This two-seat, mid-engine sports car was introduced for the 1984 model year as one of General Motors’ most unusual production cars of the era. It was positioned as an affordable, fuel-conscious sports coupe, but its layout and styling quickly gave it a far stronger enthusiast identity than the original brief suggested. Early cars were powered by a four-cylinder engine, while later versions added a V6 and more performance-focused trims such as the SE, GT, and Formula, helping broaden its appeal beyond basic commuter duty. A plastic body panel construction and a space-frame architecture made it technically distinctive among mass-market American cars of the 1980s.
The nameplate gained attention early through its association with the Indianapolis 500 pace car program in 1984, which helped establish it as a memorable part of the decade’s automotive culture. Development and refinement continued through the end of the run, and the final model year arrived in 1988 with the most thoroughly sorted chassis setup of the original production period. Despite that late improvement, sales had softened and production ended after the 1988 model year. The result was a short but influential run that left a lasting reputation among collectors and hobbyists for its unconventional engineering, compact proportions, and role in American sports-car history.