Very nice! I love the tail lights. It's awesome! Good work.

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James Essar
88 Coupe 3.2L V6
Putting V8 Fieros in their place: My rearview mirror

That looks great! I really like that color. Nice work.

-Charlie

Absolutly stunning!!! All that attention to detail is what its all about! A+++

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The force will be with you, always.

quote Originally posted by avengador1: I think yours looks much better than Archies.

I couldn't agree more.

As I've said many times before, the beauty of building a re-body that is a unique body style (rather than a replica) is that you can build it your way with the features, colors and modifications you want.

This car is the prime example of just how a persons' creativity can be reflected in what he drives.

Mr. Stricker has built one of the best looking cars I've ever seen. He is my hero.

Archie

Outstanding finish to a very challenging project!

Very, very nice work, all of it.

The amount of work and time involved would be hard for most that haven't done something similar themselves to really appreciate.

It will stand as a testimonial for years to come of what can be done through patience, desire, ingenuity and hard work.

Really like the tailight treatment, and words don't come close to describing the effect the paint job has on the observer.

That is one beautiful automobile.

Fantastic job!

Enjoyed your coverage of the progress too.

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Have a good one!

I'd like to make some comments and answer some questions with this post. First off, WRT Archie's comments below that are quoted.

THANK YOU ARCHIE!! I am humbled with your praise and very proud of what we've done. The interesting part is that I know where all the flaws are, and there are plenty, and they bug the hell out of me. However, I learned a long time ago that while you can always STRIVE for perfection, you're not going to achieve it and at some point you have to decide that it's "good enough". Where that point is will be up to the individual builder and their abilities.

Throughout the project, I called Archie a BUNCH of times for questions, comments, ideas, etc. I mentioned this before but he NEVER said "don't do that" or "you can't do that". Believe me, that is a HUGE change over most of the companies I've dealt with on custom stuff. Most of them treat their kits/designs like their babies and jealously guard against any changes or anything different. Archie, OTOH, seems to delight in seeing what you can do with his basic raw materials he provides. And I like that. 8-)

There are some problems with the kit. When I brought them to Archie's attention, he was aware of most all of them and was working to address them, but he always listened to my ideas and comments and I could tell he wasn't just blowing me off.

Now, for some questions that I need to answer.

From DRH with questions/comments about the door handles and head lights. I didn't particularly dislike the door handles, I just thought the car, being as smooth and rounded as it was, would look good with them shaved. It was about the same work to put the actuators in as to put in the mechanical latches and we were already planning keyless locks, so that was almost a no brainer.

The headlight area I'm still not happy with. The gaps you mentioned are there on my car but, maybe not before Ark City, but I hope before RRR, I'm going to have that addressed. If I'd have made the decision earlier to use the Caravan lights and had more time, I'd have done them differently, but I have other ideas for fixing their gaps and I think they will be fine. Time will tell. As I said, although it's "completed", it's not ever going to be really done. 8-)

Artherd talked about the track of the car. I like the wheels on the car, but you're right. It REALLY needs a change in offset and wider meat in the rear. For the time being, this will work. Maybe sometime in the future some low offset wheels and wider meat is in the cards. But I just wanted to tell you that I agree with you 100%. Handling wise, the car now corners like it's on rails and drives great though.

Jefrysuko I'm still waiting to hear what you'd like to see in the rear trunk/hatch area. I intend to do some detail shots of various changes and mods the next couple of days so maybe that will address your questions. If not, let me know.

Here's a shot of the glass/foam insert I made to cover the trunk area. With this, the trunk is sealed up about like it is in the factory Fiero, and you can also see the rubber inserts over the strut towers to hide that clutter a little bit. It hides it completely with the hatch closed, and mostly with it opened.

I've PM'd Amir about his questions, since they were more about the 3.4 and other issues, but if I've missed any just let me know.

quote Originally posted by Archie: I couldn't agree more. As I've said many times before, the beauty of building a re-body that is a unique body style (rather than a replica) is that you can build it your way with the features, colors and modifications you want. This car is the prime example of just how a persons' creativity can be reflected in what he drives. Mr. Stricker has built one of the best looking cars I've ever seen. He is my hero. Archie

Damn that is one bad ass car.

The car has a "concept car" appeal to me in that I would see that at an auto show and think "geez I hope they build that".

The paint looks just amazing...smooth as glass.The wheels, perfect match for that car. The way the exhaust tips peer out from the rear...just awesome.

