1986 Fiero GT 6cyl [Work Log] - Page 2

JohnWPB · 05-25-2009, 01:34 AM

Yes, all of them would be the round ones. I have all this planning going on now, trying to measure, sketch up what it could look like, and really have not started to do actually anything as of yet heheh. It's all in the early planning stages, and any part of it could change at any time.

HiJackZX1 · 05-25-2009, 03:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by JohnWPB

Welcome to the MP3Car forums! I have a good idea of how I am going to do the center console. It will be something based on the idea of the above wooden one. Separating the A/C controls give some extra space, as well as reducing the radio to a single DIN from the present 1.5 DIN. I just am going to rearrange things in it, as well as probably add some newer / more modern looking A/C vents.

EDIT:

Something like this for instance:

Why not cut out the middle man and just get rid of the head unit? Only thing you would have to do is buy a 4 channel amp and discreetly put it in the trunk or under a seat. Doing that will give you more dash space to work with.

JohnWPB · 05-25-2009, 03:37 AM

I like having a head unit as a backup audio source in case of puter problems. But mostly, I like it for the real volume knob. Yea yea, I know, the shuttle and such, I just like the simplicity of the head unit volume.

I also have a parrot blue tooth kit that interfaces with the radio for hands free calling ect.

I just cut out some cardboard to the size of the console area in the car. I took tons of measurements, and it looks like everything is going to fit just fine. The Vents, A/C, controls, 10" screen and the head unit.

It will all work, BUT I really wanted the A/C vents on the side. There is just no room what-so-ever to do it. The instrument cluster butts up right against the center console. Otherwise I would have come up with something similar to this:

There is just NO way to do it with the room that I have to work, thus the plan "B" of having the A/C vents on the top.

Enforcer · 05-25-2009, 06:26 AM

Just did a wiki look at this car.

I assume this is how the whole looks on yours

Did Pontiac just give the responsibility of designing and building of the dash to a group of preschoolers armed with only cereal boxes and washing up liquid bottles and then some stickybacked plastic to stick it to the shelf that is the back of the console?

JohnWPB · 05-25-2009, 06:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

Just did a wiki look at this car. I assume this is how the whole looks on yours.

Did Pontiac just give the responsibility of designing and building of the dash to a group of preschoolers armed with only cereal boxes and washing up liquid bottles and then some stickybacked plastic to stick it to the shelf that is the back of the console?

No, actually they were first graders, and they were also allowed to use milk jugs as well. These first graders were only allowed to use a straight edge ruler, and not get fancy with any curves and contours

But....Yes, that is the stock dash on 99% of Fiero's, with a few differences in the tach and speedo based on the engine ect.

If all goes well, it will look nothing like that when I am finished with it

In perspective, the Center console & upper center console are quite easy to modify. Re-Designing the dash gauge cluster is much harder to do. I will start with the center "floor console" and the center radio console first, and go from there.

Enforcer · 05-25-2009, 07:35 AM

It looks like one of those kiddies steering wheels (without all the garish colours) just bolted on.

Kind of like an afterthought.

Anyway, got any pics of the outside of your car. (notice I said 'Your' and not a library picture)

JohnWPB · 05-25-2009, 11:20 AM

I haven't posted any pictures, as its nothing to look at yet

The dash pic above was of my car, not a "stock image"

Keep in mind, it is an old car, 1986 to be precise. That is the point, to take a POS and restore it into something worth driving. It will be a time consuming process for sure.

Surprisingly though, the car only has 62,000 original miles on it. Most Fiero's I have seen are usually around 150,000 miles or so.

It is presently white, but after the interior is done, It will be painted some shade of red, possibly a dark candy type apple red. Changing the paint color is FAR easier than just about any other car. The door jams, trunk, and under the hood (bonnett) is all black.

Sorry for the small pic, I didn't take it. I still have yet to go get the car, probably the end of this week or early next week. In the mean time, I still have the one in the driveway to get all the measurements and start test fitting things

HiJackZX1 · 05-25-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by JohnWPB

I haven't posted any pictures, as its nothing to look at yet

The dash pic above was of my car, not a "stock image"

Keep in mind, it is an old car, 1986 to be precise. That is the point, to take a POS and restore it into something worth driving. It will be a time consuming process for sure.

Surprisingly though, the car only has 62,000 original miles on it. Most Fiero's I have seen are usually around 150,000 miles or so.

It is presently white, but after the interior is done, It will be painted some shade of red, possibly a dark candy type apple red. Changing the paint color is FAR easier than just about any other car. The door jams, trunk, and under the hood (bonnett) is all black.

Sorry for the small pic, I didn't take it. I still have yet to go get the car, probably the end of this week or early next week. In the mean time, I still have the one in the driveway to get all the measurements and start test fitting things

Now that Fiero I like. The older one makes be cringe. As for the interior, its funny because back in the day that interior was modern. To us now though, it looks like a kid went crazy with a Lego set.

JohnWPB · 05-28-2009, 08:15 AM

It's hard to tell from that pic of the car what it is gonna look like when I am done. This is fairly close, though not too sure on that exact shade of red. Will be different rims as well.

rdholtz · 05-28-2009, 09:23 AM

Aalthough the interior design is dated, the exterior appearance -- except for the flip-up headlights -- is surprisingly contemporary.

Enforcer · 05-28-2009, 09:50 AM

It looks like a lotus wannabe.

JohnWPB · 05-28-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by rdholtz

Although the interior design is dated, the exterior appearance -- except for the flip-up headlights -- is surprisingly contemporary.

That is why I am redoing the interior. The outer appearance of the car, as you mentioned, still looks very modern, especially for being 23 years old! I think that is why I have always been so drawn to it. I saw them as a kid, and though it looked like something from the future / a prototype.

In their defense though (The designers) they were going for a minimalistic interior. Many high end sports cars have a very simple dash, and I think that's what they were TRYING to go for, and just made it to "boxy".

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

It looks like a lotus wannabe.

Ummmmm I think it is the other way around actually

Here is the 23 year old dash... compare that to the 20 year newer dash of the Lotus above

Yes, as I mentioned, the Lotus definitely has more curves, but there is a serious design resemblance for sure. Both have an overstated gauge cluster, recessed right hand side dash, no glove box, just a tray/slot, 3 spoke steering wheel....