OK, I've teased long enough. We still have a long ways to finish, but there's light at the end of the tunnel. I'd guess in another couple of weeks I'll put my good housekeeping seal of approval on it.
Here's a picture of it right after we unloaded it off the trailer from the paint shop. We trailered it home because of no lights or any of that stuff.
There's been a lot of interest in the rear lights we're doing, so here's a picture of them. They're just set in for the time being because they'll have to be removed to install the lower fascia.
I'm sure all anyone will notice is the LED strip third brake light in the wing. 8-)
The rear lights are from a '98 Boneville. No, they were not an easy install. There are a total of 14 individual lights in the assembly. Notice how much wider the Finale is than the Boneville. On the Bonny, the three sections come together.
A lot of work went into blending things smoothly. The rear section of the Fiero had to be modified for clearance and the rear body mount Archie provides had to be completely re-designed and fabricated. Now you know why I missed my deadline by a couple of days on getting it to the paint shop.
The rest of the delays are on their backs. They told me a week to paint it and it took almost 3. Such is life. I'll wait to get a first class job like they did.
I probably won't post any more pictures until we're finished with the car. I'm trying to get my son talked into making the Red River Ruckus so that SmoothGT and I can compare to see who's is smoother. He'll probably win, since I kept a mechanical trunk lock on mine. Other than that though, nothing sticks out. The antenna is power (I could have molded it in, but I like power antennas), the cell phone sticks up a tiny bit. That's all the protrusions there are on the car.
Wheels and Tires should be in on Wednesday. Should have most everything done that I need to do by next weekend. The week after, I'm taking it to get just a bit of pinstriping, then the muffler shop will finish the exhaust and the paint shop will finish polishing and buffing.
John Stricker
IP: Logged
09:40 PM
PFF
System Bot
Indy-2M4 Member
Posts: 1024 From: Kettering, OH USA Registered: Nov 2001
Now theres something you don't see everyday, Impressive. I like the way it looks there better than if the pieces did meet... Not knocking your hard work, just having alittle fun while I enjoy it.
------------------ Matt D 1984 Indy Fiero 4sp. 1985 2m4 now equipt with a 1996 3.4 DOHC.
[This message has been edited by Fierobsessed (edited 09-01-2002).]
[This message has been edited by Fierobsessed (edited 09-01-2002).]
IP: Logged
09:46 PM
Smoooooth GT Member
Posts: 8823 From: Lake Palestine, Texas Registered: Jun 2001
Originally posted by jstricker: I'm trying to get my son talked into making the Red River Ruckus so that SmoothGT and I can compare to see who's is smoother. He'll probably win, since I kept a mechanical trunk lock on mine.
I don't stand a chance against your car... Mine will just be primered.. It's funnyy because that is close to the same color I'm thinking about painting mine... What did you use for you door release?? electric pop-button's?? I LOVE THE TAILLIGHT'S!!!!! PM me with some of the trick detail's that you did... Please!! We can compare some thing's...lol Tell your son that I said that you have to show up at the "RRR".... LOL
Thanks. But it's an 11 year old Female Siberian Husky. Thanks for playing though. 8-) She has her favorite spot in the shop. Comes in, goes there, stretches out and sleeps like a log.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by Indy-2M4: Ooohhhh, la laaaa! I like....I want... very much. Beautiful work, John. Your efforts def show!
BTW, nice lookin' German Shepherd in the background. They are my favorite and I have one as well.
Keep up the great work.
Kathy
IP: Logged
09:57 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
No offense taken. 8-) To each his/her own. Unfortunately, you'd have to section the car 5" before that would work. I know, I measured. 8-) I'd have preferred it to meet as well, it would have been easier to mold in, but there are very few cars out now that are as wide as the Finale in the rear.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by Fierobsessed: Now theres something you don't see everyday, Impressive. I like the way it looks there better than if the pieces did meet... Not knocking your hard work, just having alittle fun while I enjoy it.
Door actuators are Dakota Digital. They're not the cheapes ones out there, but they mount really easily and their customer service is second to none. I have a set of their gauges in my '80 Scout. The system I'm using is an 8 channel, but I'm only going to use 5 of them. Left door, Right door, Deck release, door locks open, door locks close. I don't think I'll wire in the power windows, although it wouldn't very hard to do (and a way to get in on the same side if an actuator fails.
