The "Ferrari" in Christine's Garage....

[60dgrzbelow0]

Ever since I moved into this neighborhood back in 1989...the folks directly to my right on the block have always had this odd looking yellow "Ferrari" tucked in on one side of their garage...covered with old carpets and all kinds of junk. I've always wondered what the deal was with this "Mystery Ride"... until this afternoon.

The young lady living there got in over her head on a "spread ten tons of mulch before the Home Appraiser arrives...!" So...I told her to dry her tears and get out of the way...Hours later...digging, throwing raking and smoothing hours later... the job was done just as the HA arrived on scene.

At one point, he drags out a two thousand yard Tape Measure and tells her, "Chris ...I need to get into the garage to measure the size of things there... can you open the garage door for me?" One sheepish grin later and keypad password to boot...and Voila' ...and as the door comes up...I see the canary yellow car inside. Of course ...while she is distracted with the HA...I tiptoe over to take a closer look at the car...and she catches me with, "Oh...do you like my Ferrai? My Dad built it for me when I was only 15...He's dead now...so I can't get it to run.." Of course I tell her that a 10-12 cylinder engine in such a famous Italian Sports car is a little too exotic and touchy for just anybody to try and get running...and then she said, "Oh....its a Replica....and it has a V-6 in it... not one of those other things...My Dad made it from a kit...and a 1988 Fiero... I think...it's got a lot of electrical problems, though..." So I had to laugh at myself for NOT knowing it was a Fake...and marvel at the idea that the whole time I am working on my son's 3.4L, there is 60* 3.1L GM V6...right next door....masquerading as ...a Ferrari!

I have no idea when or even if she intends to fire that motor up...but I suspect the galleys and the oil pump have long since gone bone dry and I wouldn't know where to begin to help her get it running again (...Hmmm...it WOULD give me an uncommon opportunity to Test out my Home Made Oil Pump Drive Pre-Oiler Tool. though! http://s557.photobucket.com/albums/s...UMPRIMINGTOOL/ She will not part with the car...for obvious sentimental reasons...but I don't see how she could ever get insurance on it to make it street legal. Any members out there with experience with this "Oddly Modded" Fiero?

[ForcedFirebird]

Take a look at it!

I just so happen to have a mint 70k mile complete Fiero engine in my shop. It was replaced with a 327 and it's from a close friend's car.

Did you get my email? I tried hittin you up on the chat box we have at the bottom of the page as well

[60dgrzbelow0]

Take a look at it!

I just so happen to have a mint 70k mile complete Fiero engine in my shop. It was replaced with a 327 and it's from a close friend's car.

Did you get my email? I tried hittin you up on the chat box we have at the bottom of the page as well

John... Let me check my email...I've been helping this kid all afternoon and just now got online...

The girl is seldom home...she works full time and has other family to look after while her Man is over in Iraq. The next time she is home...I think I can ask her now to allow me to uncover the car ...blow off the dust and open the Hood (Trunk?...LOL) and I'll take a raft of images of the car and add them to this post.

I'll mention the motor you have available and see what she thinks... It's tough to imagine that right when she and her father were working together on this project and having so much fun preparing her 'First Car' that he passed away. Her attachment to it seems less of an interest in the mechanics of it or even that it really should be running again..and more about the fact that he is gone...but their shared experience is still sitting there for her to think about... and remember him as he was.

[robertisaar]

i believe you title and insure them as a fiero, since the fiero VIN is what's going to show up...

kit-cars have always has been a bit of an interest to me...

electrical issues, huh? wouldn't take too long to figure out what's wrong...

[Firehawk94]

I remember reading something on these kits and I cant for the life of me remember where I got this info from, but didnt Ferrari file a suit with the company that made these kits? I have seen pictures of Fieros with these kits and they look almost identical to a Ferrari Testarossa which is why Ferrari filed the suit, copyright? Who knows. I would LOVE to get my hands on an 88 up Fiero GT and put one of these kits on it, if the kits are still around that is....

[Firehawk94]

Here we go I found it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Fiero

Good ol' Wikipedia! Apparently, it was termed as a Fiero Mera and was actually dealer option, but it was still a kit. I think it looks awesome. And wow! Look at the prototype for 1990 doesnt it have the essence of a 4th gen Firebird? And is that a 3.4L DOHC under the "hood"? And it goes on to say that the prototype would have been faster, cheaper and better handling than the Corvette.....amazing, but why did they axe such a great car???

[Monzsta]

Man, I miss my Fiero. I had a gold and black '86 SE. If I knew then what I know now... and if that lady in the Dakota didn't drive halfway up the hood...

[bszopi]

And it goes on to say that the prototype would have been faster, cheaper and better handling than the Corvette.....amazing, but why did they axe such a great car???

I think you answered your own question there...

[Firehawk94]

Yep, you are exactly right. I was wondering if anyone was going to catch that.....

[60dgrzbelow0]

Guys... Now you've REALLY got me interested in this car... I just have to wait until I can catch the young lady when she is home and has her Garage Door open long enough for me to be able to snag some photos... I can't WAIT to see what this machine looks like...inside and out... and I'll post whatever I can get...ASAP

[60dgrzbelow0]

What I'd like to be able to do...is push the car out of its hiding place...then jack it up and after changing the motor oil and oil filter... I could prime that Mummified Engine with my Newly Designed GM V-6 Pre-Oiler Gizmo...before she decides to try and crank it over when its drier than a Pop-Corn Fart inside...and ruin the engine...

[Firehawk94]

You know.....if this car actually is a Fiero Mera, it is worth some SERIOUS money. However, you did state that her father built the car so I am assuming that the kit was purchased after the car left the lot, as the Mera kit was a dealer option only. Nonetheless, it still is an awesome car and the engines that have been swapped into these things are phenomenal; almost ANYTHING can be swapped into these cars with (in most cases) ease. But, then again, why would you want to swap out the 660??

[robertisaar]

why would you want to swap out the 660??

bigger 660.

and the thing was that it was a dealer selling the car from the factory and that violates IP rights IIRC. once it's out the door though, you can do whatever you want.

[Firehawk94]

bigger 660

Touche'

But, some were produced which makes them kit cars super rare. Gotta love politics!

[60dgrzbelow0]

I wish she understood what you just explained. The roof on her home went bad during that big spate of Hurricanes a few years back and the county inspectors made her pay dearly to have a new roof installed to the new stricter standards...all that Ch'Ching has put their family in serious debt and hence...having the house appraised to get it re-financed. If she is sitting on a Gold Mine of a Rare Car...then I will do my best to get enough information with some videos and still shots for the Forum Members here in the "Deeper Know" to look over and then bring me up to speed on what she has been holding on to all this time. God knows ...they could use a fresh infusion of "Jingle"...