I thought the Mera hood is just an overlay on a stock Fiero hood. So are you able to lower the hood latch in the opening to get the hood to line up? Pics please!
Well, I have yet to try, but the latch mechanism appears to be adjustable.
This is most likely a common problem on all the Mera’s and copies of. The hood warps over time and those corners lift. This is from the latch pulling the hood down in the middle. The sides warp up over time. My fix was a few things. One winter I had my tires off. I put something like a piece of wood over the latch area to hold the hood open some, closed the hood and put a tire (with a towel under it) on each side of the hood over these corners. Over several months it helped warp the hood back into a better original shape. I may have added some more weight over that time frame. I took out the hood latch and filed the slots so I had additional adjustability or I added spacer washers under the loop on the hood. It has been a long time and I can not remember now. I wanted to just have the latch grab with little or no pressure pulling down. I adjusted the hood latch so it just latched when the hood was slowly lowered down. I also raised the front of the hod slightly. The trade off is the hood likes to wobble some when driving. Several years (8-9 or more) have passed now and it is still about the same since I did that the one winter. This fix takes time. It can not be done quickly. I did mine over maybe 6 months or more.
Not a good close up but my hood is aligned pretty well. Just over the center of the wheels the hood is slightly lower than the fenders. I also forgot one thing. I took the front trunk gasket out. Put in small putty cones and found what the gap was. I bought some generic gasket material and glued it on so my gasket just touches the underside of the front hood with a thin gasket that does not want to push up the hood. That also helped some. The OEM GM gasket seemed to be a tight fit when the hood was down.
To open my front hood I have to have my drivers side door open. I stand in front of the open drivers side door and reach in and pull the release lever while I lift the hood.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!: " TARGET=_blank>www.rodneydickman.com[/b][/SIZE] Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
Originally posted by batousai666: MAN! check it out. updated pictures. Mera 7064. stickered old school C.C. silver badge with a soo cool patina if you will. i soo totally want this car!!!!!!!!! i was in the market for a paint of something anyway.
later i am gonna go drool over that 87 ebay one. Dan
AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! $9,000!!!!!!!!!!! and with me facing a possible lack of work lay off Friday.
Damn. freakin' economy!
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 02-03-2010).]
maybe this link will show. bump to the front. Anybody??? $9000 aint too much is it?
ohhh....i hope it is not me on the lay-off list Friday.
bet!.....if you all do not buy this, i will sometime Saturday, with a "get low payments" finance bid deal. yeah..... any body know if its a full moon tonite?? i need the stars on my side. chat-ya later, D
Not a good close up but my hood is aligned pretty well. Just over the center of the wheels the hood is slightly lower than the fenders. I also forgot one thing. I took the front trunk gasket out. Put in small putty cones and found what the gap was. I bought some generic gasket material and glued it on so my gasket just touches the underside of the front hood with a thin gasket that does not want to push up the hood. That also helped some. The OEM GM gasket seemed to be a tight fit when the hood was down.
Rodney Dickman
Can you describe what you roof treatment is? What kind of rearview mirrors are you using? The hood realignment idea seems like it would be better to do during warmer weather.
[This message has been edited by Rick 88 (edited 02-03-2010).]
Originally posted by batousai666: maybe this link will show. bump to the front. Anybody??? $9000 aint too much is it?
ohhh....i hope it is not me on the lay-off list Friday.
bet!.....if you all do not buy this, i will sometime Saturday, with a "get low payments" finance bid deal. yeah..... any body know if its a full moon tonite?? i need the stars on my side. chat-ya later, D
too late. sold for $7000. sunofa.....
i cannot believe it went for that. wow. i was gonna offer $8,000. too bad.
is it one of "us" that got it?? Later, Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 02-04-2010).]
I have a fake Targa top. It is vinyl roof with the typical vinyl roof strip along the front edge. The previous owner had this installed. Looks OK. If I had a hard top Mera I probably would not do it. I would badge mine as a GTB.
I have Vitalonie electric Turbo Mirrors. Impossible to find today even used. My electrical engineer friend made me a diagram and I wired several relays up to make them work with the Fiero electric mirror switch.