When we have the door skins off again, I'll take a picture of the mounting bracket to mount the actuators if you like. We need to take them back off to put sound deadener (dyna mat) in there and mount the power mirrors.
I kept the mechanical trunk lock in case of a total battery failure. I can open the deck with a key and jump it or replace a battery.
If there's anything else you're curious about, pm me for the "secret" info. 8-)
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by Smoooooth GT: I don't stand a chance against your car... Mine will just be primered.. It's funnyy because that is close to the same color I'm thinking about painting mine... What did you use for you door release?? electric pop-button's?? I LOVE THE TAILLIGHT'S!!!!! PM me with some of the trick detail's that you did... Please!! We can compare some thing's...lol Tell your son that I said that you have to show up at the "RRR".... LOL
Great Job!!!
Smooth
IP: Logged
10:05 PM
blackie2m6 Member
Posts: 1108 From: Riverport, Nova Scotia Canada Registered: Nov 2001
Originally posted by jstricker: I'd have preferred it to meet as well
I think Fierobsessed was saying that it looks better how you have it, NOT touching. I would have to agree -- MUCH better than the standard taillights. Very nice.
I didn't know Fino had picked that color, the last time I read a post about it he was still going to two tone it.
I found the thread that said he'd changed colors. The Saleen doesn't use PPG paint. I called Saleen because that's the color we decided on last summer, in fact we picked it when it was suggested in Archies old thread on building a Fino. Saleen won't divulge the color mix and it's a proprietory blend they have from BASF. In a way, that's understandable. You pay that much for a car, the color should be special. 8-)
Ours is a 2000 Mazda color, the only year it was offered, and has more of an orange tint in it than the Avalanche/Chev PU's that have a similar color. In fact, side by side, they aren't even close. We used DuPont base/clearcoat system.
We added some toner and other things to our so that it has a subtle color change depending on the light. Not as pronounced as the Chroma color, but just a little bit. I think it came out great and I'm sure Ed's will look great in that color as well.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by SLAMMED87GT: It looks like we are going to have a Fino and Finale that are about the same color! In Fino's post the color he chose is sorta like this one.
Shall be interesting to see both of them in there complete stages.
IP: Logged
12:05 AM
GTFiero1 Member
Posts: 6508 From: Camden County NJ Registered: Sep 2001
Looks good but im not a fan of the tail lights. Maybe you could make a filler piece or something to make them come together or something. But i like the standard tails tho
------------------ --Adam-- 1987 Blue GT 5-speed IM AOL: GTFiero
IP: Logged
12:34 AM
AusFiero Member
Posts: 11513 From: Dapto NSW Australia Registered: Feb 2001
so, it's like 5" wider than a bonnieville? like a wide body kit? i think i'd like to see that just to see what kind of stance it has. any chance of a side by side pic with a regular fiero?
ok. i see the rear tires are set in pretty good. what are the plans there?
That's right, each body color strip in the back is a little less than 2.5" wide. Hard to believe, isn't it?
The entire body is new in the Fino/Finale. The only thing re-used is the roof from the A pillars to the back of the sunroof. Everything else is new.
Tires are probably going to look a little thing. They are Dunlop 215/45ZR15 mounted on Sport Edition Fox 5 Wheels 17X7.5. I almost got the 235/40's for the rear but the clearance with no coil overs is tight, to say the least. Anyway, they should be here wednesday so we'll get it on the lift and finish some underneath stuff like fender liners, etc. Then mount the wheels and finish up the interior.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by Philphine: so, it's like 5" wider than a bonnieville? like a wide body kit? i think i'd like to see that just to see what kind of stance it has. any chance of a side by side pic with a regular fiero?
ok. i see the rear tires are set in pretty good. what are the plans there?
Good quality work, nice color, but the rear looks too much like a nissan sentra, Crystler intrepid or some other car... I like the orig Finale A$$ better.
------------------ Justin C. 87 GT, 350 V8, 4:10 4spd ???HP Ported/Polished/Balanced/Blueprinted Holley 650 Double Pump / GearDrive Mobile Electronics Certified Professional - MECP Master Installer MCP, MCSE+I, A+, NNCE. Engineer, Designer and Technical Trainer for Nortel Networks Business Products.
