Unique ONES - In the world of automotive design, few stories are as captivating as that of the Pontiac Mera. Imagine a car that could easily be mistaken for a Ferrari, yet hails from the heart of American innovation. This car is not just an Italian sports car look-alike, but a unique creation born from Pontiac's ambition to blend exotic styling with their engineering prowess. The Pontiac Mera's tale is one of creativity, boldness, and the intriguing intersection of two distinct automotive cultures.
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| The Corporate Concepts Limited Pontiac Mera was a sportier model of the Fiero, featuring a striking fiberglass body that resembled the sleek curves of a Ferrari, capturing the attention of car enthusiasts and casual observers alike. (Picture from: GMAuthority) |
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| The Pontiac Mera's bodywork was built on a slightly stretched and widened Pontiac Fiero chassis, creating a unique silhouette that was both familiar and fresh. (Picture from: Autoevolution) |
In its debut year, approximately 88 Pontiac Meras were produced. These cars used the same wheels as the Fiero GT, but with a twist – they were painted to match the body color, enhancing the car's unified, sporty appearance. The following year, 1988, brought further developments. Pontiac introduced the Fiero Formula, a variant that combined many features of the Fiero GT with a coupe body, powered by the V6 engine, and offered at a more affordable price. This new model became the foundation for the 1988 Pontiac Mera.
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| The original concept of the Pontiac Mera debuted at the 1987 Detroit Auto Show and rolled off the production line later that year. (Picture from: Hemmings) |
One of the standout features of the 1988 Mera was the option to equip the car with aluminum wheels manufactured by the renowned Italian company Cromodora. These wheels were identical to those used by Ferrari, further blurring the line between the Mera and its Italian inspiration. The car's body was built on a slightly stretched and widened Fiero chassis, creating a unique silhouette that was both familiar and fresh.
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| The Pontiac Mera offered a custom leather interior, featuring cut pile carpeting and adorned with an original Fiero GT steering wheel instead of the Formula 4 spoke. (Picture from: Hemmings) |
Despite being manufactured by an external company, the Pontiac Mera was sold exclusively through Pontiac dealerships, predominantly in California. During its brief production run from 1986 to 1988, only 247 Meras were ever built. The car was priced between $24,000 and $28,000, a significant sum that positioned it close to the cost of a Corvette but still far less than a genuine Ferrari 308.
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| The Pontiac Mera powered by a Fiero 2.8 Liter V6 engine, coupled with a 4 speed manual transmision system. (Picture from: Swadeology) |
However, the Pontiac Mera's resemblance to Ferrari's iconic designs did not go unnoticed. Ferrari took legal action against Pontiac, citing the striking similarity to both the Ferrari 308 and the newer 328 models. The courts sided with Ferrari, mandating the cessation of Mera production and the destruction of all related materials. This legal battle marked the end of the Pontiac Mera, a car that could have been a lasting symbol of American ingenuity meeting Italian flair, which could well have been called Fierari.
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| The use of Cromodora rims on the 1988 Pontiac Mera further blurred the line between the Mera and its Italian inspiration. (Picture from: En.Scuderia) |
The story of the Pontiac Mera is a testament to the boldness of automotive innovation and the thin line between inspiration and imitation. Although its production was short-lived, the Mera remains a fascinating example of what can happen when American ambition attempts to capture the essence of European elegance. It serves as a reminder that while emulation can lead to remarkable creations, it can also bring about swift and decisive consequences from those who seek to protect their legacy.
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| Although its production was short-lived, the Pontiac Mera (pictured 1988 model) remains a fascinating example of what can happen when American ambition attempts to capture the essence of European elegance. (Picture from: DailyTurismo) |
Reflecting on the Pontiac Mera, one cannot help but appreciate the daring spirit that led to its creation. It stands as a unique piece of automotive history, symbolizing a brief moment when American and Italian car cultures collided, producing a vehicle that continues to intrigue car enthusiasts and collectors to this day. | HdH1td-DJk0 |
The Pontiac Mera, with its blend of American innovation and European style, remains a timeless example of how creativity and ambition can drive the automotive industry forward, even if only for a fleeting moment. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PONTIAC MERA | GMAUTHORITY | FIERO.NL | EN.ESCUDERIA | GRAUTOGALLERY | JALOPNIK | BRINGATRAILER | HEMMINGS | SWADEOLOGY | DAILYTURISMO | BARNFINDS ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone
