On the Cheap

• Due to budget constraints and perhaps because of its stepchild status at General Motors, the 1986 Fiero---like the other model year Fieros---was cobbled together with parts from other GM cars. The Fiero's front suspension came from the Chevrolet Chevette and the rear end components came from the Pontiac Phoenix and Chevy Citation. The bright spot for 1986 was the introduction of the fastback Fiero GT, which was a sleeker version of the standard notchback.
  
  

A Rare Breed

• The Fiero was a rare breed among Pontiacs. It was Pontiac's first true sports car. It also featured plastic body panels (which was a rarity among cars of the era) to reduce weight. However, GM management perceived the Fiero as a bad idea because it didn't want two two-seater GM sports cars on the market, according to Welovepontiacs.com and Ateupwithmotor.com. GM management didn't foresee the burgeoning popularity of the two-seater Toyota MR2, which debuted in 1984, or the Mazda Miata, which was launched in 1989.
  
  

Specifications

• The notchback 1986 Fiero was lightweight, with its curbside weight slightly less than 2,600 lbs. It sat on a short 93.4-inch wheelbase and measured only 160.3 inches long. The interior was a tight fit, so a couple on a Sunday drive would not expect to take their dog. The cargo space was nil; a ladies' handbag might fit in the trunk.
  
  

Power and Performance

• The 1986 Pontiac Fiero came with two engine choices: a 92-horsepower 2.5-liter Tech IV inline four-cylinder or a 140-horsepower 2.8-liter L44 V-6. The Tech IV engine was matched with an Isuzu five-speed manual transmission. The V-6's power was transmitted via a Muncie four-speed manual and later a five-speed Getrag transmission. A three-speed automatic also was available. The Fiero powered by the inline-four achieved 27 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway.
  
  

Types

• The 1986 model was offered in the base notchback Fiero, the Sport, the four-cylinder SE, the V-6 SE and the fastback GT. All Fieros could be ordered with a cloth interior, power windows, locks and mirrors, air-conditioning, moonroof, dual exhaust, rear spoiler and cruise control. All models, except the GT, featured the same body style, with a flat hood, hidden headlamps, side body molding and five-star sport alloy wheels. The GT had a longer nose, different roofline and featured a standard rear spoiler, upgraded suspension and a special exhaust system.
  
  

Production

• A total of 83,974 Fieros were produced in 1986. The Fiero SE, powered by either the inline-four or V-6, sold 32,305 units. The Sport model numbered 24,886, and 17,660 GTs were sold.