my seats have been reupholstered in mr mikes leather with ferrari emblems stitched into the headrests. very nicely done and looks great but i would rather have the original mera seats... oh well. 7071 has the nicest interior i have seen in a fiero to date. previous owner just had the door panels, seats, center console, carpets, and headliner redone right before he wrecked it. and now i am installing a f308 dash in the car to replace the outdated fiero dash and gauges.
[This message has been edited by mera7 (edited 03-09-2010).]
The seats are original. I´ve seen similar seats in a few other Meras with leather interior. My Mera serial nr is 7005 and Vincode 26890.
right on JanR. thank you for the info. WOW # 26890=Mera #7005. this is disturbing seeing that there is a long way between you and me at 09384. one cool thing is that we have the same seats as the '86.... and maybe this little tid-bit i found from this '86 pic
notice the "sharp points" on the ends of the grill. just like mine (and so far no one else). how about you JanR? what do you have, sharp of rounded?
most of the guys here have these rounded off ones these little things are starting too add up...... to a #'s 1-4 1987 Mera for me....yippie! this is gettin good. so much fun. with the addition of the 1986 Mera, this gives us all a ZERO spot as a start of the OEM Mera stuff. and will point out the afterthought Mods added or deleted as production carries on from Mera #6001, if you will. soo cool! anyway have a treat in my e-mail account. be back, bearing gifts. Later, D
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-09-2010).]
THANKS TO RON! (Paced84) he says more to follow. I personally cannot wait. maybe a bribe is in order. any takers??? kidding. i would like to see this car in person. so many pictures to take. ....i hope to find this car "on tour" this summer at local car shows....this is my new Quest.... "here he goes again".... you all can say it.... later Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-09-2010).]
my seats have been reupholstered in mr mikes leather with ferrari emblems stitched into the headrests. very nicely done and looks great but i would rather have the original mera seats... oh well. 7071 has the nicest interior i have seen in a fiero to date. previous owner just had the door panels, seats, center console, carpets, and headliner redone right before he wrecked it. and now i am installing a f308 dash in the car to replace the outdated fiero dash and gauges.
ok, this has got me thinking. playing the devils advocate....here and all....dont shoot me but after all the body panels are fixed...replaced NEW with your molds and the interior is swapped..and engine right? whats left thats OEM? dont take this line of inquiry wrong... its that these are the questions i need/have been trying to answer myself. what is a Mera??? and what makes a Mera, Mera? you are taking it up a bit, being the first of us to do/have to do major body work...you are settin precidence for the future..
i ask this because i have the opposite view. i want all the my stuff OEM. both Mera and Fiero. like this (lower air dam) i have to fix somehow...JB weld or something
cannot see too well... the production dials point to 9/2. for a date of September 2nd 1986. my Fiero was made in Oct 1986....alls releative.... anywhoo...
my undocumented Mera has, too me, has a lot of these OEM things ...
1-a 2 slat front aluminum grill 2-manual Vitroloni drivers mirror...powered passenger side 3-pointed rear engine grill 4-OEM leather seats. but, thats a Fiero option. i just found this fact, on the Mera brouchure 5-altho no sticker. Rodney himself has admitted that early Meras had no stickers.... so thats what,Like 5 things pointing in the right direction?....Happy Daze...... ohhhh....and the fact that my Mera may have had the back up lights added after by a P.O. i have reason to believe that my reverse lights may have been added way later. if this is true then i may actually have something here. the thrill of the hunt continues for a 2nd season...later Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-09-2010).]
Nice to have something to do during your long winters. Remember your mom's admonition--"idle hands are the devil's hands." ;-)
soo true.... with today being 50 before noon tho, i may have to take a spin in Mera X with no insurance....thats the Devils works....tsk,tsk... guess i'll just play underneath, and fix that air dam, and fix the Temp guage, it is peggin and showing inaccurate measurements later, D
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-09-2010).]
Dan has an interesting point. My Mera's sister car, #8045, was rusted beyond repair. Someone bought it, then resold it to someone who was going to take the panels off and put them onto another Fiero chassis. Apparently they did not follow through, and somewhere on this island, the panels of #8045 are sitting in some storage room/shed. Man, it would be great to get a hold of them and put them on my 88GT. Now, if I did that, and I ensured that the key ID points that make a Mera are swapped/changed, who could really say that was not a real Mera? Without some sort of list from Corporate Concepts, on Corporate Concepts Letterhead, that lists EXACTLY what Mera # corresponds to what VIN, date of conversion, etc., then who could really prove that I did not have a "real" Mera? I know Rodney has the Registry, but I think that is formulated from owners' inputs, if I'm not mistaken.
