to the lower right of the number 55 are the words "Pontiac/Firebird"
Very likely the same car. They just called it a Firebird, since the Fiero program's cancellation had already been announced. I remember seeing a car run at Road Atlanta badged as a Fiero GTP, that looked just like that. (Spice Fiero?)
I want to say they ran 90 degree V6s in them at some point. Could be wrong on that point, however.
Edit - Google "Spice Fiero". Lots of pics that look similar to that car. None with #55, however.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 08-02-2022).]
This was the racing "Fiero" that competed in IMSA GTP (prototype) "Light" class.....The only thing remotely related to a real Fiero is the engine.
After GM Cancelled Fiero production, they had to figure out how to continue running this car, which was somewhat successful...Finally decided to call it the "Pontiac Firebird".
GM management does something stupid (cancel Fiero) and then compounds it by renaming the MID-ENGINE race car for a front engine pony car.
[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 08-02-2022).]
Thanks for all the replies and great info fellas! "spice fiero" is definitely the google search I was looking for thanks raydar. I thought one of em looked longer than the one in the pic I posted. Both look super cool but prefer the shorter one, just dont like how the body curves in behind the front wheel. So these were tube chassis w a fiberglass body, or were they built on fiero and firebird frames? Or is the imsa gtu the one on the fiero frame w the kits some folks have? I saw the ad w one for sale and was drooling hard till I saw the price lol. Fantasizing about building one, the roof and doors look difficult. Appreciate all the replies!
I don't think any of them (GTPs or GTUs) were "built on a Fiero frame". All of them were purpose built, with largely tubular construction. The GTP probably even used a bunch of exotic materials and methods (all speculation on my part, however.) I'm not even sure the GTP had a transverse engine. The GTUs were like a lot of the tube frame stuff that has been posted here. Not much about them was "Fiero", other than the SD4 engine being based on the Duke. Some of them ran Getrag boxes with special gear sets. If you can find an old Pontiac Performance Plus magazine, it gives a very much "in depth" description of the chassis, running gear, and construction of the GTU.
I just noticed that there are two different back-ends to these cars.....I always knew about the Entech Fiero GTP Light...and that they changed the name to Firebird after 1988....but did they change some of the body...or more...?
Checking the class markings will also give you some idea of what is in them/configuration (if visible). GTU in IMSA, often just a black decal w/white "U" were typically transverse mounted SD4 motors. Originally up to 2.7L, I think they allowed up to 3.0L in later years. Typically, these were notchback bodied. Most of the GTU cars were built by Huffaker Engineering. As many as 17 chassis may have been built by them(?). They also sold full size blueprints and some number of "clone" chassis were also built. The GTO versions ran multiped engines, but early versions ran what GM (briefly) marketed as the "SD6". This was the Chevy 90 degree V6 with Pontiac badged intake and heads from Brodix. As mentioned above, mounted longitudinally with Hewland DGB gearboxes. Some of these were also fitted w/SD4 motors and as far as I have seen, all GTO cars were the fastback body. Spice did run some of these GTO cars before moving on the the more swoopy GTL (Camel Lights) prototypes badged as any number of things w/various motor combos. Again, the DGB gearbox was the typical choice.
The GTU / GTO cars were tube frame cars w/fiberglass skins. Not sure on the GTL chassis, but at least partially monocoque if not carbon fiber by that time. SCCA also allowed the IMSA GTU cars to race in "GT2" and the GTO cars to race in GT1. I have a "one off" car built specifically for GT1, tube chassis, Pontiac badged V6 with a March 87T transaxle (similar to the DGB). I was lucky to also find two original Spice Engineering built (initially) V6 motors ("PMS007" & "PMS008") for the car. Restoration is nearing completion.
I still would like to own a Huffaker (or clone), but am glad to have the current car. A couple of early Spice cars are around in the Caribbean, but beyond my budget!
[This message has been edited by Craig71188 (edited 08-06-2022).]
The GTU / GTO cars were tube frame cars w/fiberglass skins. Not sure on the GTL chassis, but at least partially monocoque if not carbon fiber by that time. SCCA also allowed the IMSA GTU cars to race in "GT2" and the GTO cars to race in GT1. I have a "one off" car built specifically for GT1, tube chassis, Pontiac badged V6 with a March 87T transaxle (similar to the DGB). I was lucky to also find two original Spice Engineering built (initially) V6 motors ("PMS007" & "PMS008") for the car. Restoration is nearing completion
GTU was a stock like body tube frame race car with a transverse SD4. Huffacker built all of these cars. They were notchback coupe in 84 85-6 they were notch GT the last couple years fast backs.
