TKB has inspired me to write a similar synopsis after 4000 miles of use of my ERA. First off the building process was the most enjoyable part for me. Driving is also quite enjoyable, but I only drive on two lane back roads. I personally feel overexposed in traffic and do not like the attention, but that is just me.
The build was very straight forward as these cars are actually very simple machines. In retrospect, I would have elected to bond the body myself, once you see the kit in your possession it is easy to see how straight forward the process would be. I did find the ERA body to require quite of bit of body work, especially with the cockpit coamings, wheel openings, underside of hood and trunk, and a lot of pin holes that seem to pop out in the jell coat later. I also wish the panel gaps could be tighter. This is the only fiberglass car that I have ever built, so I do not have much to compare to.
Mechanically the car could not be any better, solid, rattle free. Steering is precise although heavy but not overly so. Brakes do take a heavy pedal pressure. I selected a weber equipped 331 small block that I built myself. It has a very mild cam and is very streetable. Lugs around a parking lot in first gear at 800 rpm with no bucking. The webers were quite a challenge to tune. But once set, they are set. The best part about them is the ease of cold engine driveability. Cold engine starts right up like an injected motor. However, they do suffer from fuel boil-over after a hot day shut down.
Transmission was one of my better decisions. Tremec T45 modified by Keisler. This transmission shifts like hot knife through butter and allows for the stock position of the shifter for a small block car.
Also very happy with tire selection. Mastercraft made by Cooper, they have a period tread design and balanced out perfectly, zero shimmy.
The only bugs I had with the car was worn timing gear shim, which caused me to remove the engine and change out the timing gear, also repiped some of the heater piping at the same time. I had a faulty voltage regulator and a failed MSD box. I think I may have fried these when I welded on the car when installing the exhaust system.
It took about 1000 tuning miles on the carburetors get them settled in. No issues with anything else after 4000 miles. Fuel consumption is 18-20mpg. All gages work accurately, with the fuel gauge you have to top up to the top of the fill pipe for the gauge to read full.
I did screw up and did not install clear shields over the rear fender flares, they quickly got blasted by stones.
I believe my next cobra will be a big block street version with a high torque stroker small block. Next time.
