As an update for 88 Mera owners, I now have a spare set of Chromadora wheels available. They are not cheap but there are not many around. If anyone wants pictures, send me an e-mail and I will take a few HD photos of the wheel set. I am not likely to sell them to a non Mera owner and would like to sort of keep them in the family if possible. Cash from this venture will go towards bodywork and a paint job for one of my 87 Meras.
MERA letters were sent off to Paul's Chroming on Friday last week. There were four sets sent. Members have three sets spoken for so one set is still available. I should have a price quote back soon.
What are the marker lights behind the fenders on the MERA? Are they just the rounded ones cut down or a different style? Anyone had one out yet? Was wondering about placing some brighter LEDs in there.
Got a call from Dawn at Paul's Chroming. The letters will be 4 to 6 weeks and the cost for chrome plating the MERA letters is $431.60 plus a few dollars for insurance when shipped. Essentially, that is $440 for the chroming and $200 for the resin letter modeling or $640 for the four sets, my cost. That means each set will be $160 plus shipping costs to you. Almost there fellas!!!
1) JR 2) Larryinkc 3) predmeister 4) Available
[This message has been edited by johnyrottin (edited 10-24-2013).]
As an update for 88 Mera owners, I now have a spare set of Chromadora wheels available. They are not cheap but there are not many around. If anyone wants pictures, send me an e-mail and I will take a few HD photos of the wheel set. I am not likely to sell them to a non Mera owner and would like to sort of keep them in the family if possible. Cash from this venture will go towards bodywork and a paint job for one of my 87 Meras.
As an update for 88 Mera owners, I now have a spare set of Chromadora wheels available. They are not cheap but there are not many around. If anyone wants pictures, send me an e-mail and I will take a few HD photos of the wheel set. I am not likely to sell them to a non Mera owner and would like to sort of keep them in the family if possible. Cash from this venture will go towards bodywork and a paint job for one of my 87 Meras.
Nelson
how much are you asking on them? [/QUOTE]
I will be happy to discuss the price if anyone is seriously interested in purchasing them. The last set I saw on e_Bay had a $2000 price tag on them. Mine will be significantly less but not at all cheap. If a price is needed, send me a PM or e-mail (preferred) since I am out of town a lot in the next few months with spotty internet connections. I can supply HD photos if I am in town at the time.
Nelson
[This message has been edited by hnthomps (edited 10-25-2013).]
Just curious if there's a tell-tale as to whether the body is a Mera or replica? I see it uses the same reverse lights. Typically the 308 knock-offs do not...
There is a tell-tale sticker inside the rear deck. The sticker shows the MERA build number and it's paint code. The Vitaloni mirrors are fair distinct. Another dead give away would be the year of the donor car. The 247 were built on 87 and 88s. there was a prototype built on an 86. If you find and 84 - 86 they should not be MERAs.
There is a tell-tale sticker inside the rear deck. The sticker shows the MERA build number and it's paint code. The Vitaloni mirrors are fair distinct. Another dead give away would be the year of the donor car. The 247 were built on 87 and 88s. there was a prototype built on an 86. If you find and 84 - 86 they should not be MERAs.
Thanx Johny...Is there a tell-tale with the body lines that would give it away? I am aware of the stickers/plaques and the years of manufacture. I was curious if an actual Mera was transplanted on an older chassis, how to tell the difference in the body between actual Mera and replica (like EVMRob's or someone else).
Example I just noticed: All Meras have the side marker lights in the belt line. Most kits and early 308s have them above the belt line.
Bob
[This message has been edited by RCR (edited 11-04-2013).]
Just curious if there's a tell-tale as to whether the body is a Mera or replica? I see it uses the same reverse lights. Typically the 308 knock-offs do not...
Bob
as an owner and avid Mera buff.....i have found the best way to disqualify a Kit Vs a Mera is if it has a one piece rear clip. the whole thing. from the roof triangles, all the way around and down to the tail pipes
*EDIT* ohhh yeah this is a way too match the weave in the glass
i hear most if not all Kits were "splashed" of Mera panels so a lazy kit guy may try to splash the whole back end as a solid unit. i have seen kits this way (one piece rear) so its possible to identify that way for sure
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 11-04-2013).]
I was thinking it was a Mera because it has clear lights in the middle of the rear. But it also has the light above the belt line, so its probably a kit then. Its a good looking car though. For me, $4k is steep for it needing an motor.
