It took me a long time to recognize this, but I finally figured out, after years of racing, that I actually always have bought a car based more on how much I liked its looks, as opposed to how fast it actually was (the latter being something I easily could, and typically did, improve upon later).

It also took me a long time to recognize that IF I liked the lines of a car in a 2D picture within a magazine or book, for example, I'd get a more useful idea about how much I liked its lines in a 3D diecast model that I'd buy before buying the real car.

I raise the issue comprising the subject line of my thread here because I figure a person who is truly knowledgeable about a Pontiac Fiero MERA would know the answer to a closely-related question I have:

• I very much like the idea and looks of a bright red Pontiac Fiero MERA, but as best as I can tell, there are no detailed, large-scale (1:18) diecast models of them. Is a bright red Ferrari 308 GTS the closest 1:18 diecast model substitute I'm likely to find for a bright red 1988 Pontiac Fiero MERA, or would it be something else?

likely due to copyright problems, corporate concepts didnt make the car exactly like the gtb or the gts, kind of a hybrid between the two. i like to think of it as a nod to a 308. a nice looking car but not exactly identical in many ways. the already fcar lawyers breathing down corporate concepts neck, made it even more difficult in time and thus closed them down eventually. the "mera" is more gtb like but has a gts badge and gts type sail panels. the hood and headlights are different than a 308, the rear deck is different, so on so on... if you want a "kit" that looks like a dead ringer try a "stinger" on for size. incidentally my mera is more fcar like than mera anymore. due to prior owners mods and some mods i have made. hope this helps. happy motoring.

There are very subtle differences, but yes Mera was a loose (but pretty accurate) copy of a 308 Ferrari. Some differences are Ferrari has a side window vent glass, Mera has back up lights beside the licence plate instead of under the bumper, Mera dont have a targa top, Ferrari dont have a sunroof. Even dimensions are very close to each other. Rumor was that Pontiac bought a 308 to take measurments from.

as usual i can say more with pictures

quote Originally posted by project34: I very much like the idea and looks of a bright red Pontiac Fiero MERA, but as best as I can tell, there are no detailed, large-scale (1:18) diecast models of them. Is a bright red Ferrari 308 GTS the closest 1:18 diecast model substitute I'm likely to find for a bright red 1988 Pontiac Fiero MERA, or would it be something else?

That is so awesome that you want to buy a Ferrari 1:18 scale car, because it looks like Fiero Mera.

GTS= Grand Turismo Spyder (targa)
GTB= Grand Turismo Berlinetta (coupe)

Mera's never came with targa tops from the dealer. So a GTB would be a better fit.

[This message has been edited by FieroWannaBe (edited 01-25-2013).]

nice pics dan, i never took you for a pic man. lmao. i have never seen you post pics before? lol

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: There are very subtle differences, but yes Mera was a loose (but pretty accurate) copy of a 308 Ferrari. Some differences are Ferrari has a side window vent glass, Mera has back up lights beside the licence plate instead of under the bumper, Mera dont have a targa top, Ferrari dont have a sunroof. Even dimensions are very close to each other. Rumor was that Pontiac bought a 308 to take measurments from.

Close enough that Ferrari went after GM. IMHO, the Mera is a weak clone thus no cigar, but they'd copied the "key" iconic markings and that's were the problem started. The Enterra is a far better design and is visually appealing.

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 01-25-2013).]

quote Originally posted by batousai666: as usual i can say more with pictures

nice comparison. if CC would have stretched the chassis about 3 inches (like some of the F355 builders do) the car would have had a better look. Still not bad at all, and probably the best proportioned non-stretched replica ever made.

yeah....i like it for the low number production (My Mera may be #7002 ), no matter what it looks like. that and the fact the Mera had to be bought at the Dealer.

but to disclaim i did not make that picture....i found it while researching my Mera over the years
its 1st use was to gauge tire sizes in comparison to the real 308. but it worked for this thread i thought....sooooooo.
i like the Mera cuz its a "Nod" to the F-Car...not spot on. thats why mine has Mera badges on it....has since day 2 of my ownership

quote Originally posted by PaulJK: nice comparison. if CC would have stretched the chassis about 3 inches (like some of the F355 builders do) the car would have had a better look. Still not bad at all, and probably the best proportioned non-stretched replica ever made.

The Fiero and the 308/328 have virtually the same wheelbase, so stretching doesn't really work. The 288 is three inches longer, though.

Bob

I keep diecasts of every car Ive owned if they are made. I have 3 diecast 1/18 scale 308s. They were made by Anson of Italy and exceptional quality. You can occasionally find one on EBay, but they can run up to $100+. I keep them by my Fiero diecast.

I went to the Auburn, In Fiero show back in the 90s with my kit and talked my buddy into coming too with his real 308. If anyone was there, we parked beside each other for comparison. Both were red. Maybe someone still has a picture from then.

[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 01-27-2013).]

quote Originally posted by RCR: The Fiero and the 308/328 have virtually the same wheelbase, so stretching doesn't really work. The 288 is three inches longer, though. Bob

the 308 and fiero are within 1" of each other, you are correct. the 288 has a longitudal mounted motor and trans is why it is longer, correct again.

The Fiero has a 93.4" wheelbase whereas the 308, depending what reference material you use, either had a 92.1" (2340mm) wheelbase (Wallace Wyss The Complete Guide to Ferrari 308/328/Mondial) or a 94.1" (2391mm) wheelbase (Wikipedia). So in one case the Fiero has a little longer wheelbase and in the other a little shorter.

No one can visually see a 1 or 2 inch difference. The biggest difference is the Ferrari belt line (where roof meets body) is lower as is the roof itself...so it looks a lot longer and lower than Fiero. To have the same proportions exactly without sectioning the body/frame and chopping the top, the only way would be to make it quite a bit longer than an original Ferrari. Some kits can fool those with knowlege if they dont look too closely. My local Ferrari dealership where I get lots of exotic car parts, had salesmen often mistake mine for a real one when I used it to pick up smaller parts. One even tried making me an offer to trade for a new 355. He didnt believe me till I showed him the engine bay. Even my wheels were closer replicas than the Chromadoras replicas on Mera.