Even among many auto enthusiasts, Zimmer Motor Cars isn’t exactly a household name, although the company did manage create a couple of memorable offerings during its time in business. The first was a neoclassic based on the Ford Mustang, known as the Golden Spirit, followed by the Quicksilver, a mid-engine personal luxury car featuring an extended Pontiac Fiero chassis. This 1986 Zimmer Quicksilver here on Facebook Marketplace is one such example, with the seller reporting that it’s the first one produced. This opulent cruiser is in Union, Missouri, and the owner hopes to pocket $22,500 from the sale, but he’s also willing to consider in-person offers. Barn Finds readers Tony Primo and T.J. both sent in tips on this unusual offering, so our double thanks are due here!
The company was originally founded by Paul and Robert Zimmer, a father-and-son duo from Pompano Beach, Florida, with the most widely agreed-upon figure I could find being that about 170 Quicksilver automobiles were produced at their facility. Each one began life as a Fiero, but the body was removed, and the chassis extended, with new panels put on that resemble an Eldorado or Toronado from the sides more than Pontiac’s mid-engine two-seater could ever have dreamed of. The seller says the red paint is original, and the exterior still presents nicely, so this one appears to have been well cared for. It’s also reported to have only been driven 30,000 miles.
Staying true to Pontiac’s original concept, the Quicksilver didn’t include a rear seat and still has room for just two occupants. Adding more passenger space would have been difficult without an even longer design, since the engine sits in the middle, but seating only two earns the Quicksilver a couple of extra points on the coolness scale. The interior was more plush than that of a typical Fiero, with leather and wood accents, plus the addition of a functional glovebox. The condition in here isn’t quite perfect, but for the most part, the interior components still look decent.
The Quicksilver retained the engine and transmission from the donor Fiero, a GT model which featured a 2.8-liter V6 engine and delivered 140 horsepower. Although a manual transmission was available on the Fiero, it appears that all Quicksilvers used the automatic instead, at least from what I can tell. This car will be a guaranteed attention-getter everywhere you go, and with its good condition, low mileage, and extremely limited production, the asking price might be in the ballpark here. Any thoughts to share on this 1986 Zimmer Quicksilver?
Very fancy Fiero…
Gas guzzling Fiero, but much easier to change the plugs on.
Wild front end on the Zimmer Quicksilver
I always thought it was an interesting car and had a distinctive look. Never knew much more, I was curious what the asking price would be, it seems fair. The 80’s interior doesn’t look so great. I wouldn’t ever buy it , but I don’t hate it!
“Attention getter” indeed!
I do not know if this Email is appropriate, and it will likely be filtered before posting. Maybe hard to believe but true. A friend of mine passed away about 12 years back from cancer at a relatively young age. He confessed to me that as a teenager in the late 90’s he had stolen one of the very well made Cloisonette hub cap emblems from a Zimmer-Like the one shown on this car. I think in San Francisco area?? I have that heavy metal and glass plaque with a promise to him that I would return it to its owner. HA- a bit of detective work for sure. Yet I think OK to return it to any Zimmer owner in need. Let’s see what happens here in editing this post. I search for rare parts daily. Here is a reverse search with good intensions. Karma needs a boost here.
I’m looking for discontinued part if you can help
The older I get, the more I want a Zimmer Quicksilver.
Lots of people in the Fiero world, do 5.3 litre LS swaps, and F40 automatics.
Would make a very interesting hot rod indeed.
Lots of engine swap options here. The LS swaps seem to be the most powerful options, but are complex and expensive from what I hear. The GM 3.4 liter V-6(as seen in the 1993-95 Camaro/Firebird) are said to be the easiest, basically a bolt in. I’ve seen a Fiero with the Buick 3800 supercharged/automatic combo that runs 11.70s in the quarter! But I think the option that might best suit the Quicksilver is the Cadillac 4.9 V8, a popular Fiero swap.
Seeing as how this is Quicksilver #1 and so well preserved,I think that it would be criminal to make major alterations to it. With 140 produced and presumably most still in existence, they do come up for sale from time to time. “Hot rod” a different one if you want to ruin its collector value.
Is there any guarantee/proof that it is actually No. One?
Funky but different. The 2.8 lump forget about it. A V8 would have sold me in 86.
Its been a long time since i have seen one, but i always say they look better in person.
Very interesting design and lots of wide, flat chrome. Love to see it with the headlights up.
Not fond of the Fiero, especially the interior but sometimes you gotta make sacrifices. Would like to see this conversion on something bigger, like maybe a LeMans or Grand Prix
I remember seeing these new at the NYAuto show as a kid. I like the rear bumper/taillight treatment….it has a late 60s early 70s vibe.
Lovely car. I’ve never seen a Zimmer Quicksilver before. I saw a magazine article about the car. I thought it was the best looking car. It’s a shame not many were produced.
My first thought? This is a Jimmy Durante nose with a bit of Winston Churchill thrown in
Yep, FUGLY as hell. I can never understand how you Americans have built some of the most beautiful cars ever, and then some of the ugliest cars ever. I am an American 2 and 4 door saloons lover (not sports cars) but this Zimmer is maybe the worst of the worst in my eyes. Each to his own I guess.
The Quicksilver is kinda cool. If a 1970s Buick and Pontiac had a love child, this is the result!
I’ve been wondering what a Quicksilver might look like given an ’80s Buick T-type cosmetic treatment — give it period-correct machined-face alloy wheels, paint the bumpers and sill trim metallic graphite, blackout the grille slat inserts and door handles (I might keep the thin chrome outline around the side windows).
Not a fan of the Zimmer, but I do find them interesting for sure. This one would look much better if you lose the white letter tires and add thin whitewalls.
They lost me a fiero
The Internet is breeding some incredibly ignorant “car guys”.