vegas is great as usual.... went to the porsche dealership today to see my buddies. some strange reason i was telling the porsche guys about my mera... lol who woulda thought lol
vegas is great as usual.... went to the porsche dealership today to see my buddies. some strange reason i was telling the porsche guys about my mera... lol who woulda thought lol
And........what they say????? too bad Porsches are really quite fast.....or I would talk a little smack....you know like our little horsey friends in Italy.....but Germans do not mess around....never have....probabally never will......Hey all MERA owners.....I found a article in some stuff the previous owner sent me and it has some wierd MERA production # speculation..comes from Pontiac Fiero Connection mag 3rd quarter July 1997 issue...its posted in my thread in the tech disscusion area titled "Mera owners in MI help"....check it out....interesting numbers...i must say.....I highlighted the # s cuz they were faint.....high estimate of over seas exports.....and it says i quote"......In 1988, 84 were built on Formula platforms and 6 were GT conversions"..... SIXX GT cars....wow besides the 1990 proto that is more than likely the rarest Fiero i have found anywhere?????
ohhh.....and are we all conformed in the thinking that a 1987 Fiero SE converted into a 1987 MERA is on a 1986 (according to the sticker on the door jamb) donor car????? also meaning that the elusive 1986 Mera prototype is on a 1985??? I get confused by that alot when reading e-bay replicar adds.....anyway, top of the morning to you all....later- Daniel back to youtube and FIERO X= Man that car is fast....10.8....1/4 mile.....i will be happy in the 11's....Bye...
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 10-28-2009).]
Originally posted by batousai666: ...a 1987 Fiero SE converted into a 1987 MERA is on a 1986 (according to the sticker on the door jamb) donor car????? also meaning that the elusive 1986 Mera prototype is on a 1985??? I
I suppose almost anything can be replaced or forged, but I'd think one's safer bet would be to rely on the VIN for the year of the car, rather than the door jamb sticker. More specifically, the 10th digit of the Fiero's 17-digit VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) visible on the driver's side of the dashboard designates the model year:
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987
J = 1988
Also, when it comes time to get a title for the car, I wouldn't want to try convincing my local Department of Motor Vehicles that although the VIN says the car is a 1987, it's really a 1986 because of what it says on the door jamb sticker.
Of course, a variable pitch torque converter throws sand in the works--so to speak. For the rest of us, hold your RPM and read MPH off your GPS. GPS is by its nature far more accurate in speed and direction than position.
[This message has been edited by reholmes (edited 10-28-2009).]
I spoke with this guy today and he wants $19K for the car. It is done up as a F308 and has none of the MERA emblems and lettering. He does not have e-mail but if anyone wants to speak with him, I may be able to retrieve his phone number. The vehicle is about 1.5 hours east of Dallas.
I spoke with this guy today and he wants $19K for the car. It is done up as a F308 and has none of the MERA emblems and lettering. He does not have e-mail but if anyone wants to speak with him, I may be able to retrieve his phone number. The vehicle is about 1.5 hours east of Dallas.
No email, no wonder I never heard back when I emailed three times to the posting. Where in east Texas is the owner located? I was wondering if it was a real mera since the front bumper has been changed. The other Craigslist listing looks more like a Mera than this one, yet it is not. Do you think the car is worth 19k missing all the Mera emblems? Wouldn't one that rather has not been altered be more valuable now that the cars are now rarer than the 308's they were styled after?
Hey a guy from Minn sold a beautiful kit F-308 with $12k worth of brake, suspension, and a 4.9 swap by Ed Parks for $10+ about 6 months ago. So, if it's not authentic, why pay so much. I'm not putting down the kits, I would have loved to have that car--I was just too late. Anyway, that car is my touchstone when it comes to non-Meras. Also, about that time there was a T-Top '88 Mera with very low mileage for sale from a dealer in St Louis for under $17k. Those are my baseline values. Could be I'm dreaming, but in this economy. . . .
[This message has been edited by reholmes (edited 10-29-2009).]
No email, no wonder I never heard back when I emailed three times to the posting. Where in east Texas is the owner located? I was wondering if it was a real mera since the front bumper has been changed. The other Craigslist listing looks more like a Mera than this one, yet it is not. Do you think the car is worth 19k missing all the Mera emblems? Wouldn't one that rather has not been altered be more valuable now that the cars are now rarer than the 308's they were styled after?
I agree with him......I feel that a doucmented MERA is way worth more than a 308/Mera replicar!!!! as far as the 4.9 car?? I would buy any thing with a fast as hell engine. its more about performance than looks....total oppisite of my situation.....paid over 8k for looks and have to put +3k to get the performance.....glances at Mera7 in Vegas.......; }... its all realitive when talking about a Mera......a replicar on the other hand?????
