Pontiac Fiero

Introduction

The Pontiac Fiero, produced from 1984 to 1988, was a mid-engine sports car and the first of its kind built by a U.S. manufacturer in mass production. Compact, stylish, and innovative, the Fiero was designed to attract younger buyers and showcase Pontiac’s engineering creativity. While early models emphasized fuel efficiency, later versions gained stronger performance, making the Fiero a unique and collectible classic today.

Exterior

The Pontiac Fiero featured a wedge-shaped design with pop-up headlights, sleek body lines, and a sporty stance. Its composite body panels over a steel space frame gave it a futuristic look while reducing weight and resisting rust. Available as a coupe or fastback, the Fiero’s compact proportions and distinctive styling made it stand out in the 1980s sports car scene.

Interior

Inside, the Fiero offered a two-seat layout with a driver-oriented cockpit. The dashboard design was sporty, featuring large gauges and an intuitive control layout. Depending on trim, interiors ranged from cloth seating to leather-upholstered sport seats. Higher trims included air conditioning, upgraded sound systems, and power accessories, giving it comfort beyond a typical budget sports car.

Safety Features

For its time, the Fiero included essential safety features such as seatbelts, energy-absorbing bumpers, and a rigid steel space frame. Later models incorporated improved suspension and braking systems for better control. While lacking modern airbags and electronic aids, its strong structural design offered decent protection compared to other small sports cars of its era.

Engine Trims

The Fiero was initially offered with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine focused on fuel economy. Later, Pontiac introduced a 2.8L V6 engine, delivering stronger performance and making the Fiero GT a true sports car contender. Transmission options included 4- and 5-speed manuals as well as a 3-speed automatic. The V6-powered GT models remain the most sought-after versions today.

Maintenance

Maintenance of the Pontiac Fiero requires careful attention, especially for cooling and electrical systems, which were known issues in early models. Routine care includes oil changes, brake servicing, and suspension upkeep. Thanks to a strong enthusiast community and aftermarket support, parts and restoration services remain available, making it feasible to keep a Fiero in good condition.

Competitors

The Pontiac Fiero competed with compact sports cars like the Toyota MR2, Mazda RX-7, and Honda CR-X. While Japanese rivals were often more refined, the Fiero stood out as America’s only affordable mid-engine car of its time. Today, it holds a special place among enthusiasts as a bold and innovative experiment by Pontiac.