I am finally the proud owner of a jury-rigged and busted up Fiero! It's clearly been owned by a tweaker or two but the engine runs and mechanically all it needs to be drive-able is a new clutch and flywheel, and an air filter but that's even easier. The interior has been disassembled because someone was going to *shudder* make it into a dirt-track car, but I have all the interior trim pieces and missing exterior body panels except for the rear bumper and a new tail-light cover. Currently, there are lag-bolts screwed into the battery as makeshift terminals (amazing, I know) the deck lid is held on by zip-ties, and the ignition lock cylinder is gone so you have to manually pull and push the switch to start the car.

I got it for $800 USD so I'm pretty satisfied overall, I ran the VIN to make sure it wasn't stolen, but it has received a salvage title, which it did not come with, so that's priority number one for sure.

Today was my first day loving on it and I had to get the exterior looking a bit more respectable. Next session I'll finish washing and detailing it just to make it a little more comfortable to work on.

Before:


After:


I'll have to use high grit sandpaper to get the Seafoam residue off the door. Don't use Seafoam and masking tape to try and make a body kit like the last guy!

[This message has been edited by DangerZone (edited 02-23-2021).]

Congrats!

Welcome to the greatest car hobby in the world and a forum with some great people in it.
Fieros are great cars to own and drive. I just would not have high expectations to keep a 34 year old car on the road without a considerable amount of work; replacing rubber hoses, belts, bushings, bearing and rebuilding the headlight motors. Maybe add some exhaust work, a complete oil change and tune up. A transmission check is also in order. Not trying to discourage you as you started at a low price point so even if you put $2,500 into it, you will still be ahead of the game. Best of luck with the project.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

Welcome!

quote Originally posted by DangerZone: I'll have to use high grit sandpaper to get the Seafoam residue off the door. Don't use Seafoam and masking tape to try and make a body kit like the last guy!

Some people swear by Sea Foam... but I very much doubt that's what was used on the body panels.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 02-23-2021).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Welcome! Some people swear by Sea Foam... but I very much doubt that's what was used on the body panels.

Looks like that great stuff expanding foam from the pics. Tho running some seafoam through the engine couldn't hurt.

quote Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: Welcome to the greatest car hobby in the world and a forum with some great people in it. Fieros are great cars to own and drive. I just would not have high expectations to keep a 34 year old car on the road without a considerable amount of work; replacing rubber hoses, belts, bushings, bearing and rebuilding the headlight motors. Maybe add some exhaust work, a complete oil change and tune up. A transmission check is also in order. Not trying to discourage you as you started at a low price point so even if you put $2,500 into it, you will still be ahead of the game. Best of luck with the project.

Oh I'm in it for the long haul, man. I plan on doing a case swap so I know I'm in for a lot of headaches haha!

And yeah you guys, I must've had a Freudian slip when I said Sea Foam lol.

I think the first thing I'm going to tackle is replacing the ghetto battery and addressing the passenger-side headlight not closing. It's not the fuse, so what are the simplest possible causes I can start with to rule out?

quote Originally posted by DangerZone: It's not the fuse, so what are the simplest possible causes I can start with to rule out?

Its an 86 so its probably gen 1 so it may be a relay. Does it pop up and not down? Check and clean the connections?

So before working on the headlights I wanted to rectify the janky battery set-up, and after the mount gets cleaned of rust and sealed, I'll be doing that. But in the meantime I resurfaced the roof and front pillars. I forgot to take a before picture, but there were deep scratches past the primer, exposed fiberglass, cracks and dimples galore.

It's rough around the edges but a huge improvement until I eventually get a pro to paint it!