And taking that one step further, without such a list (or an original sales receipt and conversion window sticker), who can really prove in writing, that ANY Mera is a actually a "real" Mera (i.e., the panels match the VIN conversion)?
and fix the Temp guage, it is peggin and showing inaccurate measurements later, D
There is a rewiring scheme that will fix that--I didn't do it soon enough and it knocked my temp reading off. It's still precise, but no longer accurate--I have to add about a half scale.
Hi Dick...still here, but been on sick leave for three weeks now. Came down with a shingles attack, of all places, left scalp and left part of forehead. For a while, I was looking like a cross between Rocky and a Klingon. That shingles thing is a real killer! The welts and bumps have gone away, but still having major headaches. Just taking it easy for a while, since I have a lot of accumulated sick leave.
LOL...you best keep that Mera documentation in a safety deposit box!
I'm working on another cheap but (maybe) very cool mod. Here's a teaser pic (the black thing on the plastic green cup)...primed and painted, will install it on the weekend and see if it actually works.
Anyone want to guess what it is??
Tom
[This message has been edited by Fiero-in-Paradise (edited 03-10-2010).]
dan the answer to your question that is directed at 7071 is since the car was very badly hurt in the accident the only thing to do is replace the body panels as i have done. as far as the interior that was the p.o. i have left the engine and trans in 7071 so far and likely will. but i did do the brembo brake upgrade and tubular suspension upgrade to it. as far as original mera the core of 7071 is still there/frame and inner workings. as for if 7071 is the real deal rodney had my vin and 7071 tagged long before i owned her. so no getting around that she is the real deal. although skin wise she has had some changes. as you and i have discussed before of my replacement panels will raise issues of fakes or real.... i only like to sell to actual mera owners and although i would build a complete kit for someone its very unlikely it will happen because of my labor rate 100.00hr making the price of the kit around 12500.00. not many ppl these days gonna throw down 12500.00 for an older out dated ferrari body kit based on a fiero. as far as 8045 goes im sure if someone wanted to and did their homework they could put all the parts on another same yr fiero and pass it off.... but then thats up to their conscience at that point. we all make our cars OUR cars... personalizing them in certain ways. i think its up to you and how you see your car. i would love an original mera but wont spend 25grand to get it. my 7071 is in my opinion the perfect mera doing it how i see fit. others wont agree but thats our own individuality. its what makes you happy dan. happy motoring, mike in oklahoma
I'd agree. No matter how "original" you want to make it, everyone will still personalize their Mera. And that's cool!...that's what makes this hobby so great! To each their own! If I were more mechanically-inclined, I'd do more of the mechanical mods. But alas, I stick to the easy stuff.
IF I were able to obtain the panels of 8045 and put it on another frame, I wouldn't pass it off as an original Mera though. I would still document it though, if possible, with the original VIN, just to maintain the history of the car. LOL...and then I'd modify that baby to the max!
[This message has been edited by Fiero-in-Paradise (edited 03-10-2010).]
1st a guess.... Tom? missed ya buddy. Does it have to do with the cigarette lighter? A insulated lighter delete. no, seems its sittin on a washer so its big. insulated cup holder with cover.
I agree with all said.... with a sticker and/or that sheet that Richard has, its a done deal...with the back-up of Rodneys list, as a confirmation. this is all i see his list as. reference only. as a 4th qualifier with the sticker being #1. dealer ship paperwork a strong #2 and #3, the car its self. the Truth is in the sticker and maybe the data sheet Richard has, are it! minus the car itself not complying, but that could be "Personalizations added/deleted. if the P.O. of my car did in fact cut the Ford Tail lights in then, my car t is a step away from OEM. and i will rectify. cept i like the lights as is.... another quirk in my situation.
also, that's only the 2nd owners sheet i have seen. worries me, but it was interesting when i found someone with another. a back up!
in my eyes, as long as early Meras had no stickers and I'm not on Rodneys list i feel like i cannot claim Mera. as a selling point should i have to sell or something... but in Mikes case he (by all rights) claims 7071 cuz of the Rodney list and sticker, not by actual panels....thats a weird senerio in its own right...
its never cut and dry with me. ever.sorry
on to the case of 8045. this set has brought to mind the question of differences between 88 Mera and 87 Mera package only accoutraments. you should never see a 88 Mera on a 86 built Fiero and vice-versa.(87 Mera on 88 fiero) you will see 88 Meras on 87 Fieros, tho not by VIN. so theres a self limit to where i can stop and in a way start, the search for the missing 87 Meras.
