10 years, 2 months, 3 weeks and 2 days after getting my first Fiero, an 87 GT, in Houston, TX, I picked up my second Fiero, an 88 GT, from Luxembourg today!
Now I'm officially not one of the weird, I'm one of the twisted :-)
Got the GT very cheap, hit the curb at high speed in the left front, suspension is gone there. Now I need to decide whether to rebuild or use as parts car....mmhhhhh... Votes?
Quarter windows are perfect, taillights are perfect, drip rail is perfect, seats are perfect, wing is perfect, interior is good....
------------------ www.yellowfiero.com/fiero.html 17" DEZENT T wheels with 215/40 tires front and 235/45 rear, KONI shocks, EIBACH lowering springs, PU dog bone, bushings and engine mounts, K&N air and oil filters, OZELOT exhaust, Mercedes SLK yellow, Mr. Mikes seats, door skins, shift and e-brake boots. MP3 player and custom subwoofer behind passenger seat, F355 style front. Fiero Store rear swaybar, strut tower brace, black carpet. Rodney Dickman's competition short shifter. Billet aluminum dash kit from Kitcarman.
[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 12-30-2004).]
------------------ Red 88 GT T-Top 3800 INTERCOOLED SUPERCHARGED White 88 GT Stock Please give me a rating if you appreciate my contribution. Click here to read the History of Skitimes Car
IP: Logged
03:40 PM
Vonov Member
Posts: 3745 From: Nashville,TN,USA Registered: May 2004
Put it back together if possible, Yellowstone. We've all seen your work, and know you'll do it justice.
------------------ '88 Formula - 4.9 conversion by The Fiero Factory Shifter surround resto by Fierotech SUPPORT YOUR FIERO MERCHANTS Proud member of the Lightbar Fraternity PFF Supporting Member "He who does not oppose evil, commands that it be done!" ----Leonardo da Vinci
You know, as beautiful as your car is - I would just use the '88 as parts unless you have a jones for an '88GT, VIN and all. When you get away from the suspension there is nothing special about the '88GT. It's interior was not as nice looking as earlier models, IMHO. I would use it to upgrade/freshion your current car's rear suspension and engine/trans sometime in the future.
------------------ RickN White 88GT 5spd White 85GT Auto
[This message has been edited by RickN (edited 12-30-2004).]
IP: Logged
03:40 PM
Deabionni Member
Posts: 4088 From: Kalkaska, MI Registered: Mar 2004
Judging by the pics you posted, it doesn't look like it'd take a lot of work to get that Fiero road worthy again.
in the pics he posted it only shows the right side. Sounds like the damage is to the drivers side.
IMO, I would fix it. But it might be very expensive for parts. Shipping to Germany would be a killer, and I'm sure there aren't many 88 parts cars around for you to pull what you need.
IMO, I would fix it. But it might be very expensive for parts. Shipping to Germany would be a killer, and I'm sure there aren't many 88 parts cars around for you to pull what you need.
This would be the deciding factor for me. availabilty of parts. Here in the states I would say fix it for sure.
IP: Logged
04:10 PM
yellowstone Member
Posts: 9299 From: Düsseldorf/Germany Registered: Jun 2003
Not much of a chance of finding a parts car (this was supposed to be the parts car...), all parts would need to come from US, at least: - Upper control arm - Lower control arm - Front sway bar - Toe end - wheel - Some steering parts, maybe whole rack - who knows what else...
The car has not been driven in 1,5 years and is foreign (Luxembourg) so would need to pass a complete German technical inspection, which is tough...
quote
Originally posted by slickrick2000:
This would be the deciding factor for me. availabilty of parts. Here in the states I would say fix it for sure.
Not much of a chance of finding a parts car (this was supposed to be the parts car...), all parts would need to come from US, at least: - Upper control arm - Lower control arm - Front sway bar - Toe end - wheel - Some steering parts, maybe whole rack - who knows what else...
The car has not been driven in 1,5 years and is foreign (Luxembourg) so would need to pass a complete German technical inspection, which is tough...
And the impact damage may have trickled back into the spaceframe also making a fix up more than just bolting on good parts.
Fix it, man...I had a LOT more damage on my 85 Gt after it was hit by a Drunk Driver...Got all my parts from Kickhill.com . ended up being about 800 bucks worth of stuff... I know you being in germany will make things tougher, but it will be worth it. That looks like a NICE GT.
Make it live again!
-FieroRumor
------------------
IP: Logged
04:59 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
Fix it! I'd say it's hard enough to find an 88 Fiero anywhere near Düsseldorf. Second thought... I'd say that finding a Fiero anywhere in Germany is hard enough.
