So my 15 year old daughter just got her permit and has been on my but about giving her my GT. That's not gonna happen! Besides it's in the process of getting a 3.8sc installed and there's no way in hell I would put here behind the wheel of that thing. So in my bid for father of the year I picked her up a cheap rust free 87GT auto with a 120k miles.
The plan is to pull the motor and swap in a spare 39k mile motor I have. Put a new pair of shoes on it. Rebuild the suspension, brakes, clean up the interior and throw a nice panel off paint job on it. Of course she has to pay for half the car as well as half the restoration costs. She worked all last summer and will be working this summer. Maybe I'll even be able to get her out in the garage to lend a hand. So without further ado here is the 87 she is getting.
A very nice car.....Would you like to be MY father?
Having gone through this with my son, here is some unsolicited advice..... The car does not have airbags.....most kids take them for granted and feel safer than they are... Fieros are VERY low, and a Florida grandma in her Excesscalade on the way home from her liquid lunch may look right over your daughter.
You should go through some extra defensive driver training for these issues, and be prepared for fender benders. Fiero drivers are naturally cautious, but I think it's a learned skill.
A very nice car.....Would you like to be MY father?
Having gone through this with my son, here is some unsolicited advice..... The car does not have airbags.....most kids take them for granted and feel safer than they are... Fieros are VERY low, and a Florida grandma in her Excesscalade on the way home from her liquid lunch may look right over your daughter.
You should go through some extra defensive driver training for these issues, and be prepared for fender benders. Fiero drivers are naturally cautious, but I think it's a learned skill.
I have two kids now and can't afford another one. You're right though in regard to safety. She has a year before she can get here license. That doesn't mean that's when she will get it though. She will have to prove she deserves it.
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Originally posted by johnyrottin:
I did a similar thing for my 15 year old daughter...
As somebody who's first car was also an 87 GT, let me say congratulations on bringing your daughter into the fiero family!
And you're spot on about having to prove herself before getting the car. Getting in as much driving time with a learner's permit is essential before being allowed to set off on your own. I ended up waiting a few extra months to get my license for this very reason (of course, I was also leaning to drive stick).
------------------ "The Twins" '87 GT 3.4 pushrod daily driver '88 GT 3.4 DOHC swap in progress
A very nice car.....Would you like to be MY father?
Having gone through this with my son, here is some unsolicited advice..... The car does not have airbags.....most kids take them for granted and feel safer than they are... Fieros are VERY low, and a Florida grandma in her Excesscalade on the way home from her liquid lunch may look right over your daughter.
You should go through some extra defensive driver training for these issues, and be prepared for fender benders. Fiero drivers are naturally cautious, but I think it's a learned skill.
Yep....and this is exactly why I have air horns on everything I own. I even installed air horns on the wife's Cabrio and she loves them! In fact, a little too much. Kit
As somebody who's first car was also an 87 GT, let me say congratulations on bringing your daughter into the fiero family!
And you're spot on about having to prove herself before getting the car. Getting in as much driving time with a learner's permit is essential before being allowed to set off on your own. I ended up waiting a few extra months to get my license for this very reason (of course, I was also leaning to drive stick).
I can see me resisting her getting her license until she is at least 17 unless she truly impresses me. On a separate note. I saw you are putting together a few write ups. I'm looking forward to the dash repair one as this car has a few cracks.
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Originally posted by busa_powered:
Nice looking car.
Oh, btw, Ive heard the term panel off paintjob, how is that different than just taking it in and having it all repainted?
Makes for a cleaner finished product. No over spray or painted fasteners. Ever seen a repainted car that has paint flaking around the edges of the panels? Panel off helps control this as well.
I am indeed. The dash repair will be my next guide once I finish the steering wheel recovery one (as there seems to be quite a demand on that particular topic).
And you happen to be in luck! In my experience, repairing cracks and repainting the charcoal/light grey interior is a lot easier and cheaper than working with a tan/brown/beechwood interior.
------------------ "The Twins" '87 GT 3.4 pushrod daily driver '88 GT 3.4 DOHC swap in progress
