Firebird and Fiero to Return?

  • Thread starter Thread starter YSSMAN
  • 16 comments
  • 1,347 views
YSSMAN

YSSMAN

Super-Cool Since 2013
Premium
Messages
21,286
United States
GR-MI-USA
Messages
YSSMAN
Messages
YSSMAN
...And in other GM in news...

LLN.com
It's no secret that General Motors is working on a new Pontiac coupe based on the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro. What's less certain is the name of the vehicle. GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz has referred to project with the GTO moniker, but some recent reports have suggested the Firebird name will be used instead. On October 6th, 2006, General Motors' "Firebird" trademark will be 'published for opposition' — a required step in the trademark process. While the automaker has long held rights to the name, the recent republication seems to suggest the nameplate could be revived. Meanwhile, the automaker also reregistered the Fiero name in late June. We can only imagine the name might be intended for the much-rumored Pontiac Solstice coupe. However, there's little evidence to back this hypothesis.
Click to expand...

- Firebird? Not going to happen, thats my guess. Granted the model is missed by Pontiac fans, the GTO fits into the picture far better than the Screamin' Chicken. Matching the Commodore/Monaro senario at Pontiac, the swtichover to the G8/GTO makes more sense, IMO. A Firebird could happen, in very small ammounts of course, but with the GTO on the table, chances seem quite low.

- Fiero? It has been said that the Fiero is more popular than the GTO when it comes to the Pontiac fanbase, and the return of the Fiero nameplate as a Solstice Coupe is an interesting proposition. However, it is still up in the air as being the right decision or not. I'd rather call it the Solstice Coupe myself, but I'm sure that plenty of folks would move to call it the Fiero as well...
 
Fiero well known? They only got it right in the last year of production (in typical GM fashion). 90% of people remember it as a cramped and slow city car.

Unless the future GTO has a longer wheelbase than the upcoming Camaro...it would be blasphemous to call it a GTO and not a Firebird.

Firebird is the small Camaro clone...GTO is a badge for a midsize car.
 
Bringing back the Fiero would be useless not only because of the stigma attached to the last one but also because of the positioning of the Solstice. And using the Firebird name would be good only if GM was to put actualy effort into producing it.
 
Well, thats the problem. Both cars are well liked by die-hard GM fans, furthermore the Pontiac fans, but not the rest of the average car-buyers. The Firebird could work out, but given that the GTO holds a better position in the market these days, not to mention be a better compeditor to the BMW 3-series, it would simply make more sense to build it over the Firebird.

...Solstice Coupe has a nice ring to it. Maybe they could use a synonym and call it the Vertex? Maybe bring back the Salsa nameplate?

Salsa was a concept car from the '90s, thought to replace the Fiero
1999salsa.jpg


...I'm glad they chose not to build it...

Or, what about the Banshee?
1988banshee.jpg


The Stinger?
1989stinger.jpg
 
That Banshee turned into the final gen. Firebird.
YSSMAN
but given that the GTO holds a better position in the market these days, not to mention be a better compeditor to the BMW 3-series, it would simply make more sense to build it over the Firebird.
Click to expand...
True, but if they make it the same size as the Camaro and make it a counterpart to it, it will sell even worse than it did before. The Camaro simply will outsell it if they are both the same car.
YSSMAN
...Solstice Coupe has a nice ring to it. Maybe they could use a synonym and call it the Vertex? Maybe bring back the Salsa nameplate?
Click to expand...
No no no. The Banshee.
images883687gm1964pontiacbansheexpwn9.jpg

It's only right that they waited 30 years to build it. But the Solstice Coupe was always the better looking of the two.
 
Wow, that Banshee is hot as hell. Is that a Corvette C3 under pontiac disguise?
 
Yes, call it the Banshee for the love of god, I'll check this out more when I get home from school.

Computer Lab FTW!
 
ND4SPD
Wow, that Banshee is hot as hell. Is that a Corvette C3 under pontiac disguise?
Click to expand...
No. It was a possible project of the 60's designed as a sporty car for Pontiac, sitting in the same role as the Solstice is today. It had a I6 engine (hood bulge) and was killed for fear it would steal Corvette sales.
 
Toronado
No. It was a possible project of the 60's designed as a sporty car for Pontiac, sitting in the same role as the Solstice is today. It had a I6 engine (hood bulge) and was killed for fear it would steal Corvette sales.
Click to expand...

As close os those two look, I could see the problem. Shame, though: That engine, probably the OHC Sprint, was pretty good, would've been even better in a car like that.

Let's call Pontiac's Kappa Coupe Solstice, unless they're working on something MR...

Then it can be a Fiero.

Actually, kids these days don't know about all of the Fero's problems, here in Central IL they're held on fairly good regard with the young people.
 
Jim Prower
As close os those two look, I could see the problem. Shame, though: That engine, probably the OHC Sprint, was pretty good, would've been even better in a car like that.
Click to expand...
You don't even know the biggest problem: The Banshee prototypes were parts bin cars (both the Coupe and Convertible), and would have been if they were put into production. They would have been cheaper to make than even the Fiero itself; which would have taken corporate attention away from the Corvette. In addition, the Banshee proto's were reported to handle better than the C2 'Vette, despite having a beam axle.
 
Hmmm the Pontiac Banshee. I like it. As for the return of the Fiero, I don't care what stigma is attached to the old one GM needs to bring it back. I really like the Fiero, almost as much as the 1st gen MR2. GM (and Ford for that matter) have redeemed themselves in many people's eyes in terms of quality. Oh and this isn't the 1980's anymore, it's very unlikely that ANY car will just light itself on fire.
 
Well the problem is that it wouldn't technically be a Fiero physically speaking, but spiritually yes, it could pass as a Fiero. But, I'd say stick with the Solstice nameplate. Adding extra names only confuses people further...

...Although what I would like to see is a Kappa-based coupe that is a 2+2 design...
 
fangorn_forest
Solstice coupe? Why don't they just call it thw Winter Solstice.:dunce: :lol:

And change the name of the convertible version to Summer Solstice lol.
Click to expand...


In a really bad way that was funny. lol I started laughing at that and my collegues are like "what's so funny?" I told them and they didn't get it.
 

Latest Posts

Back