Looks beautiful! I can't wait to see it finished- great work.
I really like the style of the taillights too... my only thought would not be making them "fit" together- but rather just painting the body color space black in the gaps. It would make them seem more together- without actually moving anything. Just a thought!
For comparison: Before After (thank you photoshop...)
We actually flip-flopped about a half dozen times on whether to black it out or go with body color. We finally decided to go with body color mostly because if we later decided to black it out, it's no real big deal. If we went to black first, it would have been a PITA to try to change it back to body color.
Your rendering does have a certain draw to it. I like it. But I also like the body color accents. Maybe I'll have to think about laying up a piece of glass that would snap in the area and paint it black, then we could put it in or not, depending on our mood at the moment. 8-)
The lights are now permanently mounted and wired, rear fascia is on, coolant recovery bottle moved (the hood hit it when closed), and a host of other details done.
We still have to mount the mirrors, front headlights, driving lights, and put the interior back together. That will mostly be done today so tomorrow we can work on the interior.
I'll have more pics when the car's done, with some detail pics to show our modifications and changes, both major and minor. We *HOPE* to be able to take it for it's maiden cruise (although it will still have some details to finish up) this weekend. The biggest detail will be the pinstriping and that won't happen until next week some time.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by MinnGreenGT: Looks beautiful! I can't wait to see it finished- great work.
I really like the style of the taillights too... my only thought would not be making them "fit" together- but rather just painting the body color space black in the gaps. It would make them seem more together- without actually moving anything. Just a thought!
Originally posted by jstricker: ...We finally decided to go with body color mostly because if we later decided to black it out, it's no real big deal. If we went to black first, it would have been a PITA to try to change it back to body color.
I agree completely...
quote
Your rendering does have a certain draw to it. I like it. But I also like the body color accents. Maybe I'll have to think about laying up a piece of glass that would snap in the area and paint it black, then we could put it in or not, depending on our mood at the moment.
I was wondering about that myself. It's somewhat difficult from the photo to tell exactly what the contour is in that area... but a removable part would be ideal for getting the best of both worlds!
Curious... I noticed that the light assembly still has the pontiac word in it- is it illuminated like the Fiero? and if so... what color are you going to use (I think it'd look awsome in Amber)?
<edited for spelling... hands like feet>
[This message has been edited by MinnGreenGT (edited 09-03-2002).]
IP: Logged
03:38 PM
Wipe0ut Member
Posts: 1524 From: Mankato, MN Registered: May 2002
Edit: nevermind; I guess I wasn't reading very carefully. Yes those are Bonneville lights and no it is not sunset orange metallic. Can you get the exact color for me? I want to do my Fiero the same color.
[This message has been edited by Wipe0ut (edited 09-03-2002).]
Ours is a 2000 Mazda color, the only year it was offered, and has more of an orange tint in it than the Avalanche/Chev PU's that have a similar color. In fact, side by side, they aren't even close. We used DuPont base/clearcoat system.
We're using the Dodge Caravan headlights. Archie sent the Grand Prix lights, but I didn't care for their mounting. I also liked the fact that the Caravan lights have provisions for internal alignment so you can bolt them up solid and then align them. You can't do that with the Grand Prix lights, you have to make your brackets adjustable
You also get just a sliver of the amber showing on the GP lights when they're mounted, with the Caravan lights you have almost all of the amber showing that you would normally.
I'm sure the GP lights would be fine, but I preferred the Caravan's.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by JD86GT350: curious, what headlights are you using?
IP: Logged
09:18 PM
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
Wow, I think the tail lights look just as good as all get-out.
I like the body color strips they make it look even more exotic.
Every since I've been doing the Fino & Finale cars, I've been looking at tail lights on various cars as I drive anywhere. On many cars I had never considered tail lights that ran all the way across the car because of width issues. The body color strips make it posible to consider many other types of tail lights.
The only thing that bothers me about your idea is (as I smack myself on the forehead) Why didn't I think of that?"
Keep the pics. coming, I can wait to see it in person.
