Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
12/23/24 10:24 a.m.
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Are flames on cars still cool? That’s a rhetorical question because of course they are cool. Just like Ska–and maybe Elvis–flame decals never truly died.

Tony Stewart, now a three-time NASCAR champion, was given this Pontiac Grand Prix GTP in honor of him winning the Rookie of …

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David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
12/23/24 11:50 a.m.

That’s um, a car. 

300zxfreak
300zxfreak Reader
12/23/24 1:26 p.m.

And please don't tell me I need this, because I don't......

DavyZ
DavyZ Reader
12/23/24 1:39 p.m.

The economy must have been suffering at the time and NASCAR must have been hit hard for them to have come up with this car as an "award" for his accomplishment.  If they needed a GM car, would a Camaro have been more appropriate? 

I do like the engine, however, and it will apparently bolt up to a 5-speed from an S10 with an adapter if the internet forums info is correct, making it for an interesting swap into a number of other cars, not to mention the S10.  

Will
Will UberDork
12/23/24 1:44 p.m.

This is the car Pontiac raced in NASCAR at the time. Makes total sense it's what they would have given him.

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
12/23/24 2:07 p.m.
David S. Wallens said:

That’s um, a car. 

Yeah, terrible flames, autotragic, terrible wheels. 

confuZion3
confuZion3 UltraDork
12/23/24 2:23 p.m.
z31maniac said:
David S. Wallens said:

That’s um, a car. 

Yeah, terrible flames, autotragic, terrible wheels. 

Hey, don't be so pessimistic! It's got a lot going for it. Let's see...

It does 0 to 60

It has such items as features

It's got glass windows

It has... let's see... radiator cap.

Oh, and hey! It gets gas mileage! That's something!

aircooled
aircooled MegaDork
12/23/24 3:06 p.m.

That motor needs a new car.

CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
12/23/24 4:55 p.m.

Has 10k miles because Tony didn't want to be caught dead in it. 

Tk8398
Tk8398 HalfDork
12/23/24 4:57 p.m.

I have driven one of those a bit, I didn't mind it.  For the time they were decently fast, and it wasn't uncomfortable or annoying to drive.

buzzboy
buzzboy UltraDork
12/23/24 5:25 p.m.
DavyZ said:

I do like the engine, however, and it will apparently bolt up to a 5-speed from an S10 with an adapter if the internet forums info is correct, making it for an interesting swap into a number of other cars, not to mention the S10.  

To get an even better transmission you need the bellhousing from a 2.5L Jeep XJ/YJ and the transmission from a 4.0L XJ/YJ/ZJ.

te72
te72 HalfDork
12/24/24 1:00 a.m.

They gave that car to someone? On... purpose?

Will
Will UberDork
12/24/24 9:11 a.m.

Some people in this thread have either forgotten or maybe never knew what the late 90s was like. "RWD" was a dirty word. 230-240 hp was more power than a Mustang GT. Most of the cool Japanese stuff had stopped being imported (MR2, 300ZX, RX7, etc).

This car isn't nearly as bad as you're making it out to be. If you hate the flames, fine, but it's a supercharged coupe and was pretty luxurious for its time. Compare it to other stuff in its market segment and price range.

It's just that everything is so much better than it was then. 

Be grateful.

CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
12/24/24 11:22 a.m.

I actually like GTPs, I wanted one. It's the flames that kill it for me.

Loweguy5
Loweguy5 Dork
12/24/24 4:29 p.m.

I don't care what you sayers of nay...say...I would absolutely drive that car!*

 

*right after having it wrapped in all black*

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