My local corner shopping center has a mixture of shops; anchored by a semi-bougie grocery store there’s a distillery, a few eateries, an actual butcher, a baker, a pharmacy, a shipping store, of course a couple of coffee places, and assorted other outlets totaling about one and a half dozen all told, it’s almost an all-needs-in-one-location. What it also has is a parking lot large enough to never require circling for a spot, and most days there is at least one interesting vehicle amongst the population, a number of which I have featured here over the years.
Today after I was running my errands in one of the stores I almost tripped over this little 1985 Pontiac Fiero GT, an example of which I haven’t seen a running one in some time, let alone one in pretty much pristine condition. Yet there it was, parked less than a carelessly thrown door’s width away from other cars. This certainly called for me to memorialize the occasion, and after doing so I spied some other lot-candy within eyeshot so took a quick walk around to add to the collection.
1985 was the second year of Fiero production, and the last year that the 2.8l V6 of the GT model shared the same rear sheetplastic as the 4-cylinder. It’s actually quite attractive in white, which wasn’t a very common hue as I recall in the early years of the model, they all seemed to be red. I’m still not a fan of the ubiquitous GM rear luggage rack thingy but at least it’s black rather than chrome in this iteration and I certainly wouldn’t refuse this (particular) car due to it.
The GT did get a different nose. It’s a little longer and maybe a little bulbous, pondering it maybe it does work better with the forthcoming different rear, which was also a little more rounded. But whatever, I shan’t be picky, there aren’t many running Fieros left; not that there are that many first generation MR2s or CRX’s either for that matter.
A bird on a spit? At least the GT got its due with its own badge.
The arrowhead works well on the B-pillar, and the GT applique as well on the rear side panel. Bodywork was all composite material, so no worries about door dings and such, however the paint could still fade; this one however displays no such issues.
14″ alloys used to be a desirable upgrade. It can’t be easy finding 14″ tires anymore, these are 215/60-14 on this one which is quite chunky given that a VW GTI of the same year for example used a 185/60-14. White-letter BFGs score all the period-feel points, and that design of Pontiac wheel was used on quite a few models, it looked (still looks) quite good.
Here’s a terrible shot through the windshield showing what appears to be an interior just as remarkably preserved as the exterior. It also shows that the owner didn’t wuss out and option an automatic transmission, but instead went for the manual.
Sharp-eyed viewers will note however that the shift pattern stops at 1-4 and R, yes, GM didn’t see fit to equip their sporting runabout with a proper 5-speed a la Toyota MR2 and even the Fiat/Bertone X1/9, CR-X, and pretty much anything else that a buyer might choose to compare the Fiero with. For shame. But look at that interior! It’s perfect.
One last glance and then we’ll let the eye wander a bit a few rows over.
Ooh, here we go, the polar opposite of a Fiero, a Mercedes W123 in the immortal Hellelfenbein (Light Ivory) color so beloved of the German cab driver. You can’t go anywhere in the world and not see at least one W123 if you keep your eyes open.
This is a fairly late-model example given the Bundt wheels and the fact that it’s labeled as a 300 with the TurboDiesel engine, so I’ll guess it’s maybe a 1984 or so, someone else might know better. This will outlast even the cockroaches after the world ends.
Meandering around a little more revealed this 1993-ish Cadillac Seville SLS, Cadillac’s first real “import-fighter”, never mind what their marketing had been saying previously. In very period-correct emerald green, this is a dead ringer for the car the owner of the first company that I worked for after college purchased for herself. She purchased it over the weekend after the Friday that she announced to the entire company that there would not be a raise for anyone that year due to “economic conditions”. I realize now I may have been a “quiet quitter” three decades before that was a thing.
This one has the Northstar engine which debuted for 1993 in this model (the old 4.9l was in the 1992), so it’s a little surprising that it’s still on the road. The SLS was the softer traditional version, while the STS was the juicier one in regards to suspension tuning etc. I guess the SLS would be the Mercedes competitor in Cadillac’s mind while the STS chased after BMW in Cadillac’s dreams. Alright, I don’t mean to be catty, these are actually quite nice cars and I admit to a severe soft spot for the successor generation (’98-’04). Cudos to the owner for keeping it going, I believe they work in one of the shops as I see this one here regularly.
