By now, it should be 2001 everywhere so Happy New Year to you all!
This also means that PFF almost celebrates its 2nd birthday on Jan. 13th! For those of you that are not yet familiar with PFF's history, here's the story.
It actually started way back in 1986 when - during a vacation in Pittsburgh - I saw a Fiero for the very first time (I still have a picture of me and that car). I fell in love instantly with this small sportscar. I never cared much for most european sportscars (Porsche, Ferrari) except maybe for the Lotus. My mind was made up then: I wanted that car. Back in Holland I found nobody ever heared of the car.
It was three years later that my job (as co-owner of a computer company) required me to move to the States for a about a year. The job was in San Antonio TX and although my appartment was at walking distance from the office, I needed a means of transportation to get around town. This was my chance to get a Fiero and I bought all kinds of car magazines to find "the right one".
At the time, I was unaware of all the different models out there and as far as I knew there were only two models: the original model and the model with the altered nose.
Within a few days, I found a black 85 GT Notchback for about $3000. It had around 80,000 miles on it and according to the guy selling it, it was otherwise in perfect condition (which it was). I bought it, added a rear wing and enjoyed it immensly during my stay in San Antonio. When it was time to go back to Holland I decided to take the car with me. This turned out to be very expensive. Shipping alone was $2000 and in Holland, I had to pay an extra $7000 on import-taxes. On top of that I had to pay 19.5% salestax on the entire amount. At the end, I almost paid $15,000 for it. The dutch customs office also told me it was the 15th Fiero ever imported in Holland.
I know $15,000 sounds like a lot but cars are incredibly expensive in Europe. $15,000 buys you a small mid-class car here. And this was a unique car. So unique in fact, that I got several offers from people that wanted to buy it from me. Some people went as high as $25,000. But I didn't want to sell it and I'm glad I didn't.
A few years later, my life took a turn for the worst and I had to sell my Fiero. I wouldn't own a Fiero for another 4 years.
A lot happened during those 4 years: I got my life back together and met the woman whom - as most of you know - is now my wife-to-be.
In 1996, my current company wrote some software for a car dealer. When the invoice was send, it turned out he wasn't doing very well and wasn't able to pay me. He offered me to pick a car instead. Much to my suprise, he had a 1984 Fiero 4-banger. It was in terrible condition and he had much better cars he could offer me, but I went for the Fiero instead. It took me a year to rebuild it to almost perfect condition. During its last repair I noticed the garage (where I had all my repairs done) had an 86.5 GT for sale. It too was in almost perfect condition and it took me about 5 minutes before I decided to sell the '84 and buy the 86.5 GT. That's the car I currently own and my daily driver.
I searched the internet for information on the Fiero and soon found myself on one of those Fiero mailing lists. This had his pros and cons. I truly disliked the fact that my mailbox was cluttered with mail each day. I equally disliked the fact that a lot of those emails where nothing more than childish flame-wars. But I was truly disgusted about the fact that the moderator didn't allow for anything slightly off-topic. People were kicked off the list left and right for asking (imho) valid questions.
That's when I got the idea for PFF. At that time, my company just started selling the FDD-X1 (digital dash) and it would also be a good place for people to ask questions about that. The FDD-X1 section was taken off later after it was clear it could take a few more years before we actually started selling it in the States.
I never expected it to be so successful. But for some reason people started to "spread the word". Within 3 months, PFF celebrated its 100th member. I think it's mostly because from the start there were some very knowledgeable people hanging around here. Of course theogre is someone who pops to mind. There were also a lot of people who kept the tone of PFF informal and made it a fun place to visit. Monkeyman certainly needs to be mentioned in this respect. But if I need to list the names of all the people that made PFF a success, I need to list almost 1800 names here - since that is the number of members PFF has grown to!
Flamewars have been rare indeed - showing that a discussion forum with very loose moderation does work. Nevertheless, I spend at least 2 hours each and every day on the forum. But I do this with much pleasure - thanks to you all!
Some interesting facts:
PFF is 780Mb of pure Fiero-related information.
Since the beginning, 15,763 threads were started.
This totals to 125,187 posted messages.
Since image-posting was allowed, 4,699 images were posted.
This totals to 283Mb.
The top-three posters are Monkeyman (4,461 posts), theogre (3,628 posts) and batboy (3,133 posts).
PFF receives about 18,000 page views per day.
Number of banner-advertisements shown so far: 0
Here are the three official PFF logos used (in chronological order):
Anyway, I wish you all a wonderful and fierocious 2001!
Happy New Year to you too Cliff, and all the other Forum members!
Let me be the first to say WOW, what a great story! I cannot believe how much you had to pay to get a Fiero imported into Holland! Of course, I think I would find a way to take mine too if I was moving over seas.
I must say not only have you started a very successful forum, it is one of the most informative and best behaved forums on the net. Thanks for this as you say is due to the great members as you have mentioned. I have been an active member of two Ford Probe forums (I have owned two, including my current daily driver). Both are valuable, but have many more flame wars and in-fighting. Despite belonging to the other forums much longer I have posted more times here than the other two combined (about 250). Keep up the great work and lets keep this truly awesome forum going!
