It was tough being a General Motors fan in the '80s. The company had relegated most of its models to bland copycats of compromised, committee-driven designs which, for the most part, suffered terrible quality problems. But every once in a while, the true car guys broke free of the massive corporate bureaucracy and belted one straight out of the park! Featuring a mid-engine sports car layout which is capped with a lightweight composite body, and known for its excellent driving dynamics, the Pontiac Fiero was one such homerun. Thanks to a continued rise in desirability, the search is on to find the best of the best Fieros that will set the standard for the future collector car market. And with just under 7,600 miles on its odometer, and a folder full of original documentation, this one-owner GT might just be one of the nicest survivors on the planet!
The first and only mid-engine volume car America ever produced, the Fiero started out as a roster of existing GM hardware that was headlined by sleek, unique sheetmetal. Sales took off in 1984 and, by the time their hotted up GT model rolled out of the factory, Poncho's pint-size coupe had become a serious performance machine. Sold through Key Pontiac of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, this all-original survivor is a fine example of the days when global manufacturers weren't afraid to take a risk. Everything from the car's clean glass to its chip-free running boards is about as close to perfect as a 27 year old veteran can get. And its 1987-exclusive Bright Blue Metallic paint still displays a fantastic shine!
Many enthusiasts believe in the theory that GM kills a model just as soon as they perfect it. And, judging by the looks of this retro-chic cruiser, we'd have to agree. At the front of the car, a chip-free 'aero' nose anchors bright turn signals at the sides of a gaping grille and pristine Fiero emblem. Behind that nose, "PONTIAC" branded headlights lead the eye to clean, "GT" branded glass that's flanked by small, Satin Black mirrors. At the sides of those headlights, black trim spears hang thin marker lamps and flip-up door handles above a small quarter vent. And at the back of the car, a new-for-1986 fastback highlights a prominent deck spoiler, glossy, "PONTIAC GT" branded tail lights and a sculpted bumper that bends around stainless exhaust tips.
Models like the Fiero were never about brute power. GM wanted to produce a balanced, economical platform which was inexpensive and provided an excellent driving experience. Accordingly, all Fieros were originally equipped with Pontiac's economical 2.5 liter 'Iron Duke' 4-cylinder. However, the number one complaint of early adopters was the car's lack of power. So in 1985, when the GT model was introduced, a more powerful 2.8 liter V6 was sourced from Chevrolet and tuned by Pontiac to create a 135 horsepower and 165 lb./ft. of curve-carving torque. The 2.8 liter was one of the first transversely mounted V6s to utilize multi-port fuel injection. And the new mill perfectly suited the Fiero which, unlike most exotic sports cars, provided drivers with exciting performance that wasn't overbearing or dangerous. All the hard parts in this car's clean engine bay, from the red, "Fiero" branded intake and Holley throttle body to the red valve covers and black, dent-free oil pan, appear to be factory original. And, as expected, tags, markings and stamps are just where they should be.
The 1987 GT features sharp suspension tuning that can be directly attributed to Pontiac's in-house racing program. At the center of that suspension, a solid Hydra-Matic 3-speed provides a series of crisp shifts. At the corners of the car, power disc brakes, borrowed from Chevy's stalwart Chevette, provide concise, drama-free stops. Although there were whispers of optional power steering, a tried and true manual rack was retained. Exhaust exits through a single-into-dual system that's capped with quad stainless tips. Power flows through 2-tone 'snowflake' wheels that spin original 205/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GTs in front of original 215/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GTs. And naturally, the bottom of this time capsule Pontiac is, like its engine bay, in virtually untouched, showroom-fresh condition.
This low-slung classic's sporty interior features bright cloth buckets mounted inside a wraparound cockpit design that makes its occupants feel buttoned down and secure. As with any cloth surfaces, wear and seam tears would normally be a major concern, but the rarely used seats in this Pontiac display no splits or thin spots. Between those seats, a wide console hangs a large storage bin behind a traditional GM shifter and controls for power windows and power mirrors. That console flows into a plateaued dash which anchors an original radio below a full array of clear instrumentation. At the sides of that dash, crack-free door panels look great and function well. Below those panels, stain-free carpet is protected by tough, color-keyed floor mats. In front of the driver, a leather-wrapped and "Fiero GT" branded steering wheel keeps everything in line. And at the front of the cockpit, a small storage bin stows a beefy jack and Space saver spare tire.
As previously mentioned, there's a folder of original documentation. Here's a short list of the significant items that are included with this coupe's sale:
A 1987 Pontiac BrochureToday, Fiero GTs are almost universally regarded as future collector cars, especially when rare options are part of the discussion. GM only produced 4,458 Bright Blue Fieros, making clean survivors as exclusive as they are cool. If you're a diehard Pontiac fan, a lover of unique classics, or just a smart investor looking for a good bet on a solid return, this all-original coupe is the deal of the year!