I agree with him......I feel that a doucmented MERA is way worth more than a 308/Mera replicar!!!!
In time in the years to come the most valuable Mera’s will be the few that are as close to OEM from the factory (as they left Corporate Concepts) as possible. They will have the highest value. No doubt. With the history of this car being made and sold only as a new car thru a GM dealer plus with all the brochures and articles published on the Mera an original Mera in original form will someday bring a very high value. I have no doubt some (in excellent original condition or restored) will be sold at some of the highest end auto auctions and bring in very high prices. Maybe 10-20 years yet. I tend to think in time only a few will remain original. I expect in time many owners will try to convert them back to OEM the best they can. Quote me on this. The Mera is a historically significant car with a proven (documented) history.
Someday I will find what my 88 Mera is worth. It is extremely modified and would be hard to convert back to original. It looks very nice all modified. Since it is a documented real 88 Mera it should have a good value. Probably not near what an OEM 88 Mera will someday be worth. I think it is comparable in a sense to having a Hemi Cuda that is all tricked out compared to a Hemi Cuda that is all original (A Mera will probably never be worth what a Hemi anything is worth). I would be interested in the OEM Hemi Cuda and it should bring a much higher value. I have no interest at all in selling my 88 Mera for a long time. I will own it until I am too old to own it. I would probably sell it at one of the high end auctions when that time comes. I have some interesting history with my 88 Mera. I won my class at the Chicago Concours D’Elegance in 1995. Their 100th anniversary show. Just like Pebble Beach and such you drove to the viewing area and were presented with a commemorative bottle of wine engraved with their logo. It has 100th anniversary engraved at the bottom. It was very hard to be extended an invitation to this show. To win my class was a surprise. I was up against some very nice cars.
Rodney Dickman 1988 Mera #8110
[This message has been edited by Rodney (edited 10-29-2009).]
i agree with rodneys thinking... the original unmolested oem meras will be worth big bucks in several years. although the rest of our meras that are modified like mine will be worth close to the originals as well in my opinion. these days at the barret jackson auctions of coarse original unmolested cars bring BIG bucks. but several tastefully done customs of the same cars bring close to BIG bucks. all in the percieved buyers taste. rodney your car rocks.... wish mine was that nice right now.
Someday I will find what my 88 Mera is worth. It is extremely modified and would be hard to convert back to original. It looks very nice all modified. Since it is a documented real 88 Mera it should have a good value. Probably not near what an OEM 88 Mera will someday be worth. I think it is comparable in a sense to having a Hemi Cuda that is all tricked out compared to a Hemi Cuda that is all original (A Mera will probably never be worth what a Hemi anything is worth). I would be interested in the OEM Hemi Cuda and it should bring a much higher value. I have no interest at all in selling my 88 Mera for a long time. I will own it until I am too old to own it. I would probably sell it at one of the high end auctions when that time comes. I have some interesting history with my 88 Mera. I won my class at the Chicago Concours D’Elegance in 1995. Their 100th anniversary show. Just like Pebble Beach and such you drove to the viewing area and were presented with a commemorative bottle of wine engraved with their logo. It has 100th anniversary engraved at the bottom. It was very hard to be extended an invitation to this show. To win my class was a surprise. I was up against some very nice cars.
Rodney Dickman 1988 Mera #8110
Rodney, for those of us that are interested in keeping a Mera stock, how about producing a "Mera Survivor Guide". A documented information guide on what is correct and stock on Meras. Does someone here own an absolutely stock Mera?
from the pics it looks like fiero in paradise is very close to oem if not oem....very nice car. mike in oklahoma
i agree....so far the hardest part is the emblems.....no one has them... to even get rid of...plus i am finding a lot of anomolies is these cars....for instance....I have a Mera spec. sheet that states the 1987 Mera has manual Vit. mirror on drivers side and powered on the passenger side....my car confirms this.. 'cept its not hooked up....can't find power wire to box....also appearently not all early Meras had back up lights???? i am still out to lunch on this one....also been confirmed that not all, if any, 1987 Meras had Chromodoras......I see a lot of maybes when i search Meras in the archives....but i did find that most kits....hood over the org. Fiero hood in front....thats nice...do we???? its hard to tell....mine IS quite heavy???? does anybody know if... the holes for the door handles/locks, all lights and vents by the doors and gas tank, do these come molded into the panel or are they cut???? off for more questions for you all later... Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 10-30-2009).]
