So Saturday night, my email let me know that a 88 Fiero had arrived in my local PnP. Sunday AM, I arrived at opening and made my way into the yard, hoping that no one else knew that an 88 was in the yard. I made my way to the row, saw the trunk open and arrived at the car. WOW, not only is it an 88 it’s a GT and it’s got T-Tops. Holy Crap.
As I’m looking over the car I can’t figure out why its here. No body damage, no oil leaking from the motor or trans. It had recently been painted b/c the door and fender trim is in the trunk, and the paint looks great. I look inside and see that it’s got 86K miles, wow, that’s low. The only thing I can see is that the drivers door window is stuck down and the drivers seat is trashed, its covered in green mold and is dry rotted. But it’s got a perfect dash, all the interior trim is in great shape, and even the GT wheel is perfect.
So I check the RPO codes and its not a CJB, no prob. I check the drivers door jam and there is a sticker for who to call if you need maint on your T-Top. I start to disassemble the car, taking all the 88 specific stuff I can. I get all 4 calipers, both front hubs, the GT specific strut tower rings the GT rear taillights. I snag all the 88 only “Dot Matrix” from inside, grab the GT wheel, and because I needed the shift surround, I got it too. But Damn, I really want to get the T-Top.
I grab the T-Top glass, the drivers was easy, but the passenger side had the lock and it was “locked”. What a PITA to get that damn lock out. Took me at least 45 min to finally get the pass Top off. I found that the rubber was good, it’s still soft, even the factory “P” seals are in place with only a small section ripped. The plastic trim is on, and it’s not coming off. All the small screws are rusted in place. So I leave the trim and the “H” frame in place and leave with what I have, I’m going to have to come back for the “H” frame later.
So today I finally have a day off from work. I charge my cordless batteries; I grab 3 blades for my Sawzall and I head to PnP to see if the top is still there and not destroyed. The last two T-Tops I tried to get at PnP were destroyed before I could buy them. I did get the glass from one of them, but each time I went back to get the H frame, they had been destroyed. I show up and its just how I left it 4 days ago, doesn’t even look like anyone had visited the car at all.
So I start the process of removing the top. I remove the interior trim, saving the front. Remove the upper seat belt bolt, remove the speakers in the “B” pillars, remove the GT side windows (they were already trashed) and make a mark w/ my sharpie where to cut. No issues in removing the top, but I did leave some blood on the car.
So In the end, I got the top. And yes it is for sale. I already have a T-Top 88 and I understand how awesome they are. So I hope to spread the fun
Rob
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88 Coupe, CJB #95, LS376, F40 and a GT clip 88 GT "Daily Driver" w/ SIII 3800 NA
[This message has been edited by qwikgta (edited 10-17-2024).]
Well... it's both sad and good. I'm glad you were there to save those parts and ensure that everything has been saved... and can live-on in another Fiero.
Quick question, did that 88 seat have lumbar support by any chance? I'd love to get an 88 seat and install it in my 87. Any chance you want to pull it and make some money? haha... no presssure, I totally understand if you don't.
Many of these cars fit into the ground. They never will be restored. Getting out of the yards snd to be parted out is going to save more actively restored cars vs rotting away.
I have one near by and I know the chassis is gone. Would like the body and interior parts from it. Will try to buy it and part it out some day.
No, no lumbar, I'd have grabbed it if it had. But either way the driver seat is trash. All dry rotted from getting wet and dry, wet and dry over and over b/c the window was down.
I spoke with the manager on my way out. I'm a regular, so we always chat when I see him. I told him i'd have given him 2K for the whole car if I could have gotten it before they put it on the yard. He grabbed his chest and said "don't tell me that". Not sure if the car was there for a bad motor or trans, but in the state it was in I really would have given him 2K for it.
Out of curiosity, not that I really should be spending any more money on my Fiero haha, but I've always been interested in the T-tops, how much are you selling them for/how much would shipping be to Maine?
