Wasn't there an article a while back about Reuss saying that the GTO badge would be used as performance varient of a model? Like Grand Prix GTO or Grand Am GTO? It was the article where Reuss was talking about finding a suitable RWD platform for the Camaro, and said that the GTO would be a limited production run.

I think Pontiac will revive the Firebird name, because the GTO has about the same important name status as the Chevelle, and both were killed off awfully in the 70's(as the firebird/camaro continued on). I think the GTO name is being thrown out by Pontiac as cover up for the Firebird name. The GTO name I think is an excuse for Pontiac to have a performance model until they can decide what to do with the Firebird.

 

The article mentioned that GTO is the performance halo for Pontiac, "like SS is for Chevy". He did not say that GTO is going to be a trim level on other vehicles.

 

guionM-The RUMBLE chassis was brought up by me.Thanks for clearing it up for us.

 

Well, the current GTO is a limited production run. That article was most likely true and with 20/20 hindsight it seems they were looking for a platform they could put a Camaro on.

While GTO might seem like a "cover up" for an MIA Firebird, it really targets a different audience. The words older and more mature come to mind. Right now it's all but reality that GTO will continue on.

I would love to see a Firebird in the future, but right now the silence is deafening. For the past year every once in a while we'd catch a hint of Camaro (even with the "gag order"). Just nutt'n about a Firebird though.

 

Isn't the Corvette name the halo for Chevy?

You might be right about that since I haven't read that thing in a long time, however, the SS moniker is just a trim level. Just look at the current SS cars; the Monte Carlo, and the Silverado SS. I know the SS has the 6.0, but other than that, it's just a GMC Sierra Denali with a Chevrolet badge. And the Camaro SS. It's just a hood/trim/wheel deal. A regular Z28 has the same performance features with a 3K less price tag. By the way, the GTO was a trim/performance option in 64 for the Pontiac Tempest.

 

It was indeed. But I don't believe they're going to have "Grand Prix GTO" and "Grand Am GTO" and the like--too confusing for people today who kinda knew what the GTO was back when.

 

The GTO and Firebird monikers were side by side in the 60's; except the GTO is four years older than the Firebird. The Firebirds were being bought by this age group weren't they? The thing is, the Firebird has more of a youth image because it's lasted 35 years, where as the GTO only 11. Which means only two generations saw the GTO(60s, 70's). Whereas the Firebird has been seen by four generations (60's,70's, 80's, 90's). If you had a firebird and gto aside, which do you think the newer generation would recognize more?

 

I'd argue that the name GTO is just as recognizable as Firebird. Yes, Firebirds were bought by 40-somethings too, but as you said, it is a more youth oriented image..."boy-racer" if you will.
The same age maybe, but 2 different crowds. While it might be possible to market them side by side, the image that Pontiac is trying to portray (similar to BMW) favors the GTO right now.

As far as perfomance monikers go, wasn't Pontiac going to use GXP or something like that? GTO will be a model of it's own.

Camaro SS, while there wasn't a large performance difference with the Z28, I believe it also included upgraded suspension components and a more "free-flowing" exhaust and, of course, the cold/ram air intake from the hood.

 

Not quite. There are many that don't even know what a GTO is but Firebird is recognized pretty instantly.

 

Maybe you're right....I wonder if these are the same people who can't find the U.S. on a world map though!! I haven't always been a car guy, but I can't imagine not knowing....

 

Well, without the internet, ricers wouldn't know what the hell a Buick GN would be, much less the Typhoon/Syclone combo. These are probably the same people who think Europe is a country rather than a continent. However, not everyone has access to the internet, and even if they did, most of them aren't true car enthusists(sp). Besides, the import trend (ricer) is big right now. People who are a bit curious about cars are gonna look up Supras, Skylines,imports rather than our beloved GTO, Chevelles, Chargers, etc.

 

Actually I do have a bit more than a hunch on which plant. Hint: which GM plant is currently producing vehicles (yes, plural) that are scheduled to be discontinued after the 2005 model year?

 

Isn't this plant in the Detroit area? I thought I remember you mentioning something about it...

 

Isn't that the Orion plant? Where Bonnevilles, Auroras, and LeSabres are built?

 

Nope... not Orion...

Think fine sausages, nice people and perogies...