...with this shell i would do just that, Mod to the Top. Mera 8045 -"Fastest Mera on the planet" next to Fiero X "Fastest Fiero on the Planet" "the race of all races vs supercars" i want to set this up on Top Gear or something... would be nice to have the freedom "to get at it" ( like Mike, lucky dog ) and swap some speed in and update the inner workings. this is why i have to let go of my Mera quest for now...its too painful.
if i knew i had Mera i could drop the engine swap and focus on making a show quality Mera... without Mera, i would start to tear it apart today for the fast engine swap. learn as i go.... i am just gonna let it go....kinda later Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-10-2010).]
i feel its safe to say that Meras have yellow fiberglass on the inside of the panels anyway. agreed? i say this because most all of the kits i have seen on the NET are white. i hope the 86 confirms this.
not like earlier (20 min ago) i do think my car, Mera. its just no sticker and NOW no paperwork....i get further and further away. the thing is, the trip taking me further and further is just a paper trip....some data sheet and a sticker.
reality states someone went to a lot of trouble to make a good "Mera replica" with my car seeing that it has all early Mera traits. one of them being of all things, NO STICKER. sooo i sit and cry about it and time slips by....when i should just Personalize the crap out of it like you all said
remember this is the future.....
P.S. hey Richard...... i was working on the Temp gauge yesterday when you posted, thanks friend. it was peggin, now it sits at 100 all the time when running. fixed the peggin, now something else is bust. typical. i do know better than to mess with electronics but i have to learn somehow. so its off to the parts store. later you guys, sorry of the whining and all....hope you feel me, dough. Later Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-10-2010).]
Here's a handy document to have. Note the information in the upper right--Mera Conversion, e.g. 8046, and the VIN.
you know? i could never read the handwritten stuff here. looks like its has been whitted out.. is that a word? whitted? i am looking for the other one i have seen. later Dan
Dan, just consider your ride as a unique Mera! And in a way, just like everyone else's Mera! I highly doubt there are two Meras EXACTLY alike...just like there is probably no "original" Mera, EXACTLY how it rolled off the Corporate Concepts' line. Look at that 86...yeah, may be the First One, but with the Ferrari badging, its suffering from a mixed identity crisis.
Nope, not a cup holder. I just used that green cup to hold it while I painted it. Guess again!
Tom
[This message has been edited by Fiero-in-Paradise (edited 03-10-2010).]
dan i think you very likely have an early mera. too many mera traits. if you do decide to customize it just keep the original mera parts on a shelf or something. i am building a 88 coupe with my panels/already installed, with my brembo brakes, with my coilovers, with my tubular suspension, with a ls2 v8, and with my modified getrag... it will look like a mera mostly but it isnt... its all about personalization. later, mike in oklahoma
looks like its has been whitted out.. is that a word? whitted?
Dan
The purchaser is blanked out, but the dealers name was left in--Bob Longpre Pontiac, LA, CA. He's still there, thinking of asking him if he has more documentation.
Tom, glad you're better! I had a similar ailment when I was in tech school at Keesler--uh, over a half century ago! The medics tried everything and gave up--gave me two weeks convalescent leave and told me to go back to class. So, I spent the two weeks on the beach, and in about 10 days it was all gone--healing power of the sun!
I would encourage you to save #8045--that's my "sister" car, too (#8046)
Dan, I would check the re-wiring you did first. If, before rewiring, it pegged, you know the circuit is good, and if it registered, you know the sender and gauge are good. Do you have the rewire schematic? I can see if I can find it if you don't.
Dick, when you check with that Pontiac dealer, check on mine and 8045. All three had that same custom interior done. As for the shingles, I think I'm mostly over it. I used Dodgerunner's home remedy to reduce the itching...apple cider vinegar. About 8 people told me its caused by stress.
Dan, when you get a chance, can you post some pics of your 2-slat grill under the front bumper? I suppose the PO removed mine, so its like wide open to the radiator. I'd like to try and replicate it somehow. (Yeah...don't laugh too hard!)
Tom
[This message has been edited by Fiero-in-Paradise (edited 03-11-2010).]
batousai666; I have sharp ends. Common on early cars? (my mera is nr 5)
HAPPY DAYS. here that boys......the International Connection comes thru with a home run!!! thanks this is fresh new info. for season 2 "MERA QUEST" JanR? can you send me photos of you car? millions of them? and any info you can spare. like when and from where you got Mera #7005. next to the 1986 proto ,you have the oldest Mera i have seen or have heard of. unless, i give you a run for your money.
post em here or you can Email them to me and i can do it. if ya want.
woohooo...this is great. if #7005 has been over in Europe for awhile then its safer to say that it stayed OEM, due to their lack of, how you say.... "western influences"..." if it has not been F-car'ed out by know... it never will...." type thinking... as far as the ole 2 slat....Bamm
i'll get better ones if the sun comes out. with better close-ups than these
later, Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-11-2010).]
