Thanks to all who joined us!!
Since its' inception, the Jim Gilbert Memorial Build has brought together over 4 dozen volunteers, 5 dozen supporters and immeasurable learning and camaraderie within the Fiero community. In its first year, the team rebuilt a 1988GT for Colin, a Fiero owner who was fighting a battle with Stage 3 testicular cancer. His existing Fiero had a bad case of frame rot and as his primary form of transportation, we were grateful to be able to get it back on the road. In the second year, the same goal remained - to brighten the life of an individual in need. Longtime Fiero enthusiast and community contributor Matt McGowan had been battling years of recurring back issues and surgeries that disrupted his livelihood and day-to-day abilities to function. Despite his challenges, Matt continues to give to the Fiero community and the team decided to make his dream come true in owning a 3800SC powered Fiero. In Year 3, we pivoted to a "Bring What You Broke," weekend and made upgrades/repairs to 9 Fieros!
This annual event was conceived by Gary Pickardt of Pickardt Performance to honor the memory of Jim Gilbert, a longtime Fiero owner and member of the Fiero community who never hesitated to give back to Fiero friends and mentor young Fiero owners, including his two daughters, Jennifer and Jamie.
This year’s build took take place November 9-12 at the home of Gary & Jenn Pickardt in Charlotte Hall, MD. The weekend had a 2 prong focus - the first was to right some major wrongs done to a Mera LS4 build for a new enthusiast by a "professional" builder. The second, again focused on a core concept of Jim's life - providing a space where individuals could bring their cars to get advice and assistance to keep their Fieros on the road. During this weekend , the group did the following:
Matt McGowan's 1986 GT 3800SC (JGMB Build #2): Cleaned up and adjusted vacuum lines, changed spark plugs, and installed a new "6 neutral" transmission.
Tony Wells' 1986 SE - discovered and corrected the source of a parasitic drain
Wes Shiring's 1987 Convertible - installed new rear struts
Patrick Roof's 1985 GT - new rear brakes, inspection of brake lines
Brian Palasik's 1888 GT LQ1 - assembled and installed coilovers and tuned
Sarah Mause's 1987GT - repaired wiring harness, installed wing gaskets and bled brakes
Eric Schneck's 1988 Formula - installed a 2.8L V6 pulled that was pulled during the weekend from a 1988 GT
Scott Emley's LS4 Mera - engine rebuild initiated
Lastly, to continue our spirit of charitable acts towards the Fiero community, we will be collecting monetary donations and parts donations for FieroSource - a unique charitable organization whose principle goal is to help keep Fieros on the road. FieroSource warehouses parts to make them available at affordable prices to Fiero enthusiasts while also providing monetary support to individuals and events in the Fiero community.
Click on the link below to learn how you can help.