I flew down to Nashville (from Minneapolis) on the Friday night 7:10 flight- arrived at 9:30pm. Dale (Songman) picked me up at the airport in his Jeep (comfy seats BTW). We made a brief stop at the Opryland Mall to do a little Silicon Valley NASCAR racing (my 1st time- quite a blast), then headed back to his place.
We briefly looked over the car that night, but it was quite dark- and didn't make much sense to spend much time at it. So we awoke Saturday morning and made a quick trip to the local Pep Boys for a new radiator cap & some Lucas Tranny Conditioner (he had changed and topped off the other fluids the day before). After a quick rinse at the local car wash, I finally got underway around 9:15. I stopped briefly at a gas station to top off the fuel, then headed straight for the highway!
After immediately after hitting the highway, I had to sit through a 30-45 minute traffic jam! Doh! Finally up to speed, I quickly found the highway-speed handling of the car to be a bit questionable (the suspension is basically shot, with the driver's rear strut being 99% non-existant).
Anyway- the car made it. I passed through 6 states (TN, KY, IN, IL, WI, & MN) for a total of 13 hours on the road and exactly 980 miles on the trip odometer- that's a bit much for one day on the road.
As for the car- it's about two or three steps above junkyard/parts car. It started life as a Maroon over Beachwood T-Top 4cyl Coupe. It appears to have had a rough life since then- it's guesstimated at having around 140-150k miles, the engine has a sticky valve which can make for some smokey startups, the front & rear fascias have been swapped to GT (early GT/SE with ribbed on the front- smooth molding everywhere else), and sadly- the interior was almost completely sprayed black- which doesn't look too great. This is probably the roughest Fiero I've ever actually driven.
Tops in...
Tops out...
Rear 3/4 view...
A little smoke on startup (this is a "good" start)
Well, the future plans for this car? I'm going to fix it of course! Starting with the suspension (full overhaul), then the interior (full overhaul- probably to Gray), then swap the tired auto for my old '84 4:10 4-speed stick, next the motor (I want a V8 in my Green GT, then put my 3.1 in the coupe), and finally the body and wheels- which are undecided... but I am leaning toward a bright metallic green (modern Mustang GT color or similiar), and silver 18/17 wheels.
Just don't expect to see much progress anytime soon- the GreenGT is still my priority!
Originally posted by 86seyellow: Looks like a great find, So did you happen to snoop in my parts pile at dales??
...I might have quite a few parts u might need. I got grey interior, sail panels and more
Yeah, I browsed through the pile- didn't take anything though. I may hit you up for a few parts, but nothing too specific yet- I need to strip some parts from a few parts cars and see what else I need! I'll let you know.
The wierdest thing about this car is how much attention it gets... people comment more on this primer-black rough-rider than I usually get on my GreenGT!?
And for those that might notice something is different, but can't quite tell what- it's got the Aero front & rear fascias, but not the side trim & rockers. Pretty much like Tigger has on his orange '84- which is another reason I really liked the looks of this car!
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06:11 PM
Smoooooth GT Member
Posts: 8823 From: Lake Palestine, Texas Registered: Jun 2001
I knew that you were up to something.. Great Find.
------------------ Under Construction.... Still!! SmoothFieroGT@Yahoo.com People from Texas that plan on going to the 20th Anniv. Show in Pontiac, Michigan July 17th-20th 2003 email me to coordinate the Texas Convoy up there at "TexasFieroTrainToPontiacMichigan@yahoo.com"
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06:13 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Congrats on your new purchase. I have to say though, that you're a braver man than I...there is no way in he11 I would've driven an "unknown" car in that condition on a 980 mile road trip. For some reason I always get real paranoid about driving on road trips..afraid somethings gonna break down on the car. I cant believe that little duke made it! But she did...now you've got some good times ahead restoring it! (BTW, Mustang metallic green? I always call it "garbage fly green", but to each his own! Cant wait to see it done!) Oh yeah I almost forgot...for some reason I wanna say I saw that car at Ed Parks swap meet back in April. Am I correct?
------------------ The force will be with you, always.
[This message has been edited by My7Fieros (edited 07-30-2002).]
Thanks everyone for the comments... I'm really enjoying the prospect of this kind of project car. There is a lot of stuff I don't usually tackle on the GreenGT because it is my daily form of transportation. With the coupe project, I can take stuff apart without the worry of having it back together to get to work in the morning!
