It's been awhile since my last Fiero adventure. I'm in the planning stages of my next. What have I been up to you ask? Well I've been pretty busy building some other cars. Helped my buddy Jeff rehab a 65 Fury III with a complete 440/dual quad monster motor and a complete interior redo. Helping Frizlefrak work on his 70 Mach 1 and finished (it will never be really finished) my 1970 Monte project. And some tidbits here and there on Rick's Mera and Jan's Formula.
I had "sworn" off Fiero's - said I'd never have another one.... I know, I know - that's just not right! Well I'm happy to report that the Fiero bug has bitten me once again. I am currently in the middle of a move from El Paso to Omaha (Bought a house in Omaha (it has a huge garage) and just sold my house in El Paso) so the move date is set for mid June. I'll be sad to leave my Fiero family in El Paso behind - they are truly a great bunch of guys and I will miss them terribly. I hope to make some new ones in the Omaha area in the coming months. As soon as I get settled in the new house, I will start looking for a candidate Fiero. Here's what I have planned so far:
I'll be looking for a notchie in the 86/87 vintage - I hate to cut the top off a perfectly good GT. The plan is to build a Roadster. Power plant will be the 3800SC with an auto (because I'm getting old and don't like to shift!). I've had the 4.9, 350 Chevy and built a few 3800SC's - I think the 3800SC is the best choice. Of course I will do a complete custom hand built interior, lightened - shaved down doors, laid back windshield, intergrated X bracing with roll bar/cage type thingie, and a host of other "custom" touches. Stay tuned for the "Build". Glad to be back in the Fiero state of mind!
You seem to like to go wherever thoes Werner terminals are.. you'll like omaha.. shame though.. i was planning to move to el paso once i have nothing keeping me in PA.
Welcome back you big lug! Good to see you back on. I had a look at the map and was going to offer you a place to stop in on the way but you aren't really going anywhere near me. Altough, you know if you wanted to wander towards St Louis or Chicago you always have a place to stop for a night or two!!!
[This message has been edited by johnyrottin (edited 05-05-2012).]
I knew you would get the itch for another Fiero. Even though they can drive you nuts, I didn't believe you when you said no more.......Fiero's are too much fun.
Thanks everyone for the comments! It's amazing to me - I have been Fieroless for awhile and never noticed any while I was out traveling around the country. I started my long drive back to El Paso this am. Decided to take the interstate all the way so the route takes me across I-80 to I-76 into Colo. We stopped in Fort Morgan for gas and lunch. We were sitting in the Subway and what pulls into the parking lot - that's right - a nice shiny black Notchie - looked like an 88 Formula. Could not catch the owner but I got a few pics!
When I stopped at the gas station on the way out of town, the Notchie was in the drive thru of the DQ!
As we were heading down I-29 around Larkspur exit - mile marker 192, I spied a yellow wingless Notchie headed North about 4:00.
There's a '85 GT near you in Sioux City. The guy wants $700 OBO and says there is absolutely no rust. It's red with brown/tan interior. No sunroof and an auto. He claims it only has like 71k miles but it's been sitting and doesn't run. It's listed on CL there in Omaha. I was looking to buy it but figured I'd see if you wanted it first.
Thanks for the heads up Mike! I'm not quite ready just yet - I'm back in El Paso until the movers come for all my junk. Once I get moved into Omaha and get "settled" in, I can start my search. Don't let it slip by on my account. I may be looking for a Driver with a 3800SC already done - makes the rest of my plans a little easier.
One step closer to the next project. I head for Omaha next week to finalize the purchase of my house. The house in El Paso is sold! I come back to El Paso next Friday and will spend the next 3 days packing all the garage stuff that the movers will not take - torch bottles, weld bottles, any "liquids", etc. Will be an official Omaha resident by the 13th. I will start my search by the weekend of the 16th! I have the new project "visualized" in my head - wish I had some artistic skills and could put it on paper. I think I have decided on a 3800SC - not sure about trans just yet. I like the "ease" of auto but I'd like to auto cross this one on ocaision.
Once I find a suitable donor car, I will start phase one - basically will srtip the car to the bones so that the chassis mods can be done. It will be a roadster - no roof, shortened windshield with a custom tubular skeleton. More to come.
Nearly 6 months since my last Fiero confession! Winter is setting in and there are no "projects" in the garage so it's time for a Fiero project. Looking for my next victim now - anyone in the Mid West area - Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas that has or knows of a fairly clean 86 or 87 Notchie - need not be running - send me a PM. Willing to hook up the trailer and take a weekend run to pick up the right candidate. There are a few right here in Omaha - even one that comes with a 3800SC ready to swap in but it's a GT. My "vision" requires some chopping and I hate to cut up a GT - but I can always find a Notchie rear clip to "shave"! More to come!
