Mike Maver is a retired first responder in more than one way.  Yes, he’s a career firefighter but also was the first to respond to an email I sent to several NIFE members asking them to complete the Meet A Member survey on the website (Thank you, Mike!). Here’s Mike’s Fiero story:

 I was first introduced to NIFE by my lifelong friend Christopher Sass (one of the Fiero Focus contributing editors). I joined the club after I bought my second Fiero, a ‘86 GT. Getting to share the fun and excitement of these cars with other members is what I really like about NIFE. The meetings are always very informative and it’s great to "network" with other club members.
   My wife and I were married in July 1983. Being a "car guy" I was very intrigued by the NEW Pontiac Fiero. So we, like many others, waited in line at Bert Adams Pontiac in Joliet, IL to see and test drive one. We loved the car but knew it might not be the best choice if we wanted to start a family. So we settled on an '84 Chevy Cavalier hatchback!
   Again, my friend Christopher got me hooked after he bought a brand new '85 Fiero which he still owns today. I knew someday I'd own one! Finally, I bought my first (of nine that I've owned) Fiero in 1995. It was an ‘85 GT. Other Fieros I’ve owned include two '84 Indy Pace Car replicas (one of which was car #2000 - the last one built!), an '86 GT, an '86 SE, an '86 DGP Wide Body, an '87 Coupe, a white '88 Formula, and my current car, a ‘88 Formula with T-tops. When I bought my Formula it was badly in need of a paint job and mechanical work. The purchase price was $2,500. Since then, however, I've invested three times that! I always wanted another '88 Formula. I had seen my current car a few years prior when I had purchased some parts for my DGP car from the previous owner. It was originally from South Carolina and the spaceframe is truly rust free. Since it’s also a CJB T-top car, I felt it was the Formula I wanted.
   My Fieros have always been my "pleasure vehicles" so I really don't put too many miles on them. I have had many of the typical problems most Fiero owners have experienced, but learning the hard way about the rust issues was the toughest thing I've had to deal with. My first Indy pace car had major rust in the rear frame rails and I had to weld in a rust free rear frame section to repair it.
   My most memorable experience with a Fiero? Hands down it was at the 25th anniversary event held in Pontiac, MI when NIFE Member Fred Bartemeyer, Jr. graciously offered me the opportunity to drive one of the three REAL Fiero Indy Pace Cars around the show field before loading them back in the haulers at the end of the show. This honor bestowed on me by a true friend was something I'll always remember and it was a real THRILL!!!
   My car has a 3.4L push-rod V6 that also has a performance cam, injectors, and exhaust. It was repainted by Marvin Minarich, Jr. of Marvin's Motor City in Minooka, IL. We added an original DGP spoiler to the deck lid and finished the paint in a two-tone effect with the roof and A-pillars painted matte black. The wheels are American Racing Torque Thrust II's.
   I've been a hot-rodder for almost 40 years and I've owned many cars. I currently have a ‘89 Corvette convertible and I'm working on two other projects: a ‘57 Chevy half-ton pick-up that is a ground up rebuild, and a ‘50 Packard that will be a “resto-mod”. I don't think I'll likely ever sell my Fiero but I'd like to get another Indy Pace Car replica someday.

I’m a career Firefighter currently working for the Naperville Fire Department.  I also own and operate a small electrical contracting business.  My wife and I have been married for 34 years. We have three children, Steve, 30; Katie, 26; and Lauren, 24. My wife, Cindy, works as an office manager for Dale Coyne Racing, an Indy car racing team.