My7Fieros... yeah, I was a bit weary- but I somehow just knew it was meant to be! Risky? You bet... fun? not exactly... worth it? That is really yet to be seen. But so far- yes! As for the question about it being at Ed Parks... you'd have to ask Dale (Songman) to be sure, but I know he drove it quite a bit- I think he mentioned having taken it to "run for the hills" as well.
edhering... 14" wheels? Nope- those are stock/black 88GT 15" lace wheels. They'll eventually be for sale, but not just yet (I'm not spending any money on fancy wheels until I know the project is going somewhere, I can afford them, and I decide on the final style). They also have great nearly-new Dunlop GT Qualifier tires... which the rears may end up on my GT very soon (considering how bald my current Dunlops are).
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12:51 AM
GTFiero1 Member
Posts: 6508 From: Camden County NJ Registered: Sep 2001
Originally posted by MinnGreenGT: edhering... 14" wheels? Nope- those are stock/black 88GT 15" lace wheels. They'll eventually be for sale, but not just yet (I'm not spending any money on fancy wheels until I know the project is going somewhere, I can afford them, and I decide on the final style). They also have great nearly-new Dunlop GT Qualifier tires... which the rears may end up on my GT very soon (considering how bald my current Dunlops are).
[snaps fingers] Crud! I'd like to find a set of 14" diamond spoke rims, assuming such a beast exists.
Well, it sounds like it'll be a little while before you sell the rims. I could use 15" rims but it'll be a little while before I can afford them *and* the rubber that goes on 'em...hmm...I think I'll keep my eyes on your future threads...
Thanks anyway! Ed
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04:11 AM
Tigger Member
Posts: 4368 From: Flint, MI USA Registered: Sep 2000
Looks like you will have your hands full for awhile with that project! By the way I didn't get that brochure you made for me, if you didn't send it just bring it to the FOCOA Nationals since we will both be there or if your not finished with it thats ok (take your time) I just want to make sure it didn't get lost in the mail! See you at the Nationals!
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08:21 AM
PFF
System Bot
Songman Member
Posts: 12496 From: Nashville, TN Registered: Aug 2000
Brian, I did have that car down at Ed's this year but it still had the chrome 5-spoke wheels on it. Had it parked back there by Doug Kinney's stuff.
And I did take it on the RFTH last year too. There was no danger of that little Duke giving up on you on the way home, Rob. I have driven that car all over the country and it has never stopped on me. My trip home when I first bought it was half of what yours was and the car was in a lot worse shape then (if you can imagine). I drove it home that night, to Alabama the next day, back to Nashville, then to GA, back to Nashville, and then to Washington, DC and back in the first week I had it. Close to 2000 miles.
I had the only 4-cylinder at the RFTH last year and it did just fine. And even with the worn out suspension I handled the Dragon just fine. Better than a lot of the GTs did.
Have fun with it, Rob. It has potential to be a great one... And that is really what all of us here have.
Originally posted by GTFiero1: Are those extra turn signals on the front fenders below the molding?
Yup- and they're wired to flash alternately with the normal signal light. I like 'em!
fierohoho- I may just have to bring it to one of our get togethers as well... it'd be fun
Ed- 14" Diamond spokes huh? I've been searching for 17" and/or 18" and the only place that I've found is Compomotive (custom built at $500ea). I know Prime Wheels sells a gold lace wheel (Model 250) from 13"-16"! I just don't know how expensive they are, or where to get 'em (I believe Sears may be able to special order them). I'll be sure to think of you when I need to sell the wheels.
Tigger- yeah, it's the small camaro spoiler... I kinda like it- for now.
FieroJohnWI- I have not had a chance to get 'em in the mail yet... I'll bring all that I have printed with me this weekend.
Dale- yeah, I knew that you were pretty confident that the car would make it... that helped my confidence in getting it home greatly. Thanks!
Bad news Rob!! I tried getting the old 4 speed out well the jack slipped through the rusty cradle and craked the casing. I junked the car with tranny and engine in it. I got the padle, master, shifter, cables. You will need trans, clutch, slave was shout and lines. Tony
Originally posted by lowfierogt: Bad news Rob!! I tried getting the old 4 speed out well the jack slipped through the rusty cradle and craked the casing. I junked the car with tranny and engine in it. I got the pedal, master, shifter, cables. You will need trans, clutch, slave was shot and lines. Tony
Well that sucks! Guess I'll be shopping around for another tranny then. You didn't keep the Clutch, Pressure plate, and TO Bearing? They were new just before I stopped driving the car- doh! Also, did you happen to grab the head off the engine? It also has completely rebuilt before I stopped driving the car!