Well done and congrats.

those tail lights really complete the car... million times better than the round stock ones...

I LOVE that car!!! Only thing I see is, the wheels, they don't really fit the car. They look great, but need to be wider to fill the wheelwells.

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Dan
1985 Silver GT

LT1 Conversion has begun......

Awesome! I like the tailights, shaved handles, and color. Excellent work!

I had to laugh at your story roaming the car lots. I was doing the same back in the spring for a project. Taking measurements of some pontiacs and others, going from car to car and then...

"Sir, may I interest you in a car?"
"uhhh... yeah, sure why not"
"I notice you were looking at this one, anything in particular you like about it?"
"Well...."

I didn't tell him what I was doing, but I was looking at getting a Grand Prix at the time anyway so I played along. That was fun.

Your car is stunning. You really need to be complimented on your ability and craftsmanship. Congratulations.

Truly an amazing job! I love the color! Even my wife is impressed (that's saying a lot, she's not into cars!). I would love to try my hand at something like this someday! *sigh*

It's funny that some one has done this car right !I know first hand the amt.of hrs that go into something like this that custom Most of the people around you think you are crazy putting this much time and $$$$$ into such a project.But once it comes out as good as you
did it. In your own mind it was well worth it .Getting gas is really fun !!!!!!!!soooo many questions.
One question ,why didn't you take out the engine cover to expose the engine through the glass. That's what i did on mine .I did it on mine so you don't have to open the rear glass to look at the motor.
I see that you have done a few different cars (what kind -rods)
The work is never done on these things,tweek-tweek-tweek

nice workkkkkkkkkk

DCS

quote Originally posted by Wichita:

same thing i was thinking
i love those tallights, they just go with the car so good

quote Originally posted by DENMAR: The work is never done on these things,tweek-tweek-tweek

Can I help??

REALLY NICE JOB !!!. Love the color, I thought of Saleen S7 the sec I saw it. I thought those looked like Pontiac tail lites, just not what model. Super job. Those lites look 10 times better than the little round ones. Save patterns and send em to Archie Hope to see you at some shows this summer.

dude 2 words...

simply sick

i love the finale kit, a little more down to earth as compared to the fino kit. Great job, and awesome color too, i've seen a saleen and nsx that same color. Again awesome job, keep up the good work.

-Coop

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I answered once but PFF is really screwy this afternoon. Maybe hangover from the attack over the weekend.

Thanks for all the comments guys, as always it's nice to see your work appreciated by your peers.

Denmar-We used the engine cover because it was the only way to seal the trunk off that I liked. Our trunk area is 100% usable and sealed as tightly as the factory one. If you look, you'll see we modified a '84 center engine grille to fit in the deck so you CAN see the engine through the hatch without opeining it. In fact, I like it better that way because it's a bit of a "teaser". Maybe if it were a SBC or a N* or SC3800 I'd be more inclined to leave it all exposed, but I like it this way better with the 2.8/3.4 engine.

Roger-We're still thinking about the 20th annivesary show. If you're going to be there, then I'll meet you at HOOTER'S if we don't run into each other sooner.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by DENMAR: It's funny that some one has done this car right !I know first hand the amt.of hrs that go into something like this that custom Most of the people around you think you are crazy putting this much time and $$$$$ into such a project.But once it comes out as good as you did it. In your own mind it was well worth it .Getting gas is really fun !!!!!!!!soooo many questions. One question ,why didn't you take out the engine cover to expose the engine through the glass. That's what i did on mine .I did it on mine so you don't have to open the rear glass to look at the motor. I see that you have done a few different cars (what kind -rods) The work is never done on these things,tweek-tweek-tweek nice workkkkkkkkkk DCS

John,

I think you should get exposure in a magazine. That is a cover masterpiece. You could bring a lot of attention to the Fiero world and a lot of money to Archie LOL

-Phantom

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: REALLY NICE JOB !!!. Love the color, I thought of Saleen S7 the sec I saw it. I thought those looked like Pontiac tail lites, just not what model. Super job. Those lites look 10 times better than the little round ones. Save patterns and send em to Archie Hope to see you at some shows this summer.

I agree 99% those lights look great.

But 10 TIMES better......

I don't know, there is something about all those tail lights that looks good at night.

