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Hagerty Looks Back At The Pontiac Fiero: Video

Produced between 1983 and 1988, the Pontiac Fiero offered a mid-engine layout and sharp styling, making it something of an odd duck among U.S. manufacturers of the era. In addition, the Fiero helped to usher in a number of innovative technologies for GM, all of which sounds pretty great. The truth, however, is a bit more complicated, as outlined in the following video.

Coming to us from the folks at Hagerty, the video is about 18 minutes long and is presented by automotive journalist Jason Cammisa, who leads the viewer through the history of the Pontiac Fiero, from its early development, to its production lifecycle, all the way to its eventual discontinuation.

As outlined in the video, Pontiac Fiero was initially conceived during the so-called malaise era, a period in U.S. car manufacturing during which fuel efficiency constraints, pollution concerns, and rising safety standards put an end to the muscle car which proceeded it. Enter Bill Hoglund, who took over the Pontiac division in 1981 and decided the brand needed something that could not only offering some excitement, but also satisfy rising fuel efficiency standards.

The solution was a 50-mpg two-seater to earn GM some much-needed CAFE credits. However, rather than defer to a front-engine, front-wheel-drive design, which would not only kill aero efficiency but also look pretty ugly, GM engineer Hulki Aldikacti came up with a different approach – make it mid-engine.

The new vehicle would take the subframe, powertrain, and suspension from the GM X-body platform and move it behind the cabin, while also tossing in the front suspension from the GM T-body platform. Paired with stunning mid-engine looks, the combo looked like a winner. Despite GM killing the project, development on the new P-body continued in secret.

To sweeten the deal, the whole project would not only be relatively inexpensive to engineer, but also inexpensive to produce, with the steel structure paired with plastic body panels, providing GM with an innovative new production method.

All in all, the Pontiac Fiero was shaping up to be a winner. The end result, however, was somewhat more complicated. Hit play for the full story:

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. This guy has better car documentaries than anyone.

    His special on the Ford Taurus and Chevy Corvette we’re both very good.

    Reply
  2. I would have bought one the first year, but I had to tilt the seat back to clear the roof, and then I could barely turn the non-power steering. The V6 I tried later was a lot of fun to drive.

    Reply
    1. I bought a new one in 84 it was a blast to drive!

      Reply
  3. I inherited a first year ’83 from my dear departed great uncle who bought it new. Low, gentle miles. The promise it should have had just would not show up. The front suspension had a measly amount of travel which gave it a rough, uncomfortable ride. Steering was rather heavy in feel and lacking in response. It simply was not a car that begged to be driven.

    I kept it for a couple of years and then sold it without regret.

    Reply
    1. 84 was the first year.

      Reply
  4. Well it is a sports car so the suspension will be firm.

    The heavy steering was easy to fix by removing the damper that was not needed.

    The first year was an 1984 not 83.

    As for fit most drivers up to 6/4 fit fine even in the small car.

    The Fiero was far from perfect but no where as bad as some claim. Like some post here they were very uninformed opinions especially in the media. . Many realize this now and that is why they are doing better today.

    The truth is most sports cars are far from perfect.

    Reply
    1. I’ve had experience with a number of legitimate sports cars, and i would not consider the Fieros of the first few years a member of that club. It looked like one for sure, but that was it. Too many shortcomings in its performance and roadability.

      An important lesson of the Fiero fiasco is to beware of mixing incompatible goals together. In the Fiero’s case, the goal of cost cutting seems to have been a top priority, overshadowing the disciplines required in designing a legitimate sports car.

      Reply
      1. Stuart the first car was not that bad but it should have been better. The 88 Suspension was intended from the start but there just was no money for it. GM had canceled the car three times and Pontiac had to fund it with what money they could scrounge.

        You have to remember Pontiac was set to be closed down and they were fighting it. Hence the Fiero. The goal was to draw attention to the brand and dealers. The Fiero and Firebird did and it help sell enough Grand Am cars it put Olds on the bubble in sales. They were the first to go.

        The important lesson here was this showed how GM totally was not in control of their divisions and did not make them work together as one. Chevy and Pontiac hurt each other more than Toyota or Honda did. This is one of the main culture issues that made GM fall.

        The car suffered bump steer and solid rear business fixed that. The lack of a rear sway bar created the under steer and the damper made the steering heavy. I corrected all three on mine with the Herb Adams VSE suspension kit. It drives much like the 88 now.

