Hey friends! It's been a long, long time since I posted here.
I last posted here stating my intent to resurrect an 88 T-tops in my garage. I didn't have the drive to complete that project and very recently gave the car and all of my inventory of parts away to somebody else. I've still got fun cars, but none of them are Fieros.
I'm mulling heading north for the Fiero 40th Anniversary Celebration. I hope to renew some old acquaintances and wax nostalgic about a car that was once an obsession. Are there other members here who no longer own Fieros but who plan to attend?
Hey friends! It's been a long, long time since I posted here.
I last posted here stating my intent to resurrect an 88 T-tops in my garage. I didn't have the drive to complete that project and very recently gave the car and all of my inventory of parts away to somebody else. I've still got fun cars, but none of them are Fieros.
I'm mulling heading north for the Fiero 40th Anniversary Celebration. I hope to renew some old acquaintances and wax nostalgic about a car that was once an obsession. Are there other members here who no longer own Fieros but who plan to attend?
Hey Dave! It's been a long time... I'm sure you don't even remember me, but you helped me get that 1985 Fiero GT many years ago from someone in Ohio, and I think we also met at the Daytona 2000 Fiero meet. Oddly enough, haha... when I was living in Texas, there was a road that I'd pass under while on I-10 that was called "Rodabaugh Drive" and I'd always be like... "I know that dude..." hahah...
What's the info on the 40th? I haven't been to a Fiero "meet" / "show" in over 23 years.
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: Hey Dave! It's been a long time... I'm sure you don't even remember me, but you helped me get that 1985 Fiero GT many years ago from someone in Ohio, and I think we also met at the Daytona 2000 Fiero meet. Oddly enough, haha... when I was living in Texas, there was a road that I'd pass under while on I-10 that was called "Rodabaugh Drive" and I'd always be like... "I know that dude..." hahah...
What's the info on the 40th? I haven't been to a Fiero "meet" / "show" in over 23 years.
I didn't realize it was at the M1, that's about an hour and half from me, so I might swing by. I haven't attended an anniversary show since the 25th when I rented a U Haul and started clearing out all the Fiero parts I had collected over the years. I still miss our Fiero's. We sold our last Fiero 5/29/2009 in preparation of buying an 09 Pontiac Solstice targa top coupe. Our 85GT, C&C t-top and fastback converted via FOCOA Phil & Gloria. .
Hey Dave! It's been a minute. I hope you're doing well. I've got a Fiero but, unfortunately, I'm probably not going.
I'm so pleased to hear from you!
I'm doing pretty well, and I hope you are too. You may or may not remember that the first Fiero Swap Meet in 1999 was about six weeks after my wedding. Everybody seemed to think it remarkable that my wife let me go so soon after the big day. I'm pleased to say that she and I just celebrated 24 years of marriage. We have three spawn (Ian, 17; Ivan, 16; Isaiah, 14). We've had our ups-and-downs in life: kids with issues, two victorious bouts with cancer, the ebb and flow of career, but we're doing well.
Car wise, this is my latest toy. I've had it for about six weeks. It's way more car than I know how to handle.
Hey Dave! It's been a long time... I'm sure you don't even remember me, but you helped me get that 1985 Fiero GT many years ago from someone in Ohio, and I think we also met at the Daytona 2000 Fiero meet.
I don't remember such assistance but I surely want to be reminded! If you'll send me a PM with your name, that might help me remember.
I'm sure I wasn't at Daytona 2000 since I've never been to Daytona.
quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:Oddly enough, haha... when I was living in Texas, there was a road that I'd pass under while on I-10 that was called "Rodabaugh Drive" and I'd always be like... "I know that dude..." hahah...
That's fabulous!
Around 2003, I had a short-term client in Bellefontaine, OH. One day as I was leaving the client's building, I turned the wrong way to get to the road back to Columbus and there was... my name in lights! Seriously! There was an attorney in Bellefontaine named David Rodabaugh and he had a lighted sign, surrounded by lights, in front of the house converted to his office! This was before I had a digital camera, so I couldn't take a picture of it but I wish I had. I think that attorney has moved his office to Lima, OH. I often wonder if he still has his (my) name in lights.
