Mom wants to keep her Fiero.

Looking for an automatic '88 GT with a T-top!
Remember the '86 Fiero GT my mom got and I was going to buy from her? See the thread "My first car!" if not. Anyway, I'm not learning how to drive a stick fast enough in the manual GT, and Mom is totally in love with the Fiero. There's still hope for me though; Dad overheard me saying my preferred Fiero model is the '88 GT with the T-top. He suggested letting Mom keep the '86 and finding me an automatic '88 GT with the T-top. We understand that it will cost a lot more than the '86 GT did, but otherwise...

If you or someone you know of is selling, please contact me! Any color is fine, and as long as it's in "okay" condition, I'm interested. We're willing to do work on it.

Perhaps you missed my warning about T-tops. There are NO (as in "zero") factory Fieros with T-tops. Installing T-tops requires removal of an important part of the structure of the car. Unless a 6-point roll cage is installed after the T-tops, the car is unsafe in the corners. NHRA allows the stock-chassis'd Fieros to go into the 10.50 range without adding a cage. They will not permit a T-top-equipped one to run at all unless it has a 6-point cage installed.

Cutting up an '88 is foolish, if not sinful. Rare cars, and sought after by serious collectors. '88s are different than the earlier ones, in that they have a REAL suspension under them and handle like a real sports car. Having had several of various years I can say with authority, the '88 is MUCH better.

I would suggest a bit of research on the little P-body to understand it's place in life. The "space frame" concept was perfected in this car. You can't just start cutting it up like a uni-body car without severe consequences.

Jim

I'm positive the Fiero came with T-tops from the factory. I could see how someone doing T-tops themselves would be bad, but GM T-tops should be pretty stable, as the Fiero wasn't whole-heartedly designed to be a race car. A targa top would look great, but would require reinforcements.

***EDIT***

Actually, I changed my mind. Either transmission package is fine.

What is your source of information? I've seen two, and both were conversions. The cars were scary wiggly in hard cornering.

"Factory T-tops" in Firebirds and Camaros turned otherwise nice cars into rattle traps. They hurt handling significantly. This is not my opinion, this is a fact.

No one said anything about race cars. I was simply pointing out the strong suit Fiero brings "to the table". NHRA is among the most respected sanctioning bodies around, and has little or no "politics" in their safety approach.

I'm serious, though. If you have credible information about factory-installed T-tops, I would like to review it. Being "positive" means nothing unless you have hard data to back it up. I ALWAYS want to learn things I don't know. I remember when these cars were being sold new, and no T-tops were advertised. The "space frame", however, was touted BIG TIME. So please, point me to your source.

Jim

Oops, I think I'm confusing everyone. 1988 was the only year when the T-top was available through the dealership, as stated on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Fiero#1988, but I know some people distrust Wikipedia. One other source is a set of ads on http://www.fierottop.com/archive/. I believe these are original ads, and the T-top setup was designed and built by Component Concepts. Being dealer-installed, the term "conversion" is probably correct, so I'm sorry if I got you all mixed up. I'm still looking for one for sale... or a T-top/Targa top conversion kit. If I were to convert a Fiero to having a Targa top, I would definetly reinforce the frame.

C&C installed T-tops in Fieros. Only the 88s had the RPO code CJB that it was a factory option. There were 1252 88 T-toppers, and C&C did those also. There were 91 coupes, 547 Formulas and 614 GTs with T-tops. After 20 years, T-tops are prone to leak and repair/replacement parts are hard to come by and can get pricey.

For a targa top, you will definitely need to re inforce the frame as the Fiero roof structure is rather important at keeping the car from folding in the middle.

Thanks for coming "clean". My warning about the integrity of the chassis is still in force. Because it WAS a "conversion", it was not subject to DOT rules and regulations. The sun/moon roof setup is pretty good, and does NOT affect the integrity of the chassis.