See what I mean about W123s? This lot had two of them, this one is at the opposite end of the spectrum relative to the 300 TurboDiesel we saw above being a 240D without a turbo and an older model with the color-matched hub caps. It appears to hail from Washington State, driving this here would have left the occupants with a lot of time to admire the scenery in detail as it slowly glided by.
What’s not to like? Well, besides the lack of urge, of course. Still, this base model (in the USA) has the same phenomenal build quality, solidity, longevity and whatever other superlatives one would care to lob its way as its slightly more motivated (motorvated?) brethren.
Hey, a Woodgrained Whale! Yes, this is the type of shopping center that was built in the early 1970s with lots of low buildings and a wide sort of promenade sidewalk in front of the shops that owners of all manner of woodgrained wagons would frequent. Here’s the last of the species doing yeoman duty. I think its owner works here as well as it’s a common sight, but the first time I’ve stopped to digitally harpoon it.
This one does have the later mirrors so it’s a 1995 or 1996 and would have the Corvette-related 5.7l LT1 engine along with the dual exhaust. When properly equipped, the wagons like this one could apparently tow up to 7,000 pounds. It’s always parked under this same tree, perhaps birds of a feather flock together…
Leaving the whale alone to take a gander at this relative plankton in Classic Red, an early Miata never fails to deliver a smile. And this one looks virtually new although it’s a 1992 at best if I’m not mistaken due to it not having a chrome Mazda emblem on the front.
It’s a dead ringer for the one I used to own. Well, except for the fancier wheels, far better paint, and nowadays much greater rarity. What a fun ride, and thank you all for wandering around the parking lot on this fine fall day with me. Which of the above selections would you like to take home after running your errands in the center? I don’t think there’s a wrong answer, actually.
Same day? Same lot? Wow!
If the white 240D is a manual, I’ll take it. Aside from merging onto interstate 287 North where the average traffic moves at 80 MPH, this is the perfect local grocery cruiser for a white haired senior citizen who knows what lies ahead in his life and is in no rush to get there.
No zoom zoom; more like rattle rattle.
In 1978 the builder of a condo lent me his 300 TD automatic (for some reason I do not recall). It was like driving a small house; loved the coco mats.
With the 240D, my main entertainment will be to watch the BMW X and Audi Q SUV bros behind me swinging left and right to see if there’s a way to get past me as I rattle along.
I’ll also remember to put on a rear bumper sticker that says “Florida Is For Lovers”.
If one is going to act like a stereotype, go all the way.
Wow – an amazing parking lot concours collection!
Oddly enough, I’ve seen a few Fieros on the road in the past year, but always headed in the opposite direction, and always appearing too quickly for me to pull out my camera. This example you found is remarkable, both for its condition and for being an early GT. I agree that white suits this car well – one of the few cars I can think of that looks best in white or silver.
The cream-colored 300D is identical to one that lives around the corner from me. I’ve never seen the owner, since she’s an older lady who’s pretty reclusive, but the car is usually parked in her carport with a cover hastily thrown over it. These W123s are probably the most-often seen car from its era – common enough that I typically don’t photograph them when I see them.
I like how the Roadmaster has Pioneer license plates – very fitting.
And there should be a special classification of cars that we recoil from due to their association with old bosses (I vaguely remember a “Boss Car” discussion here at CC while back). For you, it’s the Seville. For me it’s a yellow Saab convertible.
That Fiero is pretty close to the while V6/4 speed one my buddy had. The owner of that one is either lucky to have a pristine interior, or has done a lot of work sourcing the decomposable trim bits that Fieros came with. That was apparently the hardest part of keeping the car nice.
Always nice to see an original 1st Gen Miata. It seems like they are going the way of Harley Davidsons and VW Beetles where the standard is modified.
They didn’t advertise this car show?
” … a Mercedes W123 in the immortal Hellelfenbein (Light Ivory) color so beloved of the German cab driver.”
Not quite sure if this colour is “beloved” of the German cab driver. The fact is, that for decades there was a legal rule to paint all cabs in this standardized coluor. (colour code RAL1015). In most German federal states (13 out of 16) the rule still exists.
Ah – i forgot abot the cars. Well, this white really works nice on the Fiero. I think, it’s the one I’d take home.
