Hey guys, remember the Fieros we saw at the 40th Anniversary?
What about the other Fieros?
I have several pictures that I saved from like decades ago... I'll upload them:
... basically, there are three prototypes that were made that were sort of different than the fancy GTP prototype that we all know. These are the only pictures I have of these cars... they were taken at one of GM's junkyards where their cars waiting to be scrapped are. I got it from somewhere like almost 15 years ago. My understanding is all the cars in the picture (including the GMC motorhome) were all crushed. These were all rolling and driving cars from my understanding.
Here's a better picture that I found of a similar car, but a red one... I don't know if this was maybe just a clay model...
So... just a couple of questions. Did any of this version of prototype survive? They made several of them from what I understand.
Second question... anyone have any better pictures of this particular prototype model?
Ok, from what I've found... the ones above are the 1989 Prototypes... while the nice one we all know about from the 40th (etc.)... is the 1990 prototype.
Ok, from what I've found... the ones above are the 1989 Prototypes... while the nice one we all know about from the 40th (etc.)... is the 1990 prototype.
Here's another picture I found in the Googles...
that kind of looks like a reatta to me. it would make sense if they used that as a base to get the engineering concepts out the door
This is an 1989 coupe and Formula same year as the GTP that was going to really be a GT.
The car shown outside were crushed years ago. They were going to come with Quad 4 engines. Not sure if the Formula name was going to be used at the time the car died.
There are some studio Clay mock up photos around.
I do have a number of the nose emblems from this car. They were raised 3D emblems. They had several colors tested.
I recall the base coupe and Formula variants shown were crushed back in the mid-aughts.
I believe this to be the case on all of the prototype GM Fiero's except for the 4 seater and the 1990 version that still survives today . The 4 seater is on the car show circuit and I've seen it at Carlisle. It is in showroom shape, not roadworthy but its a great piece of history. Its a darrn shame that the red notchback (1990?) shown in 87-T/A's post wasn't saved. That design would look good even today.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
I believe this to be the case on all of the prototype GM Fiero's except for the 4 seater and the 1990 version that still survives today . The 4 seater is on the car show circuit and I've seen it at Carlisle. It is in showroom shape, not roadworthy but its a great piece of history. Its a darrn shame that the red notchback (1990?) shown in 87-T/A's post wasn't saved. That design would look good even today.
From what I've read the early turbo prototypes are still around, the black one somewhere in a museum or something in Europe, and I don't know about the red one.
The red GT Turbo that was at the 20th and 25th was allegedly still in the GM Heritage Collection. However I recall more recent chatter (salt grains) about it being crushed, the fact it wasn't at the 40th leads me to believe, but not confirm so... just as easily could've been a cost factor. This might be a MWFC/Fred question.
quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: I believe this to be the case on all of the prototype GM Fiero's except for the 4 seater and the 1990 version that still survives today . The 4 seater is on the car show circuit and I've seen it at Carlisle. It is in showroom shape, not roadworthy but its a great piece of history.
The 2+2 was at the Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum in Pontiac, IL for a while until the 40th, when it moved to the Pontiac Transportation Museum in Michigan. As of late last year it was still there.
[This message has been edited by jonrev (edited 04-12-2025).]
As much as I like the red fastback GTP (or GT, if you prefer), I really don't like the coupe/Formula variant. The flat line where the beltline molding crosses the rear wheel opening just doesn't look right. And the flying buttress behind the rear window just looks... bloated?
Always wondered what the heck the story was with the Reatta, one of the reasons given for getting rid of the Fiero was an anticipated decline in 2 door personal car sales, and then they immediately launch the Reatta, that was likely to sell MAYBE 10k units a year (ended up being just over 20k units in 4 years)
I always thought that the styling of the 89 Coupe prototype inspired the 1st gen Saturn SC2 with the pop up headlights.
I COMPLETELY forgot about this car.
This is just like that thread I made about the Turbo Sunbird. I realize that old cars get crushed and dwindle in numbers... but these are cars that I guess no one (long-term) felt that they had any value... and they're basically all gone. You can still find some of the newer ones, but that generation of SC2... just gone. Sigh...
