Looks like the previous owner tried to put a radiator heat vent on the hood... But had absolutely NO CLUE what he was doing. Why would you vent the spare tire well?
Grind!.......It's a parts car.... go get another one.
After seeing the rest of those pictures I think you are right, although I don't see many usable parts. Good luck kid, you are really going to need it if you really do intend on trying to restore that car. But then it is a start of you're fist of many nervous breakdowns to come from owning a Fiero, especially that one !
It's still in better shape than the one I got. Took the first year and a half to sort out the butchering the PO had done, and another year to get it on the road. I think the same guy did your electrical system. One suggestion is break it up into small projects and tackle them one at a time. If you look at it as a whole it can become overwhelming and end up being another abandoned project.
It seems there were several small fires. The poor car was systematically destroyed. Someone spent some time coloring those yellow parts in the engine cradle. I suspect they got in over their head. Beats me how they damaged the doors. Was the prior owner Edward Scissorhands?
Most likely that bumper cover was repainted and the new paint got too thick. Any deformation will result in a crack.
I admire your energy. You certainly could save this car, but there is hardly a part in the photos that does not need attention. Perhaps you are not concerned about getting it back to a stock look, in which case you could live with all those little white parts in the interior, and that unbelievable wiring job....( where is the battery?)...but if you want a stock Fiero....it will take 4 times the time and money to get this one there...
While you see "parts car", I see structurally sound, yet cosmetically hideous and mechanically molested. Worthy of being spared from the crusher.
This could be the most expensive car you've ever owned.
I started with a supposedly good car (described as "nearly mint"), and by the time I "made everything right" I was in for $10,000 more than it appraised at and I'd be lucky to sell it for HALF the appraised value. And that's for an Indy which is definitely a more limited model.
Many here are speaking from experience. Once they "finished" they realized it would have been cheaper to start with a more expensive BETTER car in the first place.
How many people here are into making money from their Fieros? If you are you picked the wrong car to do it. It's not a money thing, the joy is in taking something like that and saving it from the crusher. And because these are not super rare and expensive cars you can also enjoy DRIVING them. Sure, you can buy a fully restored Fiero for less than it would cost to repair something like that but where's the fun and pride of taking the before and after pics and be able to take pride in the fact that you did it? I say go for it.
Naturally, we will support you as much as possible.....but that may not be much. If you know someone with a Fiero, it might help to go look at the engine bay and note all the differences.
for example: I don't see a dogbone....C500.....MAP sensor.....Air intake......EGR....PCV.....Thermostat....Does it still have a fusebox?
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 10-24-2014).]
While you see "parts car", I see structurally sound, yet cosmetically hideous and mechanically molested. Worthy of being spared from the crusher.
Sometimes structurally unsound is an easier fix the structurally sound is.
My 86 SE in 01 when I picked it up as a downer car for the engine to replace the one in my 84 2M4. When I got it to my buddies he said fixing the body would be less work than swapping the engine, seeing we would be going from a 4 to a 6 cyl. start to finish it took us less than a week and it has been a daily driver ever since.
But like someone else said we are here to help, no matter what you decide !
Steve
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 10-24-2014).]
This is a perfect example where the odds are you will have much more in this in the end than if you just went out and bought a lower mileage garaged model that is all original.
It is not just a Fiero but many cars anymore where even if you do all the work yourself it can really add up.
Anything can be done but really do some math on the entire cost of what you want to accomplish and just see how much it adds up to. If you plan to go custom it may save you a lot of money but if you go original it will add up and be difficult finding things like interior parts that are like new cheap.
They even scrap Ferrari's because the work to save them out weigh the value of the cars.
Good luck and I will be interested in the path you choose and the results.
My point exactly. LOTS of guys here have said. "IF only I knew THEN, what I know NOW..."
I see it way too often and not just Fiero's where people get a good deal and then sink in more than they would have paid for a complete restored or original car.
With many cars even like a GTO you can spend $70K doing a restoration to a number one condition and yet you can't sell it for more than $45K unless it is some really rare oddity version that is in high demand.
The Fiero on the other hand is even more difficulty as you can sink $12K in real fast and for about the same or less you could have bought a always garaged original low mile car.
Now going custom can make it cheaper but yet you still have to stop take stock of what you will need and what you will spend before you turn the first wrench or better yet even buy the good deal. .
I have no lofty aspirations of restoring this to like-new condition, for concours trophy awards or to try sell it for profit (I know that will never happen). I bought it cheap, with the intention of getting it running, for hooning around in the summer. Hell, it was cheap enough that it easily qualifies for LeMons.
No... but if the car is in really sad shape, you'll spend the same amount of money anyway and still not have a "show car" (just the receipts for one).
You want one for "fun summer driving". You can buy a running one of those that needs a bit of work for a couple thousand. You'll still get your "jollies" of fixing it up how you like without spending as much as you would to buy a brand new car.
[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 10-26-2014).]
What you need is a rust bucket parts car that has an intact electrical system and the other bits. In Wisconsin, like the northeast, you might find that for a few bucks. Still looking at a whole lot of work though.
Good luck & best regards,
Mark
------------------ 86 SE V6 4 speed 86 SE V6 Auto 2008 G6 GT "Street" Coupe 2005 Buick 3.6 Rendezvous 2001 Olds Silhouette (AKA The Band Van)
No... but if the car is in really sad shape, you'll spend the same amount of money anyway and still not have a "show car" (just the receipts for one).
You want one for "fun summer driving". You can buy a running one of those that needs a bit of work for a couple thousand. You'll still get your "jollies" of fixing it up how you like without spending as much as you would to buy a brand new car.
I too was not talking show car here as just an engine and paint can be as much as a daily beater value. Then you have to do the interior and what ever else you need . Then your time also has a value.
My idea here was just to get the car looking good, reliable and to prevent it from needing a lot of work in the near future.
Lets face it $8k for a low mile car is a bargain for any car and for a Fiero it is a great viable option vs. putting money Into a car that will take similar money and never be close to the same condition.
I know everyone can't afford a lot of money for a car now but even if you have to save it up over the next year or two you would see a lot of benefit from it. How long would it take to restore it anyways a year or more in some folks cases anyways.
You can get a harness for it at Gibsons in neenah they have 2 If you are close to the valley I have just about every other part you need. Chek out Fox Valley Fiero club on here or facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/141412865904993/
