One of the Design Release Engineers I work with (works at the VEC) emailed me saying that GM was today in the process of putting some Fieros on display in the main lobby of the VEC. I asked some questions, but He is not a Fiero guy and he knows I am. I'm just guessing that some of the cars that were at the 20th would be displayed. Usually they only have about 4 or 5 cars on display in the lobby and not all of them may be Fieros. I'll ty to get some details, but it's not really a tourist place and I don't think they would let me bring a camera. I may be up there on business on Thursday, so I'll see what I can find out. Maybe pictures but don't count on it.
California Kid...... Have you seen them? What's on display?
At least GM is showing some pride in our cars.
------------------ Paul 645hp Tube Chassis IMSA Race Car | 96 T/A WS6 - 5100 miles | 87 GT Old Daily Driver - 229,xxx , 800rms sound system, autox suspension (FOR SALE SOON) | Blue 87 GT New Daily Driver - 116,xxx, 3.1 motor, upgrades and pictures to follow.
It's where they design the Midsized and Luxury GM vehicles. I am guessing several thousand engineers work there. I go up there on business from time to time because our company supplies parts. I'm not sure if just anyone can drive in (well, I see people do it frequently ) but if you can get in, walking into the lobby just to look around shouldn't be a big deal. Cali Kid would know much more detail. I'm not encouraging anyone to try to sneak past security. I suppose you could ask the guard if it was okay.
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09:20 PM
turbotoad Member
Posts: 1392 From: Clarkston, MI Registered: Jul 2002
Fellow PFF'r "Tigger" and I watched them bring them into the building at around 2:00pm today. Also there was Ken Shadlak (owner of a 88GT N*). Ken is the one who helped get the cars for the 20th anniversary show and also may be resposible for getting these into the GM building.
They have been displaying various GM cars in the VEC building since it opened last year. When they were removing the batch of classic GTO's a while back, Ken was there and asked who was responsible for the displays. He was directed to a guy standing nearby and started talking to him about bringing in the proto-type Fiero's. The guy responsible for the displays thought that it was a good idea.
Well, today it finally happened! One by one they brought in the silver "stretched" 2+2 prototype, the #55 GTU race car, the yellow & black drag race car, the blue PPG pace car, the original "real" pace-car, and the 1990 proto-type!!! You should have seen some of the GM employee reactions when both the original pace-car and the yellow and black drag racer were both DRIVEN through the front lobby and into the display area! The super-duty noise was amazing and certainly drew plenty of attention to themselves.
I must say that I never thought I'd see these Fieros displayed within the engineering center of GM and It was very exciting to see them there.
The display area is just next to the main lobby of the building. You will need to have a GM I.D. or have a GM employee escort to go beyond the lobby. Plus the building is within the GM Tech-Center. So even getting to the building requires you to go through security and to have a valid reason for entering the grounds. And cameras are definatly not allowed.
[This message has been edited by turbotoad (edited 08-12-2004).]
Speaking of that 1990 Fiero... anyone have some pics of that? I've only seen one and would be very interested in more.
Who wants to go on a field trip?
------------------ '86 5-Spd 2M4 Sport Coupe / 68k Miles Aiwa CDC-X437 Head Unit Audiobahn 4x10s (Looking for Replacements) Borla 2" Exhaust (Straight Pipe)
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01:53 AM
Fastback 86 Member
Posts: 7849 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Sep 2003
Theres gotta be a way you can get a picture. Talk real nice to some one high up. Make a deal. For instance, have a security guard escort you from the gate, go with you to the building while you take a picture(s) of the display, then escort you back off the premesis. That way, they don't have to take your word for it, they know that you didn't take any pictures of anything but the Fieros.
Its worth a shot.
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02:00 AM
Jacob281 Member
Posts: 35 From: United States Registered: Oct 2003
I saw the 90 prototype in Louisville Ky at the NHRA nationals a few years back. Talk about a treat, they had the million dollar Caddy there, the first (should have been midengined and called Fiero) solcist prototype, the chevy Belair prototype (If anyone else saw this car ever tell me what you thought of it, it was like GM's 2+2 version of the new T-birds. That thing was a beaut inside and out. GM must have had 25 prototypes from all the way back to the late eighties. It was the highlight of the show for me. I actually have little video of it I think. I will look for it if anyone is interested.