Rodney Dickman 1988 Mera #8110
[This message has been edited by Rodney (edited 02-04-2010).]
i need to speculate.... humm.....the '86 prototype had true 308, all in one tail lights. seens logical, they may have been lit up this way, Maybe.
originally posted by Mera-NSX......
"....with what you find out. Remember, he refused to give the vin #( (he was very firm about that for some reason?) but if you are there I suppose you should be able to find a way to get it. I know from the pictures on Craigslist the car does have the real 308 tailight configuration, I am familiar with it because my 87 has it that way. The one thing relating to that which makes absolutely no sense, is that he pointed out to me that there was "bodywork" done to the rear, as he explained why it did not have the Ford backup lights. That would make sense if someone were explaing how their 1988 Mera got those taillights, but actually seems to go against the thought that this would be the one & only 1986...as in that case, and I'm sure Rodney would agree, there would not be any bodywork to the taillight area, as they never would have had the Ford backup lights in the first place."
the guy i bought Mera X from, posted here on Pennocks that, my car had no retangle back ups. how did he say it? org. 308 configureation or something.... I hope Rodney may have some insight into this. my angle is Early Meras may have been lighted this way. that would be a great way to determine very early Meras. i love rare things. later Dan *edit* did it work? Not in quote mode tho.
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 02-09-2010).]
Thats great, I'll be keeping an eye out for your post with what you find out. Remember, he refused to give the vin #( (he was very firm about that for some reason?) but if you are there I suppose you should be able to find a way to get it. I know from the pictures on Craigslist the car does have the real 308 tailight configuration, I am familiar with it because my 87 has it that way. The one thing relating to that which makes absolutely no sense, is that he pointed out to me that there was "bodywork" done to the rear, as he explained why it did not have the Ford backup lights. That would make sense if someone were explaing how their 1988 Mera got those taillights, but actually seems to go against the thought that this would be the one & only 1986...as in that case, and I'm sure Rodney would agree, there would not be any bodywork to the taillight area, as they never would have had the Ford backup lights in the first place.
So when you go there to see the car, try to get a look in behind the taillight area/see if it looks like there was any alteration as far as the taillights go.
I got the feeling talking to the seller, that someone else familiar w/the Mera called him about this car before I did, because although he came across as not having much knowledge about the Mera, he seemed to mention certain things (such as the taillights), but still without any real certainty. So I believe someone already put some of those questions to him before I did.
As I mentioned, I dont see a problem with someone referencing the Mera for comparison sake, when they are talking about their 308 replica, as long as if they do not have a Mera they dont claim theirs is one. But when someone is using the term as a basis for why they are asking what they are for the car, and are in fact claiming it to be one, then it better in fact be legit or I consider that to be fraudulent & misrepresentation, and unfair to a potential buyer.
to me this says that his 1987 stock Mera had the org. 308 tail lights like a real F-car and also like the 86 Prototype. (actually his post is from 2008 thread about a '86 Mera for sale.)
now, with that posted.....if very early Meras had no retangle lights, that would be a bonus.....and hopefully Fact. i see the NSX dude, having Meras already, assumed that the '87 needs Ford lights for validilty.. bammo, enter ebay. Mera X has retangle tail lights. now if i am reading his post right about his Mera having no Ford lights. in my opinion, a Mera with no sticker and no Ford tail lights and no Chromadora rims...this sets up for a very early Mera. ohhhh...... and maybe the Manual mirror thing from the sales add i have... this may be something....or not. the smell of a quest is afoot.....away! Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 02-09-2010).]
PS DAN, I HAVE LESS THAN $2000.00 IN 7071 AND HAVE ALMOST ALL OF THE BODY PUT BACK TOGETHER. CAR STILL RAN AND DROVE WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND HAS A VERY NICE F308 INTERIOR. AFTER PAINT I WILL HAVE LIKE 2500.00 IN IT... LOL
IM NOT SURE I FOLLOW YOU DAN BUT MY 87 MERA HAS THE FORD BACKUP LIGHTS AND SEEMS LIKE A SOMEWHAT EARLY MERA. MIKE IN OKLAHOMA
sorry but 7071 is in the last 20% or so. ...cannot allow early Mera status for you. i mean....(coughs) the #'s are not in your favor my friend. At a boy, on the progress. Pictures this brings to mind, we should finalize... what is a early Mera??? maybe... early Vin # and up too the first ten??? 22?? i'd like to establish a concensus on some admited early traits... for questions, i will use quotes as a back up from the archives (i learned this all by myself... hope i remember how to. cool? Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 02-10-2010).]