There was one GTO Fiero that ran a longitudinal 4.3 V6. It did not a whole season in 88 due to the Fiero being canceled. It used the trans axle of the Spice race car.
The GTPL Fiero are the Spice prototype cars all were 4 cylinder SD4 they were raced in IMSA and Europe.
Once canceled Pontiac changed the Spice to run the GTP class with the V8 as a Firebird.
The Spice also was used with the Buick Turbo and used by Acura and just raced as a Spice car.
I was lucky enough to have attended the races these cars ran back in the 80’s at Mid Ohio. I was able to get in the garage area and paddock and not only get photos but got to sit in a few of the cars.
I still have. Huffacker GTU Goodwrench racing shirt.
Those were the prime time for IMSA as mfg participation was at a all time high.
None of the race cars were production based, some did use factory steering wheels and tail lights. That was about it.
The only stock based cars were used in showroom stock SCCA with Herb Adams and rally racing back in the day. Autocross had a few racing and they won championships in Formulas.
The Dingman Brothers 4 car only ran in the 87 IMSA GTO season. It is a Spice built chassis/frame and the only factory GTO made. It missed it first race, the 24 Hours at Daytona because it wasn't ready in time. The second race of the 87 season was the Miami GP and it won that day...first race...first win! Dingman's parked the car after the last race of the 87 season and it sat in their race shop in Winter Park Florida unit it was sold some time back and is believed to be in California now. A long time ago I sent a picture of the car at the Daytona Fiero Show to Bob Earl (driver) and told me to ask Billy Dingman why he would never put his name on the roof. Unfortunately I never found out why. Billy Dingman did tell me that late in the 87 season Pontiac asked him to move to the GTP class because they weren't going to back the Fiero after 87 because of the possible cancellation of the production cars. He told Pontiac no because the GTP car teams were to expensive and went into NASCAR after 10 years in IMSA.
The Dingman Brothers 4 car only ran in the 87 IMSA GTO season. It is a Spice built chassis/frame and the only factory GTO made. It missed it first race, the 24 Hours at Daytona because it wasn't ready in time. The second race of the 87 season was the Miami GP and it won that day...first race...first win! Dingman's parked the car after the last race of the 87 season and it sat in their race shop in Winter Park Florida unit it was sold some time back and is believed to be in California now. A long time ago I sent a picture of the car at the Daytona Fiero Show to Bob Earl (driver) and told me to ask Billy Dingman why he would never put his name on the roof. Unfortunately I never found out why. Billy Dingman did tell me that late in the 87 season Pontiac asked him to move to the GTP class because they weren't going to back the Fiero after 87 because of the possible cancellation of the production cars. He told Pontiac no because the GTP car teams were to expensive and went into NASCAR after 10 years in IMSA.
Thanks Craig I was hoping you may haver seen this. The Dingman name escaped me and all I could think of was Valvoline.
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe they won the Columbus IMSA GP in the GTO car. That was the only win and that was against a field of V8 cars.
That little car has a lot of potential that just never was realized.
Hope all is well and e mail or call me when you have time. My number is the same as is the e mail PM me if you can't find it.
Got my car apart for some work and I have a trash for Monday to get it ready for the Pontiac Nationals on Sunday next week. Waiting on powder coat on the intake and covers.
Back in I think 87 I was working at the Palm Beach Grand Prix. The Valvoline gto car was racing and dnf because of rear brake failure. I was checking the car out off track and some one ask me how much I weighed. I replied 130 and they said get in. They pushed the car around the track back to the trailer. The person handed me a Valvoline hat and $ 20. I was in a state of awe. I had just bought my first fiero and loved that v6 car. I wish I still had all the race banners we picked up at that race because we worked stocking the souvenir locations through out the track.
Back in I think 87 I was working at the Palm Beach Grand Prix. The Valvoline gto car was racing and dnf because of rear brake failure. I was checking the car out off track and some one ask me how much I weighed. I replied 130 and they said get in. They pushed the car around the track back to the trailer. The person handed me a Valvoline hat and $ 20. I was in a state of awe. I had just bought my first fiero and loved that v6 car. I wish I still had all the race banners we picked up at that race because we worked stocking the souvenir locations through out the track.
