Thier are rumors the Solstice may get a new name when it goes into production.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,698
From: USA
Thier are rumors the Solstice may get a new name when it goes into production.
I have heard two possibilities tossed around as names for the car we now refer to as Solstice...
Sunfire and.......
DUM DUM DUM
Firebird...
I have heard that the days of the Firebird and Camaro being assosiated as the same car are over and the only way Firebird can comeback is on a totally different car.
I personally like the idea of calling it Firebird because the name is recognized and needs fresh direction. in the early 60's Pontiac was developing a two seat roadster that got cancelled at the last minute and gave birth to the Camaro twin Firebird. Rumor has it that 60's two seat roadster was also in line for the Firebird name.
Sunfire and.......
DUM DUM DUM
Firebird...
I have heard that the days of the Firebird and Camaro being assosiated as the same car are over and the only way Firebird can comeback is on a totally different car.
I personally like the idea of calling it Firebird because the name is recognized and needs fresh direction. in the early 60's Pontiac was developing a two seat roadster that got cancelled at the last minute and gave birth to the Camaro twin Firebird. Rumor has it that 60's two seat roadster was also in line for the Firebird name.
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,801
From: Nashville, TN
This would be acceptable to me ONLY if Trans AM remained dead forever, or came back later as a limited edition variant of the Camaro. Tiny 2 seat, v6 roadster is not a Trans Am. Divorcing Firebird and Trans Am would be just as big of a jump as divorcing Camaro and Firebird, though.
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Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,282
I'd say.....
....the chances of ever seeing another car with the Trans Am name are slim to none......I thought I had heard that Pontiac just recently also left SCCA...??
It would be interesting indeed for the Solstice to get the Firebird name......hhhhhhmmmmm..............
It would be interesting indeed for the Solstice to get the Firebird name......hhhhhhmmmmm..............
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,724
From: Hebron, KY
These are the early Firebird concepts you're referring to: http://vintagecars.about.com/library...y/aa070499.htm
FYI, "Sunfire" has been a name that's also been around for a long time and was one of the names considered for the P-car (Fiero).
I'd like to see how much "Firebird" style and personality they can work into the Solstice before giving it the thumbs up. I'm even hesitant with a name like Fiero because it is stretching the character and layout of that namesake.
FYI, "Sunfire" has been a name that's also been around for a long time and was one of the names considered for the P-car (Fiero).
I'd like to see how much "Firebird" style and personality they can work into the Solstice before giving it the thumbs up. I'm even hesitant with a name like Fiero because it is stretching the character and layout of that namesake.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 356
From: Providence, RI, USA
How 'bout Banshee? That was the name of the proposed 2-seater from the 60s, ~2800 lb ~200 or so hp, OHC 6. Sort of a Detroit 240Z. Banshee was also the name of a Pontiac concept car that the 4th gens took a lot of their styling from.
I'd love it if they came out with a sub-3000 lb, 250hp+ Banshee. I was so in love with the 2400 lb Solstice concept that I won't be anything but disappointed if they put the Solstice name on anything much heavier than 2600lb.
Dan Baldwin
'95 Z28 M6 convertible
'71 240Z 3.1
I'd love it if they came out with a sub-3000 lb, 250hp+ Banshee. I was so in love with the 2400 lb Solstice concept that I won't be anything but disappointed if they put the Solstice name on anything much heavier than 2600lb.
Dan Baldwin
'95 Z28 M6 convertible
'71 240Z 3.1
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 237
From: united states
No way No Freakin Way!!!!!! Its better off being dead. This is a case that will really **** me off if they (pontiac) Jusy end up Slapping the Firebird/ Trans Am name on any old thing just as a way to draw attention to it or create hype. If they do this ive lost all respect for Pontiac, First the A$$tek then the demise of the Firebird/TA, Next the GTO what a disappointment, and now this........ F*ck em Theres gettin to be a lot more performance cars out in to the market anyway. 05 Stang looks better everytime I look at it. Ill admit its no 02 ws6 but lets face it some ppl just wanna buy brand new.
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Would the Camaro fans here be ok with the idea of a 2-seat 4 cylinder being labeled "Camaro"? 
Bad idea Pontiac. Better to leave it dead then to slap a revered name on something that doesn't resemble a Firebird.
Bad idea Pontiac. Better to leave it dead then to slap a revered name on something that doesn't resemble a Firebird.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,801
From: Nashville, TN
Honestly I think it would be a mistake for it not to be called Solstice. Its a fresh but catchy name and the car already has quite a bit of buzz associated with it. Changing names would throw a lot of people off and the Firebird and Sunfire names have a lot of connotations associated with them that the Solstice probably doesn't need or that would not fit it.
No better way to ruin a fresh, new product than putting an old name on it.
No better way to ruin a fresh, new product than putting an old name on it.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Just a heads up to you Trans Am fans. If you hope to someday see the name on a Pontiac again, banish the thought now. Every car that had the 'Trans Am' name on it cost GM a royalty which they have no intention of paying again.
Also, unless my history is rusty, the Banshee would have been called Firebird if it had reach production, so as far as original purpose, things came full circle.
Also, unless my history is rusty, the Banshee would have been called Firebird if it had reach production, so as far as original purpose, things came full circle.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Originally posted by guionM
Every car that had the 'Trans Am' name on it cost GM a royalty which they have no intention of paying again.
Every car that had the 'Trans Am' name on it cost GM a royalty which they have no intention of paying again.
I know GM payed a royalty to use the "Beretta" name as well... not sure what that cost was, though.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,597
From: oshawa,ontario,canada
Originally posted by Dan Baldwin
How 'bout Banshee? That was the name of the proposed 2-seater from the 60s, ~2800 lb ~200 or so hp, OHC 6. Sort of a Detroit 240Z. Banshee was also the name of a Pontiac concept car that the 4th gens took a lot of their styling from.
I'd love it if they came out with a sub-3000 lb, 250hp+ Banshee. I was so in love with the 2400 lb Solstice concept that I won't be anything but disappointed if they put the Solstice name on anything much heavier than 2600lb.
Dan Baldwin
'95 Z28 M6 convertible
'71 240Z 3.1
How 'bout Banshee? That was the name of the proposed 2-seater from the 60s, ~2800 lb ~200 or so hp, OHC 6. Sort of a Detroit 240Z. Banshee was also the name of a Pontiac concept car that the 4th gens took a lot of their styling from.
I'd love it if they came out with a sub-3000 lb, 250hp+ Banshee. I was so in love with the 2400 lb Solstice concept that I won't be anything but disappointed if they put the Solstice name on anything much heavier than 2600lb.
Dan Baldwin
'95 Z28 M6 convertible
'71 240Z 3.1