I been reminding members that Rodney will close his doors in spring of 2024.......
From his site, this is Rodney's Updated Plans:
quote
I have not found anyone to take over my business. So: We built a home in Denver. A 55+ community. We have had it for two years now. We go there for a week every two months or so. But we are not happy there. The lot size is minuscule and I only have a smallish 3 car garage. So we are selling it and looking for a different home in the Denver area. An existing home. We do not want to go thru a new build again. We both want a larger yard and most important is I want more garage space. All my life I have been a garage person and I like to make things etc. Ideally we will find a home where I can add on to the existing garage or put in an additional garage. So my plan now is to take my business to Denver. But: I am not making much of anything anymore in my shop here. I am also not restocking many items. You may have noticed some of my parts are out of stock now. That trend will continue. Once in Denver I will probably just sell out my existing stock and as I run out of things discontinue them. Hopefully this all happens in 2024. Once we start moving out of our home here in Wi there will be a few/several months when I will not be able to sell anything.
-- Thank you, Rodney Dickman
------------------ Original Owner of a Silver '88 GT Under 'Production Refurbishment' @ 136k Miles
Yeah I've telling fellow Fiero owners that, as well as buying everything I could possibly need, on the plus side, he is likely getting much more business very recently, I've gotten like $800, all the bushings for the pedals, shifter, transmission linkage, new shifter cables, EGR tube, stickers, speakers, etc. And all of that has made a very very noticeable improvement to the look and feel of my Fiero, hopefully improves how it drives as well, but it's winter, so I can't test that. Like with any retailer there is the occasional shipping error, sending the wrong item, or missing something, etc. But the way that Rodney handles that is superb, no questions asked, just resends what was ordered. All of his parts are the highest quality, and 99% of the time do exactly what they are supposed to do exactly the way they are supposed to do it (only part I've found that doesn't seem to meet original specs is the early clutch master, still feels really good, and I still use it) Thank you Rodney for all the work that you have done for the Fiero community, it is sad that you are having to close down to retire. Did you ever think of remaining owner and "hiring" someone or a group of people to do the actual work, run the website, pack orders and assemble products, that way you would have a reasonable passive income from the business, and not need to do everything. It would end up being no more work for you to do that then it would be to train the person who buys the whole business, and then it would be able to keep its name and everything. Just a thought.
It seems like the Fiero Store should be interested in taking over Rodney's operation- maybe not any new development, but the stuff already perfected...
It seems like the Fiero Store should be interested in taking over Rodney's operation- maybe not any new development, but the stuff already perfected...
Can we organize something where a bunch of us just keep calling them and bugging them until they do this?
I’m really not looking forward to Rodney’s business being gone. It’s going to be a lot harder owning Fieros very soon
Actually, that would be great if TFS would / could step up and buy Rodney’s business. It’s in their area of expertise, and some parts they currently don’t offer. Technically, I’m worried in various ways about Rodney’s business because for over 15 years, I have bought so many 88 specific parts for my 88s, and if he didn’t offer these reproduction parts, my 88s would of been the cars they are. All simple parts no longer from GM. Rodney has always had reproduction parts that were superior than GM replacements, especially the shift cables, and clutch master and slave cylinders. Many other odds and ends he sells making our Fiero better in every way. Every American “speciality” or unique car out there should have a guy with a parts business like Rodney’s to keep the hobby alive for car enthusiasts like us. He does deserve a retirement party in his 3 door garage. 😋
It would be great if the Fiero store was able to, but the Fiero store is a business, without as much personality, Rodney's stuff is clearly made with love and care, and if someone who didn't care as much or a bigger business like TFS bought it, unfortunately quality would inevitably go downhill, and there would be nothing that could be done about it, and no one's fault particularly, just the difference between mom/pop shop and Walmart, except that that mom/pop shop is rivaling "Walmart's" product list, while maintaining quality. Pretty much impossible, and amazing that Rodney lasted so long. Putting care into a dozen products distributed in one town is one thing, but that same amount of care into hundreds of products shipped many times over, all over the world for decades is extremely impressive.