Rodney, for those of us that are interested in keeping a Mera stock, how about producing a "Mera Survivor Guide". A documented information guide on what is correct and stock on Meras. Does someone here own an absolutely stock Mera?
not sure what a stock Mera is..... 'cept a sticker in the trunk and body panels with emblems....the sheet that reholmes posted.... how many more of you have that sheet????? never seen one of them..also, my rpo sheet says i should have.....A01 "Window, deep tinted all, soft ray"...only the sun roof is dark tint...no tint on doors or rear.....
and speaking of rpo sheet....help me with this if you will....paint code 41U is BLACK, U = upper (upper of two tone) what is the lower color code or was it the same color like GREY??? one more thing on the rpo....seems I have the Y 99 code for Special Rally suspension package..plus with the Y99.. i got N78 wheels Hi Tech Turbo, aluminum 14x6 (req.w/ Y99)...what are these???..and F 41 for suspension, heavy duty,front and rear (special)...ohh... and PB4 lock kit, aluminum wheel.....what the heck are these????there's alot more gotta orginize for solid presentation.....maybe a conference call is in order.....until then later- Daniel
Originally posted by Rick 88: Rodney, for those of us that are interested in keeping a Mera stock, how about producing a "Mera Survivor Guide". A documented information guide on what is correct and stock on Meras. Does someone here own an absolutely stock Mera?
I hope you can see that this is easy to ask for but would be a very, very large project to complete. You have no idea how much work this would be.
Rodney is right; however, there are certain characteristics we are fairly sure of. There could be a checklist of these known attributes, and when registering with Rodney, the applicant could be asked to fill it out.
I believe mine is pretty stock--EXCEPT! There are badges on the rear panel that I'm sure were added. I know the three-spoke stock Fiero steering wheel is a replacement. The car has been repainted in a "1997" color. Door handle escutcheons have Rodney's Mera badges. The lower panel behind the rear wheels is "Boxer" style black. There is an F-car key/lock on the sail grill (this is phony, of course, but reflects the F-car lockable filler cap). And most amusingly, the Mera trunk sticker reflects the new paint color. Oh, it also has Rodney's engine lid struts to hold up the 300# trunk lid ;-)
So do these things make it non-stock? Some would say that even the after market Fiero floor mats destroy its "virginity." I'll report, you decide.
OBTW, I've not registered with Rodney, though Perhaps Paul V did before he sold the car (#8046)--I'd like to know more about the Registry.
man them some nice pads and rides.....note the grey 328 (I think) ferrari looks to be in the house that Ferris Bullers day off was filmed in.....that house is awesome.....park in the house with a glass garage door awesome.....well back to that link for more droolin'- bye Dan
Ferris Bueller certainly came to mind, and that was my fav, too. I love the classic Peninfarina look--well, of course. Though I thought that might have been a 302 GT4.
Yes. In fact I can do anything as I please to it since I recreated it in Adobe Illustrator. If you have a program that can handle a *.ai , *.svg , or *.eps file I can simply send it your way so you can edit the colors or whatever you wish. If you go with a sign shop (or whatever) to create your emblems I can provide them the working files so they can help you edit the image or colors to your liking. That goes with anyone, really. If you'd like to have the files so you edit them on your own, just let me know.
Zigaroo,
I've never used an svg app, and sure as heck not going to shell out for Illustrator just to learn, but have heard good things about freeware Inkscape--are you familiar with it?
Ferris Bueller certainly came to mind, and that was my fav, too. I love the classic Peninfarina look--well, of course. Though I thought that might have been a 302 GT4.
i just guessed. not sure of the model number/class or designation.....sorry....the bumper looked 328 ish.....I an liking the 288 gto i found somewhere....can i post ferrari pics here..... YEAH, thats nice..... like the paint....this is also in consideration for my repaint......
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 10-31-2009).]
I've never used an svg app, and sure as heck not going to shell out for Illustrator just to learn, but have heard good things about freeware Inkscape--are you familiar with it?
Not familiar, but I just installed it and loaded the svg file for the emblems into Inkscape without a problem. I want to use the program as if it were Illustrator so a lot of the tools don't quite make sense to me right off the bat, but it appears it can do similar functions---just differently.
If you'd like the file to play around just let me know. I'll keep Inkscape installed so I can try and help if needed.
[This message has been edited by zigaroo (edited 10-31-2009).]
As I posted earlier, I think your badge with modified Bing "R", is superb. I would like to see that with the red, white, and blue stripes between the Bing "MERA" and the border. I thought I would try that with Inkscape--but be my guest ;-)
I really like the top emblem for door sill decals on the Mera. How would it appear on a black background? Could a vinyl decal be shadowed to give the 3D look you see here? They would look great in a silver or polished metal color. Can anyone here make these?
[This message has been edited by Rick 88 (edited 10-31-2009).]
