If you have not picked up the new HOt Rod Mag. then you will find an article about the Desert Proving Grounds Golden 50 years. The site of the GM top secret car testing. In there they have local car clubs, old empolyee's and a few other selected people got a chance to look around the grounds. "an unthinkable breach in the GM's iron curtain." In the buildings they had numerous cars that either never made it into production and cars that did that they are keeping there. In the article the have a photo of the 1990 Fiero the red and black one. Sweet looking car with a 3200 DOHC V-6, four-speed automatic trans, and 16x8 cross-lace alum. wheels. SO if you get a chance pick the new mag up.
On a earlier thread it was mentioned that GM never built a 3.2 litre DOHC v6. I did some checking and found out that the 2003 Cadillac CTS is powered by: 3.2 DOHC v6!!! The CTS auto is a 5 speed the one in the fiero a 4 speed. The CTS manual is a getrag. GM is up to something with this 90 prototype.
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11:01 PM
Jun 28th, 2003
fieromadman Member
Posts: 2217 From: Oconomowoc WI, USA Registered: Jan 2003
Pontiac may have something up its sleeve. The loss of the money making Firebird was a huge blow (and a huge mistake). The Australian GTO will be far, far too expensive to fill the gap, and the Solstace, while a pretty Miata class sports car, ain't the answer to the aveage young American males' dreams. The 1990 Fiero (perhaps badged as a "Trans-Am" since the Fiero name is poison) could fill a very big gap in the Pontiac line since there aren't any sporty 2 doors left.
Well, wouldn't that be sweet if GM finally releases the 90 car. Even if they badge it a T/A, all of us Fiero lovers will know what it is. It sure would be tempting to go out and put in my garage!
If the Solstice makes production it will be the only 2 seat car in the Pontiac lineup. I think Pontiac is getting people interested in the idea of a 2 seater again. I would love to be wrong. Another Fiero would be great but I think we are really reaching if we think the 90 prototype is anything but a show car. However, I would love to see it happen.
[This message has been edited by Roylmohr (edited 06-28-2003).]
I am really disappointed that first the Fiero and now the Firebird were killed. And we get the ho hum GTO as a replacement. I personally am not holding my breath to see anything exciting to come out of Pontiac any time soon.
If the 1990 Fiero came back as the Firebird that would be the biggest surprise in the history of automobiles.
I should also mention it has been written that the Solstice will be built on a space frame using an EXISTING platform with some new components. Designing a mid-engine that could share this platform would lower the cost per unit. Pontiac wanted to continue to use the Trans-am name. I've also seen it mentioned that if firebird and t/a return they will go in a different direction than Camaro. This makes alot of sense since they competed for sales with each other. The 20th anniversary show should be very interesting!! GM needs a car to compete with the Nissan Z, think we all know what that car should be.
That would rule if they put a fat motor in it with a descent drivetrain...just do a complete plug and play. I don't see a N*, but an LS-1 or 38SC or something of the likes. A 3200 DOHC doesn't sound real appetizing unless it's turbo'd.
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04:07 AM
Mastermind Member
Posts: 1396 From: Chicago, 4.9 IL Registered: Apr 2002
i actually like the 90 or 89 fiero and i belive that if GM would of trew it in the production line, fieros would of still been alive today, and can you imagine gettin a fiero from the dealership whit a DOHC V6? stock???? now that is forkin crazyy
I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of the 89/90 proto - but bear in mind that A) It IS just a prototype. B) It's 14-17 year old styling! If we'd seen this thing 14 years ago it'd look high tech and way cool. Now it's just old.
One thing I HOPE (!!!!) Pontiac doesn't do is what they did back in the (early 90s?) with the GTO badge going onto that little pathetic micro-econo-box (suzuki platform?) thing. What an embarrassment. Just like what Chrysler did with (if I recall) putting a "challenger" badge on the K-car platform piece-of-crap-whatever-it-was-called.
Another thing is - if they DO bring back the Fiero and call it a Trans-Am; it'll make our cars that much less unique. Let's face it, right now one of our biggest claims to fame is that we're still the only mid engine 2 seater North American production car. We'd loose that edge.
Originally posted by Mastermind: GM has a golden rule which is, we make nothing that outruns the Vette but if we do it won't stay in production long.
No doubt this is true. You must consider that the c6 zo6 is rumored to have 450-500hp, so if they decide to sell a ls1 mid-engine 90 prototype (which is wider,longer and heavier than our fiero's), there is no threat to the vette. It's weight will probably be equal to that of zo6 after airbags are added.
My feeling is that if the 90 proto is brought into production the 3.2l will be the base firebird with 220 hp (20 hp higher than 2002 v6 firebird and the trans-am will be a ls1 with 325-350hp). I too would prefer the lighter fastback 88 style, but it weighs 275 pounds less (vette killer) than a 03 zo6. This is why I dont think it will return. In fact with the 275 hp trailblazer inline 6, I think our fieros could keep up with the 450 pound heavier 350 hp base 03 vette.
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02:15 PM
hyperv6 Member
Posts: 6091 From: Clinton, OH, USA Registered: Mar 2003
The Fiero will be back right after they get the new Corvair Monza released. Pontiac is doing a Solstice if any 2 seater is built. The Firebird has a better chance of returning and they have no plans of this as of today. The new GTO will be the main focus of Pontiac for the next few years. The first year GTO will be like the 1984 Fiero not every thing you want but more is in the works. 2005 will bring 400 hp up from 350 hp and cold air induction. 2006/7 will bring a new body and new chassis. This car is Pontiacs new halo car for the future. GM hopes to get a new plant built in North America [Canada?] for a new line of rwd cars to add to the GTO that they hope will be built here. This info is available in the new Popular Hot Rodding Magazine [I think July]. The one reason for the Fiero getting a better light from Pontiac is they need to clean up their history on 2 seaters if they want a new one. Lets Face it they have tried their best to pretend the Fiero did not ever happen. Now they need us to look good to get what they want. By the way Pontiac is doing away with more traditional names and make a fresh start soon, say good bye Grand Am. The new replacment is still to be named, but the show car was a G6.
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02:16 PM
Gokart Mozart Member
Posts: 12143 From: Metro Detroit Registered: Mar 2003
Originally posted by hyperv6: By the way Pontiac is doing away with more traditional names and make a fresh start soon, say good bye Grand Am. The new replacment is still to be named, but the show car was a G6.
I think the Grand Am's new name will be Lemans.
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10:25 PM
Jun 30th, 2003
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Let's see I owned a Pontiac called LeMans oh about 23 years ago! 
