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1,275 Posts

Branden Farthing-Editor
10/26/2003
Solstice to possibly be named Firebird? I know it sounds a bit outlandish at first, but GMI has reason to believe this just may be the case. According to numerous reports, it is almost a given that the car we currently know as Solstice will see production as a two seat roaster in 2005 or 2006. However a little tidbit many are missing is that it is very unlikely that the car will debut with a name other than Solstice. Pontiac holds the Firebird name with very high regard, however with the GTO and Camaro becoming siblings around 2007, Pontiac has very few options on what to use the name on. This is where the Solstice comes into play, because Pontiac for some reason seems set to give the car a different name in production (trademark related maybe?). Now for the kicker, there are several indicators, the Solstice may indeed debut with the Firebird name! Though a two seat, four-cylinder roadster is hardly what most Firebird owners would want the name to be associated with there is a bit of history behind it. Back in the mid 1960?s John Delorean (father of the GTO) had a pet project to make a two seat 4-cylinder roadster that was very close to making production. However, once the Mustang was released and achieved it?s success, the almost roaster was axed by GM higher ups, and Pontiac was made to do a badge job on the Camaro to make the 1967 Firebird. Though the Firebird had great success, the Solstice roadster is a car Pontiac has always wanted.
Still think I am talking out my?.unmentionable areas? Well I present Evidence Article #2 for submission to the jury. Pontiac recently updated it?s Firebird heritage page?
http://www.pontiac.com/firebird/index.jsp?...e&pagename=home
A few quotes from that page?.
The fire inside Pontiac present and future.
Hardly wording a company would use for a nameplate headed to the corporate boneyard. With the GTO can Camaro near certainties, a Sigma-Lite based Firebird simply will not happen. That fact alone leaves the Solstice as the only car in GM?s immediate future portfolio that could have a remote case for being called Firebird. Also of note, I have talked many times with Pontiac media reps, and every time I mention the Firebird, they are very enthusiastic about the nameplate, and how it could comeback ?if they found the right product?. Well with a Sigma-Mass Firebird simply not going to happen, Solstice is pretty much the only other choice.Bold, beautiful, passionate, rebellious. Few cars have defined our lives and times like the great Pontiac Firebird. From the first models, to the awesome Trans Am, to the magnificent madness of the Super Duty 455. There's a story in each and every one; a piece of our past and even a glimmer of the future. Check it out...
I know this will upset some Firebird enthusiasts, but I am just the reporter, not the decision maker?so be niceJ
Above Is a Rumor i.e. not proven to be one 100% fact. As a dislaimer, please be aware that rumors do not always come true, especially in corprate America. The only reason I am posting this article is to keep GMI's readers in the loop to what I am hearing.