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The well-known GTO muscle car, popular Grand Am, and plenty of Firebirds were out in force as well.
It was the first time such a large, organized contingent of Fieros has participated.
The New England Fiero Association, originating in Waterbury, is a new group dedicated to preserving and promoting the limited edition rear-engine model.
"They don’t make ‘em anymore -- only 1984 to ’88, that’s it," said Michael Vadnais who brought his 1984 Fiero Indy pace car.
There are six Fieros in his extended family circle and a sister-in-law, Michele Ruscoe of Danbury, owns three. She took home a second-place trophy in the semi-modified class for her 1986 SE Fiero coupe.
Ruscoe, like many owners, got her first Fiero at the same time she received a driver’s license. More women than ever are involved in car shows, she said, and like many others, Ruscoe handles much of the maintenance herself.
"The guys at work" tell her to trade in her Fiero for something practical but she doubts this will happen anytime soon. "I haven’t got tired of it yet," Ruscoe said.
"They have a little more performance," said Skip Ostander, from Springfield, Mass., speaking about the appeal of GTOs and Fieros. Ostander was participating in his first show and driving a Grand Prix 2000.
"A lot of it has to do with the GTO -- that was the first muscle car. It was a big powerhouse vehicle and made its presence known in racing," Daugherty said of how the Pontiac caught the mainstream imagination and gained a fan club.
He was showing one of his Pontiacs, a white 1959 Bonneville. Daugherty has been with the brand since he was 16, following in the tracks of his father and grandfather.
"It takes time, money and patience and years of searching for the right part," to keep these cars on the road or ready to show, Daugherty said.
Although, the show was well-attended, club president, Seymour Bradley said the Nutmeg Club was getting competition from the annual vintage car part sale and swap meet being held for two days over the week-end at Lake Compounce.
