1986 Pontiac Fiero GT V6 4 Speed T-Tops

Description

In 1986, I wanted a Fiero GT. But, optioned the way I wanted it, with everything, it would cost more than a V6 Camaro, and a Camaro had storage space and a back seat. So, the Fiero I wanted stayed at the Pontiac dealer and I bought the Chevy.

In 1992, I saw a Fiero GT, just like the one I’d wanted, on a used car lot. Red, manual transmission, every option including T-tops. She had 114,000 miles on the odometer. The price was right and the Fiero became a second car.

I drove it for eight years and then bought a new Firebird. The Fiero sat in the garage except for a monthly spin around the block to keep her fresh. Then four years ago, realizing how much I missed driving her, I brought her out of semi-retirement for use as a commuter car. I spruced her up and we shared seventy miles a week together between the garage at home and the airport’s covered parking section.

But now I’ve bought a newer car, and rather than put the Fiero back in storage, I think it’s time to put her up for sale and let someone else enjoy her. Although after cleaning her up and taking pictures, I’ll admit to serious second thoughts.

Why am I telling you all this? Because you need to know that I’m a car guy. If you are looking at buying a Fiero, you are a car guy (or gal), and you want to buy from a car guy. While the car has 167,000 miles on it, it has been exceptionally well-maintained. When something breaks, it is fixed right. When preventative maintenance is needed, it is done right. The car has only seen Castrol full synthetic oil since I bought her. All the records of what I’ve done since 1992 are in the glove box.

The car is virtually all stock, and the drive train is all original. The only modifications are:

· -a pressurized strut to hold the heavy rear deck lid open after it fell on my head once too many times in a breeze.

· -R-134 air conditioning conversion

· -a 2002 Pontiac Firebird AM/FM/CD with a custom AUX input replaces the original Fiero radio. It looks like a factory fit, matching all the red dash lights. All speakers were upgraded to Pioneers.

· -stainless steel exhaust and catalytic converter. I like never having to do the same job twice.

Factory options:

· -Fuel injected V 6

· -4 speed manual transmission

· -Air conditioning

· -Cruise control

· -Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel

· -Power locks

· -Remote trunk release

· -Power windows

· -Power mirrors

· -Tach and instrumentation

· -C&C T-tops with two perfect storage bags. C&C was the Pontiac authorized installer for this dealer-added option.

· -Original wheels.

The transmission was rebuilt by Pontiac 20,000 miles ago. In the last 10,000 miles, for the freshening, I’ve replaced (mostly as preventative measures):

· -All radiator hoses (they were still original, believe it or not)

· -Battery

· -Fuel regulator and all injectors

· -Thermostat

· -Alternator

· -Recharged the air conditioner

· -Front struts and rear shocks

· -Door window sweeps, and replaced the scratched widows while I was at it.

Boxes of spare parts come with the car, including spare headlight motors, the original radio, spare T-top P seals, and two perfect OEM seat covers. These parts are worth hundreds on their own and the price reflects it. These were all things I bought for future upgrades. They go with the car. No negotiations for a lower price.

Now the car’s finish photographs much better than it looks in real life. The Florida sun has faded the paint, but all the panels are solid. Minor imperfections include slight dash damage under the left a/c vent and a chip at the corner of the passenger door. A threadbare spot on the driver’s seat bolster is patched, but that was just to get me by until I put on the new seat covers. Pictures of all this are posted. So are a few random undercarriage pictures so you can see that it isn’t rusty and all the pipe insulation is in place, etc.

The engine coughs a puff of smoke at startup after sitting a while, likely from worn valve guides, but I don’t seem to add oil between changes. The engine sounds and runs smooth.

Minor stuff:

Everything on this car works except the headlight motors. I rebuilt them with new gears, but one needs the limit switch recalibrated. I drove to the airport in the early morning hours, and back at night, so since they were always up, I hadn’t gotten around to adjusting that. It also flashes Code 35 for High Idle, and idles at about 1300 rpm, but only when the air conditioning is off. With the air conditioning on, it idles normally with no SES light. Since I live in Florida, the air is always on, so after a little troubleshooting, decided that didn’t matter much either since it had no impact on drivability. The sender unit on the gas gauge quit, and an exact replacement wasn’t available at the time. Full reads about ¾ full, but empty is accurate. New units are available now if this bugs you.

Can you drive this car home from Florida? I don’t see why not, but I won’t warrantee a thirty-year-old car won't break something somewhere. And this car is sold as is, with absolutely no warrantee.

That’s her, and my, story. No deals, no discounts, no nonsense. If the reserve ends up being too high, I’ll just keep her. I’ve parked her before. And like I said, once I cleaned her all up, I did have second thoughts.

For sale locally, so the listing may vanish at any time. I also might block your bid if you seem shady, No offense if I do and you aren’t shady. Just making sure my girl gets a good home. $500 non-refundable deposit due within 24 hours of bidding ending. Weekend pickup within 30 days.