The Definitive GM Performance Car List 1986-2006

[frankmk]

Originally Posted by 87aero

The Allante Northstar is on the list for Cadillac, and I saw a car the other day that was an "Allante Pininfarina." Apparently GM sent of few Allantes over to Italy's premier car design studio to have the body reworked a little. Same engine just cosmetics. That's a pretty worthless addition, but I bet it's a rare caddy.

In fact all Allante bodies were built by Pininfarina in Italy and shipped in a specially equipped 747 (56 bodies per plane) to Hamtramack for assembly.

[frankmk]

Originally Posted by 87aero

The Allante Northstar is on the list for Cadillac, and I saw a car the other day that was an "Allante Pininfarina." Apparently GM sent of few Allantes over to Italy's premier car design studio to have the body reworked a little. Same engine just cosmetics. That's a pretty worthless addition, but I bet it's a rare caddy.

In fact all Allante bodies were built by Pininfarina in Italy and shipped in a specially equipped 747 (56 bodies per plane) to Hamtramack for assembly.

[Ixion]

Please remove the 1994 Chevy Beretta Z26 with 3100SFI V6 from the list. If anything, change it to 1994 Chevy Beretta Z26 with Quad 4. The 3100SFI models made 160hp and were only mated to automatics, as opposed to the Quad 4, which was 175hp and came with a 5-speed.

I happen to own a V6 Beretta Z26, and they are the heaviest of all Beretta models, and a real pig. They were nothing special for their time, either, since a 1994 3.1MPFI-equipped Cavalier Z24 with 5-speed was quicker. That's why I swapped in a 3400SFI and modified it a little in order to make 205+hp.

In all honesty, the GTU shouldn't be on that list either, because the 90-92 Beretta GTZ was far superior to all other models. It had the 180hp Quad 4 with 5-speed, and the FE7 suspension (Z26s only ever came with FE3). If you want a representation of V6s, then you should include the 1990 Beretta Indy with 3.1MPFI V6, 5-speed Getrag, and FE7 sport suspension.

So yeah.
1990 Beretta Indy 3.1 MPFI V6 with 5-speed
1990 Beretta GTZ Quad 4 with 5-speed
and maybe
1994 Chevy Beretta Z26 Quad 4 with 5-speed

Just my 2¢!

[Ming]

Since I've been around recently and I like your suggestions, I'll implment them now.

In fact I'll do one better and have the Indy Berettas as Convertibles - 3 were produced - now that's rare!

[Revvhead]

1994 Holden VR Commodore SS
2006 Holden Commodore SS-V
2006 HSV E-Series GTS

Just a few of the newer VE commodores in there plus a nice classic SS

[carbarrister]

I would propose adding to the definitive list the 1986 Chevy Cavalier race cars driven by the Archer brothers and Don Knowles in the Champion Spark Plug Challenge Series. There were three cars (32, 33 and 36) with Katech built 4 cylinder engines. I own #36 and use it for open track days. Attached is a photo of #32 at Mid-Ohio.

[Ixion]

Originally Posted by Ming

In fact I'll do one better and have the Indy Berettas as Convertibles - 3 were produced - now that's rare!

Actually, a lot more than just 3 were produced. It's unknown how many exist in total. One promo photo floating around shows a Red one, and someone on a forum once claimed a Turquoise one belongs to his high school auto shop. Only the 3 Yellow ones that appeared at the 500 that year were unofficially "sold". The rest were donated (mostly to schools and museums) because GM could not legally sell them, as they failed safety standards and could not be registered for road use.

It's a long story, but basically C&C (Cars & Customs) dropped the ball on the convertible modification of the base model Beretta. They agreed to do it (as they'd done to the 2nd gen Cavaliers), but in the end found it impossible without a lot more money for r&d. A video a friend of mine took of a Beretta Indy at a school in Ohio shows the rockers were reinforced (almost frame-like) in order to help keep the unibody from flexing once the roof was cut off. The Olds Cutlass Convertible-style "beam" apparently wasn't enough to stiffen it.

It's a shame, actually, because it got so far as GM designating an RPO for the convertible option, and even publishing a few parts numbers in some catalogs.

[Busta_44]

Damn, how I wish my mother still drove her 1987 Cutlass 442...that thing was a beast.

[m100]

GM owned Lotus from 1986-1993 but I only see the Carlton/Omega on this list.

Esprit (including the X180r race car)
M100 Elan

[spectre]

You should expand on this further in light of the new SS Cobalt. Considering it's toppled cars that cost double on the Nurburghring, Tsukuba circuit and drag strips everywhere. The LNF is arguably the all time best four cylinder performance engine GM has designed. Where the LSJ fell behind in many comparisons to cars in it's class, the LNF has rocketed pat virtually all others in that class and I really feel it deserves a spot on that list. Or at least make an expansion that fits cars like the new ZR1 as well. Just my two cents on the matter. Fantastic list by the way. It's nice to see someone else acknowledge GM's often overlooked contributions to the sports car market over that period

[poinky]

Wow this is really nice post with lots of good information.