How hard would it be to convert the back end to look like a GT if I found a parts/ donor vehicle with the panels, decklid, and tail lights?
My advice to you is to learn to love the look of the notchie. Unless you got super lucky, it's the acquisition of fastback taillights that'll cause you your wallet the most grief.
My advice to you is to learn to love the look of the notchie. Unless you got super lucky, it's the acquisition of fastback taillights that'll cause you your wallet the most grief.
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I've seen some GTs that were toast mechanically for $2K or less with decent tail lights and body panels.
I converted my '85 SE V6 to 86-88 GT rear bodywork- and also installed a 87-88 base nose...i left off the ground-effects because I like the way the body wraps under.
As far as the taillights....I have two ideas for solving the problem;
A) Take a (Blank) taillight fiberglass panel and SLOT it for two slot taillights per side- copying the 60-70 Pontiac taillights
B) I was going to cover the taillight area with Hex-grillwork and then paint the inside of the cavity black and mount those slot taillights inside- you would only see the grillwork until the taillights lit up.
[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 07-21-2024).]
I converted my '85 SE V6 to 86-88 GT rear bodywork- and also installed a 87-88 base nose...i left off the ground-effects because I like the way the body wraps under.
Wow, very cool! I'd never thought about leaving any existing bumper pads below, but I really like that! I do kind of miss the ground effects personally.
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Originally posted by Vintage-Nut:
Another taillight panel idea:
So many great trail light ideas in this thread. Ultimately, I think I'm just too smitten with the originals.
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Originally posted by Jason88Notchie:
Sounds like you want a GT. Just buy a GT. In the end it will be much easier.
You may be right about that!
My lingering question is whether purchasing an '88 is worth the hassle of finding rare parts. But I'll do some further looking in the forum to see what people are saying about it. I guess that's ultimately a very personal choice, too. Thanks everyone!!
I have a Formula. I did alot of my suspension work some years ago and I had little issue. Can't say it won't come up time to time where you may really have to look around or do some rebuilding like calipers.
88 is the best year of the Fiero. I wouldn't limit yourself.
As far as that Formula you are looking at, use caution. To me it looks a little whipped. If you start seeing manual switches to power fans and other accessories, you better bet they cut into other wiring for other shortcuts. Run like hell from those type of cars. Look over it well.
Just find the best car for you. Something that you don't have to rip apart right out of the gate. Get some enjoyment out of it.
As far as that Formula you are looking at, use caution. To me it looks a little whipped. If you start seeing manual switches to power fans and other accessories, you better bet they cut into other wiring for other shortcuts. Run like hell from those type of cars. Look over it well.
Just find the best car for you. Something that you don't have to rip apart right out of the gate. Get some enjoyment out of it.
Hey, I appreciate the general perspective from your experience, and your taking a look at the ad! Where are the manual switches? I didn't even notice them. I'd be interested to get your take on this one for sale too if you get the chance. If not, no worries!
Where are the manual switches? I didn't even notice them.
I looked pretty carefully at the photos and didn't notice any non-factory switches either. However, the fact that this Formula has been listed for a year at what doesn't seem to be an excessive price raises a red flag.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-22-2024).]
I looked pretty carefully at the photos and didn't notice any non-factory switches either. However, the fact that this Formula has been listed for a year at what doesn't seem to be an excessive price raises a red flag.
Yeah kind of of, but it started at $6K or 7K and has been reduced bit by bit.
Hey, I appreciate the general perspective from your experience, and your taking a look at the ad! Where are the manual switches? I didn't even notice them. I'd be interested to get your take on this one for sale too if you get the chance. If not, no worries!
I was talking in a general sense. What things to look for. I didn't see any manual switches in the pics. But that wire or what ever it is hanging out the glove box sparked my curiosity. That guy's picture presentation leaves something to be desired. And where are the diamond spoke wheels?
[This message has been edited by Jason88Notchie (edited 07-22-2024).]
But that wire or what ever it is hanging out the glove box sparked my curiosity.