Just to pass along my find to you guys if anyone is looking for a set of mirrors (replacements or cheapo's so your good ones don't get swiped) I found these on ebay, They are made by the same manufacture and fit right onto the stock Mera mirror mounting brackets.. more or less the same thing they came with only a tad smaller and the front is plastic instead of metal
Just to pass along my find to you guys if anyone is looking for a set of mirrors (replacements or cheapo's so your good ones don't get swiped) I found these on ebay, They are made by the same manufacture and fit right onto the stock Mera mirror mounting brackets.. more or less the same thing they came with only a tad smaller and the front is plastic instead of metal
Here they are on my car... they take about a week to ship but I'd say they are worth the money
Those resemble Baby Toronado mirrors. I assume that they are manual mirrors but do not know the manufacturer. If anyone is interested, I have several spare Vitaloni Baby Toronado mirrors in my spares and would part with them for a reasonable price. One is used, two are very lightly used, and two are NIB type mirrors. Most of these sets sell for around $80-$120 on eBay but mine would be less.
I also may have a set of F308 power mirrors (Vitaloni) that may be available for sale in a few weeks but they are more expensive.
Paul's Chroming came through big time and far shorter than expected. The cost for chrome plating the MERA letters was $431.60 plus a few dollars for insurance when shipped. Essentially, that is $440 for the chroming and $200 for the resin letter modeling or $640 for the four sets, my cost. That means each set will be $160 plus shipping costs to you. Out of the four sets, three are spoken for:
1) JR - Paid 2) Larryinkc - Paid 3) TXOPIE - Paid 4) Available
One set available....who wants them? $175 should cover the shipping costs incurred and will allow me to buy insulated cartons for well packed and protected letters. these were soooooo worth waiting for! They are drop dead gorgeous!!!
[This message has been edited by johnyrottin (edited 12-01-2013).]
Those resemble Baby Toronado mirrors. I assume that they are manual mirrors but do not know the manufacturer. If anyone is interested, I have several spare Vitaloni Baby Toronado mirrors in my spares and would part with them for a reasonable price. One is used, two are very lightly used, and two are NIB type mirrors. Most of these sets sell for around $80-$120 on eBay but mine would be less.
I also may have a set of F308 power mirrors (Vitaloni) that may be available for sale in a few weeks but they are more expensive.
Nelson
tornado baby's are exactly what they are I just removed the decal from them and about $120 is what I paid for them brand new... wich I would have found ya earlier
tornado baby's are exactly what they are I just removed the decal from them and about $120 is what I paid for them brand new... wich I would have found ya earlier
Well, you could just buy some of mine and keep them as spares. I have enough in storage to share with a few people.
Question: What type of paint should be used for the black spots in these MERA letters?
John,
I use Testors model paint in flat or semi flat black during the letter restoration process. I then add a few clear coats to the final product and the MERA letters look decent or better.
Paul's Chroming came through big time and far shorter than expected. The cost for chrome plating the MERA letters was $431.60 plus a few dollars for insurance when shipped. Essentially, that is $440 for the chroming and $200 for the resin letter modeling or $640 for the four sets, my cost. That means each set will be $160 plus shipping costs to you. Out of the four sets, three are spoken for:
One set is still available....who wants them? $175 should cover the shipping costs incurred and will allow me to buy insulated cartons for well packed and protected letters. These were soooooo worth waiting for! They are drop dead gorgeous!!!
I bought a set of these and they are beautiful, well worth the $.
quote
Originally posted by johnyrottin:
Paul's Chroming came through big time and far shorter than expected. The cost for chrome plating the MERA letters was $431.60 plus a few dollars for insurance when shipped. Essentially, that is $440 for the chroming and $200 for the resin letter modeling or $640 for the four sets, my cost. That means each set will be $160 plus shipping costs to you. Out of the four sets, three are spoken for:
One set is still available....who wants them? $175 should cover the shipping costs incurred and will allow me to buy insulated cartons for well packed and protected letters. These were soooooo worth waiting for! They are drop dead gorgeous!!!
I took my MERA over to have a Series 3 swap done yesterday.
The motor has a N* throttle body, 3.4 pulley, short stack intercooler and it's running with a Series 2 ECU, so no throttle by wire.
It's also getting a Spec Stage 3+ clutch and aluminum flywheel, Rodney Dickman Ultimate Getrag Shift Kit, new shift and select cables, Borla transverse muffler and rear coilovers.
It should be way more fun to drive when I get it back.
I took my MERA over to have a Series 3 swap done yesterday.
The motor has a N* throttle body, 3.4 pulley, short stack intercooler and it's running with a Series 2 ECU, so no throttle by wire.
It's also getting a Spec Stage 3+ clutch and aluminum flywheel, Rodney Dickman Ultimate Getrag Shift Kit, new shift and select cables, Borla transverse muffler and rear coilovers.
It should be way more fun to drive when I get it back.
If you get a clean install it should look something like this:
N* TV, VS cam, ZZP intercooler, 3.4 pulley, etc on a Series III SC engine converted from drive by wire.
Nice looking engine bay, hope mine turns out as nice.
I like the fuel rails, where did you find them?
They were an older version of the ZZP fuel rails. BTW, that engine is installed in a 1988 Mera and I did not have to trim anything on the rear deck lid.
Nelson
[This message has been edited by hnthomps (edited 12-01-2013).]
