1988 Pontiac Fiero Formula

Description

It was tough being a General Motors fan in the 1980s. The company had relegated most of its models to bland copycats of compromised, committee-driven designs which, for the most part, suffered terrible quality problems. But every once in a while, the true car guys broke free of the massive corporate bureaucracy and belted one straight out of the park! Wrapping mid-engine athletics in a lightweight composite body, the Pontiac Fiero was one such homerun. Highly optioned, magazine featured and sporting just 2,910 miles, this exceptional Fiero is an exclusive opportunity to invest in something tangibly unique. A final-year Formula that's essentially a museum quality time capsule, it represents the best of what the model had to offer. And, if you're looking for an eccentric classic that'll transport you right back to the days when performance was more than just horsepower, it's a solid yet affordable collectible!

FORMULA FEATURE

The only mid-engine volume car America has ever produced, Pontiac's venerable Fiero started life as a roster of existing GM hardware that was headlined by sleek, unique sheetmetal. Sales took off in 1984 and, by the time the marque's final-year Formula rolled out of the factory, Pontiac's pint-size coupe had become a serious performance machine. Protected and pampered for over 30 years, this 1988-exclusive Formula survivor is a fine example of the days when global manufacturers weren't afraid to take a risk. Everything from the car's clean glass to its blacked out rockers is about as close to perfect as a decades-old veteran can get. And its glossy Medium Red pigment still displays fantastic fleck!

Pontiac's philosophy with its Formula trim was always very interesting. Believe it or not, a lot of buyers didn't necessarily want the full ostentatiousness of the Pontiac experience. So, Pontiac strategically produced Formula models that featured top-option athletics under less aggressive kit. At the front of this Formula, a chip-free nose, cribbed from the more conservative Fierro Coupe instead of the flashy Fierro GT, anchors bright turn signals and glossy profile trim between an ornate header badge and a scuff-free spoiler. Behind that nose, “PONTIAC” branded headlights lead the eye to an arrowhead-stamped greenhouse that's flanked by small, Satin Black mirrors. Those mirrors reflect optional T-tops opposite flush door handles and tasteful “FORMULA” callouts. Behind those banners, a Fiero Coupe backlite highlights a prominent deck spoiler, sleek taillights and sporty “Fiero” lettering. And those grided torches illuminate a sculpted, “PONTIAC” branded bumper that's bent around black, quad-outlet exhaust tips.

GT POWER

Cars like the Fiero were never about brute power. GM wanted to produce a balanced, economical platform which was inexpensive and provided an excellent driving experience. Accordingly, all Fieros were originally equipped with Pontiac's economical 2.5 liter 'Iron Duke' 4-cylinder. However, the number one complaint of early adopters was the car's lack of power. So, in 1985, when the GT model was introduced, a more powerful 2.8 liter V6 was sourced from Chevrolet and tuned by Pontiac to create 140 horsepower and 170 lb./ft. of curve-carving torque. The 2.8 liter was one of the first transversely mounted V6s to utilize multi-port fuel injection. And the new mill perfectly suited the Fiero which, unlike most exotic sports cars, provided drivers with exciting performance that wasn't overbearing or dangerous. All the hard parts in this lightweight Formula's clean engine bay, from the red, “Fiero” branded intake and Holley throttle body to the red valve covers and dent-free oil pan, appear to be factory original. And, as expected, the V6's tags, markings and stamps are just where they should be.

WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE

Enthusiasts often joke about the theory that GM tends to discontinue marques as soon as they perfect them. Sadly, Pontiac's super cool Fiero is one of the many awesome nameplates that supports their argument. For those of you who don't know the model's story, what GM bureaucrats eventually approved as the Fiero suspension was vastly different than what Pontiac engineers initially designed. By 1988, the model's final year, the engineers had proven their merit through an in-house racing program, and this car's freshened WS6 bones were manufactured precisely as intended. The result is a compact, mid-engine sports car that actually drives like a compact, mid-engine sports car should. At the center of the floor, an optional Getrag 5-speed provides a series of crisp shifts. At the corners of the car, vented and power-assisted discs provide concise, drama-free stops. Although there were whispers of optional power steering, a tried-and-true manual rack was retained. And power flows through original Crosslace Wheels that spin original 205/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GTs in front of original 215/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GTs.

A FINE DRIVE

This low-slung classic's sporty Grey interior features bright cloth buckets mounted inside a 'wraparound' cockpit that keeps occupants buttoned down and secure. As with any cloth surface, wear and seam tears would normally be a primary concern, but the soft seats in this Pontiac display no major splits or thin spots. Between those seats, a wide console centers a traditional GM shifter in front of controls for factory power windows. That console flows into a plateaued dash, which anchors clear instrumentation above original Delco audio and original air conditioning. At the sides of that dash, crack-free door panels look great and function well. And in front of the driver, a leather-wrapped Fiero steering wheel laps factory Cruise Control on a tilting column.

Today, top-option Fieros are almost universally regarded as future collector cars, especially when discussing the hobby's numerous niches and subcultures. A whole generation of buyers grew up with these endearing coupes. And since they're becoming increasingly scarce, the good ones get snapped up as quickly as they hit the market. If you're a diehard Pontiac fan, a lover of unique classics, or just a smart investor looking for a good bet on a solid return, this brazen Pontiac is the deal of the year!

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Exceptional Fiero Formula survivor that's logged just 2,910 miles
• Produced during the final model year for the Fiero and the only model year for the Fiero Formula
• 1 of only 5,484 Fiero Formulas produced
• Featured in Grassroots Motorsports Magazine
• Original 2.8 liter V6
• Original Getrag 5-speed manual transmission
• Air conditioning
• 4-wheel power disc brakes
• WS6 Suspension (redesigned for the 1988 model year)
• Original Grey cloth interior
• Power windows, power door locks and Cruise Control
• Original Medium Red paint
• Optional T-tops
• Original 15-inch Crosslace Wheels with original Goodyear Eagle GT tires
• All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point inspection
• We can arrange shipment of your purchase anywhere in the world