I just got back from the Michigan show tonight. Had a great time and most importantly, I got to meet Hulki and chat with him for over an hour. What a pleasant person to talk to. I was choked up after listening to his stories from the plant. I'm telling you guys, there was a lot of pride in the Fiero plant during the "Fiero Years" Hulki told me he has over 7 thousand photos taken at the plant over the years. I would love to see those sometime.
Well, anyways Hulki brought along Wes Zaydel, the man who is a plastics specialist and took the plastic panels from concept to production. Wes is an outstanding man to talk to also. I learned more in 15 minutes about the plastic panels on our cars than I ever could have imagined. They really had a challenge to get the RIM and RRIM perfected well enough to make money at it and fit the car. Wes had mentioned something about a "Stealth Car" that they threw together when GM announced the cancelation of the car. When I questioned him about it, he took me over to the back of his Blazer and handed me a stack of photos. Here is a sneak peak:
Wes told me that this is the 1990 Fiero GT. The 89's were going to be carry over 88's with some minor trim changes. I have seven 8 X 10 Glossy color top secret photos that show the 90 Fiero in vivid detail. Wes loaned them to me to make copies and return the originals back to him. I dropped my jaw when he told me I could take them and have copies made. Wes told me that when the word came down internally at GM that the P-line was going to be cancelled, he called the body panel suppliers and had them make actual production panels for one car. This car still exists in GM's vault and is a fully running prototype with the proposed interior in it. Wes indicated that he would see if he could find the car. Also at the banquet was a gentleman named Richard Doegan. Richard was a truck maintenance supervisor at he plant. Richard was also the last man to shut the lights off and lock the doors at the Fiero plant before GM started to dismantle the plant in 1991. I consumed more information than I could handle talking with these three guys. And to top off the day, All three of them signed my Blue 87 GT by the SPI tag in Silver Enamel Paint Marker. Definately a thrill and what an adreneline rush!! An event that will stick with me for a lifetime.
Hey Chris, UUUGGHHGHHGHHUUUUUGGHHHUUUGHHHGHHH (Had to be there for those who don't understand)
------------------ Fred Bartemeyer Chairman Heartland Fieros http://www.heartlandfieros.com 86 GT 4spd 26k miles 87 GT 5spd. Blue 37k miles 88 Silver T-Top Formula 262,000 miles 87 GT 5 spd Annette's Sunshine Driver
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12:59 AM
PFF
System Bot
FieroMGDriver Member
Posts: 961 From: Concord, NC USA Registered: Nov 2001
Hey Fred glad too here you made it home save... we just got back ourselfs... made a few stops on the way home... By any chance would you be able to send me a few copies of those pictures? we left before he went to his blazer. When i came back to get my car i saw you and chris there but i did not think anything of it. We were a little pressed for time so i could not come over... Let me know about the pictures...
oh yeah and.......
UUUGGHHGHHGHHUUUUUGGHHHUUUGHHHGHHH
------------------
Mike Kroyer 1987 Coupe Med. Red Metallic N.I.F.E. Activity
[This message has been edited by 87 Pegasus (edited 07-15-2002).]
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01:19 AM
Soaper Member
Posts: 1417 From: Nashville, TN Registered: Jun 2002
Fred and everyone else, Uhuhuhhhuuhhuuhuuhgghguughhhughhguuhguughhg!!!!!! What is up? Thanks for a good time everyone. Listening to the speakers was the highlight of the trip. Other than the Uhhuhuhhggughhguuuughhguughhguughh. See ya.
Chris
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09:44 AM
Raydar Member
Posts: 40912 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
Ok, obviously we want copies of all the pics, but if you can find someone to host them, please make them available in extreme high resolution so we can check out every minute detail. Just don't post them that big. Too slow to download. Post some reasonable sized ones, so we know what we're looking for, then give us links to the BIG ones!
Yeah, that's asking a lot, but consider what you have.
Sounds like an incredible time. We need to get them all to appear at the Fiero 20th Anniversary Celebration, and see if Hulki can bring the 90GT in person!! Oh, that would be awesome!!!
Hey Fred , sounds like you had a day that you will remember ! You mentioned that you had seven pictures of the 90 Fiero , could you please post them . Thanks .
Galen Smith Red 85 Sport Coupe Founder of Suncoast Fiero Club
Ditto! Can't wait to see everyone again... Kaz, It was pretty cool when Lisa and I caught up to you on 23 too. Though at one point, I floored it and I could barely hear your engine strain as you pulled away effortlessly You have an awesome machine - I'll have to get a ride in it next time. UUUGGHHGHHGHHUUUUUGGHHHUUUGHHHGHHH
------------------ Joe
AOL I.M.: FieroGT 914 White 86 GT (Stock) Blue 87 GT (Stock) Maroon 87 GT (Under Construction) White 2000 WS6 Ram Air Trans Am
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11:29 AM
RRobinson Member
Posts: 398 From: Calgary, Alberta Registered: Dec 2000
Whoa, that's GREAT story. What a treat to meet one of the "fathers" of the Fiero. The '90 GT would have been soooo sweet.
Hey Fiero GT 914, good to see another Ram Air brother. I love my 02 Collector Edition 'vert M6. Fieros rule, but sometimes they are just a little slow!