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02:38 AM
jelly2m8 Member
Posts: 6235 From: Nova Scotia, Canada Registered: Jul 2001
I got an idea! I'm only a little over 5 feet tall. So..I have a suitcase I fit into fairly easily. I could cut a small hole in it-just big enough to fit a camera. So if someone with an I.D. can sneak me in with the suitcase...turn the suitcase towards the display...snap..snap...and we got pictures! So who's up for the challenge?!
I got an idea! I'm only a little over 5 feet tall. So..I have a suitcase I fit into fairly easily. I could cut a small hole in it-just big enough to fit a camera. So if someone with an I.D. can sneak me in with the suitcase...turn the suitcase towards the display...snap..snap...and we got pictures! So who's up for the challenge?!
Hehe, count me in! And I live probably 90 miles from you, out west on 212 in SW Minnesota. You going to the MOA this Saturday?
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04:58 AM
LZeitgeist Member
Posts: 5662 From: Raleigh, NC, U.S.A. Registered: Dec 2000
The more people all over GM see just how cool and how loved the Fiero is (and what it was going to become in 1990) the more chance there is of some sort of revival.
This is the kind of news that puts a smile on my face all day.
------------------ Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com 1988 Red Fiero Formula Convertible
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08:16 AM
shop_rat45 Member
Posts: 3271 From: Lapeer, Michigan Registered: Mar 2004
If it's okay with CA KID, wouldn't be nice as a comparision to use "his" car too? Or is that too much for the engineers to take after knowing what CA KID has in the trunk?
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12:13 PM
naskie18 Member
Posts: 6258 From: Commerce Twp, MI, USA Registered: Jun 2002
I guess I'll have to make a trip down there fairly soon
I'll probably be going down Monday or Tuesday if you wan't to go with me. You're over here at Kettering still aren't you? You still have a GM badge? Just LMK.
Kris
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12:23 PM
naskie18 Member
Posts: 6258 From: Commerce Twp, MI, USA Registered: Jun 2002
I'll probably be going down Monday or Tuesday if you wan't to go with me. You're over here at Kettering still aren't you? You still have a GM badge? Just LMK.
Kris
Yeah, I'm still up at Kettering, but my schedule sucks for going and doing anything, got classes from 8-12:25 and then again from 2:25 - 3:25, I'll probably just drop by for a few minutes on a saturday or sunday when I'm already in that general area, on weekends I caddie at a golf course thats about 15 minutes from there.
We'll have to get you to come down there and join us for the employee car show next summer
Nick
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12:58 PM
fierosound Member
Posts: 15190 From: Calgary, Canada Registered: Nov 1999
The Fiero was designed by people who "think outside the box". Having them on display might stimulate thinking.
From GM's many offerings, most are boring "me too" 4-door sport sedans. Geez, a Fiero is not a "sports" car, but a 4-door Grand AM is a "sports" sedan ?? Anything they do produce that is different and exciting is overpriced or doesn't appeal to the mass-market. GM needs another hot product like the Fiero was when it came out. The GTO isn't it.
------------------ 3.4L S/C 87 GT www.fierosound.com 2002/2003/2004 World of Wheels Winner & Multiple IASCA Stereo Award Winner
The Fiero was designed by people who "think outside the box". Having them on display might stimulate thinking.
From GM's many offerings, most are boring "me too" 4-door sport sedans. Geez, a Fiero is not a "sports" car, but a 4-door Grand AM is a "sports" sedan ?? Anything they do produce that is different and exciting is overpriced or doesn't appeal to the mass-market. GM needs another hot product like the Fiero was when it came out. The GTO isn't it.
The Solistice is coming...............
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05:08 PM
PFF
System Bot
RAREW66 Member
Posts: 1119 From: Davenport, IA USA Registered: Jun 2001
Cool, I can contribute to this thread. I am glad to see that the cars arrived at the Tech Center. I happened to be at the warehouse Tuesday and saw the cars while the guys were preping them for the display. I do not know if I had any influence on the decision to have the cars displayed, but I suggested it back in July. I met the gentleman in charge of the Special Vehicles Collection at POCI Nationals and had talked Fiero with him for multiple hours. One of the conversations included display of the Fieros being it is the 20th Anniversary. He mentioned that it was time to change the display at the Tech Center anyways.
Here are some pics I took Tuesday. Hopefully some pics of the cars on display at the Tech Center will be taken.
