https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/d/jamestown-1984-pontiac-fieros/7786475046.html
Maybe 3.5 Fieros.
3 Fieros and a FieroCart?
I am a mid-engine fanboy. Europa, MR2, Fiero... etc. In many ways the Fiero is the most pleasing to the eye, and I think if made a hot rod maybe the most practical in terms of features, comfort, and safety, etc.
GM always quit too soon on so many concepts. Corvair, Fiero, etc.
In reply to Purple Frog :
I drove one around a few times in the mid '90s. Kinda a neat car despite it's (low) Tech4. The speakers in the headrest were interesting.
a supercharged 3800 would have been nice! Up till this year, I'd gotten heavy enough, and hurt enough, to have had a problem with the size. But I'd love to try one again!
03Panther said:In reply to Purple Frog :
a supercharged 3800 would have been nice!
I've seen this done. It is in fact nice
Haven't seen one in person, but have read great things. Drove the little econo car version back before I discovered the upgraded Buick 231, so then, would have preferred a SBC, and just didn't click with those swaps. Now? 3800SC without a doubt!!!
Purple Frog said:I am a mid-engine fanboy. Europa, MR2, Fiero... etc. In many ways the Fiero is the most pleasing to the eye, and I think if made a hot rod maybe the most practical in terms of features, comfort, and safety, etc.
GM always quit too soon on so many concepts. Corvair, Fiero, etc.
Mid-engine fanboi here too. The story of the Fiero is quintessential GM, and is pretty interesting. There was such potential, if only the bean counters had half a brain. By time GM fixed the issues it was too late. I would love to find a nice 3800 swap car.
There's nothing like the inherent balance and feel of mid-engine. I've had many. As much as I love to buy and sell cars, there's one in my driveway that isn't for sale...
I've mentioned before, but when they were about to come out (was 84 first year?) GM flat out told everyone, they were building an econo box, that looked less like a box, than the rest of the boxes.
"Everyone " said "Sure, wink wink"... and then were shocked and angry, when GM revealed their new... wait for it... econo box, that looked less like a box.
Dodge went the other way. Had Shelby build them a quick superbly (for the time) handing box. Quicker than the current eye-tallion sports cars. But Shelby hisself, said "A E36 M3 box, is still a E36 M3 box!"
That's not what it was originally designed as. It was going to be a sports car, until they were told no by the money people. They were given a strict budget, which left them no choices.
In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
I was not in the automotive design team. I had, however been driving for a bit, and was paying attention, as I already liked mid engined cars.
I have heard the same conspiracy theories as you mentioned, in the many years since, and it may even be true.
But I can also tell you, the VERY first time ANY information was released to the public by GM or car magazines, GM was claiming it was going to be a economy car - bragging about its light weight, aerodynamics, and small low powered engine. I, like most thought "Yea, sure..," but unlike most, I remembered they put out exactly what they said they would.
Were there different plans before it was ever announced? I don't know, only being part of their target audience at the time, and not an insider.
You'd have to ask a part of the development team, in 79 or 80.
In reply to 03Panther :
Yup, you're spot on. Members of the design and even engineering team have/had since come out and told the inside story. We may never know every last detail. While I don't think there was a conspiracy, I do think there's strong validity to their stories. Even from a logical perspective I don't think it would have made sense to design a car as radical looking as that (for the mid-80s) and then turn it into an economy car. The public reaction would be exactly as expected... and what happened. Damn shame too, the later cars (not just the '88 GT) were good.
When the local dealer got his first Fiero I went to test drive it. Four cylinder, four speed....what a useless little pig. It was dark and I actually had to stop under one of the light standards in the lot to find the next gear the shift linkage was so poor. Never tried a later version and that experience soured me on them. Traded my Mazda GLC on a GTI instead. GM certainly missed an opportunity with those early cars because they are a good looking unit. Just great concept hamstrung by poor execution.
In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
That's why I always say that when GM first released info...
And everyone says "but that's not what happened"
Sorry if I I got a bit testy, but it is exactly what happened.
I was part of the public GM was releasing that info to. I was disappointed it wasn't better, but it WAS exactly what the said it would be.
If that ad was written in 2002, that could have easily been my collection'.
I remember every article that Autoweek came out with talked about the new two seat economy car from Pontiac. It's only been since the invention of the internet that supposed "insiders" have come out with "it was supposed to be a sports car to rival Corvette" talk began. As much as car magazines had a lot of contacts at car companies back then, I have a hard time believing that they kept that a secret that long.
GM was half a step behind Toyota every step of the way. Reviews from the time comparing the Fiero to the MR2 found the MR2 beating it every time. It was simply heavier and less nimble. When GM tried to improve, Toyota would improve again and beat it again.
I've owned both a Fiero and an MR2 of that vintage. I like the looks of the Fiero better, but the MR2 was a better car.
American engineering was simply behind the Japanese in the 80's. By a wide margin.
In reply to racerfink :
That's ok. The people that weren't old enough to read them , know more about it, cause that's what they heard.
I clearly remember no one believing they would really release a econo box, with better looks. But that's exactly what the said they would do. It started getting improvements, rather quickly, but it was too little, too late.
As the owner of multiple Fiat X1/9's, I would buy all four if they were reasonably close to Houston TX.
I guess I'm lucky they aren't.
I've had a couple of X1/9s too. The only thing they share in common is that they are both mid engine rwd.
The Fiero is almost the anti-X1/9. It's heavy, clumsy, oversized, unresponsive, and saddled with the underpowered wheezy Iron Duke. Everything the X1/9 isn't.
It's the car I really want to love, but can't. GMs take on a mid engine compact doesn't come close to the MR2 or the X1/9.
I had four project/parts car Fieros for a little while. I'm much happier with One and some parts.
SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) said:That's not what it was originally designed as. It was going to be a sports car, until they were told no by the money people. They were given a strict budget, which left them no choices.
They had to frame it as an economy car to get it past the money people. That's when the money people said, well, an economy car can just use this and that and doesn't need to be fancy...
These are about 15 minutes from where I work. You know if anyone wants me to look at them.
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