Since its' inception, the Jim Gilbert Memorial Build has brought together over 7 dozen volunteers, 6 dozen supporters and immeasurable learning and camaraderie within the Fiero community. This year’s event will take place October 23-26  at  the  Goss' in Staunton, VA, once again focusing on a core concept of Jim's life - providing a space where individuals can bring their cars to get advice and assistance to keep their Fieros on the road.  This year's event will have a two-pronged focus - giving back to a member who embodies Jim's love of Fieros and giving to the Fiero community and also allowing participants to "bring what they broke" to get support in fixing issues on their own vehicles.

The core project of this year's build is to aid our friend, Deb Salada, in getting her Blue 1987 GT on the road. Deb saved this automatic a number of years ago from the crusher. She then obtained a 5 speed Blue 1987 GT for a teenager in her life; however, after a few years the young man decided he would prefer a different vehicle. Deb has always wanted a manual Fiero but the 5 speed has significant frame issues; therefore, we are going to help her switch transmissions and get her solid frame car on the road. Those of you who know Deb know that despite some challenging health issues, she is always one of the first to volunteer at any event from the first time she joined us at the 1st Annual Jim Gilbert Memorial Build to her willingness to pitch in at Fieros at Carlisle 31. Deb was a key volunteer photographer for the track day at the 40th Anniversary Show and also at many Memorial Builds.  We are excited to celebrate her generous spirit and fulfill her dream of having a 5 speed Fiero!

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! Year 4, the team tackled a combination of righting some wrongs on Scotty's Mera, which had been incorrectly built by a speed shop and making upgrades and repairs to 7 additional Fieros. Year 5 once again returned to the "Bring What You Broke" concept and worked on a total of 13 vehicles with attendees making donations to for NAMI - the National Alliance on Mental Illness in memory of our late community member, Scotty. raising over $500 for this organization.

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.