As many of you who’ve hung around these parts for some time may know, frequent commenter and occasional contributor Leon Dixon is perhaps one of the most knowledgeable guys out there on Creative Industries, the shop that handled plenty of concept car and prototype builds that the Detroit carmakers either wanted to keep secret or couldn’t be bothered to build themselves.
Lately, Leon’s been turning that expertise into a book on Creative Industries, one which is scheduled to be released this summer. But he’s still got some work ahead of him, including the identification of this mid-engine concept car which he came across while digging into the company. As Leon wrote:
"I know who supervised this project, but unfortunately that fellow has long since passed. So I am wondering if any of your readers might recognize this car. What you see here is a dy-noced clay utilizing some production parts. The windshield and A-pillar with side window were from Buick Reatta and Cadillac Allante. Except there are also some pieces with familial resemblance to Fiero. And quite obviously this was a mid-engine car. So I am wondering if there is anyone left alive out there who may recognize this mockup?"
Pontiac did indeed look into building the Fiero beyond 1988, and a prototype of the 1990 Fiero does still exist in GM’s Heritage Center, though it only has a squint-and-you’ll-see-it resemblance to this design. Perhaps this was a styling exercise that lost out to that prototype? Or could it be something else?
RAREW66 posted on Facebook that it is a Chrysler design from Entech. Interesting article on Entech/ outside design firms from back in the day http://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0509/fsign.html
[This message has been edited by mrfred8 (edited 01-29-2016).]
I believe this was the Chrysler Fred is speaking of at Entech. This was around the time the Wraith move was out and Chrysler was looking to do a Mid engine car that never came.
Note the tail lamp is similar to the FWD Daytona that came later.
Entech, ACS, Roush and many other Detroit companies engineered and built things for many of the companies.
Even years ago like stated here Kar Kraft and others were outsourced to.
The Fiero T tops were Cars and Concepts work not GM.
the article is from 1988. Didn't know Hulki was out of GM by then. No wonder it looked like a Fiero.
"One of the brightest stars in the constellation of smaller companies is Entech and its president, Hulki Aldikacti. His Troy, Mich., company has expanded from 475 employees a year ago to 700 now. He expects to have 800 or 900 by year's end."
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 01-30-2016).]
the article is from 1988. Didn't know Hulki was out of GM by then. No wonder it looked like a Fiero.
"One of the brightest stars in the constellation of smaller companies is Entech and its president, Hulki Aldikacti. His Troy, Mich., company has expanded from 475 employees a year ago to 700 now. He expects to have 800 or 900 by year's end."
Hulki was out of the Fiero by I think June of 1983. If I recall he was in there till they got the press intro done and then he was gone by the time the cars hit the dealers. Too many people think he was with the Fiero program from start to end and that is just not so.
He left for Entech and GM went on with out him. One person that really was there from the very start to the very end was John Schinella the GM designer. He really was the one who was with the car the entire time and fought hard at the end to save it.
This is why in all the stories from 84-88 never have Hulki as he was long gone.
I feel too much credit is given to Hulki at times and not enough to many others who played just as important rolls with the car. Don't get me wrong Hulki was important but so to was what many others did with the car that too often go un noticed.
There is so much obvious Fiero in this design excercise, hard to imagine this would be attributed to a Chrysler study. Clearly it is mid-engined, so any proportion to a front wheel drive Chrysler product I fail to see. Granted, our assessments will always be subjective until someone comes up with documentation rather than heresay. Our Fieros are going on 36 years or more since the project was initiated (late 70's or early 80's). The Fiero has been disparaged and maligned by even GM and other pundits over the years, that it will become even more difficult to verify accurately the design timeline of the fiero. Yes, we have a pretty good verifiable history of the Fiero, it's just that mysteries such as this are too hard to accurately explain. Hulki may have been able to answer to this, but sadly he is no longer with us. Would be nice to know if those involved with the Fiero project were or are active members of Fiero.nl We are fortunate to have this invaluable resource.
There is so much obvious Fiero in this design excercise, hard to imagine this would be attributed to a Chrysler study.
Oh but this design study was done by, or for, Chrysler. Go here: http://blog.hemmings.com/?p=590301#&gid=1&pid=2 . Now scroll a little ways down the page to the second photo of the car, the isometric view of the rear of the car. Click on that picture which will open the picture. Then click one more time on it which will enlarge the picture. Once you see the photo full size you can easily see the Chrysler pentastar logo in the center of the rear wheel.
Thank you for the lesson on humility. . The Fiero is and was a strong design/concept, and looks great even today, as the many modified Fiero's exhibited on this forum prove.
Would not be surprised if this was an extrapolation of the Fiero concept by Entech. Especially considering the Entech Hulki connection. Although as the posts indicated, another design maybe responsible for this styling exercise. Still, hoping it was Entech.
Thank you for the lesson on humility. . The Fiero is and was a strong design/concept, and looks great even today, as the many modified Fiero's exhibited on this forum prove.
Would not be surprised if this was an extrapolation of the Fiero concept by Entech. Especially considering the Entech Hulki connection. Although as the posts indicated, another design maybe responsible for this styling exercise. Still, hoping it was Entech.
It is not the first nor the last styling design that was cribbed from another MFG.
To be honest there is a lot of Porsche and Ferrari in the Fiero too. You can see a little more of a few other cue's also used.
Harley Earl used to steal ideas from many models over the years and said so up front. The inspiration for the 55 Chevy grill was Ferrari of the 50's. The Cadillac fins were inspired and originally copied from a P38 Lighting fighter twin boom tails.
As for styling Hulki had nothing to do with the Fiero so much as John Schinella and his team were behind that. John remained at GM till he retired and was one of those who were involved with the Fiero from the very start to the bitter fight at the end. He still owns his 88 today.
Hulki was important but so were many others who worked on this car and so seldom get much credit. I wish more Fiero owners would really dig in and learn more about these others and what all they did over the entire program.