This is a pretty nice car show even for California. Would you see all these cars there in Colorado on a snowy winter day?
It’s quite clear now that surviving W123s are outnumbering W124s. The W123 has become the representative of what Mercedes once stood for.
I always think of Ken Kesey when I see one of those woodie Roadmasters, as that’s what he tooled around Eugene in. Perfect, for the original Merry Prankster.
May be the American view is a little bit shifted ( ? ) as nearly all US-W123 got those acricultural long living Diesel engines.
Here in my corner of the world, you’ll find at least three W124 on one W123 (well, at least estimated – did not count them all).
That’s pretty accurate, while there are still some W124s out and about, the W123s seem to be owned by “lifers” that do what it may take whereas the W124 is just a car that may last a long time yet doesn’t seem to engender the same “gonna make it last forever” mindset of the W123 crowd.
Wow. Quite the selection. I see an air cooled VW van in front of that Buick wagon as well.
I have always like the original Fiero styling over the later ones but that early rear end with revised front end is pretty nice. My son had a similar one in red but rather less mint.
I skipped the van as it’s more of a mobile advertisement for a clothing ship in the center with their name on the sides. It moves around but I’ve never actually seen it move if that makes sense, its certainly not someone’s daily driver or pride and joy. It does look in very good condition though, kind of a shame to just have it sit in the lot all the time.
First choice for me is the Miata. We had a red 92 bought used with many miles on it. That car gave us nothing but fun for 10 years.
Second would be the Fiero out of curiosity but hopefully that luggage rack can be disposed of. Those things ruin the appearance of many a fox body stand or c3. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in use.
I’ve said it before – including my own COAL entry – and I’ll say it again. The 123-series cars are the absolutely best cars ever built. Period, full stop.
If I had the wherewithal, I would buy a C123 coupe with the I-5 Turbodiesel or the 2.8 I-6 injected, and drive it for the rest of my life.
Fantastic Fiero and Friendly Nick is a great butcher.
He is, you must be local?
Yep, since 2019. Best move I’ve made.
This reminds me of a typical parking lot around me about ten or fifteen years ago. The Miata is a dead ringer for the one I had, right down to the similar wheels. And those Roadmaster wagons stayed around for a long time around here – and they were almost always white!
At the time, I casually followed the development of the P-Body ‘commuter’ car, from the earliest reports in the major car magazines. What impressed me by the late 1983 launch, was how similar the early artist renderings from 1981, resembled the final production version. One of the more interesting domestic product development stories of the early ’80s.
This sounds like a shopping plaza I’d enjoy, with the shops you mention… and as much automotive candy featured here. Love that Fiero. It’s like a John Hughes movie on wheels. I have always loved that multi-directional Pontiac wheel design, no matter what car it was on (Fiero, Firebird, Grand Am, etc.).
There’s nothing better than John Hughes, and all the feels we can associate with his work. Good call.
That made me remember that Jeannie drove a Fiero in Bueller, right?
She did! And Ferris got a computer.
Nice ! even in California I don’t see Fiero’s anymore and that’s a sad thing .
I remember the very first one I saw, it came by the VW shop I was working at and we all drooled over it .
Hard to choose just one out of these nice cars .
My 1982 240D is like this one basic white, no options when new (not even a radio nor passenger side mirror) .
Clatter is more the sound it makes and yes, I’m old and sold on my speedy Mercedes’ to keep this one, 1/2 million miles and I still love it .
-Nate
That’s real sheepskin as part of the Fiero seats. Did anyone else offer those? I wanted one badly when they came out, even with the Iron Duke 4, but to clear the roof, I had to lean the seat back to where turning the non-power steering was too difficult. Would not want a manual with that steering. It was also a mistake on my consolation prize ’84 Turbo Sunbird–2 clutch replacements in 4 years.
The Seville still looks good after 30 years. The equally handsome interior is marred by the huge rubbery air bag cover.
Somehow I didn’t realize that was factory upholstery. Just looked it up in my 1985 price list, and fleece/suede seats were a $350 option (over $1,000 in today’s dollars).
Pontiac seemed to be really into optional seats in the mid-’80s – Firebirds and Trans Ams had lots of seat options – but I haven’t come across any other fleece seats.
And these seats are in unbelievable condition for 40-year-old fleece that’s been sat on.