I suspect that wire might possibly be a USB cable connecting an external drive (stored in the console glove box) to the radio. But yeah, whatever it is... rather an untidy arrangement.
Thanks again for all the thoughts and context around these vehicles. I know it seems like a heck of a lot to pay for you on, but around here a decent deal on one seems pretty darn hard to come by! 😅
Don't be afraid to travel a bit to find the right one. I had an 88 Duke that my Dad gave me when he got tired of getting in and out of. He bought it new and it was only a few years old when he gave it to me. Love the notchie look but immediately I wanted to swap out the engine. I let common sense prevail cause I couldn't make myself swap out a perfectly good engine with low miles. It was a 5 speed though and that made it better. Drove that car for years till I gave it back to my Dad cause he wanted a project.
Now I was Fieroless. Couple years went by and I had to have another. But this time I had a choice. I wanted a Formula. Everything I wanted in a Fiero and really always wanted one. So I looked around for a while. Bidded my time till I found the right one. My son ended up seeing one on the Fiero Store listed and I checked it out. Looked good according to the listing, but don't they all? I called the guy and had a good conversation. Come to find out he worked at the Fiero plant from open to close. He was located in Holly MI, outside of Pontiac. About 3 hours away. He knew his way around these cars pretty well I would say so that warranted a road trip. So the kids and I drove up there cash in hand. Looked it over well. The car was totally in tact. All original. Terrible faded paint and a bolt for an antenna. I thought that was funny. Interior needed a little cleaned up but was in awesome shape. I could tell it sat a while after driving but not an issue. So I bought it and drove it home 3 hours back to Cleveland. I asked the guy if he thought I'd have any issues, and he said that he'd drive the car to California and back.
I've done work on the car over the years. You know, the usual old car stuff. And a paint job. But in the end this is the best car I ever owned. Have patience. You never know what can fall in your lap.
[This message has been edited by Jason88Notchie (edited 07-23-2024).]
Don't be afraid to travel a bit to find the right one. I had an 88 Duke that my Dad gave me when he got tired of getting in and out of. He bought it new and it was only a few years old when he gave it to me. Love the notchie look but immediately I wanted to swap out the engine. I let common sense prevail cause I couldn't make myself swap out a perfectly good engine with low miles. It was a 5 speed though and that made it better. Drove that car for years till I gave it back to my Dad cause he wanted a project.
Now I was Fieroless. Couple years went by and I had to have another. But this time I had a choice. I wanted a Formula. Everything I wanted in a Fiero and really always wanted one. So I looked around for a while. Bidded my time till I found the right one. My son ended up seeing one on the Fiero Store listed and I checked it out. Looked good according to the listing, but don't they all? I called the guy and had a good conversation. Come to find out he worked at the Fiero plant from open to close. He was located in Holly MI, outside of Pontiac. About 3 hours away. He knew his way around these cars pretty well I would say so that warranted a road trip. So the kids and I drove up there cash in hand. Looked it over well. The car was totally in tact. All original. Terrible faded paint and a bolt for an antenna. I thought that was funny. Interior needed a little cleaned up but was in awesome shape. I could tell it sat a while after driving but not an issue. So I bought it and drove it home 3 hours back to Cleveland. I asked the guy if he thought I'd have any issues, and he said that he'd drive the car to California and back.
I've done work on the car over the years. You know, the usual old car stuff. And a paint job. But in the end this is the best car I ever owned. Have patience. You never know what can fall in your lap.
Cool to hear your journey with the cars, and thanks for the encouragement - I think that's what I needed to hear. I honestly didn't realize that there were listings on the store, but I'm looking through them now! Yeah, I would be willing to travel for the right one. I've made a couple of trips so far that were a couple of hours in either direction to look at Fieros. I'd definitely want to get it to a shop to have them look it over and check out the rear upper frame rails like everyone here suggests. We'll see! Maybe I'll come across a fastback manual that's a great deal, in silver 😉