RR
------------------ RR 88 GT Lumbar 5.5K 88 GT Auto 40K 87 GT Blue 17K 87 GT Black 55K 86 GT 5-Speed 42K 85 GT Auto 63K
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11:45 AM
Tigger Member
Posts: 4368 From: Flint, MI USA Registered: Sep 2000
OK... I (like many others, I'm sure) would like to know about the "UUUGGHHGHHGHHUUUUUG...." Sounds funny in any case.
About the pics... if someone can scan them at a really high quality (like 300dpi)- I'll gladly host them on my website/server. Just email them to me at rob@xtralite.com and I'll post a link back here for others to download from. ...and it's not like I would be just doing this for others- I really want to see more of those pics too!
Hey Fred, did you happen to mention to them about the 20 year celebration next year and if they would like to come? Plus off the subject I just picked up some Pontiac stuff and I have something you probably want I bring it to the Nationals. It's brand new Jacket Pontiac that I have never seen before.
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03:24 PM
Fierochic88 Member
Posts: 4980 From: Staunton, VA Registered: May 2001
To Chris and Fred UUUGGHHGHHGHHUUUUUGGHHHUUUGHHHGHHH. What a great weekend to hear from Hulki and also Wes. It was a blast. Hey Chris watch out for those young girls they might hurt you again. UUUGGHHGHHGHHUUUUUGGHHHUUUGHHHGHHH
------------------ Mike
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06:42 PM
Tabs31 Member
Posts: 2049 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Nov 2001
Here is one for ya.... Look in the lower left corner at Chris. That will give you an idea of the UUUGGHHGHHGHHUUUUUGGHHHUUUGHHHGHHH face....AHAHAHA...i mean... UUUGGHHGHHGHHUUUUUGGHHHUUUGHHHGHHH
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11:29 PM
Jul 16th, 2002
chester Member
Posts: 4063 From: State of insanity...moved in and comfortably numb... Registered: Jun 2001
1.) There is no way I'm missing next years show after the fun I had. Everyone, plan now to attend....
2.) That'll be the last time I drink that Captain Morgan's Gold stuff. Ick....
3.) Lisa (FieroLisa) takes "rubbing is racing" to a new extreme on the go-cart track. Both Joe (FieroGT 914) and me felt her wrath when trying to pass.
Repeat after me Joe (doing your best imitation of a NASCAR driver): "I tried the inside and the outside when she left the door wide open....then I saw the opportunity and took it, and just when I had the line she squeezed me off and I had nowhere to go so we both went around. It was just one of those racin' deals I guess."
4.) I never knew that grunting could be a complete form of communication. Much less quite possibly an entire language! To Fred and Chris: Uhhuhuhhggughhguuuughhguughhguughh.
5.) I must get my new Fiero done, I must get my new Fiero done....just don't think about what it's going to cost me, repeat, just don't think about what it's going to cost me.
6.) I learn something every year at this show about the production of the Fiero and how they managed to pull of the impossible to get it produced without the higher management at GM realizing it. The story that Wes (the plastic specialist) told about Hulki hijacking the advanced R & D departments budget (as well as the entire staff) to design the body panels of the Fiero was just darn cool.
7.) Fred.....you MUST get duplicates of those pictures made.
8.) It was nice to see some people again that I haven't seen in a while, and it was nice to make some new friends as well.
Thanks to all for a great show!
Ken S.
[This message has been edited by kslish (edited 07-16-2002).]
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11:39 AM
Joe Torma Member
Posts: 3485 From: Hillsborough, NJ USA Registered: Jul 2001
Originally posted by kslish: Some things I learned at the Michigan show:
3.) Lisa (FieroLisa) takes "rubbing is racing" to a new extreme on the go-cart track. Both Joe (FieroGT 914) and me felt her wrath when trying to pass.
Hmm. I guess living in NC rubbed off on her a bit.
Alright Kiddies here we go. I cannot be on the computer and build pretty cars at the same time. I have been flooded with calls, e-mails and people stopping by the house. I have to break this post in to parts so that I don't "Close the Flood Gates" as I tried to post last night.
I need to make it clear that these photos are on loan to me and it is my responsibility to duplicate these without harm and return them to Wes safely. I need to ask Wes for his permission to duplicate these in quantity. Wes gave me the privelage to have a copy of these for myself and I will do every thing in my power not to disapoint Wes's expectations. I do not want to ruin what has started off to be a very good relationship with the inventor of the plastic panels on our cars. Keep in mind that Wes and Hulki are very good friends and have in their possession over 10,000 photos from their career at the Fiero Plant plus countless artifacts. I understand that everyone wants copies for themselves and I will fullfill your requests as soon as I have the thumbs up from Wes. I am looking into having a large quality poster made and making all proceeds available to the 20th anniversary show in Pontiac next year. So please keep it real guys until I get all my ducks in a row and dont piss off my connection (Hulki and Wes) Enjoy the pics as I am still in awe over this and can't beleive I have them. More posts to come, I have a ton of pictures.
------------------ Fred Bartemeyer Chairman Heartland Fieros http://www.heartlandfieros.com 86 GT 4spd 26k miles 87 GT 5spd. Blue 37k miles 88 Silver T-Top Formula 262,000 miles 87 GT 5 spd Annette's Sunshine Driver
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06:35 PM
RAREW66 Member
Posts: 1119 From: Davenport, IA USA Registered: Jun 2001
Is there any chance you will post some of the other pics you have? 
). Great to hear Wes brought pictures and let you take them to make copies.
Just don't post them that big. Too slow to download. Post some reasonable sized ones, so we know what we're looking for, then give us links to the BIG ones!
