Mid-Engine Barn Find: 1985 Pontiac Fiero

The Fiero was Pontiac’s first 2-seat automobile in more than 50 years. Launched in 1984 and in production through 1988, it was a sports car with a mid-engine layout. The Fiero used plastic body panels like the later Saturn, and 370,000 copies were made. Yet the car didn’t get a second generation. This 1985 edition was driven into a barn 25 years ago and has recently resurfaced. Located in Pulaski, Wisconsin, this running project is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $1,500 OBO. Thanks for the tip, “Lothar… of the Hill People”.

Pontiac’s designation for the Fiero was 2M4 for 2-seat, mid-engine, and four-cylinders (the “Iron Duke” engine was standard). When you ordered one with a V6, we assumed the code was 2M6. Besides being a first for Pontiac, it was the U.S. auto industry’s first car of its type to be in mass production. Though a 4-speed manual transmission was standard, this one has an automatic, a THM-125.

We assume this Poncho was parked around the turn of the century because of some body damage it has to the front. Or the fuel pump that the seller says needs to be replaced. The seller has pulled it out into the daylight and given it a rinse, and says it runs, fuel pump notwithstanding. The listing says the auto is “like new,” but that seems like an overstatement. The car was first listed four months ago, and no action may have been seen, so the price has been dropped by 50%.

The damage to the front end appears to include the pop-up headlights whose doors are missing. And the interior is quite dirty and will need detailing. Supposedly, you could fix its mechanical ills and drive the Pontiac as-is, as long as that’s not at night. These cars were noted for reliability issues the longer the production run lasted, which may be why Pontiac discontinued the car for 1989.