Archie
IP: Logged
11:03 PM
Sep 4th, 2002
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
The word PONTIAC is not lit. The lighting stops just about where the steep taper stops in the center section. It would be possible to cut out the letters and light it though, if one wanted to spend the time. We thought about that as well, and still might do it. I have an extra center section that we used to make the forms (in case we got some micro or resin on it or dropped it) so I might take a look at what would need to be done to light it.
BTW, amber in the rear would be illegal. Except for directional signals, DOT says nothing but red on the back. Something to do with not being able to tell front from back or something....... 8-)
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by Archie: Wow, I think the tail lights look just as good as all get-out.
I like the body color strips they make it look even more exotic.
Every since I've been doing the Fino & Finale cars, I've been looking at tail lights on various cars as I drive anywhere. On many cars I had never considered tail lights that ran all the way across the car because of width issues. The body color strips make it posible to consider many other types of tail lights.
The only thing that bothers me about your idea is (as I smack myself on the forehead) Why didn't I think of that?"
Keep the pics. coming, I can wait to see it in person.
Originally posted by jstricker: BTW, amber in the rear would be illegal. Except for directional signals, DOT says nothing but red on the back. Something to do with not being able to tell front from back or something...
I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have a single problem with Amber... it's not wierd or out of place at all. I'm actually running Green lights in my "Pontiac" and have never been harrased or even looked at twice for them. Then again my taillights aren't the only "questionable" mod on my car
It was just a thought- and without having them already lit... I'm not sure it'd be worth the time to light it. In any case, it's cool!
IP: Logged
10:59 AM
Krashdavus Member
Posts: 149 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Nov 2001
I haven't seen a car that ugly since they modified a '74 Vette for the 1978 feature film 'Corvette Summer' (Mark Hamil & Annie Potts). And that thing had right hand drive.
Two thumbs down!!
IP: Logged
11:07 AM
mrfixit58 Member
Posts: 3330 From: Seffner, Fl, USA Registered: Jul 99
Rather than screw your paint up, why not buy some cheap vinyl and cut strips to fill in the gaps. That way you can just stand back and judge the "look" without damaging your finish should you decide for paint.
Just a thought,
------------------ Roy :D Just another stock Blue 87 GT Suncoast Fieros YELLOW 1988 GT w/ T-Tops, 5-Speed, and Performance Sound.GONE!
IP: Logged
02:37 PM
fierobaby Member
Posts: 4019 From: Niles, Ohio, USA Registered: Jun 2001
Well, Krash, your opinion is noted and disregarded forthwith. 8-)
Actually, I don't mind criticism of the car, how I could have done things differently, or the color isn't quite what some people like, or something like MinnGreen who had some constructive suggestions and opinions. Or really, any of the others for that matter because they all had a reason or two and said why. But when somebody just slams another's hard work, mine or anyone else's for that matter, well, it just goes in the recycle bin.
BTW--Let's see your project so we can compare. 8-)
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by Krashdavus: I haven't seen a car that ugly since they modified a '74 Vette for the 1978 feature film 'Corvette Summer' (Mark Hamil & Annie Potts). And that thing had right hand drive.
Two thumbs down!!
IP: Logged
12:09 AM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
I thought it might be kind of neat to have them lighted. Even in red, it would look unique. Hmmmmm 8-)
The wheels and tires came today, but they won't be on for a couple of days until we have the car on the hoist. This is what's going on the car:
I also had my glass man come out and mount the rear hatch glass today. It needed some weight to sit overnight and cure so we used about 1/2 case of .45 ACP ammo to do the trick. If you look close, you can see the cell phone antenna at the upper left corner of the hatch. It's a conventional glass mount that is attached at the lower corner of the factory rear window. I drilled a small hole in the rear roof and put a grommet in, the passed the antenna through it. Just a couple of inches of the antenna is exposed.
Since I've had two pm's and a question in the thread about the headlights, here's a picture of the Dodge Caravan lights mounted up.
Time for bed. Have a good night everyone.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by MinnGreenGT: I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have a single problem with Amber... it's not wierd or out of place at all. I'm actually running Green lights in my "Pontiac" and have never been harrased or even looked at twice for them.
Now theres something you don't see everyday, Impressive.
Mine will just be primered.. 
We can compare some thing's...lol 
.jpg)