[This message has been edited by Fformula88 (edited 01-01-2001).]
Happy New Year Cliff!! The Forum is a tribute to you, and the people who own/love Fieros, it seems like a real family. Hopefully it will continue for a long time. I try to put a card with the PFF URL on every Fiero I see. Thanks, all. Gary 86 SE 2 84 Parts beasts
Ditto! Happy New Year! Without this forum, I would have NEVER..and I repeat, NEVER been able to effect SOOOO many repairs on my Fieros! I visit this site everyday! You da man Cliff!
------------------ Mike - Black 86.5 GT 5 Spd, 153,000 miles and some busted up ground f/x Red 84 Sport Coupe - winter donut maker AOL: LastMinuteBastrd AIM: Standard88
Yeah i'm happy to know the history of this place! i'm also very happy to have a place where i can get help on a vehicle that was discontinued 13 years ago! its really awesome being on this page, thank you Cliff!
------------------ Seein Red '85 Fiero GT ICQ#: 56708070 _________________________
Happy New Year to you too, Cliff (and all 1799 of the rest of you). I've been here a little over a year (since the beginning of November 19999) and I've loved almost every minute of it. This has been the biggest help to me. This is the place I turn to whenever I'm having problems in my personal life, too. (Don't ask.) I feel like I've gained 1799 friends. As a matter of fact, I just bought my 3rd Fiero from a friend and fellow PFF member (met him here).
I saw my 1st Fiero in either '82 or '83 at the Detroit Auto Show. (I haven't stopped drooling yet!) I didn't get the chance to own one until just before Christmas '99. Thanx to this forum (and some of the folks on it), I now have a very nice '85 GT and have plans to make it even better.
Thanks for the history of the Fiero in your life. I've been fortunate to have had my first Fiero since new and since 1987. This has been one of the most fun car I have ever owned. I have owned four other cars since owning this Fiero and in addition a second Fiero, currently undergoing renovation. I only drive these cars in the good weather. Which for me is no more than six months per year. They are an unusual car in the states anymore. When I tell people I have a Fiero, they ask what is that..never heard of it.
I try to hit the Fiero shows. To see over 100 Fieros a Daytona, or the Dells or the FOCOA national show is a site to behold. All of these orphaned cars and their supporters in one spot.
Get another trip to the state to take in one of the shows. Thanks for the forum, Cliff
i was 10 when my fiero facination began back in '88 when my mom got one of the last coupes. 4 banger with all the options minus rear window defroster. that car wound up being illegally reposessed (the contract allowed her to be 3 months late on a payment, she was less than a month behind) but she was in no position to fight it.
i wound up looking for one when i had to give up my mustang back in '98. i had never driven a fiero before, and the first one i test drove, i was sold (even though i did get ripped off on a car that shouldnt have been legally sold in the condition it was in)well, to make a long story short, i'm still wating on the transmission to get to the shop so i can have my car back.
anyways, this forum has been a lot of fun to be part of in my short time here, and quite informative. thanks guys for making this site so useful, and thanks Cliff for putting it up!
------------------ UR2BITEME '87 econo coupe 170k and a bad fender :(
Cliff, you're usually so modest, mild-mannered, and a man of few words! Really something to get so much from you all at once. When Cliff speaks, we're like a bunch of kids sitting on the floor around the rocking chair saying "Tell us another story". Man, you must REALLY like Fieros. This Forum is so much fun I would have to check it out even if I didn't have a Fiero. What's the latest on your plans to come back to the States?
Happy New Year to you Cliff and all our Forum members too! Since I've been a member here (not too long ago) I've THOROUGHLY enjoyed the obvious comraderie (sp) that is so much a part of this Forum! Although I don't get to spend as much time here as I used to, it is still a pleasure to come and visit when I do get the chance. It's one of the few things that I look forward to. I would like to thank not only Cliff, but all of you forum members as well for sharing your knowledge, enthusiasm, support and your zany sense of humor. I can't even begin to say how much I appreciate being a small part of this community (like Cliff says, it's you guys & gals that make this Forum what it is). I believe that finding this Forum in the new millenium was a real jewel for me, I just can't wait to see what lies ahead in '01! DXR DAD asks, Can you feel the Love?........well folks, YES I CAN!!!! and nuthin' but Love right back at ya!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!
I just can't stop CRUISIN'
------------------ Larry F.
[This message has been edited by Coconut (edited 01-04-2001).]
It has been so long since I have posted to the Forum, So I thought I would give you a little of my History? BUT I FORGET! You all have a great 001 Cliff, Did anything ever come of a History CD? Lets Keep our great little cars on the roads. The old DOG said that and Doesn't even have a signature block
But if I need to list the names of all the people that made PFF a success, I need to list almost 1800 names here - since that is the number of members PFF has grown to!
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