I liked your treatise. My daughter is a production artist and I've been getting these tutorials for 25 years--at least she got something out of her 4 years of college.
Dick
Spent 35 years in the design & illustration business, Ford, General Motors, Harley, Universal Studios and Excalibur were all accounts. A lot of hard work, and late nights, but it was worth it. Even taught at the local Community College, problem was most of the kids couldn't really "draw" all they could do was slide a mouse. Remind your daughter to always keep her "art skills" sharp, if the power goes out, she will be the only one still working.
P.S. Former US Army- 31M20
[This message has been edited by Wayne Wm. Peterson (edited 02-24-2011).]
Thanks Dick, I'm glad to see more production artists are training, printing seems to be a dying art.
Is that an Air Force cover I see in your photo? I'm former Navy and currently a defense contractor.
Jim
Yep, but that photo was taken over 40 years ago--I like it, best suit I ever wore. I'm an independent defense contractor, too. In fact I have a once in a while arrangement with the Naval Postgraduate School as a lecturer/SME. Working with the GIs is the only thing that has kept me sane since retirement. They didn't tell me when I took the oath that I would someday get too old to serve-bummer.
Remind your daughter to always keep her "art skills" sharp, if the power goes out, she will be the only one still working.
P.S. Former US Army- 31M20
Unfortunately, since she graduated in '85, Steve Jobs has taken over the graphics art business.
Hey, I was a 3152B (I think they use a different format now) in the Air Force--radar maintenance. In fact I was stationed at Fort Gordon--Camp Gordon then--where you may have gone to tech school. We had a little gap filler radar back in the woods past the ammo dump.
Unfortunately, since she graduated in '85, Steve Jobs has taken over the graphics art business.
Hey, I was a 3152B (I think they use a different format now) in the Air Force--radar maintenance. In fact I was stationed at Fort Gordon--Camp Gordon then--where you may have gone to tech school. We had a little gap filler radar back in the woods past the ammo dump.
Great fun for a 17 year old kid!
What a small world it is. I was at Fort Jackson for basic, then Fort Gordon for AIT, 31M20 is a radio and relay operator. I was there in 1970, how about you? I know what you mean about "Steve NoJobs" I retired early,( in 1990) and started doing the things I WANTED to do, now I write for a Motorcycle Magazine, touring around the US and doing test rides, now when I draw it's for my own amusement.
1956! Doesn't really seem that long ago. I was stationed at Shaw AFB, too--not to far from Ft Jackson. Loved Columbia--what a hoppin' town. Of Course, as a basic you didn't get to see much of the town.
Well, sounds like you have a job to be envious of. I had a bike in SEA, also rode some in the '80s, but I found I am a real Jeckle and Hyde when it comes to bikes. I take on a whole other personality--do things when I'm on them that I wouldn't consider doing while sitting in my living room. Bikes were my crack cocaine--what a fantastic high!
I know what you mean, sadly I too am real a "speed demon" on a bike, but I get paid to do so. Problem is, I am the same in my Mera! Strange, I drive my truck & "family car" like an Old Fart, but get me behind the wheel of the Mera and I'm Magnum chasing the bad guys!
From: Patrick Bouzaglou To: Richard E Holmes Corporation Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 9:13 AM Subject: Re: Targa California
Looks like a period correct 308 to me ! ;-)
yes, please join us! Lets have some fun
Dave
On Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 7:39 AM, Richard E Holmes Corporation <reh@reholmes.com> wrote:
Greeting,
Is a 1988 Mera eligible?
Dick Holmes
This is the response I got when asking if the Mera was eligible to run the Targa California. You guys in the Golden State should take advantage--it runs from Castaic to Carmel and back. There's some fantastic countryside there!
I take on a whole other personality--do things when I'm on them that I wouldn't consider doing while sitting in my living room. Bikes were my crack cocaine--what a fantastic high!
I hear that, been there and done that. Ironically, I got hit on a nice, sunny day when I was behaving myself. I never got hurt doing the crazy stuff (130+ mph, no helmet, 2 am, a dark two-lane country road. Can't believe I did that. I was looking for the top end of the bike . . . never found it. Got scared).
This is the response I got when asking if the Mera was eligible to run the Targa California. You guys in the Golden State should take advantage--it runs from Castaic to Carmel and back. There's some fantastic countryside there!