For the older people on here... they probably feel the same way about the old Pontiac Venture, or other totally common-but-now-gone cars of the 70s.
The four seat or 2 + 2 prototype Fiero is owned by Fred Bartemeyer. It may be on loan to the Pontiac Oakland Museum. It is a concept car and not roadworthy. It is an interesting piece of history but I have no idea what the intent was to build this as the back seats are only large enough for two small children or a midget.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
The red GT coupe turbo is the red GT fast back today. Many cars were rebodied over the years eve the 2+2.
Most of the cars were sold or given to museums and survive. Cars like the Car Craft car were crushed because GM did not build it.
The 89 cars may have been crushed as GM never wanted the 89 to be seen. Back in the early 90’s the GT was to have been shown and GM stopped John Middlebrook from bringing it out for the Fiero event. John Schinella brought slides and showed it at the dinner and quietly released the photos to a magazine.
The Alco cars are missing. The Speedster was crushed as it would not meet crash standards. But many cars survived and they just look different.
The cars that were destroyed Also at times were deemed insignificant. Even GM is limited on space and funding for historic cars. Some were just not safe to release.
But we also have many mules with power steering or the 1989 dash out there too.
The Hot Rod magazine cover car survives but with a V6. The DOHC 4 was put in another show car.
Even some mules are in plain sight but the mods are under the skin.
Considering many cars there are more one off Fiero’s than most cars. How many of the early Camaro prototypes do you see around Today?
Always wondered what the heck the story was with the Reatta, one of the reasons given for getting rid of the Fiero was an anticipated decline in 2 door personal car sales, and then they immediately launch the Reatta, that was likely to sell MAYBE 10k units a year (ended up being just over 20k units in 4 years)
GM worked very independent in their divisions is one of the problems.
Second the Reatta was never a threat yo the Corvette.
The Corvette people really did killed the Fiero as the car was planed for more power at a lower price while C4 sales struggled they were worried.
The Corvette did get killed by the GM managment and they just look Corvette team hid the C5 like the Fiero out side GM till the mules were ready.
GM too often competed divisions vs making them work together. This was a major reason they failed. A few of the Fieto guys actually help save the C5 when they went to that program.
Read the book All Corvettes are Red. It is eye opening to the mess GM was.
Always wondered what the heck the story was with the Reatta, one of the reasons given for getting rid of the Fiero was an anticipated decline in 2 door personal car sales, and then they immediately launch the Reatta, that was likely to sell MAYBE 10k units a year (ended up being just over 20k units in 4 years)
It was supposed to be a halo car to get people into dealerships. That and it's basically built on a shortened E-body (Eldorado/Toronado/Riviera) chassis. Plus, it's MSRP was over twice what a Fiero cost at the time.
Always wondered what the heck the story was with the Reatta, one of the reasons given for getting rid of the Fiero was an anticipated decline in 2 door personal car sales, and then they immediately launch the Reatta, that was likely to sell MAYBE 10k units a year (ended up being just over 20k units in 4 years)
Note too if the GM80 program had not been canceled the Fiero plant was set to have the Camaro and Firebird production fill the plant with the Fiero.
Pontiac over built the Fiero and took a chance on the 80 being on the plant line.
Always wondered what the heck the story was with the Reatta, one of the reasons given for getting rid of the Fiero was an anticipated decline in 2 door personal car sales, and then they immediately launch the Reatta, that was likely to sell MAYBE 10k units a year (ended up being just over 20k units in 4 years)
Note too if the GM80 program had not been canceled the Fiero plant was set to have the Camaro and Firebird production fill the plant with the Fiero.
Pontiac over built the Fiero and took a chance on the 80 being on the plant line.
Always wondered what the heck the story was with the Reatta, one of the reasons given for getting rid of the Fiero was an anticipated decline in 2 door personal car sales, and then they immediately launch the Reatta, that was likely to sell MAYBE 10k units a year (ended up being just over 20k units in 4 years)