Out of curiosity, not that I really should be spending any more money on my Fiero haha, but I've always been interested in the T-tops, how much are you selling them for/how much would shipping be to Maine?
Honestly I would buy it just to have. You don't come across these every day. If you don't use it eventually, I'm sure someone else would buy it from you. It's a good investment
Honestly I would buy it just to have. You don't come across these every day. If you don't use it eventually, I'm sure someone else would buy it from you. It's a good investment
Yeah I know, if I had enough money I would have gotten some already haha, already basically have my winters budget planned for though haha.
Out of curiosity, not that I really should be spending any more money on my Fiero haha, but I've always been interested in the T-tops, how much are you selling them for/how much would shipping be to Maine?
Only twice have I been in a TTOP Fiero... and both of them were on rim-stands in the junkyard! Haha...
But on a serious note, I've really only ever been in a TTOP car (driving) in my 82 TransAm (which I don't have anymore). It's a totally different experience from say, the massive moonroof that we have in the Fiero (which is still awesome), to say a full convertible (like the Solstice that I owned).
The TTOPs just felt a little bit more exotic... almost like as if it was a Targa Top. I loved cruising in that old piece of **** 82 TransAm I had with the TTOP off (even if just the driver's side. I can't really explain it, but it was awesome.
Originally posted by qwikgta: Not sure yet. I'm trying to balance between asking enough and not asking too much.
Rob
And that answer tells me my pockets probably won't be deep enough haha, I'm sure you'll have someone else pay you a very fair price, they're rare and will sell well.
Out of curiosity, not that I really should be spending any more money on my Fiero haha, but I've always been interested in the T-tops, how much are you selling them for/how much would shipping be to Maine?
Not sure, i'm trying to balance between asking enough and not asking too much. I've watched the price for a full T-Top go from $400 to $1000. and i'm not sure how to handle shipping?
Not sure, i'm trying to balance between asking enough and not asking too much. I've watched the price for a full T-Top go from $400 to $1000. and i'm not sure how to handle shipping?
Hmm $400 is lower than I expected, I don't know what all the components completely necessary are, as you don't need the a pillars etc. right? Only the riveted H bar section, trim etc. I don't know if all that could be packed into a large (but flat) box, can then input the dimensions on various companies websites to get previews of the shipping cost.
Hmm $400 is lower than I expected, I don't know what all the components completely necessary are, as you don't need the a pillars etc. right? Only the riveted H bar section, trim etc. I don't know if all that could be packed into a large (but flat) box, can then input the dimensions on various companies websites to get previews of the shipping cost.
yea, but I'm going to be selling it just like it is. I want the new owner to do all the breakdown. As it is now, the full kit is for sale. You even get the headliner to act as a template. The trim is all there and the small Phillips head screws are rusted on. I don't want to break anything before the new owner takes possession of it. So i'm sure that the person who buys it will pick it up as is. I do have the "A" pillar trim but I guess you could just cut your own.
Rob
[This message has been edited by qwikgta (edited 10-19-2024).]
I remember shipping a set of TTOPs to someone (off Peter Zurich's mailing list) in Hawaii, and the shipping was $60 something bucks, and the dude just totally blew up at me that I was ripping him off, etc. Heh... different time...
yea, but I'm going to be selling it just like it is. I want the new owner to do all the breakdown. As it is now, the full kit is for sale. You even get the headliner to act as a template. The trim is all there and the small Phillips head screws are rusted on. I don't want to break anything before the new owner takes possession of it. So i'm sure that the person who buys it will pick it up as is. I do have the "A" pillar trim but I guess you could just cut your own.
Rob
Rob, do you still have your Green LS4 car?
It's been a while man.
Take care, Amir
------------------ 88 Formula - 3800SC/4t65eHD 88 Coupe - 3800SC/4t65eHD 87GT - Great Blue Chop Top
