My twin strut system looks like it was custom made, definitely not Rodney's. Looks pretty simple to replicate, though. Do you want some close up photos?
Tommy's back. what up T?? feeling better?? i thought you were painting your engine grill. thus the hush hush. good to read you again. ooopppps...late! bye, Dan
My twin strut system looks like it was custom made, definitely not Rodney's. Looks pretty simple to replicate, though. Do you want some close up photos?
Tom
Tom that would be great! I don't necessarily want to remove any of the factory parts. Do you know what the the struts are from? If not a length measuremet compressed and extended, plus a good shot of the ends and fasteners would help.
Went to the Wickenburg cruz-in on Sunday. It was a great show, lots of rods and classics--no Fieros or Meras. There was an F-car, not in the show, and I took some pics
If your headlight lids look like this, you may not have a Mera:
This looks like gel coat checkering--this car may have been one of the first 700 Scaglietti plastic GTBs. I didn't touch it, but I did sneak a knuckle knock and it didn't sound like metal--couldn't find the owner. This car had glass quarters; I believe all GTBs were hard tops and had glass quarters, and all GTSs were Targas and had grille quarters--comments?
I like these Campognolo rims--well not these particular ones:
And finally the fender badge--it had some dimension like those raised vinyl stick-ons. This was one was metal--yeah, I snuck a touch. Wonder if anyone makes the raised ones to order.
There is a gray Mera on Rodney's Mera site that has headlight covers like the Ferrari above (part smooth, part ribbed). I like the look. Do you know who made these covers, or if they are even still available?
rick i am making a second headlight mold and playing with the headlight grill and covers a little to make my non mera headlights similar to the grey one you speak of. thanks, mike
If you want to look like the F-car above, you will have to change the hood also. My car has only two louvers, black, to the rear of the lid. The total louvered section is only about half the length of the lid + louvered section on the F-car.
Additionally, the F-308 GTS, which is really closer in appearance to the Mera than the GTB because of the grilled quarter/sail panel, has a black louvered section between the headlights--also a pretty good indicator of a non-Mera kit. I could be wrong.
man, that "F-car". has seen better days. seems like that cracking may be Bondo. looks real deep in there.
saw an old Top Gear the other day and they were panning down from a ceiling shot to floor, focused on what i thought was a Mera. turns out they were comparing the horsepower of an old 308 to a new Renult or some other small "box" car. it was a Vauxall. thats it. almost had a kid with all the glee. puckered right up, that i did.
also if one wanted their Mera to appear more 308 then they would add that grill between the headlights. actually i think in the archives theres a thread about removing the center grill to appear more stock Mera.
in other words, someone took a real Mera and cut between the headlights and installed the grill. INSANE. later, I smell 'taders Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 12-08-2009).]
Say Holmes, thanks for this link. tis awesome. that 3800 supercharged sounds amazing.. and looks real quick. still not sold yet on the V8 for Mera X. this video helps. D
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 12-08-2009).]
One of my 88 MERAs has a 3800 SC Series III engine with a N* TB, intercooler, XP cam, 5 speed Getrag, and a modular pulley (currently 3.4"). This car is very fast and still gets relatively decent gas mileage. I like this mod and highly recommend it.
Nelson
quote
Originally posted by reholmes:
Dan,
I agree, the 3800 is enticing, AND, it really looks cool! The N* looks cool, too.
say Nelson? what kinda horsepower you gettin'?? i was lookin at a series II. anything over 270 hp or so, should be quite a mover. eh??
well i am gonna go play in the snow. we are supposed to get a blizzard tonight or something so i best get used to it now. later, Daniel P.S. say REHolmes? Richard if i may? got any full pics. of that "F-car"? PM me or something if you do. i love the 308's. thanks
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 12-09-2009).]
here's a little bump for my Paradise home crew. Esp. Tommy (Mera In Paradise). lookie what i got. yesterday:
and TODAY!
notice the grill. buried!! we like to call it Lake Enhanced. all 8-9 inches of it. with the wind and temp. of 13 or so. i (we) got a Lake Effect BLIZZARD today. don't get me wrong, I love the snow. not complaining, just sayin. later Daniel
I have not dynoed the engine but it started with a base 260 HP engine. Then you add the IC, cam, 3.4 pulley, N*TB, large exhaust, etc. and I expect the rating to be 300 hp plus. This will be my middle sized engine. The 87 has a 3.4 L push rod engine with turbo and around 7 psi of boost. The other 88 will get a built 383 that dynoed at around 440 hp per the report.
