Click on any picture for explanation and larger image

.

The Build
The project originally started as a V-8 conversion to an ’88 Fiero Formula, to replace the stock body with an IMSA racing body. Having driven Fieros previously, my impression of the car was that the chassis could easily handle a lot more power. We had the engine cradle ready to drop on the Formula, in preparation for the start of the conversion. Then a friend purchased the Enterra from an Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) auction, speculating that we might change directions of the project. He was right! We reassembled the Formula and sold it!
The Enterra we bought had been stolen. The thieves stripped the interior of seats, door panels, firewall cover, stereo, moon roof and also removed the wheels and tires. The owner was paid out before it was found so the car went through the insurance auction process.
The pictures to the left are what we took possession of (less front fenders and nose) in December 2002. The original colour, we discovered, of this car was silver gray, then painted bright yellow and then painted again with the colour you see in the pictures to the left. THE PROJECT HAD BEGUN!
The first thing we did was remove the nose, belly pan, and front fenders which had been either cracked or crushed when the careless Insurance tow truck driver picked up the car after it had been found. This car used one of the bodies formed from the original set of molds. When making the repairs to broken parts we also corrected the dimensional problems this body had.
At the same time preparations began for the V-8 conversion which included dropping the engine cradle, disassembling the engine transaxle, etc to prepare the cradle for modifying and painting. Old motor mounts were cut off and the new motor mount trial fitted. The cradle was then degreased and power washed in preparation for painting and detailing.