[Shotimes] Re: OT: Pontiac Fiero or is it Firero? :)

[Donald Mallinson]

I don't think there is much truth to the rumor that the 
Fiero got "too close" to the vette, and was killed by Chevy 
lobbying. The last year Fiero, WAS the best one ever, much 
better suspension (earlier ones had CHEVETTE suspension for 
God's sake) and more HP, better styling and it was finally 
the car it really should have been from year one.

If that is the case (Killed by Chevy brass), then the Chevy 
guys also killed the RX7, MR2, 350Z and the Supra.  All 
specialty cars that died about the same time.  It was just a 
horrible time for expensive (or even affordable) toys.

Yes, GM wants to keep the Vette the top dog, that is why you 
  didn't see the new GTO get the 400 hp motor that Bob Lutz 
kicked around.  I am sure he got the "word".  But awful 
sales killed the Fiero, not Chevy.

I believe Ron Porter can back me up on this, he owns or has 
owned a Fiero, and knows more about them than me.   How 
about it Ron?

Don Mallinson


Ian Macoomb wrote:
> Any truth to these quotes:
> 
> 
> "The 1988's had superior suspension, superior engines, brakes, and wiring,
> so much so that they killed the line.  Rumours are because it outpreformed
> the corvette of the same year in everything but top speed.  Hmm 13G or 53G
> (I'm guessing, I have no idea what corvettes went for back then). "
> 
> "Yes this is accurate.
> 
> I have this article in Road and Track Magazine.  The car didn't outhandle
> the vette, but was more nimble because of its size.  Additionally, they
> reduced the output of the engine, and put a governer becasue it had a higher
> top speed - bahaha - and also used half of the gas.  Out accelerated the car
> in 1/4 times.  Not rocket science, car weighs almost nothing, RWD with
> R-engine setup = good weight distribution.  Becasue of this many people have
> opted to go with an engine conversion, which makes these cars dengerously
> quick.
> 
> THis same issue happened with the Grand National, Cyclone and Typhoon, and
> Camaro  All detuned to not beat the flagship car - Corvette. "
> 
> 
> 
> ---------------------------------------------
> Ian Macoomb
> '97 ES/BS Taurus SHO
> Ottawa, Ontario
> 1 K&N panel filter,
> -2 passenger seats
> 14.966 @ 91.? mph
> Ontario SHO Club, www.shopower.com