This is mine; AM122A1556. It was due from the paintshop last week, but they are a little behind. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Welcome to the forum! Let them take their time. Your Merak will be breathtaking when finished. Cheers, Gabriel
check the "Known Exotics in Iowa"thread in the North Midwest section for the picture (don't want to repost). I saw a Merak in need of some TLC on a trailer yesterday here in central Iowa.
...the best non-restored 1982 Merak SS in existance! Ciao! Walter Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Looks fantastic! Would look ultra-fantastic with original wheels!! ... (yes, I know; better tyres, roadholding improvements etc...)... Cheers, Gabriel
Hm... there seems to be a black bar (or rod) running up the C-pillar. Never seen that before: Is that original? What is it? Cheers, Gabriel
The owner is very keen about originality of his car (despite the bigger wheels/tyres) and therefor I strongly assume those bars are original with this car. Ciao! Walter
I've seen some people who remove the original wheels and keep them safely in their garage, while driving around with a newer set, so the originals are kept as-new. Has anyone seen a Merak/Bora with wire wheels? Like Borrani wheels or similar? I'd be interested to see some pictures.
Marius, unfortunately I don`t know the code and I can not ask the owner of the car as he is currently travelling. Not sure when he will be back as I am not so close to him. Ciao! Walter
I'm not in a hurry Walter. I know that the Merak is delivered in many different shades of blue, and see this as an alternative color to the light blue metallic that my burned Merak has. When I do the rebuild I'll keep it original, but may change the color and the velour interior to a combination that was available on Merak's I will appreciate if you will check the color code for me when you find the opportunity. Kind regards Marius
Hi Walter, While you are in the Merak research mode, maybe you could ask about the originality of the blacked out chrome trim and the purpose of those black bars under the buttresses. No hurry, just whenever you get to it. Ciao, George
BTW, The wheels on the blue Merak appear to be 16 inch [40.6 cm] diameter size. Tires and wheels of that size are almost non-existent unless you do a special order for the wheel, and still the HP tires are a challenge to locate. It is a shame, because IMHO that size is very well suited for the Merak. Then again, what do I know? Ciao, George
George, yep, the wheels/tires are even bigger than mine. However - driving a Merak SS with this specification is great as it improves the roadholding of the car. But: also it understeers more. Only way to sort that out a little is bigger anti-roll-bars, a lowered suspension and - take weight out of the car! Ciao! Walter
Hi all, Here is my merak SS 1982 in France: Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hello Mike and welcome to the forum. Very beautiful Merak! Did you paint the bumpers black? or were they like that from the factory?
hello, The bumpers are originally painted in black satin for last merak SS in the factory. But the last owner painted it in shiny black...
Some pictures from last night. It's a -79 US Merak SS, partly converted to Euro spec. Engine and rear bumper was done in US by former owner (Jim), and the front by me this spring. Next on the list will be to weld the side marker lamp holes and fit the rear grille. This was my first drive with the Norwegian license plates, at 1:00 AM Best regards Marius Sorteberg Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I have one question about sodium valves in the V6 engine. Some people says that the last Euro merak SS (82-83) don't have the sodium valves in the engine. Anyone know if it's true ?
gopp, nice car. It was definitely worth removing the ugly US bumpers! mike, I don't know and so far I haven't found anyone who knows this in detail. I've read that Maserati stopped using sodium valves but I don't know when. is there an easy way for someone to find out what kind of valves he has? That would be interesting...
mixed news: Just got in touch with the factory and Fabio told me that they don't have any kind of information for a switch in the valves during the production of the Merak. In other words, this is an unconfirmed rumor. He also mentioned that the original sodium valves have worked fine for many cars, without any problems. But there have also been many other cars with blown engines due to valve failure. He told me that, it is up to the owner to decide if he will keep the original valves or replace them with new ones.
Beautiful car, Marius! Congrats, it looks like you're going to have a lot of fun this summer Cheers, Thor
Welcome Mike, Beautiful Merak. Only one way to find out about the e valves...pull one of the heads. Ciao, George
At that point, were the bumpers ss or just plain steel? Why I ask, the non ss which were typically finished in black, were significantly heavier. Just curious. Ciao, George
Do you suggest a 2.5 cm drop for the suspension, increase the anti-roll bar OD by 10%, and keep the original OD for the wheels, with maybe a wider footprint tire wise? Ciao, George