I am glad that they are keeping my car clean and maintained:
A quick picture of me with my car:
Ron Trechiel of Michigan Fiero Club with the 4 seater that was getting some special attention:
The PPG #2 Pace Car. I will post the rest of the pictures I took of this car later tonight in the "Original GTP Found" thread.
My camera slipped while I was taking a picture of the Wing on the Hot Rod Magazine car and these two mid-engined Corvettes got in the way:
The purpose of my trip was to photgraph, document and measure the Real Indy Pace Car Wheel and Disk off the car. I will make a thread later on my findings.
I ended my day with two hours of conversation with Wes Zaydel, Twenty minutes of conversation with Hulki (He knows the cars are at the Tech Center) and a pass by the Fiero Plant on Baldwin Avenue. I also had a chance to meet Jim (SmartAxel) who had generously made a copy of the Fiero Product Description Manual for me. Definately a full Fiero Day. I was very tired by Tuesday night.
Enjoy the 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 275,000 miles 87 GT 5 spd Annette's Sunshine Driver 88 GT 5 spd Annette's Daily Driver
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07:07 PM
California Kid Member
Posts: 9541 From: Metro Detroit Area, Michigan Registered: Jul 2001
If it's okay with CA KID, wouldn't be nice as a comparision to use "his" car too? Or is that too much for the engineers to take after knowing what CA KID has in the trunk?
LOL !!!! I drove my yellow GT in this morning, found out the Fiero's were down on the first floor, and seriously thought of asking if I could park mine with the rest on display (decided not go to go thru with it). The cars were getting attention though.
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07:14 PM
Savagery Member
Posts: 1174 From: Warrenville, IL Registered: Jul 2002
It's awesome. My desk is near the lobby and everytime I've walked by the cars I've noticed quite a number of people are stopping and taking a closer look at them. They really seem to be drawing much more attention than usual. Good thing is people have a lot of positive things to say, especially about the 90 prototype. One question I overheard was "Why didn't they build that? they would've sold every one they made!"
Fred give me a call sometime when you get recharged. I am just getting back into to the east time zone myself after Reno. I would like to hear about the visit to the storage building.
Great pictures!
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12:18 AM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
Don't forget, several of us took DOZENS of pictures of the 90 prototype, in addition to the other special cars, when they were at the 20th. You should be able to access mine at: http://photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos
If you can't, let me know, and I'll double check the photo album settings.
It's great to see GM take those protos out of storage. Thanks for posting this, guys!
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04:22 AM
gaas88 Member
Posts: 435 From: Burlington,Ontario,Canada Registered: Dec 2003
Cool, I can contribute to this thread. I am glad to see that the cars arrived at the Tech Center. I happened to be at the warehouse Tuesday and saw the cars while the guys were preping them for the display. I do not know if I had any influence on the decision to have the cars displayed, but I suggested it back in July. I met the gentleman in charge of the Special Vehicles Collection at POCI Nationals and had talked Fiero with him for multiple hours. One of the conversations included display of the Fieros being it is the 20th Anniversary. He mentioned that it was time to change the display at the Tech Center anyways.
Fred,
I have been anixiously awaiting your pictures. I drove down with Ron Trechiel Tuesday evening to pick up his new Indy and we talked at length about your visit to the warehouse.
Can't wait to see your thread on all of your findings!
Ooooh, the 'Aerovette'!!! I actually had a 1/12-scale model kit of this car when I was a kid!! I never thought it made it into full-scale status... what a cool blast-from-the-past! I don't remember the NACA ducts on the front hood or how the headlights looked on the model, but the rest of the car (that I can see), including the wheels, looks the same to me...
Thanks for the GREAT pics, everybody!!!
------------------ Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com 1988 Red Fiero Formula Convertible
[This message has been edited by LZeitgeist (edited 08-14-2004).]
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11:35 AM
riley Member
Posts: 965 From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada Registered: Feb 2004
) but if you can get in, walking into the lobby just to look around shouldn't be a big deal. Cali Kid would know much more detail. I'm not encouraging anyone to try to sneak past security. I suppose you could ask the guard if it was okay.
and everytime I've walked by the cars I've noticed quite a number of people are stopping and taking a closer look at them. They really seem to be drawing much more attention than usual. Good thing is people have a lot of positive things to say, especially about the 90 prototype. One question I overheard was "Why didn't they build that? they would've sold every one they made!"
