Yellow 1988 GT (Page 1/2)
Kern JAN 12, 03:15 PM
Hello All,
I recently acquired a yellow 1988 GT, 5 speed, sunroof, highly optioned. In looking at the data, I learned that there were 241 yellow GTs produced that year. Of those, 55.5% had the 5 speed and about half (not necessarily the same cars) had the sunroof.

I am curious how many of the yellow GTs have survived and are still out there. How are they optioned? How many survivors have had engine swaps? Out of 29 1988 GTs sold on Bring A Trailer over the past few years there were no yellows, lots of reds, whites, and blacks.

Just trying to get some idea of how unique this car currently is.

Thank any/all of you for any response.
Patrick JAN 12, 06:20 PM

What info are you expecting to get that you didn't receive the last time you asked about this?

1988 Yellow GT
Kern JAN 14, 01:30 PM
Hello Patrick,

I was just hoping to get some feel for how many of this particular car are still out there functioning in the world. I try to establish as much information about each of my collector cars as I can during my ownership, so this information can be included when the car is transferred to its next caretaker. For example, I learned on a CarFax that this car had been issued a junk title in California and about a week later was issued a rebuilt title. Inspection of the car by a previous owner during his extensive work on the car showed no indication of why a junk title was issued, as did my inspection. The owner of the body shop that does my work helped to clarify the issue. He indicated that the California penalties for not keeping the registration and/or smog testing up to date are significant. By issuing a junk title and a rebuilt title, or selling the car to an out of state relative (on paper only), titling it in the other state, then selling it back to its original owner (on paper only) creates a new, clean California title. This is known as "washing" a title and appears to be what occurred with this car. This information is good to have when offering the car to the market, as is any information about the number of survivors.

A few years ago I posted a similar request on a forum regarding a special interest boat that I am restoring. I received responses from various people, some who had owned the boat in the past and some who currently have one. I learned of about five others, none of which are being restored to factory appearance, as I am doing. I also ended up with a correspondent who had one at one time, was working as a first mate on an ocean going tug boat, and we had, and still have, conversations about the boat and our current lives.

Great fun!!!
sdgdf JAN 14, 02:53 PM

quote
Originally posted by Kern:

Hello Patrick,

I was just hoping to get some feel for how many of this particular car are still out there functioning in the world. I try to establish as much information about each of my collector cars as I can during my ownership, so this information can be included when the car is transferred to its next caretaker. For example, I learned on a CarFax that this car had been issued a junk title in California and about a week later was issued a rebuilt title. Inspection of the car by a previous owner during his extensive work on the car showed no indication of why a junk title was issued, as did my inspection. The owner of the body shop that does my work helped to clarify the issue. He indicated that the California penalties for not keeping the registration and/or smog testing up to date are significant. By issuing a junk title and a rebuilt title, or selling the car to an out of state relative (on paper only), titling it in the other state, then selling it back to its original owner (on paper only) creates a new, clean California title. This is known as "washing" a title and appears to be what occurred with this car. This information is good to have when offering the car to the market, as is any information about the number of survivors.

A few years ago I posted a similar request on a forum regarding a special interest boat that I am restoring. I received responses from various people, some who had owned the boat in the past and some who currently have one. I learned of about five others, none of which are being restored to factory appearance, as I am doing. I also ended up with a correspondent who had one at one time, was working as a first mate on an ocean going tug boat, and we had, and still have, conversations about the boat and our current lives.

Great fun!!!



Seriously? California will force the car into a salvage title because of smog? I've heard they're still doing emissions testing on cars this old too? That's just crazy
82-T/A [At Work] JAN 14, 05:32 PM
I can't really give you numbers... there's an 88 registry somewhere I think... but I used to see these all the time. Yellow was a common 88 color, and at least in South Florida, I'd seen a few driving around through the 90s and early 2000s. I've actually seen a couple of yellow Formulas in the junkyard as well, unfortunately, and also an 88 T-Top in the junkyard which I took the T-Tops off and sold them to someone in Hawaii.


I've definitely seen more black, burgundy, and red 88 Fieros... but when you see a yellow one, you don't forget it because it's a year specific color... kind of like seeing an original blue Fiero, which is 87 only.

I'd have to say that Fieros in general are becoming really popular... maybe finally coming into their own. They're going for pretty high prices on eBay now, which is not how it was just 5-6 years ago. So that's good... means people are more likely to want to save them.
Patrick JAN 14, 05:47 PM

quote
Originally posted by Kern:

I was just hoping to get some feel for how many of this particular car are still out there functioning in the world.