        Reply
  5. I owned 2, at separate times; the first, an 86 SE V6, 4 speed. The second, an 86 GT,4 speed. With the V6, it truly was a poor man’s Corvette. There was nothing like firing it up, windows down, and hearing that air intake noise right below your left ear. The high shifter tunnel/console; the red instrument guage lights at night time, the view out of the front windshield dropping down to nothing but the road ahead.

    The tale has been told many times of the last year being the best. But, when I installed lowered springs, front and rear sway bars and Koni shocks, my 86 probably was as good a performing GT as the last year GT’s were.

    Pretty daring of GM to give us a mid-engine “sports car”. Late era Pontiac at it’s best and innovative with the Fiero, Firebird TransAm and a bit later, the Grand Prix GTP. But they’re all gone now and what remains of GM today is ready to be swept up by the next big Asian buyer who will pay pennies on the dollar for the shell of what was once America’s greatest corporate transportation auto and truck and locomotive builder.

    Reply
  6. Look who was in charge of GM at the time, that squeaky little bastard, Roger Bonham Smith. The worst CEO of all time.

    Reply
  7. Hard to connect the Mid-Engine Corvette C8 to a Fiero. But I had to remind people that GM did make a consumer mid-engine product before. And as a V6 Fiero, I thought that was something. We should have had a mid engine Corvette much sooner.
    But it all worked out, and the Fiero proved GM can really do some cool stuff.

    Reply
  8. Moderators seem to have deleted my comment with a link to a YT Fiero race tournament on the 3DBotmaker channel.

    Reply
    1. They may not want to promote a business.

      Those are great to watch. Better than NASCAR.

      Reply
  9. Many people got the wrong idea about the Fiero. It was never supposed to be a race car or something to take away sales from the Corvette. It was supposed to be a sporty (looking), reasonably good handling, economical commuter car – like an updated Opel GT. I used my 1985 V6 Fiero GT for commuting for 160,000 miles and 14 years – including through all the extremely harsh winters, salt baths and potholes of Michigan. Though the suspension used “carryover” parts from other cars, I never had to replace a part. With the V6 and the 4 speed manual, performance of a Fiero GT matched Camaros, Firebirds and Mustangs of the same year. If you used a Fiero for it’s intended purpose like I did (instead of as a sports car fantasy), you’d have been very pleased with it. No body rust. I had no issues except to replace the clutch after 80,000 – normal wear. I also owned a modified (!)1979 Corvette during those years for “sporty” driving like auto-crossing and drag racing. Use a car for it’s intended purpose and you’ll be happier.

    Reply
    1. Actually like the video shows the intent was to make a legitimate but affordable sportswear. The commuter car was just what Pontiac told GM to sell the idea.

      The 88 Suspension was the intended suspension but no money to put it in. It had to wait.

      You might be enlighten to know the Auto-cross SCCA champion Todd Rupp was the national champion several years in a 1988 Formula. There were several other Division Champions in the SCCA too.

      This was not a Ferrari it was a low cost light weight moderate power sports car. Most sports cars never had mega power and the 2500 pound weight under cut the Corvette much. Both could have complimented each other but GM failed to manage the rivalry.

      As for Rust the body held up fine but the space frame today Is a major issue. Most Fiero models in a Snow area that were drive will have major rust in the trunk and front rails. Some of them the car bumper and tail section is only held on with the fiberglass halo and quarters.

      The 1990 Model was set to have 230 HP and a wider track. It would have sold around $20K and undercut the Corvette by 12K. Sales of the Vette were declining each year and they were concerned. Note even after the Fiero was killed they killed the C5 till Chevy ignored the GM ruling. They finished the car with borrowed money and got it approved in the end.

      One has to take the entire history here to understand what all took place. This was not just some simple issue but a complex story that really needs to still be told. Too much false info and flat lies are out there yet. Also it gives a look at why GM failed.

      But the truth is I have spoken to the principals involved here and heard their story. They were fully intent on making a Sport car in spite of GM. But they took many risks and made some mistakes but the lack of funding forced much of this. But in the end they did save the division for sever decades more.

      GM just never understood Pontiac. Most of their best cars were cars the engineers broke the rules on GM had. The GTO is a prime example. The Engineers were all there with Delorean and the Fiero was one of their last projects before many retired. It was their last rebel cause.

      Reply

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