Archie

John, all i can say is "damnnnnnn" that's one fine car!
Ive never been a big Fina/o kit lover because i hated the rear lights.
What you did here is truly a work of art!
You should give KitKar mag a call and send some quality shots. Ill bet they scoop you really quickly!

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"If you want to blend in, take the bus!"
FOCOSEVA & CFOG-I
300K Miles of Driving Excitement!

[This message has been edited by FieroHarry (edited 01-27-2003).]

[This message has been edited by FieroHarry (edited 01-27-2003).]

I didn't even realize you had that mesh looking grille in the front until I looked at this thread again! Shows you how well I pay attention
Where did you get that stuff from? And where do you get the wider black trim piece that goes around the windshield?

I just went thru this whole thread again...... I gotta say that car is sweeter the 2nd time around.

Archie

Adam,

The grill mesh came from McMaster-Carr, your one stop shopping for the hard to find stuff. It cost almost as much to ship it as the aluminum cost though. I left it natural color rather than polished, but shot a coat of clear over it to slow down oxidation.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by sqoach: I didn't even realize you had that mesh looking grille in the front until I looked at this thread again! Shows you how well I pay attention Where did you get that stuff from? And where do you get the wider black trim piece that goes around the windshield?

I am still SPEECHLESS everytime I see this car!! SWEEEEEEEET!!

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Very Possible...What do you think?

[This message has been edited by Smoooooth GT (edited 01-28-2003).]

OMG...please tell me you're coming to carslisle!

Doubtful, that's a long road trip and I have another car I'm working on right now, although not as intensely.

I don't even know the dates or locations. The only show I'm halfway thinking about is the 20th anniversary show right now. The rest we'll just have to see.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by AznFiero: OMG...please tell me you're coming to carslisle!

quote Originally posted by jstricker: Doubtful, that's a long road trip and I have another car I'm working on right now, although not as intensely. I don't even know the dates or locations. The only show I'm halfway thinking about is the 20th anniversary show right now. The rest we'll just have to see. John Stricker

Whew.... now all I have to do is convince 3 or 4 other Fino/Finale owners not to go to Carlisle....... then I might have the best looking Fino/Finale there.

Archie

Holy Crap John! I knew it looked sweet, but now that I get a better look at the pics and see the modifications, I am in awe! Awesome job and hope to get a chance to see it up close and personal!

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As Alice Cooper once said...

quote Feed My.... Frankenstein!

Awesome Job!!! Jstricker

blackie2m6

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hey John, does your car seem to run any warmer with the glass "hatchback"?? I was curious (although I have never seen one in person) where all the heat from the engine bay goes, and there is a lot of it. LOL, thanks and really a GREAT looking car.

Justin W

It really doesn't seem to run any warmer. But we never had a problem with overheating on the 3.4L to begin with. There is a terrific amount of heat that comes out of the side scoops and I'd wager that once we get up to 30 or more mph, there's as much or more airflow as there was with the notchback since now it's a more active flow and we have both side scoops functional.

When I built the cold air box for the air filter, I put a digital thermometer inside the compartment with a remote probe. When driving at highway speeds, the inlet air was about 80°F and the engine compartment got up to about 120°. After I shut it off and parked it, the temperature rose to over 150°F and you could feel the heat coming out the side vents.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by EMX5636: hey John, does your car seem to run any warmer with the glass "hatchback"?? I was curious (although I have never seen one in person) where all the heat from the engine bay goes, and there is a lot of it. LOL, thanks and really a GREAT looking car. Justin W

I WANT TO SEE AN OVERALL SHOT WITH THE DOORS/TRUNK OPEN PLEASE!! I love your car! (is it availible??)

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That's the extent of my intellect
www.geocities.com/j_depies
step into the fiero kingdom

[This message has been edited by fieromadman (edited 04-26-2003).]

These are the only ones I really have that are kind of what you want.

Oh, and everything's available, for a price.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by fieromadman: I WANT TO SEE AN OVERALL SHOT WITH THE DOORS/TRUNK OPEN PLEASE!! I love your car! (is it availible??)

What a great looking kit. I love the taillights. Beautiful!

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Real Sports Cars, Dont Have Cup Holders!

how does the engine cool off if the heat vents into the compartment with a piece of glass over it? doesnt it overheat easialy?

quote Originally posted by derangedsheep: how does the engine cool off if the heat vents into the compartment with a piece of glass over it? doesnt it overheat easialy?

the vents on the sail panels