Nearly 6 months since my last Fiero confession! Winter is setting in and there are no "projects" in the garage so it's time for a Fiero project. Looking for my next victim now - anyone in the Mid West area - Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas that has or knows of a fairly clean 86 or 87 Notchie - need not be running - send me a PM. Willing to hook up the trailer and take a weekend run to pick up the right candidate. There are a few right here in Omaha - even one that comes with a 3800SC ready to swap in but it's a GT. My "vision" requires some chopping and I hate to cut up a GT - but I can always find a Notchie rear clip to "shave"! More to come!
Nearly 6 months since my last Fiero confession! Winter is setting in and there are no "projects" in the garage so it's time for a Fiero project. Looking for my next victim now - anyone in the Mid West area - Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas that has or knows of a fairly clean 86 or 87 Notchie - need not be running - send me a PM. Willing to hook up the trailer and take a weekend run to pick up the right candidate. There are a few right here in Omaha - even one that comes with a 3800SC ready to swap in but it's a GT. My "vision" requires some chopping and I hate to cut up a GT - but I can always find a Notchie rear clip to "shave"! More to come!
Thanks for the links! The Des Moines one has some promise - and it's fairly close! Pretty much the "blank" canvas I am looking for. Ther just are not that many "builder's" out there. Even Ebay does not have much of a selection like it used to! I'll find the right one - usually when I least expect it.
Want to take my indy off my hands? Just too many fieros!
Now what kind of "hell" would I get if I chopped up a very nice Indy? Although, I do have some ideas for resurecting a "tired" Indy should one come a long! Thinking a drive train out of a last year Cobalt SS and make a daily driver out of it????
After I win the Lottery tonight, I'll help clean out your "herd"!
LOL...thought I would offer. If you want to start from scratch there is an 85 GT frame with the body on it up here that is spotlessly rust free. No motor ot interior but it had low miles.
Spent all day "looking" for the right donor car - there are not many around this area - at least not on CL or EBay. All I want is a clean 86 - 87 Duke/Auto for 600.00! You would think they woud be easy to find. I might ave to take a road trip with a trailer.
Got a nibble - if I can get this guy to call me back, I may have a Fiero in the garage tomorrow! Silver 87 - Duke/Auto - runs and drives - 65k miles - 1500.00!
If is sounds like a Duke, smells like melting / burning engine oil, and is dirty as all get out , Then it is probably a Duke. 87's were the best ones to have. DIS with out the forced balancer crap. Also they take the oil filter in the usual place just behind the Alternator.
If is sounds like a Duke, smells like melting / burning engine oil, and is dirty as all get out , Then it is probably a Duke. 87's were the best ones to have. DIS with out the forced balancer crap. Also they take the oil filter in the usual place just behind the Alternator.
Yes - Joe - it's a Duke but it won't be in there for long! This car will be getting a "major" overhaul!
Engine/trans swap - I'd liket to do an LS3 but will probably start with a 3800SC (because I have one in the garage). I've done the 4.9, 350 SBC and a few 3800SC's -the 3800 - from my experinece has been the "easiest" - basically plug and play and the most bang for the buck. The LS3 will require a little more work and a few more dollars. I'd like to get the car running/driving with all the mods done then pick up another cradle and start the LS3 setup while I enjoy the 3800SC setup. When it's ready, do the swap and compare the difference? Or maybe play with a Turbo setup on the 3800 (I have zero Turbo experience). I have a vison for a "Roadster" but not set in stone. It will be unique regardless of direction. Interior will be completely custom and one of a kind. When I moved to Omaha from El Paso, I brought all the custom dash and console molds I was making for my XTC that never got finished. I'll do the big brakes, and all the rest of the Fiero mods to suspension and such. I'd like to take it to a few track days and play with it in the twisties - living here in Omaha, I'm only about 6 miles from a nice track and drag strip. I have been a hot rodder / drag racer for years but would really like to do something in the autocross world. The car will be built with that in mind. I always wanted to build a Cobra from the ground up but the cost always was a stumbling block for me - I am thinking about building a Fiero with a "Cobra" flare. Becuase it will cost half as much but mainyt becuase I love the Fiero more than the Cobra. Besides, the last big car show I went to this Fall - there were about 40 Cobra's and not one Fiero! I just need to find the "right" Fiero to start the project.
If you don't find the right one up there, I am looking for a few things that seem to be impossible to get down here. I loves me some swappin'
Short list. 1600+ air cooled VW engine. (duel port) 2.8 or 3.4 for the red 84. (already been converted, but block froze last winter.) Iroc Camaro 5X105 rims/tires 18"
More like a Christmas list that I am working on if the Fieros go away.
If you don't find the right one up there, I am looking for a few things that seem to be impossible to get down here. I loves me some swappin'
Short list. 1600+ air cooled VW engine. (duel port) 2.8 or 3.4 for the red 84. (already been converted, but block froze last winter.) Iroc Camaro 5X105 rims/tires 18"
More like a Christmas list that I am working on if the Fieros go away.
Here is my new project...
So let me guess - a Sonic Turbo motor in a Fiero?????
X2
