Fake Ferraris and Zimmers - Why the Pontiac Fiero Became the King of Kit Cars
When the Pontiac Fiero debuted, GM likely had no idea that the little sports car would turn into the poster child for fake and replica Ferrari and Lamborghini cars, likely thanks to the rebodied sub-model called the Pontiac Mera and the coach-built Zimmer Quicksilver. Now when you see a Ferrari Testarossa or Lamborghini Countach drive by, you have to look extra closely to be sure it's the real thing, and not a Pegasus in a Prancing Pony's (or a Bull's) clothing. Does this make the Pontiac Fiero the king of kit cars?
Quick Notes: I don't actually consider the Quicksilver or the Mera to be kit cars, but rather production models with very certain circumstances surrounding them. However, the Mera body was used to produce kit car components, and this video also features the Aldino, a kit you can buy to put on a Fiero frame. This video also features several other off-the-shelf Fiero kits and a handful of totally custom jobs and body kit parts.
Let me know about any mistakes in the comments below!
And yes I'm experimenting with new thumbnail styles, hoping to make something eye catching.
Like what you see? Subscribe and hit the Bell! Leave a comment below telling me what you think about the Pontiac Fiero, Mera and/or Zimmer Quicksilver! What do you think about the kit cars and the fakes and replicas? And don't forget to share with your friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the streets!
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction/Opening Titles
02:27 Quick History of the Pontiac Fiero
05:10 The Pontiac Mera
08:19 Zimmer Corporation and the Quicksilver
12:00 Roll In the Kit Cars
15:08 Modern Relevancy and Conclusion
16:12 Outro/Credits
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Hi, I'm Austin @ Veloce Midwest! I make automotive videos including reviews, essays and video compilations of car meets and shows that showcase the automotive scene of Wisconsin. You can also check out my Instagram for photos from these events, and follow along with whatever car projects I may be working on.
So, to you and your cars: STAY TUNED!
Check out my Instagram: / veloce_midwest
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Video Credits: Austin Dahlke (Myself)
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Music:
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Ha, That was a fun vid. Thanks. Fiero's rule!
Thanks for watching! And yah they're fun to drive, I'm always considering getting back in one someday!
Great video, I learned a lot. Lot of good information.
That two plus two prototype is owned by Fred Bartemeyer. I got to see it and meet him at the 40th anniversary event in Pontiac Michigan in July of '23.
Thanks for the include!! (14:59 mark)
That's crazy! I thought the Zimmer was built on the Ford/Mercury chassis and some of the curvy Mercury Cougar body particularly the 'sedan' style back half, as opposed to the Thunderbird's swoopy body. Never knew it was based on a mid-engine Fiero.
Commenting at the start.. This will be good.. Fieros are a riot...And I personally think the late models looked amazing... Toss a 3800SC in one and you have a lil rocket
nice! , my first car was a 84 SE, Red. i've had maybe 4 since then, and now have an '87 GT Met Blue 5-sp,, 3400 swapped! love em!!
I have a mera I’m just now starting to get it back up and running again after sitting since 2005
The "spaceframe" of the Fiero is not have aluminum. I have a few including a 3800sc swapped one. They're fun and can still be had for cheap. #fierojesus
Ah, my mistake for calling it aluminum, I misread somewhere. Thank you for the correction, and very cool! The 3800sc swaps always seemed like a lot of fun. Recently I found an interesting one that had the 2.8L bored out to ~3.1L. Never know what you'll find with a Fiero it seems.
btw the fires were caused by people not properly maintaining their engines oil and letting it run dry
That burgundy gt40 one looked pretty good
Hah! Pretty cool! I think the Aldino was also loosely based on a Ferrari. Maybe an F40? But there were some truly fugly kits out there, too. #Raydar
I've been around kit cars my entire life and with Fieros entering the collector car market a lot of these well done kits are being bought by people who could afford a real countach just a few years ago but now that's becoming a seven figure car most people are gonna be looking at these kits as alternatives
13:22 looks pretty good to me
The Fantastic Plastic!
Ngl the fiero is looks cool tho, if there's one that in really good condition
💯👍
Aluminum frame??? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ah, oops! I'll need a correction video one of these days. 😅