If not, where did you junk it? It might be worth going back for some of those parts (especially the head).
I forgot about the clutch and head. Car went to the metal scrap yard in Anoka. I'm sure its still there. I forgot the name of the place. Hey you want to convert your t-top car into a fastback? I'm selling a 85 GT with clip on it for 500.00
[This message has been edited by lowfierogt (edited 07-30-2002).]
Originally posted by lowfierogt: I forgot about the clutch and head. Car went to the metal scrap yard in Anoka. I'm sure its still there. I forgot the name of the place.
Hey you want to convert your t-top car into a fastback? I'm selling a 85 GT with clip on it for 500.00
A Fastback? Actually, no thanks. I'm going to leave the body pretty much as it is (that, and I really can't have another car). I just need to get a different GT front fascia- the one on it has ribbed molding and I'd like to have the whole car consistent with smooth moldings. It's either that or I get creative with flexible body filler
As for the parts, it's probably worth stopping by for at least the head- it was a $200+ performance rebuid! (I don't know if that would bolt onto my 88 4cyl, if it did- I'd take it). But the clutch and stuff is pretty cheap to replace and wouldn't be worth going back for.
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12:06 PM
86seyellow Member
Posts: 1147 From: wabasha, Minnesota, 55981 Registered: May 2001
tell me more about that fastback ok!!! does it run?? cna it be driven to Wabahsa?? need info bad!!!!
It need to be finished. Needs battery cables, oil changed, TB position sensor connected and other engine wires connected. Needs most of the body put back on car. I have all the parts, but trunk lock. Could get it to drive but I don't have the time to put back together. Thats why I only want 500.00. I'm willing to let you use my garage to get back together and drive it home. I know it has a good engine and tranny. I have the clean title. I'm buying another Fiero and need it out of the garage.
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12:41 PM
tomanyfieros Member
Posts: 2702 From: Albany, Ohio Registered: Nov 2000
GTFiero1- nope... they both have the very tip molded into the fascia itself, and the early (grooved) ones also had it molded into the back. Go look at your GT up close... you'll see what I mean
Doug Chase- yeah, me too! especially without cruise control, and a rough ride at 75!
Originally posted by MinnGreenGT: GTFiero1- nope... they both have the very tip molded into the fascia itself, and the early (grooved) ones also had it molded into the back. Go look at your GT up close... you'll see what I mean
The "bullet" moldings (the small ones at the tip of the fascia) are held on by 2 speed nuts, so you can remove them and install the proper smooth style moldings.
The rear ribbed molding is part of the fascia, but can be cut off with a razor blade (xacto knife, etc.)......the new smooth style sidemarker will cover up where this molding used to be.
So, there is no reason to hunt for another front fascia....just use what you've got! (BTW.....I have done this several times and it works great).
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09:25 PM
Songman Member
Posts: 12496 From: Nashville, TN Registered: Aug 2000
Just 75mph? haha... That's way slower than I usually drive it! Trust me, it will go way beyond what that 85mph speedo will show! I was following a buddy of mine in his GT going right through the heart of Nashville on I-40. He said we were going well over 100.
On that trip back from DC I got behind a trucker and shaved about 3 hours off the trip!
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09:35 PM
Synthesis Member
Posts: 12207 From: Jordan, MN Registered: Feb 2002
Rob, I have a functional 4 speed manual tranny for sale. 1985 GT V6 is what it is coming out of... Not sure on the gearing.
120 bucks and it is yours. Will even toss in the clutch *Unknown condition) Pressure plate and flywheel for the V6... If you need the shift cables and linkages and shifter assembly, all of that is intact as well. Included in cost.
[This message has been edited by Synthesis (edited 07-30-2002).]
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10:53 PM
Synthesis Member
Posts: 12207 From: Jordan, MN Registered: Feb 2002
Hell. Blonde moment, you probably need the clutch pedal assembly, master and slave cylinder and the lines in between. I believe all those are intact.... An even 150 and it is all yours...
Cant wait to see it done!)