Actually, that would be great if TFS would / could step up and buy Rodney’s business. It’s in their area of expertise, and some parts they currently don’t offer. Technically, I’m worried in various ways about Rodney’s business because for over 15 years, I have bought so many 88 specific parts for my 88s, and if he didn’t offer these reproduction parts, my 88s would of been the cars they are. All simple parts no longer from GM. Rodney has always had reproduction parts that were superior than GM replacements, especially the shift cables, and clutch master and slave cylinders. Many other odds and ends he sells making our Fiero better in every way. Every American “speciality” or unique car out there should have a guy with a parts business like Rodney’s to keep the hobby alive for car enthusiasts like us. He does deserve a retirement party in his 3 door garage. 😋
What kind of parts do people probably need to stock up on? Both of mine are 88s. So far I’m only thinking of getting those headlight motor bushings and clutch master/slave cyls with adjustable banjos etc.
What kind of parts do people probably need to stock up on? Both of mine are 88s. So far I’m only thinking of getting those headlight motor bushings and clutch master/slave cyls with adjustable banjos etc.
You are too late. Pretty much all the 88 specific/rare stuff is sold out
I am sure TFS has looked into this and I am sure Rodney also has considered this. I would not pester either of them over this.
It comes down to economics. You have to have money to invest and a plan to get the money back and make a profit.
Like it or not we are a specialty group that has limited sales. Not everyone is fixing up Fiero's and if you are money is limited.
The parts he offered were a blessing but his real benefit was the effort for quality and knowing where to go to get it. When he invested in these parts it is a long term gamble that he will make it back with a profit that is not always overnight. He chose his parts wisely.
Rodney was gifted to do what he has done. He also added many parts for other cars to offset the lack of Fiero sales at times. Even on the Corvette Forum his headlight rebuilds come up often.
So lets hope a good buyer no matter who they are can buy these products and continue the service here.
I am sure TFS has looked into this and I am sure Rodney also has considered this. I would not pester either of them over this.
It comes down to economics. You have to have money to invest and a plan to get the money back and make a profit.
Like it or not we are a specialty group that has limited sales. Not everyone is fixing up Fiero's and if you are money is limited.
The parts he offered were a blessing but his real benefit was the effort for quality and knowing where to go to get it. When he invested in these parts it is a long term gamble that he will make it back with a profit that is not always overnight. He chose his parts wisely.
Rodney was gifted to do what he has done. He also added many parts for other cars to offset the lack of Fiero sales at times. Even on the Corvette Forum his headlight rebuilds come up often.
So lets hope a good buyer no matter who they are can buy these products and continue the service here.
I don't think the Fierostore will ever be a suitable candidate for Rodney. I recall an old saga back in the day where the Fierostore copied some of Rodney's stuff in the early days. They had quite the situation and it is all over the forums if you look for it. Everyone backed Rodney and bashed on the Fierostore. I don't know the entire situation or what led up to it all, just what I read and recall at the time. This was like back in 2001 or so. I don't think that relationship ever got better either. To me it is about the money more than the relationships especially when you get to be a certain age and want to move on. But for us as the people involved in buying products from either place pending what is available, we just want sources. I highly suggest you stock up on whatever you think you may possibly need in the future. There will not be an option for lots of stuff. Fierostore may step up and make some of the stuff or have other forum members give us that opportunity but time is limited. It is going to turn into whatever parts are out there to use and that's it. It is an unfortunate truth. I hope someone credible can get Rodney's business because he has the best stuff by far for suspension. I've spent thousands of dollars with him over the years. It will be very sad if his stuff and business go completely away.
-Amir
------------------ 88 Formula - 3800SC/4t65eHD 88 Coupe - 3800SC/4t65eHD 87GT - Great Blue Chop Top
I don't think the Fierostore will ever be a suitable candidate for Rodney. I recall an old saga back in the day where the Fierostore copied some of Rodney's stuff in the early days. They had quite the situation and it is all over the forums if you look for it. Everyone backed Rodney and bashed on the Fierostore. I don't know the entire situation or what led up to it all, just what I read and recall at the time. This was like back in 2001 or so. I don't think that relationship ever got better either. To me it is about the money more than the relationships especially when you get to be a certain age and want to move on. But for us as the people involved in buying products from either place pending what is available, we just want sources. I highly suggest you stock up on whatever you think you may possibly need in the future. There will not be an option for lots of stuff. Fierostore may step up and make some of the stuff or have other forum members give us that opportunity but time is limited. It is going to turn into whatever parts are out there to use and that's it. It is an unfortunate truth. I hope someone credible can get Rodney's business because he has the best stuff by far for suspension. I've spent thousands of dollars with him over the years. It will be very sad if his stuff and business go completely away.
