Pontiac introduced a new mid-engine sports car in 1984 dubbed the Fiero. It was the first car of its type to be mass-produced in North America and Pontiac’s first 2-seater in nearly six decades. The car ran into some teething problems and – after five years on the market – Pontiac moved on to other projects. This 1986 model has been in storage for 35 years and has just 3,600 miles on the odometer. No explanation is offered here on craigslist for the dormancy and the seller is fielding offers without setting a minimum. Pat L. comes through again in the tips department!
The Fiero was offered with both I-4 and V6 power and more than 370,000 were built in five years, so it was hardly a sales bust. Pundits were critical of the little car’s performance and some reliability and safety issues would pop up to plaque Pontiac management. The SE (Special Edition) would be the mid-range offering in 1986 and received some aerodynamic assistance in the front end and the placement of the rear spoiler. The stereo system came with speakers that were moved from the headrests to the sail panels. Out of 84,000 Fieros built in 1986, 32,000 were the SE like this one.
We’re told the Fiero here is in “like new” condition as it’s been out of circulation since around 1988. But no mention is made of whether it runs, and the car is covered with lots of dust and dirt, suggesting no attempts were made to start it from time to time. The gold paint may be fine, but the interior looks as though it’s barely been used (except for maybe one stain) – which helps support the low mileage claim. But the car likely has 37-year-old tires and everything else.
The V6 in this car should be 2.8 liters and the changing of gears is handled by an automatic transmission. The seller goes into very little detail on what this car offers, so asking for offers isn’t likely to garner many serious inquiries. More details and an idea of what the seller is willing to accept as payment would go much further in finding just the right buyer.
Had to forward the link to my nephew this is his favorite car and its in his state
Was it sitting next to the NAPA store for all those years? Didn’t even bother to clean the windscreen? There’s 37 year old gas in that tank, too. The only positive I see here are the unbroken dash corners.
What a neat find. I’d have probably done a few pictures of the car cleaned up but that’s just me. Looks like it still has the original P215/60R14 Eagle GTs on it even! Wow.
Though it’s low mileage, it’s hardly a new car. It will take significant work to bring back. You’ll want to change (and save) those tires as they’ll be completely unsafe. You can still get BF Goodrich Radial T/As in this size for about $180/per, which isn’t horrible. You’ll also need to and attend to any dry rotted rubber, and there will be some to a lot depending on how she was stored. All fluids will have to be changed, and the fuel system flushed. But depending on the price, this could be a fun project for someone.
This SE was actually the prior year’s GT, which got the 2.8 liter V-6 and finally some power to go with the looks. The 2.8 was normally no barn burner but in the light Fiero, it was respectable. Roughly as quick as a Monte Carlo SS of the time (8 seconds 0-60 and 16 seconds in the quarter).
The 1985 GTs and most 1986 SEs had a Muncie 4-speed as standard because it was the only manual that would fit that could handle the torque of the V-6. A Getrag 5-speed came late in the ’86 model year. This one has the THM125 3-speed automatic.
These of course still had the Chevette front suspension. The best ones to get are the ’88s with the new suspension design, though those tend to cost more.
Totally nice, will seriously need a new battery complete flush of every liquid, plug’s, wires the works but that’s not that expensive when you think about plus a good wash and wax. But the question remain’s why was it parked.
I was interested,…right up to the point of the slush box.
These things never got a decent engine, either the slug 2.5L four or the 2.8 V6 that GM was putting in about everything. The drone from that engine sounded the same in a Fiero or Celebrity and with an automatic, nah! Working at a GM dealer I was always hoping they got the quad four, at least it made good power. Never cared for rounded bodies of the time either.
Well, if you’re that disappointed, there is a kit made to put a NorthStar powertrain in one of these.
The whole point of these cars was to be a fuel efficient commuter car. They had sporty looks, but they were never intended to be fast. This was the only way Pontiac could get GM top management to approve the project. That’s why they got the engines they got. They had to be “parts bin” cars – with as few parts unique to the model as possible. The rear suspension was identical to the front suspension of a Citation, and the front suspension was borrowed from the Chevette.
Had an ’85 Fiero GT which was purchased in August 1985. This ’86 SE shown here is the same configuration, spoiler and soft nose, as the ’85 GT. The ’86 GT got those sail panel extensions which really complete the Fiero’s design.
I don’t know if this car’s stereo has the Bass Boost switch mounted over the driver’s head in the vicinity of the rear view mirror. I bought a low mileage ’86 GT in 1996 and kept it for several years. I still favor the design and feel of the Pontiac Fiero after some 23 years or so.
How about 2.0 Turbo powertrain from the Camaro 🙌🏁
I was super interested in one when they came out. Went to a dealer to ask questions and see one in person. The salesman was so off-putting that I thought F*** it, I’m not going to jump through a bunch of hoops to prove I’m worthy to buy one.
OK – if you want to sell a car online, how about WASHING the car before you take the photos? How hard is it to do that? I guess it’s a white car under all of that dirt? Sheesh – how lazy can you be?
Totally agree. I think you’re right about the colour being white although the write-up suggests it is gold. Pretty sad state of affairs when you try and sell a car with so much dust on it that you can’t tell what colour it actually is.
If I didn’t live on the other side of the world where cars are driven from the opposite side I would be interested in this.
Its called a barn find, you whiners ever been in a real barn?
The dirt excites some people.
They feel like they’ve discovered treasure.
I’d rather see it clean , but I’m also the guy that picks the tiny stones out of my brake pedal pad.
Give it the foam cannon treatment & take some really good quality photos, THEN try to offer it at a reasonable price & you’ll eventually sell it. Their not too desirable and if it is gold (which it appears to be) it might look good with the gold accented alloys and tan interior once it’s all detailed.
This car is at the mechanic shop two blocks from my house. It has since been hosed down and the paint looks pretty good. I do not doubt the claims of veracity on the mileage based on appearance, but mechanical condition would be my concern. The mechanic whose shop is pictured is excellent and trustworthy. I don’t doubt his ability to fix this (he probably does not have the time if he wanted to; that shop is ALWAYS busy). Thus, my guess is either the end value would not make the juice worth the squeeze for him, or he encountered an issue that scared him off the project (the rear end was up on jack stands outside the shop for about two weeks; now the vehicle is in a corner of the lot). Just my 2Cents. GLWTS!
There’s an older (84 or 85 model) Fiero 2M4 in similar, dirty/dusty condition behind the local Chevy dealership. I got curious one day and asked about it. It turned out that it belongs to one of the techs and he’s restoring it as time and money allows and there’s a family/sentimental aspect involved. I can’t fault anyone for taking on a project that they love.