What's more important is to stop thinking it's your responsibility to limit what others do to their own cars. You have yours... do what you want with it. The last guy who thought he would shame the replica and kit car guys from doing what they wanted was voted off the island the instant Cliff introduced the rating system, so it has been done before. Look it up in the trash can under "kit cars" and if you feel you really must continue the conversation, take it up on that thread.
So you're saying that all other Fiero kits out there should be stopped and everyone should be stuck driving the exact same car as the Fiero owner next to them? That's
People have their own visions of creativity which leads to the modifications of the Fiero to meet their needs. If it wasn't for this creative thinking there would be no IRM/DGP kits, no MERA, no MadArch, etc. Sure, it's a copy but then again it appears to be stretched properly and is one of the better looking kits (from the photos) of a Testarossa that I've seen (haven't seen many). I think the only thing wrong with these conversions, which many seem to agree on is that the engine doesn't match the look.
But to each their own. If you like stock, plain Jane then there's a niche' for you as well.
Yes, all of my Fieros are modified to an extent, so I am biased.
I prefer to keep my vehicles near to stock myself in appearance anyways, however the Fiero being such a good slate to work from I can hardly blame anyone for making theirs unique and really enjoy some of the creativity I've seen. The unique structure of the car itself really lends itself to "easy" customization.
Think of it this way...the Fiero is a canvas for a painter (Fiero Owners). Just like in any art, there are different type of artist. In our arena there are Purist, Modifiers, and Kit-builders. You are a Purist without a doubt and that is GREAT! It is understandable how a Purist would feel the way you do, but remember there are other artist that like to paint on the same type of canvas and variety makes the world go around.
Side note...don't purchase that car from that dealer....they are shady(dirty) ...they screwed my son on his 1st car. Its a little crap lot in El Cajon. My 2nd home is in La Mesa "Jewel of the Hills", CA on he hilltop facing Mt.Helix.
[This message has been edited by TXOPIE (edited 01-29-2015).]
I figured I would of had a lot of people agreeing with me, instead you guys disagree?
Adding things like a body kit is fine, but why take a Fiero and make it into a car that already exists? Wouldn't you rather make a shape that is completely original and make it into something more personal, rather than copying someone else?
I would say im more of a purist but seeing a perfectly fine Fiero turn into another half assed project just makes me cringe
Originally posted by TXOPIE: Side note...don't purchase that car from that dealer....they are shady(dirty) ...they screwed my son on his 1st car. Its a little crap lot in El Cajon. My 2nd home is in La Mesa "Jewel of the Hills", CA on he hilltop facing Mt.Helix.
He has a 93 Cadillac on the site that 'drives great' even tho the head gaskets are blown.
[This message has been edited by zzzhuh (edited 01-29-2015).]
sounds like you want to be in a socialist state, cant change your car its the law. sorry i like the chages that some of the people here have done. i like driving my altered GT with a 3800
I was once kicked out of a Fiero club for upgrading my brakes to Corvette brakes. The guy running the club eventually eliminated everyone except himself. We aren't so many we can exclude Fiero enthusiasts based on personal preference. Would I like to have a stock Fiero? Sure. Could I? Probably not. Eventually there are problems with part cost and availability. Then, too, some things are very dated.
sounds like you want to be in a socialist state, cant change your car its the law. sorry i like the chages that some of the people here have done. i like driving my altered GT with a 3800
I think your trying to put words in my mouth that I haven't said...
Engine swaps are fine, body kits are fine, some of the work that I've seen on this site is amazing and I have the up most respect for those people. I've also watched people start these kit car projects and then never finish them properly. Thus, they ruin a Fiero and it's unfortunate.
Originally posted by zzzhuh: I think your trying to put words in my mouth that I haven't said...
Engine swaps are fine, body kits are fine, some of the work that I've seen on this site is amazing and I have the up most respect for those people. I've also watched people start these kit car projects and then never finish them properly. Thus, they ruin a Fiero and it's unfortunate.
It doesn't take a kit car project to ruin a Fiero; or any other car. There are people that buy cars and then just let them sit in a field or barn for 30 years, and the cars are ruined.
The car in your original post looks like it's actually done decently well. It would be a great car to swap a bigger engine into. Some people build replicas because the real cars are too expensive to own and maintain, and they will never be able to afford a real one. Some people build them because they have the real car, and it's too expensive to maintain. Just like how some people with a $1m diamond necklace will have a replica made with cubic zirconia and wear the fake one in public. You don't want the real one to get stolen.
That said, if you don't like it, then don't do it yourself, and don't buy it.
I have to agree with Dobey I see more Fieros being actually destroyed in the salvage yards than converted to kit-cars. I'm not for stopping anyone from doing whatever they want to their own cars and think conversions should be encouraged not discouraged, that said I personally always hate seeing 88 GT, Formula, Indy or Meras destroyed whether they are converted or destroyed, only because there aren't that many of them left. Not that it's on the same level, but who would like to see the 90's prototype ripped apart to have a an F-40 kit installed on it? But if that's what the owner wants to do it with I guess more power to him/her but on a positive note just make the remaining of those models worth more.
The OP is showing us a Fiero that is trying to impersonate a Ferrari Testaossa. Although an owner is allowed to do whatever he wants with his car, Ferarri did sue resellers over the use of their body shapes and graphics, and won. Ferrari will never go after individuals, (it looks bad on the evening news)....but this is why Mera production was stopped, and in fact, Meras in Europe have been crushed rather than re-sold on the used market in Italy. I would advise against taking this car back to Italy too.
