hookedonplastics Posted February 11, 2007 Posted February 11, 2007 I built this for my brother for Chistmas one year because the Fiero is his favorite car. I "published" these photos and this text on glossy photo paper to give it a "magazine article" feel and gave that to him as well. So here goes nothin'...... The look is like nothing else on the road. The attitude is aggressive. This is the 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT, an extraordinary driving experience. Fiero’s styling and performance refinements include a rally-tuned suspension along with 14-inch hi-tech aluminum wheels. Helping to complete the stylized look is a slippery aero nose plus special ground effect side skirts that master the wind for optimum aerodynamics. Either a spirited 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine powers the Fiero or the optional fuel injected 2.8 liter V-6. That is what the Fiero is all about. Perhaps it is the ultimate visual statement of what Pontiac excitement is all about!
hookedonplastics Posted February 11, 2007 Author Posted February 11, 2007 SPECIFICATIONS: Optional multi-port fuel injected 2.8 liter V-6 Rack and pinion steering Fully independent suspension 14-inch by 7-inch aluminum wheels 4 speed manual transmission Soft fascia bumpers Tuned dual twin-port exhaust Wheelbase: 93.4 inches Width: 68.9 inches Height: 46.9 inches Length: 165.2 inches
hookedonplastics Posted February 11, 2007 Author Posted February 11, 2007 The engine block, transmission, ram injection port, exhaust, and alternator were painted in differing shades of metalizers to give detail and contrast. The intake plenum was painted red to match factory coloring. The chrome valve covers were painted with clear red to represent a custom anodized coating. For further detailing, a dipstick and spark plug wires were added. The exhaust was not plated and the tips were solid. The tips were opened by spinning a #11 exacto blade into the exhaust to match the bell shape. Then, they were painted with black enamel and then lightly coated with Alclad Chrome.
hookedonplastics Posted February 11, 2007 Author Posted February 11, 2007 The chassis was painted flat and semi-gloss black to create some contrast. Bolts, straps, and suspension parts were painted silver and brass to pull out detail. Note the factory style splatter coating in the front and rear trunk areas.
hookedonplastics Posted February 11, 2007 Author Posted February 11, 2007 The interior was painted with flat black and flat German Grey. This gave a nice visual contrast and helped eliminate the potential ‘black hole’. A custom mix of dark gray, silver and black flocking was used to simulate carpet. The instrument panels and stereo and heater controls were dry brush detailed with silver paint. Also visible on the passenger seat are photo-reduced comic books to suggest a recent trip to the bookstore.
hookedonplastics Posted February 11, 2007 Author Posted February 11, 2007 Though this kit was loaded with detail, it had more than its fair share of fit problems. One such problem was the clearance of the head light buckets on the hood with the body. Unfortunately, this was not noticed until after painting the final assembly was almost done. Also, either due to poor fit or the build up of multiple coats of paint and primer, the hood was too wide. A little filing and sanding and the fit issues were resolved.
1320wayne Posted February 11, 2007 Posted February 11, 2007 Very nice build. Excellent detail throughout.
MrObsessive Posted February 11, 2007 Posted February 11, 2007 Very nice job on a model not seen anymore at the shows let alone the 1:1! 8) One of my favorite color combos for that car was the gold with black trim. I almost bought one of those new back in late '87 when the '88's were intro'd........but at over $15,000 out the door I passed! :roll: Lot's of dough back then for a new car...... If my crystal ball would have been working I should've bought that car anyway, and put it away somewhere as Pontiac would discontinue the car come March '88.
Daniel Peterson Posted February 11, 2007 Posted February 11, 2007 I echo everyone's comments about the build! Nicely done! I drove a couple back in the 80s, and I really enjoyed tooling around in the car. Anyone who has owned them seems to agree that the last year of the Fiero GT was the best year, benefitting from all the painful lessons learned since its introduction. Typical, huh? Get it right, then get it gone.
ismaelg Posted February 12, 2007 Posted February 12, 2007 Very cool build! I particularly love the interiors. Well done. That brings a lot of memories. I remember building the MPC kit back in the day. I always liked the GT, especially the gold color. Thanks,
Zoom Zoom Posted February 12, 2007 Posted February 12, 2007 Neat model! Inspires me to build mine; I drove a Fiero back when they were new and really liked it. Nice detail work 8)
Guest zebm1 Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 Verry nice model, luv tha attention to tha small details Russ. Only one small problem wid tha Fieros Bill, don't use matches around Fieros, they tended to catch fire awful quik and then rapidly proceed to burn (no melt) rather quickly. Zeb :twisted:
fastbackfiero Posted February 20, 2007 Posted February 20, 2007 Maybe I'm a little bias here... But I LOVE Fieros, I also have an old mpc kit that someone painted with a brush and as soon as I can get the paint off of it I'm going to chop the roof,put nsx headlights on the front and a few other crazy mods to it. Your kit looks very nice and I'm sure glad to see one on the forum! P.S. Zebm1- ford exploders used to roll over and kill people but nobody seems to remember that, leave the Fiero alone!
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