As I need to trim my collection, I am offering the most unusual of them all. After building my northstar fiero I got the bug to go one step further. I took a kit that was intended to produce a northstar fiero and built a custom chassis and fitted it with a one of a kind Porsche 550 spyder body. My intent was to build a northstar fiero only 1000 lbs lighter. In addition to the northstar kit I used 88 fiero suspension, power disk brakes and steering. I know a project like this is hard to value but I've has estimates for its worth between 35k-40k. That is about what I have in it, but considering my situation I would let it go to the right person for 20k. Even if you are not interested in buying, I think all fiero fans will enjoy viewing. Hope Nelson will again help me post a couple of pics.
As I need to trim my collection, I am offering the most unusual of them all. After building my northstar fiero I got the bug to go one step further. I took a kit that was intended to produce a northstar fiero and built a custom chassis and fitted it with a one of a kind Porsche 550 spyder body. My intent was to build a northstar fiero only 1000 lbs lighter. In addition to the northstar kit I used 88 fiero suspension, power disk brakes and steering. I know a project like this is hard to value but I've has estimates for its worth between 35k-40k. That is about what I have in it, but considering my situation I would let it go to the right person for 20k. Even if you are not interested in buying, I think all fiero fans will enjoy viewing. Hope Nelson will again help me post a couple of pics.
Email them to me and I will post them as soon as I get some spare time.
Great unique project and wish you luck selling it. You must have many hours into this creation. As long as it has a sub-frame its a saleable vehicle for the right buyer.
------------------ " 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 "
one thing that may be of interest to fiero folk is the rear suspension. I started with the factory 88 parts, then went to a coil over setup. Additionally I made it a 5 link design. One of the benefits of the 5 link is that the entire suspension can be removed and reinstalled and the alignment is maintained.
[This message has been edited by john austin (edited 08-18-2018).]
I read that when the fiero's were in production, the chassis's were driven around the factory without the bodies. I think this was unique in the industry as the bodies were just "covers" with no structural importance. I built this car with the same feature-the picture of the chassis is and was drivable.
I read that when the fiero's were in production, the chassis's were driven around the factory without the bodies. I think this was unique in the industry as the bodies were just "covers" with no structural importance. I built this car with the same feature-the picture of the chassis is and was drivable.
The bodies of a Fiero are just held in place with bolts or rivets. The frame includes the roof which is critical to structural integrity. Without it the entire car will flex. I am now building a convertible and a subframe had to be welded below for frame support. With the open roadster top, I assume that you have added a subframe or frame reinforcements.
------------------ " 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 "
There is very little 'Fiero' left of the chassis, if you look closely at the pictures. The tub appears to be fabricated, and features generous stepovers and cowl extensions to provide rigidity. The tub looks very much like those used in early CanAm cars.
godfather, as I stated in the first post, a custom chassis was designed and built for the project. The floor pan, which is not structural, is from a vw bug. Think about it and I'll bet you can come up with a couple of reasons to do that. The project, I claim, is fireo based since it uses 88 fiero suspension, steering, brakes and a northstar fiero conversion kit.
[This message has been edited by john austin (edited 09-04-2018).]
Two I can think of make the Fiero tunnel a poor choice, which would be the great size and the hand brake can be relocated to a more typical location. I didn't catch it until he mentioned it.
that's another good reason Sourmash. Even with the fender flairs I had to narrow an 88 fiero front crossmember 3 inches for this application. In narrowing the crossmember my natural concern was 'am I creating bump steer'? I ran a test and was pleasantly surprised that bump steer was not introduced.
Two I can think of make the Fiero tunnel a poor choice, which would be the great size and the hand brake can be relocated to a more typical location. I didn't catch it until he mentioned it.
IMO the Fiero tunnel makes sense. It keeps the gasoline tank in the safest place shielded from most accidents.
------------------ " 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 "
Dennis, the dimension from inside driver door to inside pass door on the spyder is 10 inches less than a fiero. Which means if I had used a fiero tunnel each seat would have to be 5 inches narrower than a fiero seat-not good. I agree with Sourmash about the fiero tunnel being too large for this application.
[This message has been edited by john austin (edited 09-12-2018).]
in spite of the discussion regarding the use of a vw floor pan in my spyder project, the two main reasons did not come up. One of my two reasons was that it was simply easier and cheaper than fabricating one from scratch(and believe me there was more than enough fabrication at hand all ready). The second and most important reason was that the vw vin is contained in the tunnel and I thought that might help with registration(which it did).
WOW all I did was point out a VW floor pan I wasn't trying to under mind your decision or workmanship. I think its awesome. Wasn't trying to start a flame war.
Godfather, no offense was meant or implied. I enjoyed your comment and the discussion that followed. I think a lot of good ideas were tossed around. Please know that there was never any ill will on my part - simply a discussion among fiero fanatics. john
quikgta, sorry for the delay but you asked for suspension pics and I did not have any. the front is simply 88 fiero narrowed 3 inches with small coilovers so pics would not show much. the rear is highly modified 88 so I pulled a rear wheel and tried to show in 2 pics. i'll try to get them posted.
olejoedad, there is no way to get good pics of those attach points without disassembly. But I will do my best to describe them in words. The forward link attaches approximately 5 inches forward from the attach point for the stock Fiero lower link. While the camber link attaches as far inboard as possible. This is to minimize foreshortening as it moves thru its travel. Hope this helps. john
[This message has been edited by john austin (edited 11-04-2018).]
one feature of the car is engine access. remove 2 bolts and disconnect 1 electrical connector and the entire rear clip comes off for easy access-definitely a plus.
Trying to think of what I can add to the description without adding more pics. To further understand what I did, the powertrain is mounted on an 88 fiero k member and could actually be removed from this chassis and be bolted directly into a fiero. I wanted that kind of flexibility. By the same token a fiero k member with any desired powertrain could be bolted into this car. Personally, I would always keep the northstar but I think its cool that someone could very easily power this car with something like a super duty with almost no fab work.
John, here's an honest opinion. That car is worth EVERY penny that you ask.....but you're on the wrong forum. Here, you'll just get lowballed with 5-7 thousand dollar offers. If you post a picture of that rolling chassis on a kitcar website, you'll sell that in a matter of weeks. I would market it as a Porsche 550 Spyder with Northstar powertrain and mention "Fiero" only when someone says "Hey, what kind of frame is that?"
Not trying to be rude but just save you from the frustration of lowball offers. That is a beautiful car and I hope it sells to a worthy buyer.
Thanks for your input IMSA GT, it is appreciated. It is not fun being in a position of having to sell. As such, I am trying to get as much exposure as I can. Who knows where that special person is that appreciates my project and feels it needs to be his.
Not really my style body but the car is beautiful none the less. Probably one of the best put together kit cars I have seen. Not sure if I would sell it after all that time invested but good luck with it all.
In my search to find a new owner for my treasured project, I am lowering the price to $18k. I know its not the car for everyone but I am sure there is someone out there with tastes similar to mine. My health is not improving and actually last night was kinda rough. Thanks for indulging me.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