batousai666; I have sharp ends. Common on early cars? (my mera is nr 5)
your car sets precedence with the fact you have the sharp points also. as far as "early Meras" go. makes me very happy knowing i share 2 traits with #5 out of 88. sharp points on grill and them seats. RULES!! granted they could have been rounded off by a P.O. but the fact that they are not signals either, a repair/replace or OEM. this is great news.... do you happen to have the 2 slat front alum. grill and maybe a NON-powered drivers side Vitaloni mirror? ohh....and seems that early 87's did not have Cormodora rims....and the queen mother of all..... with or without back-up lights??? what you got ??? so far maybe super early Meras (thats you) have no white Ford back ups?? i hope NO! then that post from my P.O. totally makes scence.
these in my opinion, are some of the major differences i have found with other known, later made Meras. mostly in the '88's. the earliest stickered Mera on record is (from my records) Nelsons Grey Mera #57. i think. need to orginize this mess of paper... later Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-11-2010).]
I would encourage you to save #8045--that's my "sister" car, too (#8046)
Dan, I would check the re-wiring you did first. If, before rewiring, it pegged, you know the circuit is good, and if it registered, you know the sender and gauge are good. Do you have the rewire schematic? I can see if I can find it if you don't.
yep, this is the thread i used to do this task. thanks for the effort. thought i had it, but the whole cluster has to come apart. all made in plastic and i am not gentle.....its old and brittle... hate it....so i am in the eng. compartment with a new sensor and wires... i will go from there....
thanks again, Richard. as far as #8045, i joined paradise cruzers website, so i have more acess to find the kit for you Tommy. what you say? still interested?? you know me, Dog will hunt! later Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-11-2010).]
Guess what, I have a document from CC that has both the vin and te Mera serial--and the dealer's signature. I would imagine those are rare.
Dick
first one of these}
ya got one anybody?? this would be real nice...too have. there is a copy of the letter of warranty, like Richard has but i wont post for their privie... here comes the sun later, Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-11-2010).]
Hey Dan, thanks for those pics. Looks like its made from aluminum slats, and the pieces are just slotted and put together...and somehow all held together. That finance note with the "MERA" listed...that's pretty cool documentation. Now does that apply to your car?
will doo my best.... heres some slat pics for you.....if you want the bigger ones i'll have to email them to you...too big! my old camera and my hyper-active blood makes me shake. thats why they are blurry... hope you can work these.... later Dan
Hey, Dan, I have one of those grilles, too--never noticed before. Hey, at my age it's hard to get down that low--well, I can get down there, just can't get back up.
Thanks for the pics! Can you guys provide some measurements?
Width of individual slats: The overall width the entire grill/slat section: Dimensions of the bracket sections:
Thanks! LOL...now I just gotta figure out how to make the dang thing.
may take a couple days i am going out of town for a Rock and Roll show in Chi-town....but, can do Mon or Tue...
if memory serves....does not Rodney make a 3 slat replacement?....i looked and could not find.
he did admit, that the 2 Slat is OEM. in my eyes the 3 slat is like an aftermarket.. and Richard () having one on his 88, seems you should too.
this revelation was a early PLUS for me in the beginning...in the 'cphiering of my car. that to me is a obscure detail that only a few, owners-type people would know. later D
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-12-2010).]
Thanks for the pics! Can you guys provide some measurements?
Width of individual slats: The overall width the entire grill/slat section: Dimensions of the bracket sections:
Thanks! LOL...now I just gotta figure out how to make the dang thing.
say?.....i will try to make you a trace pattern the best i can with what i have in my hand here. should be accurate enough. that way you can just trace the pattern on some flat stock, cut the slots in the brackets and slide the slats in and weld. fair enough?? i'll mail it too you! or just maybe i'll have to stop by eitherway, i'll get on that. later Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-12-2010).]
Mike, IF you are going to make one, and since I am sans welder/welding experience, do you think you can fabricate one for me? I'll be glad to pay; the lack of one has been bugging me for a long time!
Thanks, Tom
[This message has been edited by Fiero-in-Paradise (edited 03-12-2010).]
roger that, guys.... i'll out of town all weekend so i wont get to it till way late on Mon... is it o.k. for me to get ya'll a trace pattern??? or do you want to get all techinical on me.... i'll get out the dividers if need be really all it is, is one bracket pattern and a slat pattern...all 5 of the brackets are the same as is the 2 slats. hit it back boys.... D
kidding. i would like to see this car in person. so many pictures to take.
....
) having one on his 88, seems you should too.