Nelson
quote
Originally posted by batousai666:
say Nelson? what kinda horsepower you gettin'?? i was lookin at a series II. anything over 270 hp or so, should be quite a mover. eh??
well i am gonna go play in the snow. we are supposed to get a blizzard tonight or something so i best get used to it now. later, Daniel P.S. say REHolmes? Richard if i may? got any full pics. of that "F-car"? PM me or something if you do. i love the 308's. thanks
Dick, I believe those holes under the front hood are for the safety pins.
In a front end accident, it prevents the front hood from being slammed through the windshield and into the passenger compartment...and doing very bad things to your neck.
Hey Dan...what's all that white stuff??!! Hmmm...nice, balmy 78 deg weather today, waves are pumping on the North Shore with the ongoing surfing competition. LOL...it was a bit chilly this morning...got down to 68 deg! Burrrrrrr.....
Kidding aside, it does look really pretty. I always liked the snow when I was living back East. I just hated driving in it. And shoveling it. And scrapping the windshield. And warming up the car. And when it froze over, slugging through the crunchy snow. And messing up my Bostonian wingtips when it got slushy. And breaking my arm on a car's side mirror (of all things) when I slipped on black ice. And seeing my POS Ford Escort turn into three buckets of rust after two winters. But I digress....
[This message has been edited by Fiero-in-Paradise (edited 12-11-2009).]
that front bumper and clip looks weird and the black louver looks queer. also the front, from bumper to wheel well looks short and the back looks too long. I vote no Mera. plus the obviuos hood grill and them rims and 1986???? 3 strikes out its out. will trade for a Viper? good luck! My 2 cents. D
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 12-11-2009).]
barring the outside chance of this being the "86" proto. the headlight covers look to have only 9-10 louvers, i count 12 from a photo on mine. its too cold to go check for sure. but would make sence if it does not have the 2 piece type as per MERA! how 'bout that?? i want more pics. may try tomarrow. D
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 12-11-2009).]
I have not dynoed the engine but it started with a base 260 HP engine. Then you add the IC, cam, 3.4 pulley, N*TB, large exhaust, etc. and I expect the rating to be 300 hp plus. This will be my middle sized engine. The 87 has a 3.4 L push rod engine with turbo and around 7 psi of boost. The other 88 will get a built 383 that dynoed at around 440 hp per the report.
Nelson
them's some nice numbers. thanks, Nelson. I hope to get there someday?? 440 hp is insane. i like it! speaking of horsepower MIKE!!! ohhh....Mera7...?? where you at Rock?? where you at?? got any noises yet?? no pressure or anything. Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 12-11-2009).]
Guys, there are some pics of my recently acquired 88 Mera, along with my 88 GT on page 5 of "Another Katatak Fiero Adventure" I did not know he was posting them, so the car is not really detailed. I still have a lot of cleaning to do. Let me know what you think on this thread.
sorry, but this is the only "allowed" Mera thread. now you are here also. ..."one of us"....."one of us".... welcome. your car looks sweet!
is that nose badge orginial?? also could you post your last 5 Vin #'s?? will add to my list of Meras. for a tracking formula i am working on. thanks. this is maybe the first fully Mera car i have seen that was just aquired?? all stock from what i can see in these pics. got any more?? Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 12-12-2009).]
Dano, good job moving the pics over! LOL...too cold to go outside!?
Rick...wow, congrats on a nice find! Now THAT is one of the nicest, pristine, original-looking Mera's I've seen! Even has the original 88-style leather seats.