Kinda funny rules: "All makes and models of autos are eligible as long as they adhere to the classic era of 1975 and older manufacture. For examples; newer Fiat 124 (Pininfarina), Datsun 260 Z, Porsche 911 (-1989) follows this spirit. Replica cars are encouraged to enter as well."
As I understand it, Fiero prototypes emerged in the mid '70s. If you can convince them that a mid-80s Fiero is just a 70s era follow on, you're in ;-) Better yet, get yourself a nice Mera--stay with us on this thread, and you'll find one.
Kinda funny rules: "All makes and models of autos are eligible as long as they adhere to the classic era of 1975 and older manufacture. For examples; newer Fiat 124 (Pininfarina), Datsun 260 Z, Porsche 911 (-1989) follows this spirit. Replica cars are encouraged to enter as well."
As I understand it, Fiero prototypes emerged in the mid '70s. If you can convince them that a mid-80s Fiero is just a 70s era follow on, you're in ;-) Better yet, get yourself a nice Mera--stay with us on this thread, and you'll find one.
I saw that rule and was wondering.
I can try and convince them that the car is in the spirit of the 1975 cars. It is to me. I'm a big fan of the CanAm cars from that era. The McLarens are my favorite. I also liked Jim Hall's Chaparrals.
To be honest, I've never been a big fan of Ferrari or the Mera. I like the design of the Fiero GT much better than the Mera.
I had my 87GT for 20 years before a red light runner T-boned me--I loved it, and will certainly get another one. But I like Pininfarina designs--love to have a Renucci California Spyder or McBernie Daytona Spyder replicas. Very Farina-like but actually designed by an American, I really like the Pantera--would have one if my legs were shorter.
Individual preference, ain't it great.
[This message has been edited by reholmes (edited 02-25-2011).]
..... But I like Pininfarina designs-- Very Farina-like but actually designed by an American, I really like the Pantera--would have one if my legs were shorter.
Individual preference, ain't it great.
for Richard......
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 02-25-2011).]
I really like the Pantera--would have one if my legs were shorter.
Individual preference, ain't it great.
I do like the Panteras also. I spent many years playing with Ford Falcons, Fairlanes, and Mustangs and liked the idea of a sleek, Ford powered rear engined sports car. However, at 6' 3" I have the same long leg problem. Besides, I have never seen a Pantera that I could afford.
Army buddy bought one new. I took the test ride with him, damn it was fun, but so was his AAR Cuda. Funny thing though, returned it the next day, couldn't sleep thinking about all that money sitting in a car. At that time (I think) it was around $20,000.00????? What do they run now? Wayne
Coming home from a business trip about fifteen years ago, I found one sitting in my driveway--what the heck did my kid up to now! Well, it was one he was putting an engine in for a friend. Couldn't help myself, had to get in it--try to get in it! Anyway, checked around and they could be had for as low as $20k--now $40k and up.
About being too tall for some cars....When they made Magnum Pi they had to remove the seat bottom and leave the top off the 308 so Tom Selleck would fit in, at 6ft 4in it was still a squeeze.
No, I found it via Oogle Alerts. It is a nice car, and if it was an auto trans and stuff was hooked up, I'd be interested. Though it was over $10k when I saw it, and looked like it was headed higher. You can get a pretty nice Mera for that, and everything is working.
No, I found it via Oogle Alerts. It is a nice car, and if it was an auto trans and stuff was hooked up, I'd be interested. Though it was over $10k when I saw it, and looked like it was headed higher. You can get a pretty nice Mera for that, and everything is working.
That's why I like the Mera, everything is Pontiac Fiero. I had a Regal 57' T-bird replica, and everything in that car was from a different make of car! Window cranks from one car, radiator from another, headlight switch from another, and no written information on where these parts came from, it was a Frankenstein Monster. I will stick with a car with a pedigree.
When I first got my Mera, all four lights would light up when I hit the brake. Obviously that wasn't meant to be, only the two red lights should light up. I spent about two hours trying to figure out how to mix and match the bulb holders. Then it occurred to me that my Mera was built on Formula, and thus, the different light setup. After studying the wiring diagram, I found one single white wire under the steering column. All I had to do was cut it, and bingo...tail and brake lights work with just the red, and the signal only with the amber. It was a great feeling to figure that out..sorta like the bomb disposal guy cutting the right wire.
Tom
well i may not be sold on this....at least for the EARLY MERA!!!!
dig this brotha's...go to 4:09 min into vid and peep the taillights around 4:25. its the1986 Mera ProtoType at Detroit AutoRama 2010.
