Just thought I'd share this as it seems it hasn't been done before. I've been looking for ideas for replacement tail lights as GT ones are hard to find and while I still like them, I believe there are better options. I've floated the idea before of bringing the styling that the 4th gen Firebird stole back to the Fiero (You can read that here: //www.fiero.nl/cgi-bin...5620&style=printable ), but at that time, I casually forgot that my bro-in-law actually has an '02 Trans Am he bought so he could do an interior and drivetrain swap into his '87 Camaro IROC. While most of the car's good bits have been claimed for his project (dash, engine, seats, etc.), I have complete and total access to the sheet metal and any other stuff he doesn't want including tail lights. This will allow me to do a lot of crude mock ups. I might try the nose cone next, but for right now, I'm happy to start making the lights a permanent fixture. I apologize I couldn't get a direct shot and that my car is covered in dust. I keep it in the hay shed on my in-laws farm. The tractor wouldn't start to move it out of the way. Lastly, the right tail light is missing. I don't know where it is currently, but I hope my bro-in-law still has it. Even still, I think I got a good mock up.
You will also have to change the lights to the notchie version. I don't know how the number of bulbs compare, or the plugs themselves, but the lighting pattern is different.
I haven't measured, but are the widths the same?
You can easily change the Fierbird emblem on the center panel.
I like the idea , and it would look "right" installed. Looks like some major modifications are going to be required, but if it could be "simplified in anyway, it would be a great alternative, as these taillights are a LOT more plentiful than the GT's are.
Keep us updated - I like it!!!!!
------------------ Tim '87 GT Med Red Metallic 85K miles Bay City, MI
You will also have to change the lights to the notchie version. I don't know how the number of bulbs compare, or the plugs themselves, but the lighting pattern is different.
I haven't measured, but are the widths the same?
You can easily change the Fierbird emblem on the center panel.
Fiero has 8 bulbs per side including reverse and side marker lights. The Firebird has 4 bulbs. I assume the notchie has 4 as well?? I haven't measured yet either. I was just eye balling it, but the Firebird tails are maybe about 3/4" wider on each side. That's cool. I mean, who doesn't like bulged fenders? There's also the center gap that needs filled in and deck lid lock needs either shaved or moved to the TA location. It would also be nice to shave the Fiero side markers as they would look off with the Firebird ones already integrated into the tails. for changing the center panel, I guess I could do a Firebird-esque Pegasus and have Fiero GT written in the stock Trans Am script. Lastly, I've been thinking of a name for this mod. I call it Fierobird.
I like the idea , and it would look "right" installed. Looks like some major modifications are going to be required, but if it could be "simplified in anyway, it would be a great alternative, as these taillights are a LOT more plentiful than the GT's are.
Keep us updated - I like it!!!!!
Thanks. Will do. The honeycomb lights are in my opinion the best looking tails Pontiac ever came up with, and they look more at home on the Fiero than other light mods. I would suppose the casual observer may not even know the difference, and that's how a good mod should be. I've never done body work and I've done minimal fiberglassing so this is definitely a learning experience for me. Thankfully, the car is far from showroom condition so I won't feel as bad if I jack it up. As for making this mod easily available to the masses, I have no current intention of doing that unless the demand is 200% there. In that case, I suppose I could make a mold of the altered rear quarters and bumper. I also need to fab up new mounting brackets. The wiring harness would be up to the customer to source. Perhaps someone who is more knowledgeable and is already a vendor could determine what all this would cost.
My brother-in-law suggested that I test fit some 3rd gen Camaro lights. He had an extra set lying around so I thought I'd give it a shot. I don't really like it, but thought I'd upload the pics anyway just to provide a visual for anyone who may be thinking about this.
Cool. I'd just paint that T/A honeycomb pattern on the inside of the clear fastback stock lens. Quite a but less fab, unless you planned to do custom body work anyway.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 03-31-2016).]
Cool. I'd just paint that T/A honeycomb pattern on the inside of the clear fastback stock lens. Quite a but less fab, unless you planned to do custom body work anyway.
I thought maybe a mini wide body might be interesting...
Sorry, been away on military duties lately, so haven't had much of a chance to start turning this to reality, but I have continued brain storming. Been tossing around ideas such as back lighting the center panel logo and tinting the lenses a little more, but one idea that stood out would be to hide a backup camera in the key hole. If money were no option, I'd think about RFID enabled smart locks and put a push button latch release in the keyhole. Military let me rent a new Cruze while I am gone, and it's been nice not having to pull the key out of my pocket to lock/unlock or start the car, but I don't have the patience or money to deal with that kind of retrofit, so I am back to my original backup cam idea. Meantime, until I get back, I'm still fielding ideas, and watching every vid on YouTube about custom fiberglass molding. If anyone has any good ideas or resources, I'd love to see them and learn all I can. Thanks.
If someone designed a fastback rear clip that the 4th gen Firebird lights would drop in I would buy that in a heartbeat. Even if it was just the rear part of the clip that needed to be glassed in and cost about $500 I would buy that in a heartbeat. I don't know if that will ever happen, but it looks like a reliable source of Fiero taillights is not going to even happen.
If someone designed a fastback rear clip that the 4th gen Firebird lights would drop in I would buy that in a heartbeat. Even if it was just the rear part of the clip that needed to be glassed in and cost about $500 I would buy that in a heartbeat. I don't know if that will ever happen, but it looks like a reliable source of Fiero taillights is not going to even happen.
i have test fit the sunbird lights and they are a viable candidate. i have the full panel and lights i am willing to sell/git rid of $30 + shipping for the 2 lights and the body panel piece for the lights.