Unfortunately I don't have the time nor computer expertise, but just a thought...would be nice if someone had a MCA web site. MCA = Mera Club of Amerca.
just noticed. And on page # 13?? (see post # total=666). .............oooweeoooo!!!! at least today is the 12th. and a Saturday. gonna go play the lottery. seems to be my day. "no, I ani't supersititious...." post of a black cat also, his name is Takkun D
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 12-12-2009).]
Dan, no worries on moving the pics. I really need to learn how to do this stuff. You left out the pic of my yellow 88 GT...but it was a far away shot. I have had "Mellow Yellow" for about 10 years. He is one of only 241 produced. I did not know my buddy Katatak was going to post pictures them so it was a suprise to me. To answer your question, yes that is the original nose badge. It is showing it's age but I already have a replacement thanks to Tom.
Tom, this car drove me nuts. I originally thought the owner had converted an 88 GT. I almost purchased another Mera, because I did not believe this one was real. It has the GT steering wheel, factory Performance Sound, and factory 88 leather. Everything I had read was that all 88's were Formula's, not GT's. After communicating with Rodney, I found out that when the article about 88 Mera's was written, he was unaware of 88 GT's being converted. He now says that some 88 GT's were converted. How many, I don't know. This is the first one I have ever seen. My car is titled as an 88 GT and has the GT VIN. (Dan I will get that for you soon.) If anyone else on Pennocks has an 88 GT Mera, I would like to see your car.
I am the second owner of the car. The title I have was issued to the original owner from the selling dealer. It is number 8011 per the id emblem under the decklid. That makes it the 11th 88 produced, and the 99th production Mera. (Thanks to Tom for that info.) The nose emblem is an 87. I guess when the car was built, the 88 gold emblems were not yet available. So, the replacement emblem is also an 87 to be correct for this car. Tom, when my car is as clean as yours, I will post more pictures. I need to install the gas struts you sent me info on. I also need to install the C6 exhaust tips, and dump the "Pep Boys" set currently on the car. It is rolling on very nice condition Gatorbacks, but I am concerned because of the age of the tires. The are not cracked but I think I will replace them with fresh rubber to give me peace of mind. I don't want to have a blowout and damage bodywork or Cromadoras.
I will have lots of questions for you Mera experts. Perhaps we can start a "Show off your Mera's" thread............
morning all. i am sure, early 88 Meras had the 87 nose. nice snag. this is a middle ground Mera. where all the "bugs" have or will be ironed out for the rest of then to be more alike. did this car come from Henderson, Nevada? i think i saw this for sale. bring on the questions.. we are ready. i am sure that the others here have some answers also. Daniel
P.S. as far as the "Mera show off thread", this is it. we were told to keep the Mera threads to a miminum of one. so it seems that we all piled on to Tommy's thread. at least all the info. collected is in one spot. ohh....as far as your "Mellow Yellow". sorry, not Mera, so i cannot allow it on a Mera thread. hahahahaha... laters.
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 12-13-2009).]
ever wonder if any of your 88's has the last silver badge or the first gold badge?? i do and i have an '87. if we find this out on here that would be cool. .....EH? this will be a new hunt! call out the dogs.... so far Richard's #8046 is the last (known) silver badge '88? right? ohhhhh... yeah. whoops, wait if #8046 is silver? Thomas. You may (if you want stock) have to put a silver on. the gold does look good on your car, tho. i gotta go in the archives, Later D
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 12-13-2009).]
hello all, i am back from vacation in sante fe new mexico tonight. happy motoring. mike in oklahoma
My wife and I were in Santa Fe two weeks ago. Stayed at the Inn on the Paseo. We had a great time exploring Canyon Road, and bought some really nice silver pieces from the Indian Jewlers on the Plaza. BTW the Margaritas at '"Tomasita's" will knock you on your a**. The Blue Corn Enchiladas at Maria's are great, but HOT!!
hahahahaha...
