunity to perhaps give him (and possibly his sister as well) some fond memories to hang onto. Never hurts to show another human being, of any age, some respect.

]

Good on you, Patrick.

Yes, there are a lot more shitbird kids these days that don't want to do anything, but there are also a lot of adults who don't plant the rights seeds to get those kids inspired.

I was at Automotion in the Dells this summer, entered my new 86 GT so I could get some free amusement park tickets for me and the boys. (It was the only car old enough). I decided to leave it for a few hours. When I came back I saw what looked to be 8 year old kid walking around oggling the car. His mom hot on his heels to make sure his hand stayed in his pockets.

I was walking up with my keys out and the mom apologized and was shuffling the kid out of the way. I asked the kid if he like the car and he said "Yeah! It looks like a hot wheels!" I found that funny. I asked the mom if she'd like to get a photo of him in the driver seat. I swear that kid looked like he was about to pop with excitement. She said yes. I started the car up and let the kid climb in (Its a stick, he wasn't going anywhere). The kid even remarked "Wow! This car is low" (Its stock ride height, I guess folks just aren't used to it anymore). He probably sat in that Idling car 10 minutes or more. I was glad I could make that kids day!
Patrick JUN 05, 04:01 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dukesterpro:

I started the car up and let the kid climb in (Its a stick, he wasn't going anywhere).



And wouldn't you have been surprised if he had dropped the clutch and peeled out of there!

The young boy will remember that experience forever. Nicely done. I'm sure his mom appreciated your kindness as well.
Notorio JUN 05, 04:24 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

And wouldn't you have been surprised if he had dropped the clutch and peeled out of there!

The young boy will remember that experience forever. Nicely done. I'm sure his mom appreciated your kindness as well.



Bravo! There goes, I am sure, a future Fiero owner and member of Pennock's Fiero Forum.
Cliff Pennock JUN 14, 10:31 AM
I would like to repeat that not a day goes by without my car getting the thumbs up or people taking pictures of it. Kids always make a "ref the engine" gesture when I drive by, and today I was at a traffic light just before the highway begins and next to me was a Mercedes convertible with the top down and two men inside, When the light turned green, I accelerated moderately, but with that typical Fiero "growl". They drove next to me on the highway, gave me a thumbs up and shouted they loved how my engine sounds!

Must be the leaking exhaust 😉