[DanEC]

I assembled my ERA - literally did the bonding, riveting, body work, painting, and all assembly. I bought the standard Jag rear assembly with the car and Keith Craft built my motor and rebuilt my Toploader. I have never tried to add the costs up because when you do your own body - paint - assembly - there are literally hundreds of small purchases for materials. In all honesty, I think you can probably have ERA have a car painted for the same cost of doing it yourself. I had not painted urethane before so I had to buy an air supplied resperator and suit, up grade my paint gun, construct a paint booth with lighting, filters, air handling unit. If I have much less than $7k in my body and paint I would be surprised.

I also skipped a couple of the pricer options since this is not a car that would be allowed on a track (no roll bar) with 5-pin KOs, standard brakes, standard rear suspension, vinyl seats. But I did get the stuff that visually makes the car look correct - street gas filler, smith gages, bumpers, ash tray, smooth hood, undercar exhaust, panel knobs, etc. The only real regret so far is I think I probably should have taken the leather seats although the vinyl ones are good looking.

I had KC build the motor with vintage parts - ported/polished steel heads, 428 service block. I found the 63 dual quad intake and distributor on Ebay and had both refinished before giving to him. With a stroker crank and mild cam it dynoed at 470 HP and 530 ft lbs. As Brent said up above, Kieth's dyno guy said their 428 CJ restoration motors dyno around 425 HP. Going with a fairly inexpensive set of aluminum heads can boost that by 30 - 35 HP without much work. I bought my Toploader from a friend and Keith rebuilt it for about $300. I think my motor probably finished up around $15k with clutch and flywheel and bellhousing. I sourced the fork, shifter, etc separately. I think a new Tremec transmission is around $3500 so that adds some change unless you can pick up a good one.

If I added it up with materials, I would be surprised if it came in under $70k, so having a turn key car done by ERA with a $18k motor/drivetrain and all the options you are speaking of for a bit over $90k would not surprise me in the least. I purchased my car just before ERA had one of their infrequent price hikes of a couple thousand dollars. I know you want it your way - but if a good one comes along used that satisfies 90% of what you need that may be the way to go. Sometimes the last 10% can be added on for not to much later. I wanted a street roadster so I had little choice except to build it myself. Also, that did allow me to finance it a little as I went through it's fabrication and then my assembly effort. I should have sold one of my other cars to finance this thing but it seems I've gotten to where I hang on to everything anymore.

Good luck