------------------ Got Blue?
BlueGT
IP: Logged
06:27 PM
Dec 31st, 2004
yellowstone Member
Posts: 9299 From: Düsseldorf/Germany Registered: Jun 2003
Save it!! Not only is it an 88 GT, but it's from Luxembourg. I would love to hear the story on that. Do they have Pontiac dealers there? Did some rich guy have it shipped over? Cool! Nice shop, too.
------------------ 1986 SE 350 V8
IP: Logged
08:54 AM
Black-Azz-GT Member
Posts: 2326 From: Florida Keys Registered: Oct 2003
thats not too bad at all. I did similar damage to my car a few years back. The only damage I had was the upper control arm. I replaced that. Then I found the mounting tabs that the lower control arms were still bent. Not enough to make the car Undrivable, but enough to make the allignment out of spec. I drove it like this for about a year. Then installed poly all around, new ball joints, etc. I also pulled the front subframe and bent the tabs back. they were out by about 1cm. Maybe less. They bent back easily. It might be worth looking into. If you dont want two fieros, you can easily sell the 88 and make some money on it. Depending what you paid, and what it might sell for.
If your interested, I have most, if not all of the parts in my garage. Good luck.
IP: Logged
01:25 PM
Toddster Member
Posts: 20871 From: Roswell, Georgia Registered: May 2001
Not much of a chance of finding a parts car (this was supposed to be the parts car...), all parts would need to come from US, at least: - Upper control arm - Lower control arm - Front sway bar - Toe end - wheel - Some steering parts, maybe whole rack - who knows what else...
The car has not been driven in 1,5 years and is foreign (Luxembourg) so would need to pass a complete German technical inspection, which is tough...
There is a couple hundred in parts there, another hundred or so to get them there. You can likely have it back on the road for less than $400. You seem to be fairly good at stuff from some of your postings, you should eb able to get it going. Now the inspection is another thing...
You would likely be the only guy there with TWO Fieros! You could even let your wife drive one.
IP: Logged
07:25 PM
PFF
System Bot
yellowstone Member
Posts: 9299 From: Düsseldorf/Germany Registered: Jun 2003
And as I don't get tired to point out, it's mid-engined, RWD, turbocharged, six speed sequential semi-automatic gearbox with a steel spaceframe and non-structural plastic body panels...
[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 12-31-2004).]
IP: Logged
10:05 PM
Electrathon Member
Posts: 5241 From: Gresham, OR USA Registered: Dec 2002
I like the Smart, very unique car. I have always liked cars that were differant in some way.
Every car you have is cool, is that common in Germany? Most people over here have at least one ugly Dodge 4 door or something along those lines. I do notice no pickup truck though, LOL.
Hi budy your pretty lucky because that was cheap pretty cheap i wanted to buy it too, but i didnt have enough room for it if i would not have six of them,and two in rebuild and hopefully on of them will be ready for the 2005 season with lot of specials to come.
But it still got one in my eyes !.
Please do not trash it for parts try to bebuild it it should be posible to get used parts over germany . Soo i bag you make it to drive it´s a wonderfull car .
[This message has been edited by Torch-Red87 (edited 01-01-2005).]
IP: Logged
08:20 AM
yellowstone Member
Posts: 9299 From: Düsseldorf/Germany Registered: Jun 2003
Not many pick-up trucks over here, taxes and gas would kill you. The station wagon is Europes pick-up truck.
This was my "normal" car until it was stolen last year:
quote
Originally posted by Electrathon:
I like the Smart, very unique car. I have always liked cars that were differant in some way.
Every car you have is cool, is that common in Germany? Most people over here have at least one ugly Dodge 4 door or something along those lines. I do notice no pickup truck though, LOL.
[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 01-01-2005).]
Congrats on your new Addition ! But i am going to give my opinion on it: I say fix it ! 88GT's are very highly desired cars to own and to pick up a fixer upper for cheap is a good find. BTW i have also followed your treads closely and if anyone can do it in germany, its you. -Roy P.S. this is for the request of more info (tranny? miles? owners? original?) thanx
------------------ Real Sports cars only have 2 seats.... Matching numbers GT #17889 of 26,402 made in 1988, 1of 241 yellow GT's
IP: Logged
01:44 PM
yellowstone Member
Posts: 9299 From: Düsseldorf/Germany Registered: Jun 2003
Thanks, but you give me too much credit. My talent is just deciding on the overall design direction and ponying up the money. Maybe dabbling here and there technically but I'm no mechanic... I do an office job in marketing and it shows :-)
quote
BTW i have also followed your treads closely and if anyone can do it in germany, its you. -Roy
IP: Logged
02:02 PM
Jan 22nd, 2005
yellowstone Member
Posts: 9299 From: Düsseldorf/Germany Registered: Jun 2003
Update: The decision is taken to use the 88 as a parts car. Today the engine came out to be rebuild and put into my 87 GT.