Yes, I understand what you're after... but how is what you're asking for in this thread any different than what you asked for previously?


quote
Originally posted by Kern Here:

In July I will be acquiring a yellow 1988 GT. I have learned that there were 241 yellow GTs produced. I am wondering how many forum members know of 1988 yellow GTs that are out there, either running or not.

More specifically, I would like to also track any that have the 5 speed and sunroof combination, as that is what this car has.

I was not able to determine how many cars were produced with this specific option combination and was just wondering how many are still around.




I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you've done this same thing before.

1988 GT Dampers (Shock Absorbers)

1988 GT Suspension

There seems to be a pattern developing. Is the problem that you lose track of your original threads, so you then start another one on the same topic? If so, you'd discover that it's very easy to find your earlier threads by using the search function here.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 01-14-2024).]

Mickey_Moose JAN 16, 05:30 PM
I doubt there is any way to definitively know how many are left. All you can say is that it is 1 of 241 or if it was built for the Canadian market, 1 of 20.

Sure you can go deeper, but what is the point? At this point in time it doesn't really add that much more value to the car. Which I am assuming you are after by your post and indication that you want to pass this info onto the new buyer to justify a higher asking price.

Enjoy it for what it is, the only collectable ones are the low mileage unmolested cars and don't expect a 1st gen Camaro/Firebird price or other such car.
Vintage-Nut JAN 16, 08:11 PM

quote
Patrick:
I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you've done this same thing before.

1988 GT Dampers (Shock Absorbers)
1988 GT Suspension

There seems to be a pattern developing......



Yes, a pattern IS developing and add 2 "Option Packages by Kern" in the list.....

EDIT:
Using Kern's words, he is a "collector", and the "value" question was noticed on member 'Duck 1' too......"to justify a higher asking price."


-------------------------------------------
Original Owner of a Silver '88 GT
Under 'Production Refurbishment' @ 136k Miles

[This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 01-17-2024).]

fierogt28 JAN 16, 09:57 PM
Kern, my suggestion is to buy the Fiero production book by Robert Casey. You can find it on Amazon.
It’s actually the best book for the price you can buy to see the specifics especially on the 88 fieros.
They do talk about the breakdown to a certain extent and T-Top / 5-speed / automatic production numbers.
If you’re creative, you can find / figure out some key features that may answer your questions.
The only question that nobody can answer he is how many are left.
88databaseguy is probably your best to ask on how many yellow 88 GT are in existence or pretty close due to there only being 241.
He probably doesn’t have all 241 documented, but it’s normal that some have been scrapped.
Robert Casey’s book might talk about IIRC about the cloth / leather seat numbers too for yellow 88GTs.
There might be even info on here about that.
The others also mention that the value of 88GTs is influenced on low mileage / paint condition / rust free / clean kept cars.
Original cars are the best option people are looking for.
Interior cleanliness is very important too.

------------------
fierogt28

88 GT, Loaded, 5-speed.
88 GT, 5-speed. Beechwood interior, All original.

Kern JAN 18, 06:13 PM
Patrick,

I apologize to you and other forum members for forgetting that I had already posted my query.

To the member who asked about the California title issue - the washing of the title on this car took place in late 2006, early 2007. I am not familiar with current California regulations.

To others who mentioned the possibility that I am only in it for the money, I offer the following:

1. I purchase the cars I have for the enjoyment of driving them. Only one of my cars is a low mileage original and I was fortunate to find it. All of the cars are different in their driving characteristics.
2. I purchased the Fiero because I liked the styling, and, as an automotive engineer, I appreciated the unique technical features of the car.
3. The car is not a low mileage original. The original engine has been mildly modified, the seats are getting new covers from MrMike, it is being partially repainted to get it all one color, and it will have aftermarket wheels. I am not in this car as an investment. If I were, I would have sought a low mileage, unmolested example.
4. I do the same research for all my collector vehicles.
5. The car is already promised to the next caretaker, either my daughter or the gentleman who sold me the car.

I have two major projects where the amount spent is already waaaaaaay above the market value and I do not care. The first is one of my other cars and the second is the boat I am restoring. I am doing both for the satisfaction of seeing and using the completed project and hoping the next caretaker will appreciate what has been accomplished.