It seems Corprate Concepts started putting the VIN tag on the rear deck lids starting in 88. Maybe some late 87's had them? Anyone could take them off also.
You need to take the rear cover off and look to see if the reverse lens openings have been filled in at one time. Maybe the rear clip was replaced at one time?
Anything can happen to any car once it leaves the dealers lot.
Rodney Dickman Mera registry
ohhhh.....i sooo hope this will be a fact....see, i am sold that i have a Mera. but, now i think i have a very early Mera... this is way more fun than the sticker guest.. i wanna establish some possible early Mera Facts here. you know my composite black louver sails, the sharpened Alum. engine grill, this new clue of maybe not having Ford back up lights....the 2 slat front Alum. grill.....well anyway heres start... posted D
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 02-10-2010).]
Unfortunately, my 87 Mera has the stock louvers, Ford back up lights, and the Mera Build number tag.
Nelson
quote
Originally posted by batousai666:
heres one.
ohhhh.....i sooo hope this will be a fact....see, i am sold that i have a Mera. but, now i think i have a very early Mera... this is way more fun than the sticker guest.. i wanna establish some possible early Mera Facts here. you know my composite black louver sails, the sharpened Alum. engine grill, this new clue of maybe not having Ford back up lights....the 2 slat front Alum. grill.....well anyway heres start... posted D
OK, Dan, what's wrong with this picture--other than it is a terrible photo?
Give up? It's obviously not the original Mera sticker. This supports Rodney's statement that anything can happen after the car leaves the dealer. Fortunately, I have a copy of the "Mera Conditions of Sale and Warranty authorization" which has the Mera number, VIN, and Dealer name and authorized signature--but if I didn't, I would still be pleased with the car. Of course, if I didn't have the documentation and someone said, "I own #8046," then I 'spose I would be somewhat chagrined.
[This message has been edited by reholmes (edited 02-11-2010).]
Build you a new label using the correct font and paint code and it would be closer to the original label style.
Nelson
quote
Originally posted by reholmes:
OK, Dan, what's wrong with this picture--other than it is a terrible photo?
Give up? It's obviously not the original Mera sticker. This supports Rodney's statement that anything can happen after the car leaves the dealer. Fortunately, I have a copy of the "Mera Conditions of Sale and Warranty authorization" which has the Mera number, VIN, and Dealer name and authorized signature--but if I didn't, I would still be pleased with the car. Of course, if I didn't have the documentation and someone said, "I own #8046," then I 'spose I would be somewhat chagrined.
OK, Dan, what's wrong with this picture--other than it is a terrible photo?
Give up? It's obviously not the original Mera sticker. This supports Rodney's statement that anything can happen after the car leaves the dealer. Fortunately, I have a copy of the "Mera Conditions of Sale and Warranty authorization" which has the Mera number, VIN, and Dealer name and authorized signature--but if I didn't, I would still be pleased with the car. Of course, if I didn't have the documentation and someone said, "I own #8046," then I 'spose I would be somewhat chagrined.
do you know if the orginial sticker is under the new one?? it would have been nice if the person who put the "new" one on , had placed them side by side. also noticed your trunk paint has a rough look to it. mine is smooth. I am gonna go look at others i have seen for a possible match. it concerns me why i have a smooth inner trunk. that is where my sticker may have ended up. on some shop floor. later, Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 02-13-2010).]
for those of you who are hardcore MERA addicts... i also know where there is a set of nos new REAL mera vitaloni power mirrors with correct bases and new nos correct toggle switch. the guy knows what he has though and wants 1750.00 firm
Originally posted by batousai666: that car does have all the F-car traits. seems to have a thing against the Meras. wonder why??? Dan
I'd guess the answer to your last question is your statement immediately preceding it, as is evidenced by some acerbic comments I've excerpted below from the would-be seller's ad for his "Stinger" kit car:
code:
- Unlike the 308 MERA and 308 MERA-clones out there the 308 Stinger resale price is HIGH even in this economy because they are RARE....
