The Pontiac Fiero GT is a sporty two-door coupe built by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1985 to 1988. It was only available as a sports car with a 2.8-liter V6 engine that produced 145 horsepower, which wasn't bad for the time but wasn't exactly fast either. We also know the Pontiac Fiero GT for its unique appearance, with its low-slung body style, angular shapes, sleek lines, and wide rear end. It has a modern look even by today's standards, with pop-up headlights that make it stand out even more at night.

While there are several reasons why this car is starting to increase in value, one of the main ones is its rarity and nostalgia. They're becoming more popular among collectors who want something different from '80s muscle cars or Japanese imports from this era. It's one of those cars that's seen a huge increase in value over the past few years, and it's easy to see why. Let's dive deeper into why this sports car's value is increasing so rapidly and why you should invest in this soon-to-be classic.

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America's First Iconic Mid-Engine Sports Car

Pontiac Fiero GT - Side
Via Bring A Trailer

The Fiero was America's first iconic mid-engine sports car, produced by Pontiac, who had never made a sports car at a time when cars were boring and ugly. The Fiero was the most exciting thing to come out of GM in years, and it had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that made 90 horsepower. This was quite impressive for its time. The Fiero GT was even more impressive with its 140 horsepower V6 engine and three-speed automatic transmission or four and five-speed manual transmissions.

The Fiero was born out of a need for GM to create a competitor for the Japanese imports that were flooding the US market in the early 1980s. The car was originally intended to be a cheap sports car that would provide enthusiasts with an affordable way to get behind the wheel of a high-performance vehicle. It is also commonly referred to as "the poor man's Ferrari," although it bears no resemblance whatsoever to any Ferrari model in either design or performance. It is, however, very similar to the Lotus Esprit, which got released a few years later.

An Increase In 1980s Nostalgia Has Impacted The Fiero's Value

Red 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT on the driveway
Via Mecum Auctions

As 1980s nostalgia becomes all the rage, the Fiero's value goes up with it. The angular shape was unusual for its time and remains unique today. It's no surprise that these cars have become popular among collectors who want something different but still want good performance and handling. Nice examples of the unique Pontiac Fiero GT go for hefty amounts at auction.

Let's face it, the Pontiac Fiero GT isn't your run-of-the-mill car. It's quirky and angular while being a little on the small side. But it's also fast and fun to drive, which is why so many of them get modified and raced by enthusiasts. But those same qualities that make the Fiero GT, so special are also what's driving up prices on the used car market today.

The Most Exclusive Fiero

The All-Sparky 1980s Pontiac Fiero
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The Pontiac Fiero GT was the most exclusive version of the Fiero, and it's also the one that's increasing in value the fastest. Over 400,000 of the original Fieros got made, compared to the GT, which had only 40,476 units produced over its three years. That makes the GT the ultimate collector's Fiero. The Pontiac Fiero GT is certainly considered one of the best collector cars on the market today because of its rarity and history with Pontiac's brand. It was one of the last cars that Pontiac made before it went out of business, and many people cling to these cars, as a piece of heritage and loyalty to a US legend.

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The Pontiac Fiero With The Right Engine

1988 Pontiac Fiero GT engine
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The most valuable Pontiac Fiero is one with the right engine – the GT. In fact, the Pontiac Fiero GT was the only Fiero model to come with the V6 engine, as all other models had the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The GT's V6 engine received an internally balanced crankshaft for greater smoothness, and came standard with the 140 hp, 2.8-liter V6 and dual exhausts, a Muncie-built Getrag five-speed manual transmission, and rear disc brakes.

They tuned the GT's suspension for performance driving by lowering the front and rear springs by about one inch each, adding larger sway bars and stiffer shocks. This car was specially tuned at the factory before it left the production, so it would be more usable than other Fieros on a track or road course. Many car magazines of the time said that this was the perfect engine for this car and the one thing that the Fiero had always lacked. This led to an increase in performance, which translated into better sales numbers for GM's subsidiary company.

Sources: Hemmings, Slashgear