My brother has challenged me to take on this project that is practically knocking on my door, not only for its desirability as a genuine Pontiac Fiero Formula but also because, as he so kindly puts it, “Anyone who puts money into Isuzu Troopers should be fine with taking this on.” Fair point, elder sibling! Not only that, I know the facility where this Fiero is hiding out (ironically, because they have a good parts Trooper in the yard) and they have a knack for grabbing interesting specimens. This Fiero has clearly been sitting for a while, but it looks relatively complete and is obviously worth saving given its rare color combo. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace for $1,500.
Despite the unkempt exterior, the cabin looks pretty decent. It certainly appears dry inside, and not at all torn up. Yes, there’s evidence of some old mold on the horn pad on the steering wheel and t he shift knob, but those surfaces always tend to attract mildew and want-not when cars sit for awhile. The seats look quite clean as do the carpets, and I’ll bet you’d be shocked at how nice it looked after an afternoon with the steam cleaner. And while this next point is completely obvious, the Fiero with three pedals is the one you want. The Formula package is obviously a must-have, especially if you’re not a fan of the heavier GT body.
Plus, the Formula was a worthwhile upgrade -not just some graphics kit. It offered the WS6 suspension, basketweave alloy wheels, and rear spoiler, which had oddly been deleted from this example (I’m guessing they didn’t drill those into the trunk lid, as I see no evidence of holes). The speedometer also got an upgrade to max out at 120 m.p.h., and perhaps most significant of all, 1988 was the only year the Fiero was offered in yellow – and with just over 5,000 Formulas made, you can bet the total production volume of a car like this was quite low. It’s a shame that it ended up in such a state, but hopefully, it can be revived.
The other tragedy of the Fiero, of course, is that Pontiac finally got the ingredients right in 1988, just in time for the model to be struck from the lineup. Reliability and horsepower had both improved, and the GT model was a seriously slick sports coupe. The Formula was the next best thing, and I have fond memories of an elementary school science teacher who kept a red-on-black Formula in absolutely mint condition, saved for sunny days only. That car left an imprint, so it’s hard to resist finding out more about this one that’s only about a 30 minute drive away. Hopefully, someone else will recognize the rarity and snatch this rad Fiero up.
I highly recommend this channel. Young kid out of college digs into a Fiero in about the same condition as this one:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7MvJcb2I6mYLHlI7eyPZ9JHE2Znstm0y
Another Ronald Finger fan! I love his channel and yes, the Fiero resto he does is worthy of an award
well worth a fix up for $1500.
best year, best body, best trans.
even if the motor is toast (unlikely).
all sorts of tasty engine upgrades available.
Northstar V8.
DOHC 3.4.
Supercharged 3800.
LS4 V8.
All have at least another 100hp over the stock V6
I like how this guy thinks
Or perhaps the standard Iron Duke? I drove one like that with a four speed on a dealership test drive when they first came out, loved it. Or maybe a quad four engine. That would fit better then anything you suggested and give a little more power, plus you would at least have room to work on it in the future.
agreed, either of the quad4/H.O. or the Brasilian 1.8/2.0 turbo 4-cyl would’ve been a great factory option on Fiero’s.
the iron duke done up in the real pace cars with high-po parts was strong enough but talk about missed opportunities…
Am I missing something here, no title. Many states that is a big deal, over done finished.
It’s funny; you guys who live in title states forget that those of us in no title states (me, for example, in RI) love these cars all day long as the seller usually can’t help but offer a discount due to lack of title docs.
Jeff, are you selling it for the junkyard? How are things going with the liquidation of the property in Georgia? Had not heard much about that scene in a while.
The state where the car is located (Maine or NH I forget) does not title vehicles older than 1995 (NH) or 2000 (ME) so it is a non issue in the local market where this car was sold. Junk yard ads crack me up but this car was worth saving for all the reasons mentioned and it appears someone will do just that!
Makes me wonder how a car like this ends up in a scrap yard to begin with. I’d certainly rescue it.
Saw where SBC is an easy swap and you pull the whole subframe and do it on your garage floor, and most of the trans and axles work ok.
Apparently it’s already sold. Not surprising. One-year-only suspension, one-year-only color, V6, manual trans, and it’s NOT the GT flying buttress roofline. This was probably the most collectable Fiero out there.
never hada problem w/them.
Even see them w/the Ferrari body kits…
Like it almost as well as X 1/9 or Scorpian.
Course nuttin compaires to the boxer or europa.
Forget the more modern, no thanks…
The Formula 5speed makes sense if you plan to leave it stock. If you’re gonna mod it, I’d suggest looking for a very clean 88 4 cylinder for the same money and transplanting the Grand Prix GXP drivetrain (LS4 and 4t65e trans). The upgraded suspension bits on the formula (shocks, springs, bushings ) will be worn out anyway, so why pay for them? And the original 5 speed trans can’t handle serious power, so why pay for it?
Went to buy it and its gone already.
All Formula’s came with a rear spoiler, it was not an option, it was standard equipment. A spoiler delete option was not offered. If the rear deck lid has no holes then the rear deck lid is not original to the car.