- The Stinger kit looks 100% better than any custom MERA out there....Just take a look at the photo and then compare the Stinger with a MERA replica and the real Italian 308 GTSi. There is no comparison folks, unless you like cheap imitations. - This Stinger replica is not cheap because it looks some much like the expensive Italian car it's molded after. If you want to buy a cheap and incomplete project then look elsewhere. Just remember, at the end of the day YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
Some of the important details the 308 Stinger has and the 308 MERA replicas WISH they had: - correct front hood - correct front lights and lift up grills - correct mirrors (Vetaloni) - correct rear deck and engine cover (a dead give away on 308 MERA clones) - correct door pulls - correct looking wheels - correct height and wheels arches - unique targa top (no MERA ever had this) - close to original 308 looking dash and interior - and much more - just look at the many photos for proof.
It sounds to me like that gentleman would prefer it if a clone looked exactly like a 308 (tough to do with a Fiero engine), which is almost the opposite of what Fiero-in-Paradise has been doing to make his Mera look like a Mera, rather than a 308.
IMO, the would-be seller of the "Stinger" kit car has a very nice-looking car, but it's just not a Mera.
i see the Stinger as a "kit" car too. The Mera is more than that. in my eyes.... so its not even apples to apples. the Mera is not a direct copy of the 308, but more of a "tip of the hat", so to speak. the Mera also has at least 2 major things that step aside the look of the F-car, 1- being the one piece roof to trunk, "trianlges". and 2- a sun roof. if one should want a true 308 replica, i would go with the Stinger, it is a good copy. Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 02-15-2010).]
IM NOT SURE I FOLLOW YOU DAN BUT MY 87 MERA HAS THE FORD BACKUP LIGHTS AND SEEMS LIKE A SOMEWHAT EARLY MERA. MIKE IN OKLAHOMA
quote
Originally posted by Mera-NSX:
That auction has been running on ebay for a few months, that seller has alot of rare/interesting car related materials such as that one. I have a few originals of that color brochure which were given to me when I purchased my 88 Bracey Mera. But I don't believe there are actually any Mera emblems viewable on the car shown in the pictures of that brochure. Also, interesting to note that the Mera pictured in the brochure has the real Carello Ferrari tail lights (as my 87 Mera does), and not the ford backup lights more commonly associated with the Mera. That brochure can also be seen by going to fiero.net, clicking on "showroom", then go to "mera sales brochure". Rodney's Mera article as well as another 2 page black & white sales ad are also viewable there as well. Of the Meras I own, none of them came with any original Mera emblems. I'd imagine that most all of the original Mera owners got rid of them to re-badge with Ferr. emblems, not really thinking much about the history or rarity of the Mera down the line.
the 87 Mera above, is my Mera X. i swear it says that Mera X had no Ford back up lights. Funny....the things you can find on the Net. Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 02-15-2010).]
The wheels are the Cromodora wheels that were on the 1988 Meras. Jim Sutter bought up all remaining stock. Tires are 245/50R15 front, 265/50R15 rear. The front light cluster (driving lights/parking lights/turn signals) are OEM Ferrari parts, as are the side markers (all removed in these photos to make sanding easier. Tail lights are Mera surplus. The back-up lights are in the lower rear grillwork. [This message has been edited by Doc John (edited 01-05-2008).]
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did this transfer??
*edit* for pictures.
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 02-18-2010).]
Summer/fall 1990. Here I am keeping 3M stock prices up by going through a LOT of 220 and 400 grit sandpaper. The fiberglass was good, but like all fiberglass body parts, there were pinholes.
1) Apply putty 2) Sand 3) Repeat
The wheels are the Cromodora wheels that were on the 1988 Meras. Jim Sutter bought up all remaining stock. Tires are 245/50R15 front, 265/50R15 rear. The front light cluster (driving lights/parking lights/turn signals) are OEM Ferrari parts, as are the side markers (all removed in these photos to make sanding easier. Tail lights are Mera surplus. The back-up lights are in the lower rear grillwork. [This message has been edited by Doc John (edited 01-05-2008).]
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Posts: 615 From: Northern Virginia Registered: Feb 2007