Starting:
Working:
Hoisting:
Engine out, getting the car out of the shop. Do you like my new rear wheels?
Car after surgery:
]
Removed organs:
------------------ www.yellowfiero.com/fiero.html 17" DEZENT T wheels with 215/40 tires front and 235/45 rear, KONI shocks, EIBACH lowering springs, PU dog bone, bushings and engine mounts, K&N air and oil filters, OZELOT exhaust, Mercedes SLK yellow, Mr. Mikes seats, door skins, shift and e-brake boots. MP3 player and custom subwoofer behind passenger seat, F355 style front. Fiero Store rear swaybar, strut tower brace, black carpet. Rodney Dickman's competition short shifter. Billet aluminum dash kit from Kitcarman.
[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 01-23-2005).]
I would have refixed the car, it's an 88 GT... but you made your choice! Great addition so...
And here a word just to show that I speak a little bit german! Ich werde mal probieren an eine deutsche versammlung kommen! Ist karlsruhe weit von dusseldorf??
Chris
------------------ Christophe from FRANCE **1986 PONTIAC FIERO - V6/2,8L**
IP: Logged
02:25 PM
yellowstone Member
Posts: 9299 From: Düsseldorf/Germany Registered: Jun 2003
340km Düsseldorf to Karlsruhe... what are you doing there? Or... que fais-tu à Karlsruhe ?
quote
Originally posted by DJWINNI:
Hello Yellow!
I would have refixed the car, it's an 88 GT... but you made your choice! Great addition so...
And here a word just to show that I speak a little bit german! Ich werde mal probieren an eine deutsche versammlung kommen! Ist karlsruhe weit von dusseldorf??
I would have killed (might still) for a fastback body style, then I see you guys saying "yeah, I have em as parts cars".. Pisses me off! Maybe I"ll buy one within the year.. Someone gimme a good deal..
IP: Logged
08:48 PM
Feb 20th, 2005
yellowstone Member
Posts: 9299 From: Düsseldorf/Germany Registered: Jun 2003
You have to consider that there's not that much choice as in "which cheap Fiero do I buy" over here. I got this one cheap and it just happened to be an 88 GT...
Then there's the money issue - I couldn't afford to have the same high standard that I'd want with 2 Fieros.
And then there's space - I live in an apartment in the city and parking for the Fiero is 100 Euros (130 US$) A MONTH! No way I'm paying that twice! Any why have a nice 88 GT when I don't have it near me?
quote
Originally posted by JohnnyK:
I would have killed (might still) for a fastback body style, then I see you guys saying "yeah, I have em as parts cars".. Pisses me off! Maybe I"ll buy one within the year.. Someone gimme a good deal..
IP: Logged
02:03 AM
Vonov Member
Posts: 3745 From: Nashville,TN,USA Registered: May 2004
Just a suggestion...I'd pull all the body, interior, etc...as limited as the Fiero sources for used parts over there are, you should be able to make back your investment on the parts car, and have enough left over in the long run to cover at least part of the cost of your engine rebuild. Good luck! Someday I want to return to Germany and see the parts I was not able to during the Cold War...
IP: Logged
11:40 AM
yellowstone Member
Posts: 9299 From: Düsseldorf/Germany Registered: Jun 2003
Just a suggestion...I'd pull all the body, interior, etc...as limited as the Fiero sources for used parts over there are, you should be able to make back your investment on the parts car, and have enough left over in the long run to cover at least part of the cost of your engine rebuild. Good luck! Someday I want to return to Germany and see the parts I was not able to during the Cold War...
Swap the 88 rear cradle / rear suspension into your 87.
Strip the hell out of that car, and stock pile all the good parts.
That's what I would do if I lived in Germany.
------------------
Profile? In 20 years... Auto Detailing, Auto Body, Classic & Antique Restorations, Mechanic, Engine Performance Specialist, Porsche-Jaguar Tech, Wholesaler, Sales, Independent Full Service Repair Shop, Vehicle Vinyl Graphic Design and hard-core auto / aviation enthusiast... now searching for a new career. What a ride!