The fact that the orange turn signals light up with the brake lights proves the particular Mera is not built on a GT chassis. I can't understand why Corporate Concepts would let the cars go out with this issue.
The fact that the orange turn signals light up with the brake lights proves the particular Mera is not built on a GT chassis. I can't understand why Corporate Concepts would let the cars go out with this issue.
you win the prize 1986 ProtoType....VIN code F=SE..... and lucky me!! now with that article Tom has..... wonder how many SE Mera there are?? i have heard of at least 2 more plus Proto and Mera X.
the SE Mera is my new collector binge. i wanna buy em all, if i can get a job this year!!
i like that they all light up it just screams "MERA STOPPING!" no rear enders for me...seeing thats all i got is slow people behind me
i can feel it getting nicer out....cant wait
later Daniel
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-02-2011).]
Having gone to school with Alan Ruck, and talked with him after it was released, it was a kitcar with a ford 302 in it. He said they had a hard time keeping it running. Just like this one - http://californiaclassix.co...62_Ferrari_c342.html
Good article, Larini, and some good info. While Goyette is generally acknowledged as the creator of the cars used in the film, the movie predated his company, Modena Design and Research. Along the way Modena was sold to Precision Design of California which is now Renucci's company CalSpyder in Flagstaff, Arizona. So, you can buy this car new for around $75k turn key, without perhaps the F-car detail of the one in the article.
This is all mostly folklore to me, can't swear to any of it.
OBTW, always thought Ferraris and Santa Barbara went well together.
[This message has been edited by reholmes (edited 03-04-2011).]
i bet its this Ferrari 208 they mean....so much closer to the Fiero BHP wise. we could take this chump F-Car!! hahahaaa.....
*piked from wikipedia* 208 GTB/GTS208 GTB & GTS Production 1980–1985 & 1985–1986 Body style Berlinetta Spider Engine 2.0 L V8 2.0 L turbo V8 (from 1982)
From the mid-1970s through 1986, a small-displacement 208 was produced, generally for tax concessions within the Italian market; it was also listed in New Zealand, due to their taxes on engines above 2 litres. The 208 GTB/GTS replaced the 208 GT4 2+2 in 1980.
The engine was de-bored to 68.8 mm (giving an undersquare design) for a total of 1991 cc displacement, resulting in the smallest V8 engine ever produced. The 208 produced only 155 bhp (116 kW) which meant that performance was underwhelming, especially for a Ferrari. 160 208 GTS and 140 208 GTB cars were produced in 1980 and 1981.
In 1982, turbo-charging and fuel injection increased power output to 220 bhp (164 kW), but initially only available in GTB form; the GTS turbo was introduced in 1983. In 1985, small body-style modifications were made, in-line with the introduction of the 328; production ended in 1986 after 437 GTB turbo and 250 GTS turbo cars were produced. *END*
and *fingers crossed* hopefully, new pics of the 1986 Proto.....
Daniel
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-05-2011).]
Nice looking Z kit! 180* headers will take care of the V8 sound.
Those figures are correct for the 308 of the years listed. The car is not that fast, but it sounds great when you wind it out! No 208's were offered here in the US. However the 208 emblem is almost the exact conversion of a 3.4 liter to 208 cubic inches. Does that make my 3.4 Mera a "208 GTS"?
[This message has been edited by Rick 88 (edited 03-05-2011).]
Those figures are correct for the 308 of the years listed. The car is not that fast, but it sounds great when you wind it out! No 208's were offered here in the US. However the 208 emblem is almost the exact conversion of a 3.4 liter to 208 cubic inches. Does that make my 3.4 Mera a "208 GTS"?
Ferrari 308 Production Numbers Years Production 308 GTB (Fibreglass) 1975-1977 712 308 GTB (Steel) 1977-1980 2185 308 GTS 1977-1980 3219 308 GTBi 1981-1982 494 308 GTSi 1981-1982 1749 308 GTB QV 1982-1985 748 308 GTS QV 1982-1985 3042 Total 1975-1985 12,149
HUH?? the torque is real close even with the later GTB/GTS QV's. i always looked at HP and not that weak torque #. also, seems more weight and less power was the order of the day.
we actually should be able to hold our own, NO?
cool topic guys....
D
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 03-06-2011).]
I would love to have one.
hummmm?