I didn't realize it was at the M1, that's about an hour and half from me, so I might swing by. I haven't attended an anniversary show since the 25th when I rented a U Haul and started clearing out all the Fiero parts I had collected over the years. I still miss our Fiero's. We sold our last Fiero 5/29/2009 in preparation of buying an 09 Pontiac Solstice targa top coupe.
I also miss driving a Fiero. I never tired of the engine firing up behind my head.
I had a couple of Fieros, two in particular, that were projects I never completed. One of them is still in one of my garages, with its back end up in the air and no cradle in it. It's been that way since <censored>. If I ever want to resurrect it, I'll need a complete rear end since I no longer have sufficient components to reassemble it.
In March 2022, a buddy asked me to go to an auto auction. There, I urged him to buy a 2005 Pontiac Vibe, 6MT. Two hours later I gave him bad news: it had a bad head gasket. Over the next few months we rehabbed that car. We pulled the drivetrain to replace the head, timing chain, and clutch. We also replaced every single front suspension component except for the steering rack. BTW... installing inner tie rods is a *lot* easier without the drivetrain in the car. I had an accident installing a stove at one of my rental houses and cut two tendons in my left thumb, so I needed several weeks for surgery and recovery that delayed our already-sporadic work, but we eventually got it done. I've had new cars since 2015 so I haven't done any serious car work in several years, and I forgot how much I like it so long as I have somebody with whom to do it. He knew I knew how to fix cars but I don't think he realized the extent until I showed up with an engine hoist in the back of my minivan and we pulled the drivetrain out of the car.
My buddy drives a lot and put 10,000 trouble-free miles on it until it got rear-ended two weeks ago.
I could lean on him to join me working on the Fiero. He says he owes me, which I dispute, and I know we'd both enjoy it. Now, if I can find a complete running rear end...
------------------ GO BUCKS!!!
[This message has been edited by Dave Rodabaugh (edited 04-04-2023).]
Originally posted by Dave Rodabaugh: I'm so pleased to hear from you!
I'm doing pretty well, and I hope you are too. You may or may not remember that the first Fiero Swap Meet in 1999 was about six weeks after my wedding. Everybody seemed to think it remarkable that my wife let me go so soon after the big day. I'm pleased to say that she and I just celebrated 24 years of marriage. We have three spawn (Ian, 17; Ivan, 16; Isaiah, 14). We've had our ups-and-downs in life: kids with issues, two victorious bouts with cancer, the ebb and flow of career, but we're doing well.
Car wise, this is my latest toy. I've had it for about six weeks. It's way more car than I know how to handle.
I still remember going to to the early swap meets. They kind of run together. But I do remember seeing you there.
Congrats on your 24th. My wife and I just celebrated 25, yesterday. Good on ya' with the "chirrens". We married "later" in life, so we didn't have any. Congrats on beating the cancer. We've dodged that bullet, so far. but we've had... other stuff. Mostly resolved, at this point.
I retired a year ago. I'm thinking it could get good to me, but the jury is still out.
That's my favorite gen of Corvette. In profile, it reminds me of a 63-67. But maybe that's just me. I currently have 3 Fieros. One of them is getting a 3.4 DOHC, as soon as I get the time...
I'm still debating about attending. I've made all the past anniversary events, but I don't know if I can survive a 3 day road trip in my Fiero up and 3 days back. I'm planning on a trip to the Dells, but I'm taking my Tucson with a bunch of parts to sell off. Getting old is a PITA.
Dave, I remember you well as a very active member of the Fiero community and the days as young guys we posted on the Fierolist. Gee that must have been almost 25 years ago! We crossed paths once and chatted at Ed Parks (R.I.P.) Fiero Factory open house in Toney AL. Sorry to hear that you sold your Fiero but glad that you still have interest. Now as a senior I am still active, enjoy the hobby but a sore back has cut back on my wrenching time. If you also decide to drop by Fieros at GM's at Carlisle in June you may see some of the long time hobbyists there too. That is a terrific event and has drawn over 100 Fieros a few times. Don't believe that I will make the 40th but it will be large. Have fun and enjoy the event.
------------------ " 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 "
I hope you're doing well. 
