Year: 1988
Model: Pontiac Fiero Coupe 
Engine: 3.4L V6
Transmission: 5-Speed
Mileage: 159,000
Exterior Color: White
Interior Color: Grey/Red
Air Conditioning: Yes
I first became interested in buying a Pontiac Fiero back in 1999 after my son was involved in a very bad accident in his Fiero. The structural soundness of the car saved his life. I recalled at the time the Fiero in '86 held one of the highest ratings on frontal crash test ratings and on injuries to occupants. If I remember it equaled the '86 Ford LTD, which was a full size car with a full perimeter frame.
In 1979 I had been reading press releases about a new 2-seater commuter car that Pontiac was trying to get approval on. I was fresh out of college from Indiana State University about the time Larry Bird was making his presence known to the world of basketball. I had always been a fan of Pontiacs since a young age and after 4 years working in my father's Pontiac dealership, I decided that I wanted to get closer to the inner circle of the auto world so I applied for a position with Pontiac Motor Division in the fall of 1982.
By the time I was hired on with PMD in '82 the car was approved and within 3 months I saw my first Fiero in the lower level of Pontiac headquarters' parking garage. I was knocked out at the look especially the N78 wheels and the unique look of the car even though it was a notchback. Little did I know the best was yet to come!
When the' 86 GT was released, I remember the Portland International Auto Show where I was working a show display. We had a bright red GT on a turntable that just knocked everyone's socks off. I had to constantly herd people off of the displays. They wanted to sit in the car to get a better look. Boy, did I want one of those!
Unfortunately in 1986 a District Sales Manager's pay was not enough to sustain a wife, 2 young children, a Fiero, a minivan, and a new home. As a result, I was not able to park one of those little babies in my garage. So fast-forward about 15 years when my oldest son bought a really sharp black 87 GT. Soon after his purchase he totaled the car but it reminded me of the crashworthiness of the space frame. Later, I decided I would buy a Fiero to be my own. I searched the Internet and found a white 87 GT automatic a couple of hours from my house and I bought it for $1,700. It had cracked paint on the bumpers, hood and a torn front fascia with rally seats and 198,000 miles on the odometer. After some fresh paint, repairs to the seats, and a rebuilt 2.8 stroked to 3.1 liter, I had a decent car.
Unfortunately, Fieros are still addictive as I currently own two 84 Pace Cars, two 86 SE's, an 85 GT 4-speed with 57,000 miles, the 87 GT, a '88 Formula and the current project, a '88 base coupe with T-tops. This one has a new 96 DOHC 3.4 crate motor with a 94-95 MAF setup and a Getrag 5-speed. The car is white and I am transplanting a Pace Car interior and Formula wheels from my supply of part cars, which have been accumulating over the last 6 years.
I guess you could say I bought a Fiero because I always wanted one and like many of the aging boomer crowd we all seem to appeal to a young age group too. Pontiac's market research in the 80's indicated that the Fiero had the lowest average age of buyer of any GM car at 25, although mostly female, in part due to the base coupe. Little has changed with the car over the years as far as appeal and in my opinion they are a unique part of our American auto heritage. The car also has a special meaning to my past association and career with PMD. The main reason today they still are so popular is due to the timeless styling and unique appeal and performance potential that transcends generations.
The miles I have driven are not many, just a few thousand. With as many as 8 Fieros, it is hard to drive all of them at any given time.
I think I have had every problem that one can have more than once. From engine rebuilds, swaps, blown transmissions, parted and wrecked cars-you name it. Almost every time I drive any of my Fieros it always brings to mind a memorable experience. I get comments and looks from young and old alike on my trips to the gas station or to McDonalds.
As for modifications, other than the stroked 87 GT, the most recent project has been the 88 coupe transformed into an 88 Pace Car/Formula with the DOHC swap. A local garage did this for me. The cradle was powder coated red as well as the intake and air cleaner. The interior has red carpet, seats, and steering wheel from an 84 Pace Car. I had the seats recovered with an exact match of the grey leather and the red cloth bolsters are still excellent.
I'm extremely proud of the engine swap. I am utilizing the DOHC 3.4 with OBD1.5 setup, which gives me sequential fuel injection; the OBD1 set up only has batch firing. The only item we could not utilize was the EGR valve. As a result, there is a little loss on highway mileage. The car is white but I am contemplating a color change to red.
I also have a 1975 Pontiac Grandville 455 convertible with about 90,000 miles that I have owned since it was new. It needs some restoration work but it will be in the family as I pass it along to my son Patrick when he gets home from his tour of duty in Iraq next year. If I were to be able to buy another car, I would want a yellow Formula 5-speed with T-tops, or the Pontiac Solstice, which is a wonderful execution of the original Fiero concept. I have bought and sold many Fieros, but with my fleet as high as it is currently at 7, 1 think that after the DOHC project is complete I will be liquidating some inventory.
After 15 years in the automotive business from dealer to factory and back, I made a career change-about and got into the insurance business. At present I own an independent insurance agency in my hometown of Greencastle, Indiana, which allows me the income and freedom to pursue the hobby much to the irritation of my spouse who often wonders how many Fieros I really have. I hope my collection disease is not terminal and doubt that I will soon be cured, but the DOHC car draws more of my attention these days so maybe the fleet is due for a reduction in numbers.
I have much documented photos of the 3.4 DOHC swap that I will gladly share with other members or a pretty good supply of various parts. So if anyone needs anything feel free to send me an email (mmurphy@broadreach.net) or contact me on Pennock's as I am always glad to help someone further the Fiero hobby.
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This page was last updated 08/10/2008