Howdy Folks,
My letter to the editor in Corvette Magazine was printed in the (current) January 2014 issue. Here it is:
I read Tom Wallace's comments about a mid-engine Corvette in the October 2013 issue with great interest. General Motors will not build a mid-engine Corvette until there is consumer demand. There will never be consumer demand until a younger generation experiences mid-engine vehicles. Younger drivers will not experience mid-engine vehicles until GM brings back an inexpensive, Fiero-like car. While helping to produce this vehicle, Corvette engineers could overcome technical difficulties associated with the design. Maybe then, the C8 will be mid-engine.
This is my attempt to get someone at GM to think maybe the Fiero is a good idea to try again. In the same issue, Dave McLellan - the 2nd Corvette Chief and father of the C4 also had a letter printed.
Performance and handling is not why I purchased a 26 year old car for my daughter. It was for other reasons like:
1. Only 2 seats! I've seen too many cars and trucks packed with too many kids.
2. Feels like you're doing 90mph when you're doing 25. Who's going to speed? (Club members excepted)
3. Can't carry a bunch of junk.
4. No one else in the area owns one. "Was that your daughter's Fiero I saw at the mall during school hours?"
5. Safe - the entire front is a crush zone.
6. Cool. She loves it. My youngest has also claimed it, telling the oldest she merely gets to drive it.
7. Decent mileage and reliability
Not exactly high performance reasons. But all reasons to revive the Fiero.
Now is a good time if you feel like bugging GM to bring back the Fiero. Tell them you read a letter in Corvette Magazine and you'd love to get a new mid-engine Fiero for your son/daughter/grandchild/self/spouse/etc.
And have fun doing it!