The Fiero Spaceframe design makes for a great track project! #PontiacEngineering

“The beauty of the space frame concept is that it’s particularly strong in the places it needs to be, with excess weight being eliminated from the total structure.

Race cars have used the space-frame concept almost from the beginning. In a raceing car, structural rigidity is a key concern, but this strength must be attained while keeping the weight of the car low. A classic example of the space-frame concept is used in NASCAR® Grand National racers. Underneath the body panels of a stock car is a complex network of steel tubing that makes up the actual chassis. These tubes come together strategically in a skeleton-like manner, leaving spaces, and saving weight, in noncritical areas.

Given the design requirements of Fiero, the space-frame concept is an ideal solution. Pontiac engineers wanted Fiero to have an extremely strong chassis structure, but they needed to avoid any excess weight that would negatively affect fuel economy. Fiero’s space frame is a complete success. It’s very strong but well within the original weight goals. Moreover, Fiero has achieved one of the highest ratings ever recorded in GM barrier safety tests.”

Sources:
http://www.fierofocus.com/articles/art-fiero-history.html