[antiRepublicrat]

From what I remember from the articles in the 80s, the Fiero was first designed as an econobox commuter car that would be easy to repair from collisions due to bolt-on plastic body panels.

Somewhere in the middle of the project they decided to make it a sports car, but didn’t change some of the basic things about the project needed to make it a decent sports car.

[equalitybeforethelaw]

Somewhere in the middle of the project they decided to make it a sports car, but didn’t change some of the basic things about the project needed to make it a decent sports car.

It was a beast to drive. The gear box was like shifting a Mack truck. Cool to look at though.

[Repealthe17thAmendment]

Kind of going from memory since I don't have the book in front of me, but I thought the Fiero was a John DeLorean idea while he was president of Pontiac. In his book, On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors, he said that the car was originally intended to have different color body panels that could be changed out by the owner. Some days they could drive a blue car, other days a red, etc.

And maybe it's my imagination, but I see some strong styling similarities between the Fiero and the DeLorean sports car made by DMC in the mid 80's.