[img]https://images.fiero.nl/userimages/LondonBridge/380527356_8157109 67229673_3464163755827604123_n.jpg[/img]


Hello everyone!

First let me apologize if I am breaking any rules, it is not intentional.

I run an estate sale company in Gainesville, FL. Although we deal with lots of cars most of them are from this century.
It appears to be all original
We have this 1985 Fiero. It is not currently in running condition. I think it has thrown a rod. milage is around 110k
There is also no battery.
There are a few minor dings on the outside and the drivers side front quarter catches the door and pops when you open the drivers side door.
The interior is in good condition for its age and milage with only some yellowing of the door panel armrests.
The original radio has removed and is on the floor

The kicker is there is a new engine for it in a crate. The engine was purchased from Germany 10 years ago and was supposed to be installed but never was.

I am looking to get an idea of value and desirability on this car. Also suggestions on the best way to sell it.
Should we sell the car seperate form the engine? Sell together? I really appreciate any help

I have uploaded some photos but do have lots more. Thanks so much in advance for any help

Here is the engine

Car w/ blown motor often won't sell for much even w/ a good body etc. Your "big problem" is Many can't/won't spend more, often a lot more, $ to flatbed a car more then the local area. Uhaul car trailer & related needs tow vehicle rated to tow 5000+ lb because car + trailer are heavy & that vehicle eats Fuel.

(That's if can find a buyer doesn't have to deal w/ HOA or Code Enforcement for having a "dead" car parked outside. Even you can have problems now pushing car outside, worse on grass, in many areas.)

The Engine is a "short block" if doesn't have a head. A "Long block" w/ head.
But been in "storage" w/ iffy plastic cover & maybe other issues for years/decades & many buying likely need to watch is still good....
Example: Short block Will need to look in the cylinder bores & more to see if has rust etc that need to be removed before using & can affect sell price. If has big rust problems then may need redo honing or worse.

"Crate" Motor can/will rust in most storage areas as moisture in air condenses for weather changes. Dirt often finds any small crack to get in whatever too adding to rust problems.
"Crate" Motor Dealers etc expect some storage when in inventory & protect for that but not for decades & whatever protection may not last. Plastic cover is part of that has big hole(s).

Is this Picture flipped or Engine actually stored upside down?

If engine is stored upside down & has no oil pan then likely have a lot of dirt on piston bottoms etc. & harder to clean even if doesn't have rust problems.

Does it say who did the rebuild engine or is it New?
Some Rebuilt Co's are really bad to churn out product in volume.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

quote Originally posted by LondonBridge: The kicker is there is a new engine for it in a crate. The engine was purchased from Germany 10 years ago...

From Germany? Why from Germany? Do you know exactly what that engine is?

quote Originally posted by LondonBridge: I have uploaded some photos but do have lots more.

If you hit your Enter key after each image upload, the URL address won't become corrupted (and therefore not display) on any of them.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 10-30-2023).]

To cut to the chase, and ignoring our resident "hand wringer", I'm thinking that as it sits, it's worth a maximum of $2500. More likely half of that, or even less. The crate motor isn't likely going to count for much, unless it's pristine.
But it's difficult to judge, further, without seeing interior pics, etc.
One thing that is quite a show-stopper is rust. If you don't mind... pull back the carpet on the short sides of the rear compartment. Post pictures of the walls from the rubber gasket, down to the "ledge".
This is where the upper rear frame rails are welded to the body, and probably the first place that Fieros start to rust, other than the tin plugs in the floor pan. Since you're inland Florida, I wouldn't expect this to be an issue, but anyone who knows what they're doing is going to want to see.
I could also be way off. It might be a diamond in the rough, when viewed in person.

One downside (at least in my opinion) is that it's an (untested) automatic transmission. Most prospective Fiero owners are looking for a manual trans.

On the other hand, it actually looks good, from what I can see. It doesn't look like it's going to need a paint job, any time soon. Again, more pictures are always better.
The door "catching" on the fender is not a really big deal. I've had two Fieros that did this. Just be sure that you don't allow the door to bend and crack the fender. That can happen.
Fixing the "interference" is not difficult. It's just "a thing".
Edit - Looks like the interference is caused by the fender not being attached at the bottom. (It allows the fender to sag, under its own weight, and pulls the upper portion in towards the car.) Usually an easy fix, for someone who knows the cars.

Please take my advice as being worth exactly what it costs you.
If I were in the market for a Fiero, I would be looking for something newer, with a manual. So I may not be the best judge.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 10-30-2023).]

He is my non sugar coated response.

Its a 85SE with a Duke, and Automatic. Even if it ran it would bring 2500-3500. This is probably one of the least desirable configurations.

The crate motor, assuming its a duke is probably worth 300-400 hundred on its own. Its been sitting who knows how long. Likely unoiled. Plus, its only a duke a paltry engine (I own and drive several, I'm not a hater just a realist) with verifiable, running examples readily available.

Its in decent-good shape, which is a plus. But there are just so many decent running notchbacks available, of higher and more desirable trim levels that I just dont see a ton here. You would have a good day selling the whole lot to a wide eyed teen looking for a project for 1500 and washing your hands of it. I wouldnt expect a ton more than that.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: If you hit your Enter key after each image upload, the URL address won't become corrupted (and therefore not display) on any of them.

I do not know why from Germany. The man who owns it is a major car buff. He rebuilt his 1969 Jag with all original parts and rebuilt a few others as well.. My guess is that was the only place he could find a "new" original engine at the time. He mentioned that it was funny he got itt form Germany. He is an bit of a character. Has a collection of vintage computers as well and still uses Apple III daily.

The interior photos look better than I would have expected. Looks to need a good shampooing, and a bit of attention to the soft trim (We're all accustomed to that.) and not much else. The dash corners even look good, from what I can see. (We call them "knee knockers" for a reason. And they usually suffer for it. )
A bit of scrubbing with a magic eraser will make the armrests look like new.

With all of that said, if you've been offered $3K, it would probably be worth your while to accept it. Unless, of course, you get offered more. (I have no idea of the terms of your auction(?).

Good luck!

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 10-30-2023).]

3K is right on!

Congrats!

quote Originally posted by Dukesterpro: It's an 85SE with a Duke, and Automatic / This is probably one of the least desirable configurations / It's in decent-good shape, which is a plus / You would have a good day selling the whole lot to a wide eyed teen looking for a project for 1500 and washing your hands of it.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: the 0-60 time for a Fiero with a duke and 3-spd auto is about a week and a half.

My first Fiero was a ’84 ‘Iron Duke’ 2M4 SE with a 4-speed manual which was gutless on the level with a big jump from 3rd to 4th if you're climbing a hill!

So, IMHO is a good 'chassis' and I saw a member who paid $5.5k for a non-running Duke in August which was worse shape than this car so - GOOD LUCK!

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