So while it's fun to re-body a Fiero, and it might actually save some Fieros from the scrap heap, putting prancing horses and Ferrari lettering on the body is in one sense, illegal.
I hope no one feels 'insulted' or like I was personally attacking them. Like many have said, it's your car and you can do what you want to it. I'd rather not be part of this anymore. Sorry for coming off as being a snob.
whoops. I am the worse of the bunch..... never have I bought a stock Fiero and I had a 3800 SC swapped into my Stock '87 Mera. I took the 3800 from an 87 Notchie I got for a song, but it hit a fire hydrant......and with the $$ I saved on a new 2.8L I bought a V8 86 GT instead win win..........
then I beat the crap out of them and Ole Joe Dad fixes them
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 01-29-2015).]
Originally posted by Gall757: The OP is showing us a Fiero that is trying to impersonate a Ferrari Testaossa. Although an owner is allowed to do whatever he wants with his car, Ferarri did sue resellers over the use of their body shapes and graphics, and won. Ferrari will never go after individuals, (it looks bad on the evening news)....but this is why Mera production was stopped, and in fact, Meras in Europe have been crushed rather than re-sold on the used market in Italy. I would advise against taking this car back to Italy too.
So while it's fun to re-body a Fiero, and it might actually save some Fieros from the scrap heap, putting prancing horses and Ferrari lettering on the body is in one sense, illegal.
Ferrari will never go after individuals, because it is impossible to prove in court that one guy making a custom one-off replica of a Ferrari in his basement will have any effect on their sales. Likewise, anyone can go through the entire US patent system, and implement every patent in it for their own personal use, and never have a legal problem. It only becomes a problem when one tries to produce those things for commercial gain, as it's very easy for a company to prove that you intend to harm their profits by replicating their inventions and selling them for your own profit.
If an individual started making molds for Ferrari replicas and selling them, you can bet that Ferrari would go after that individual.
Ah, but suppose that individual tries to sell his creation intact? A case could be made for profit.
Yes, I know that the cost of building a replica far exceeds any potential sale value. Still, such a car could bring more than a stock Fiero, or more than the purchase price of the car.
heres my answer to the kit car guys I pulled all Ferrari badges off the car the day I got it. I don't even have pics of the car with the stuff on, I think. granted the Pininfarina and the GTS are real F-car badges, but the silver bar behind the door will say "supercharged" and the Mera comes with a Factory "GTS" badge taken from the Lebaron if memory serves
and now its faster than a real 308
*EDIT*
as a side not....if I had Fab skills I would build off the Fiero for a unique twist of whats already there. fender flares and a fat tail.....cuz I was raised in the 80's.
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 01-29-2015).]
Ah, but suppose that individual tries to sell his creation intact? A case could be made for profit.
Yes, I know that the cost of building a replica far exceeds any potential sale value. Still, such a car could bring more than a stock Fiero, or more than the purchase price of the car.
No, a case can't be made for profit. It's the same difference between carrying a vial or baggy of dope, or a suitcase full of it. If it's little enough for 1-2 people, the charge is possession. If you have enough to be a dealer, the charge is intent to distribute. Otherwise, everyone who was ever arrested for holding an 1/8th of pot would have ridiculous sentences and fines, because they could distribute it.
If I build a 355 replica and then decide I'm bored with it, and sell it to someone else, Ferrari still can't do anything to me, unless I actually try to sell it as a Ferrari (counterfeit laws and all that), someone buys it, and then calls up Ferrari to get their lawyers involved in prosecuting for counterfeit. Beyond that, there is no case. If I make molds and start building and selling one every few months or something, then they might come after. But a single one-off car will never see a court for intellectual property issues, as long as it's properly sold as a Fiero.
Some of the kit cars on this forum are amazing. I don't care to ever have one, because I like the weird uniqueness of mostly-original Fieros, especially notchbacks.
This discussion reminds me of how I felt when I saw the Overhaulin' episode that featured Lance Armstrong's 1970 GTO. Growing up, a blue, 1970 goat was the car I dreamed of having and I was thrilled to see the promotional spots for that Overhaulin' episode. When I watched the show, though, I was outraged at what they'd done to that car. Ninety-nine percent of the people watching probably loved it, but to me it was a desecration of a holy vehicle.
It's the same feeling I get when I go to the drag races and some racer shows up in a rare muscle car that's been butchered to make it faster on the track.
[This message has been edited by Quad Raider (edited 01-29-2015).]
I'm not a fan of notchies (I know many others love them), so I don't mind them being used for kit cars. My 88 is slowly working its way to being an Aventador (thread coming soon). My next project after that will likely be a restoration of a GT, which to me is one of the most beautiful (non-supercar) cars ever built . To me, regardless of what is done with the car, I just don't want to see them scrapped. Make them how you want them and take care of them.
I don't have any issues with the motorcycle/ trailer conversions unless your destroying a perfectly good car to make it while there a lot of trashed out cars it could be made from instead, hmm let me make a trailer out of this perfectly good Mera!
Originally posted by zzzhuh: Engine swaps are fine, body kits are fine, some of the work that I've seen on this site is amazing and I have the up most respect for those people. I've also watched people start these kit car projects and then never finish them properly. Thus, they ruin a Fiero and it's unfortunate.
Ok, I think that clears it up a little bit. Some modifications are ok, just not the ones that you do not approve of.
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He has a 93 Cadillac on the site that 'drives great' even tho the head gaskets are blown.
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