1987 model-year changes

1987 model-year changes refers to changes made to the Pontiac Fiero for the 1987 model year.

The 1987 Fiero was part of the final two years of production and included several changes from earlier Fieros. Some changes were cosmetic, while others affected electrical systems, available equipment, colors, and model-year details.

Overview

The 1987 model year did not receive the major suspension and brake redesign that would arrive in 1988, but it did include several important updates.

One of the most notable 1987 changes was the introduction of the second-generation headlight motor system, which replaced the earlier first-generation headlight system used on 1984-1986 Fieros.

Related topics:

• 1987 Pontiac Fiero
• Model years
• Headlights
• Headlight motor problems
• Paint codes

Headlight system

The 1987 Fiero introduced the second-generation headlight system.

This system used a different headlight motor and control design than the earlier 1984-1986 system. The second-generation system is generally considered simpler and more reliable than the earlier design.

Important differences include:

• Different headlight motors
• Different control module arrangement
• Different internal motor design
• Different common failure points
• Different repair procedures

The 1987-1988 headlight system should not be confused with the earlier 1984-1986 first-generation system.

Related topics:

• Headlights
• Headlight motor problems
• Headlight control module

Exterior colors

The 1987 model year included Bright Blue Metallic as a Fiero color.

Bright Blue Metallic used paint code 21 and WA code WA8963.

A commonly listed production figure for Bright Blue Metallic 1987 Fieros is 4,458 cars.

Reported breakdown by model:

Model	Bright Blue Metallic production
GT	1,418
Base	2,059
SE	596
Sport	385
Total	4,458

This color information is useful because Bright Blue Metallic was a one-year Fiero color.

Related topics:

• Paint codes
• Production numbers
• 1987 Pontiac Fiero

Model lineup

The 1987 Fiero lineup included coupe, Sport, SE, and GT models.

The fastback GT body style continued for 1987 after being introduced during the 1986 model year.

Related topics:

• Fiero GT
• 1986.5 Fiero GT
• 1987 Pontiac Fiero

Engine and transmission

The 1987 Fiero was available with the 2.5L four-cylinder engine and the 2.8L V6, depending on model and option package.

Manual and automatic transmissions were available depending on engine and trim.

Related topics:

• Iron Duke
• 2.8L V6
• Transmission
• Manual transmission
• Automatic transmission
• TH125 automatic
• Isuzu 5-speed
• Getrag 5-speed

Electrical changes

The 1987 model year is especially important for headlight-system identification because of the change to the second-generation headlight system.

When diagnosing electrical or headlight problems on a 1987 Fiero, procedures and parts should be matched to the 1987-1988 system rather than the 1984-1986 system.

Related topics:

• Electrical system
• Headlights
• Ground problems

Relationship to 1988

The 1987 Fiero shares some late-production features with the 1988 model year, especially the second-generation headlight system.

However, the 1987 model year did not receive the 1988 suspension and brake redesign.

For the major 1988 changes, see:

• 1988 Pontiac Fiero
• 1988 suspension
• Brakes
• Suspension

Notes

The 1987 Fiero is often discussed as a transition year.

It retained the earlier suspension and brake layout used before 1988, but it introduced the later headlight system that continued into 1988.

Bright Blue Metallic is also a notable 1987-specific topic because it was a one-year Fiero color.

See also

• 1987 Pontiac Fiero
• Model years
• Paint codes
• Production numbers
• Headlights
• Headlight motor problems
• Electrical system
• 1988 Pontiac Fiero
• 1988 suspension