-Amir
The problem is there are few people able or willing to take it on. Also the market is do small there is little room for competition for better or worse.
So my plan now is to eventually take my business (mainly just my existing inventory) to Denver. But: I also am not making parts anymore in my shop here. I am also not restocking many items as they run out. You may have noticed some of my parts are out of stock now. That trend will continue. Once in Denver I will continue to sell out my existing stock I have on hand and as I run out of things they become discontinued.
So my advice is buy it now because it may not be available in the future.
Thinking about it, I have noticed many new members posting. They will all be looking for parts. The demand for parts is limited to the number of Fieros still not scrapped out.
Originally posted by hyperv6: The problem is there are few people able or willing to take it on. Also the market is do small there is little room for competition for better or worse.
That's the issue, lots have come forward but I don't know the entire scope just speculation I have heard. The terms and the whole situation is a little more complex. I hope Rodney at least gives us Fiero guys part #'s or sources on where to buy some of his parts at some point. We will be stuck without a lot of high quality parts. It is a harsh reality that we are going to be faced with. Lots of the original sellers are getting older and not sure how long things will be around.
[This message has been edited by Rare87GT (edited 01-04-2025).]
Thinking about it, I have noticed many new members posting. They will all be looking for parts. The demand for parts is limited to the number of Fieros still not scrapped out.
That is very much a harsh reality and 100% true. If you don't stack parts, you are going to be screwed at some point. I honestly believe that. And parts will be extremely high if people are willing to part with what they have.
Rodney did a lot work researching and manufacturing parts for the Pontiac Fiero. I do not believe that the Fiero Store as a retail operation would be interested in manufacturing those parts but they could farm out that activity.
------------------ " 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 "
Look here is the reality. Rodney was a rear vendor. He was willing to risk investment into items that may or may not return a profit. He chose carefully and wisely so he did ok. But with high cost of things and the way mfgs want only large volume items it will be difficult to get things made for the Fiero.
Much of these stuff has to have a buyer willing to buy in volume and them make it back and then some to make money.
The Fiero is like many cars where low demand for parts makes it difficult to justify investment. Even worse many parts could be made but people are not willing to buy them as they would not be cheap.
Cars like the Corvette and many older muscle cars can have many new parts as the owners are willing to spend and buy enough parts to make them profitable.
New tech like laser printing and such will help to a degree but you will find NOS parts hard to find and even more expensive. The best path forward will be finding good parts cars and stripping them. We are blessed that many of the parts fit most years. But restoration will be a labor of love not profit. If you want a good car there are enough around with low miles they are your best buy. I sae a 5K mile GT that was still at $5K on bring a trailer.
We were very lucky to have Rodney and the Fiero Store. If not for the Store many things would be even harder to find today. Mr Mike should also get credit here too. If not for him affordable leather would be difficult to get.
Since I bought my C5 I have been blessed to find most anything I need to restore parts of my car. The hardest thing I had to find was the air box lid for a Z06. They are gone and I expext someone will reproduce it some day. But things like Loaded control arms with bushings and ball joints are available brand new.
The real issue is the lack of junk yards today. The EPA has made it near impossible to start or keep a junk yard anymore. Most of the cars today go to shops that are salvage companies. they strip the cars down and no longer sit on the cars. They harvest only the most profitable parts. Other things like door gaskets and plastic bits are scrapped. This is why buying a parts car sitting in someone's yard will be very important.
I do not see the Fiero hobby growing much. I do see new owners as they buy cars from owners aging out. But I do not see the numbers growing. While we are many in number we are still small vs cars built over 4-5 generations.
So if you see something you need or might need buy it now. We are blessed many mechanical parts are shared. The parts bin build will keep us rolling. I also see the lack of parts may hurt some 88 models. A low mile 88 will be fine but high mile cars with the lack of suspension bits may hurt them in the end.
T Top glass, side windows in good shape and glass 1984 sale panels will be in high demand. You can fake these. If you want a stock interior any interior part console surrounds ets. Buy any of these if you find anything worth saving.
ive only found one fiero in a junkyard.so i bought it.the old guy was selling out. someone at least needs to keep the gas tanks coming.i was surprised how cheap rodneys was.i need to change my sender and im afraid it will be a bucket of rust.every week i see 500 dollar fiero parts cars on face book but always too far away.