For the record, I don't post on these forums just to read what I type. You're new here, so you may not be aware of that. I'm an automotive porfessional with over 30 years "in the business", including at least 5 years as a line tech in Pontiac dealerships out West, including Idaho (Honstead Motors, Nampa). I share information because the more educated potential customers are, the better guys like me "look". I also like to see people get off on the right foot regarding cars. Too much "myth and superstition" in our business. Wikipedia is of no help there, as the people that put it together are NOT "car people". They will propegate a myth so quick, it can be mind-blowing. Labeling Mustang, Firebird, Camaro, etc. as "muscle car" is one example. These are "pony cars", NOT "muscle cars", no matter how much "muscle" they have. When invented and introduced in 1964, a "muscle car" was an intermediate body with a "big car" engine installed. GTO was the first and epitomizes the "class". The "pony car" was classified to give Mustang an identity other than just another "sport compact".

Enough of that. I Hope you find the P-body you're looking for, and enjoy it. Remember, they don't make them anymore, so be easy on any modifications you make. And they were a "landmark" vehicle, so show appropriate "respect", please!

Jim

Sorry about that one, Jim. I am a newbie, and learning about the Fiero, so thanks for sharing your knowledge and correcting me. Old Lar, thanks also!

I promise my modifications will be light, as far as visuals go. I've heard V-8s are great for making the Fiero move. :iceslolan If I find the Fiero I'm looking for, I'll post some pictures and all that good stuff. As for right now, I'm still hunting for my ride.

Sorry about that one, Jim. I am a newbie, and learning about the Fiero, so thanks for sharing your knowledge and correcting me. Old Lar, thanks also!

I promise my modifications will be light, as far as visuals go. I've heard V-8s are great for making the Fiero move. :iceslolan If I find the Fiero I'm looking for, I'll post some pictures and all that good stuff. As for right now, I'm still hunting for my ride.

One of my Fieros is an 88 coupe that has a crate ZZ4 350 CI TPI engine (rated at 355HP)and has an IMSA rebody kit. It was built in 2000 then tweaked some more in 03-04. The car is scary fast when pushed, so it sits on wheel dollies in storage, mostly because at $4.30+ for premium and 18 mpg, if I'm conservative. The last time I had the car out, I snapped a rear wheel stud and the car came home on a flatbed. Any more I like to cruise, so I'll take my stock 87GT out or my slightly modifiedcustomized 88GT and travel the states getting close to 30mpg @ $4.00+/gallon gas. Its more fun cruising than to feed to oil industry.:2cents:

Lar,

Dave Windingland of Ferncliff, VA, built "Fear Arrow", an '88 2M6, with a 455 Pontiac in it. It uses TH325 from an '80 Rivvy. Went 10.90s on 87 octane fuel at Virginia Motorsports Park a couple years ago. Drives pretty much like a Fiero... UNTIL...! You can see some pics of it on my website (centralvirginiamachine.com)

Jim

I saw Dave's car when FOCOA had their show in Williamsburg in 2001. Rather impressive "grocery getter":grinyes: I have some photos of the car from that show on a CD somewhere in my collection.

I'm getting ready for a road trip to Pontiac next week for the 25th Fiero anniversary show in my 87 GT.

I've seen a couple of Fieros that were converted over to electric power as a hobbyist project, but they have a sad, short range. Here's one of the more detailed projects I found: http://www.greenplanet3.org/ev/Home.html, also, check this one out: http://www.qsl.net/ki7cx/FieroESE.htm. I'm not sure how cost-effective these are, and they certainly aren't designed to be top-speed machines, but it's a cool concept.

In other news, I found a red '88 GT with a sunroof in central California for a very good price at $3,000. We can't afford it right now, but it already has the automatic transmission in it, and is comparatively close to home.

Why, oh why, can't I find any Fiero clubs in my part of Idaho? Curse this climate.

yeah there were factory t's installed! also as far as the ones that don't go. if you want to convert one find one without a sunroof and run your hand over the headliner! alot of the ones with out a sunroof were preped for t's! you will find the indent were the t's will sit! they aready have the support installed from the factory! i have an 88 gt that is prepped!