Have you heard of the Pontiac MERA? Perhaps one of the world's rarest car models? You can clearly see the contours of another car model, the Ferrari 308. It's all quite a bizarre story.
Started with Pontiac Fiero
It started with the Pontiac Fiero, the small 2-seat mid-engined sports car that was produced between 1984 and 1988. The Fiero could have been a great build, had it not been for the fact that designers had to limit themselves to GM's existing parts inventory. Engines, gearboxes and wheel suspension were picked from existing production lines. The front suspension is said to have been sourced from Chevette production. The Fiero wasn't a bad car, but it lacked sportiness and "feel". The performance did not match the sporty appearance.
Appearance was the only thing the designers could play with. The bodywork was made in fiberglass on a space frame steel tube frame. One could probably say that "good looks" were one of the Fiero's biggest advantages. The management at Pontiac also understood that. Because although none of the components were ultra-exciting, they were the concept ideal for a sports car, - or a "sports car look-a-like".
As created for replica projects
Tied hand and foot in relation to underlying technology, designers at Pontiac had found that they could relatively easily create a special model by only replacing fiberglass parts. The model for the new design was the car Tom Selleck drove in the popular TV series of the time, Magnum PI. Ferrari's little 308 GTS shares its identical exterior dimensions with the FIero. With the help of relatively simple steps, the Fiero could be transformed into a car that resembled the Ferrari 308.
Pontiac had seen something that the rest of the world would soon discover. The Pontiac Fiero was made for replica projects. Today, it can actually be difficult to find a Fiero that hasn't been given new life as a donor car for a replica of one kind or another.
Wasn't a replica
The MERA was a separate model, advertised through select Pontiac dealerships. Advertising posters and sales brochures told about the new model, MERA from "Corporate Concepts Limited – constructed on a new Pontiac Fiero space frame". The MERA transformation was therefore only carried out on new cars. Pontiac's business idea was to sell cars, not replica kit. The buyers of course received a full warranty on the entire car, - and if anyone was wondering: Of course, Pontiac's management was behind the project.
Considered a replica building, MERA would be within the law. It was never hidden that the product was based on the Pontiac Fiero. No Ferrari logos were used anywhere. The rims were Fiero rims painted in the car's color, later a different type, called Cromodora Pentaspoke. They had a shape similar to the Ferrari rims of the 308, but were far from identical. Under the shell, everything was 100% Fiero, with MERA decals instead of Fiero. Ferrari of course sued GM and won. MERA was no ordinary replica kit. There was a car model which was undoubtedly a copy of the popular Ferrari. Corporate Concepts managed to make 249 cars before production was stopped. So far, just under 100 cars have been tracked down, one of which is now on Norwegian plates. These cars are extremely rare today and to the utmost extent worth preserving. They are part of a world's most bizarre car stories.
What happened to the other MERAs?
There are several Fieros in Ferrari livery for sale online. They have an exterior that could have come from the MERA project, but have been taken one step further to resemble Ferrari. Yellow Ferrari logos "all over", real Ferrari rims and a modified interior with black paint and papier-mâché, or whatever. There are probably the occasional MERA that has lost its identity through different owners. Without history, a tired MERA could risk being mistaken for an ordinary Ferrari replica. There are many of them. It is said that almost all Fiero-based Ferrari 308 and 328 replicas are equipped with fiberglass that is based on a Pontiac MERA. Therefore, it may be difficult to distinguish between cars that were part of the original MERA project - and those that have been converted afterwards.
What is a Pontiac MERA worth?
A regular, drivable Pontiac Fiero costs around $3.000 – $7.000 (USD). However, many cars are modified and partially restored. Beautiful examples can cost over $20.000. It seems that the Fiero has long since achieved cult status and is therefore a future classic.
Common Ferrari replicas, sold as Fieros, can cost over $20.000 (source: autotrader.com). Since there are so few MERAs, there are currently none for sale on the major online car exchanges. An authentic MERA in good condition will likely sell for around $25.000 – the same as it cost new. A MERA with original decals and rims is not only a classic – it is also a rare car that will increase in value.
Car history worth preserving.
Facts Pontiac MERA
Construction: Fiberglass body over tubular steel frame.
Tires: 245/50VR15 (front), 265/50VR15 (rear)
Rim: Cromodora Pentaspoke
Length/width/height in cm: 437/185/119
Engine: Mid-mounted 2,8 V6 OHV Multi-port Fuel Injection
Horsepower: 135 at 4500 rpm
Torque: 224 at 3600 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual, or 3-speed automatic
PHOTOS
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