Cheap Exotic? 1986 Kelmark GT

Seller: JAMES V GIORDANO (Contact)
Location: Carnation, Washington
Mileage: 75,000 Shown
Chassis #: 1G2PG9798GP254046
Title Status: Clean
Engine: 2.8-Liter Pontiac V6
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual

Want the shape of an exotic Italian sports car without the six-figure purchase price or equally intimidating service bills? That very idea helped fuel the kit-car industry for decades, and this 1986 Kelmark GT combines dramatic styling with one of the era’s most practical donor cars: Pontiac’s Fiero. Better yet, this one is based on the V6 and 5-speed manual-equipped Fiero GT. It needs cosmetic and mechanical work, but at $5,995, it is a real conversation starter for the money. Located in Carnation, Washington, the Kelmark shows 75,000 miles, carries a clean Pontiac title, and is offered as a Barn Finds Exclusive.

The Kelmark body was installed on a 1986 Fiero GT chassis, giving it the looks of an exotic but the common, affordable drivetrain of a Pontiac. The seller describes the installation and fabrication as nicely executed. There’s no word on when the kit was put together. This style of Kelmark GT body was offered from the late ’70s to the late ’80s. Most were based on the VW Beetle chassis and drivetrain. I’m not finding any records of Kelmark building any that would fit directly onto a Fiero chassis, so additional investigation is recommended to see whether the chassis or the body were modified to make this pairing work.

As great as a Beetle is, the Fiero’s V6 offers better performance. The 2.8-liter Pontiac V6 is rated at 135 horsepower and 160 foot-pounds of torque. That power is routed through a Getrag 5-speed manual transmission. The engine has multiport fuel injection and onboard diagnostics. The seller claims that the engine was running until just recently. They believe it isn’t getting fuel and that the issue is likely the fuel pump. Finding replacement mechanical parts to get it running again should be fairly straightforward. You will want to check the electronics and wiring before ordering a pump, as it could be a relay or a bad connection.

As with most kit cars, the interior is a weak point. It looks like a mix of parts, and some of them don’t seem to work together. The gauges, seats, and tunnel look to be straight from the Fiero. While the dash appears to fit the car, the gauges don’t fit the dash, and the unfinished leather covering makes it hard to identify what it came from. Making the interior presentable and comfortable could prove to be a challenge, but not impossible. Ditching the Fiero gauge cluster is likely the best cosmetic option, but it will require a custom solution that works with the Fiero electronics.

Custom red-anodized wheels and low-profile tires give the car an aggressive stance, but given the body’s curvy shape, vintage-style wheels would likely look more classic. Given that the car has been parked outside, the tires probably need to be replaced anyway. A set of Campagnolo-style wheels would look great and give it more of a Ferrari Dino look, but even a set of Turbine wheels would look great under the Kelmark body.

The seller also notes that the paint is in sad shape and should be redone. Since the body is fiberglass, new paint isn’t exactly a necessity; it isn’t going to rust. I’d inspect the body closely for cracks, these bodies are prone to developing cracks in the front end if not properly supported. If the body is in decent condition, I’d just remove the Ferrari badges and clean up the paint as best as possible.

There’s definitely some work to be done here, but these Kelmarks are genuinely cool kits. And being based on a Fiero means it should be fun to drive. The photo above is of the car a few years ago, when it was drivable and it looked pretty good. Hopefully, rather than pretending it’s a Ferrari, its next owner will proudly embrace that it’s a Kelmark. Personally, I’d get it running, redo the interior, clean up the body, and drive it! At $5,995, you’re getting mid-engine performance, exotic style, and a car that will start conversations everywhere you go! The only question is, what route would you take it?