[Turk]

Lowell W,
I wanted an ERA for as long as I can remember,. At least 15-17 years.
There was no Kirkham, No Shelby CSX4000 or anything like that when I first fell in love with the car. There was Hytech, Everett Morrison Contemporary and others.

In my mind ERA was it. I am not speaking with any knowledge other than my own personal bias. I had decided on an ERA. Period.

Before I could afford one, others came to the market place. Kirkhams, FFRs, SPFs, and even the Shelby CSX4000s.
I did not change my mind, and still went with the ERA.

Yes you are absolutely right, the car was spectacular. I will always have a special place for that car. It was built with accuracy and with great detail and also felt like it was as strong as a tank.
After 11,000 miles I decided to put a Tunnel Port Engine in it and drive it for many many years. I sold the engine to our friend U-2 Driver and proceed to build another engine.

About that time, Bob Marsh from Shelby made me an offer that was hard to pass up. Other friends around me were all acquiring alloy cars, and not wanting to be left behind I too decided to go with one. The offer was good, the engine was sold, the car was sitting in the garage not drivable..

Everything came together and I became a Shelby CSX owner. I didn't' seek it, and didn't particularly want it. It was a fair deal and I took them up on it.

It was easier to part with the ERA since it was just sitting in the garage waiting for a new engine. The proceeds from the sale of the engine and the car made the transaction possible.

I found the Shelby car every bit as good, and very authentic, and had the pedigree to boot. I can't say anything bad about it. It drives like a dream, the weight difference made the car very nimble. Suspension is excellent, and it IS aluminum. Contrary to to the opinions of few who didn't think folks in Las vegas were being helpful, I found the level of customer care, helpfulness, timeleness excellent.
Class operation.

I am NOT comfortable with aluminum. I don't particularly enjoy the extra attention one must pay to keep it free of dents etc.
It is true that the new alloy cars from Kirkham are using thicker aluminum, and they are more dent resistant, blah blah blah.

As much as I enjoy the extra attention our cars get with bare aluminum look, I am still not a big fan of aluminum.
It is nice, it is like the originals, but....

SO with that background I am more comfortable with fiberglass,. Where I work we have competent people who can work with glass, fix and finish it. Painting is not a problem.

I don't know anyone around me who can help me out if someone was to lean on my car, or I was to drop something on it. (ALLAN!!, Are YOU Listening?).

That is why the flip flop. I didn't get rid of the ERA because I didn't like it, and I won't get another one because CSX disappointed me. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I am just a big fan of ERA and their cars. CSX makes me nervous, there is too much baggage attached to it. Friends think of it as a one oneupmanship. Others think you are loaded that is why you bought it. Some get their jollies bashing the car, the man or anything else associated with Shelby.

Questions as to why someone would pay $20,000 to $30,000 for a CSX plaque!!
These people are clueless. They have no idea how much or how little a premium one must pay to buy a Shelby. They just assume.

Since the ERA gave me no such heartburn, no worries, I thought I would order another and keep it till I die.

Those more careful with their cars, and those who enjoy the prestige of aluminum should by all means give Shelby a shot.It will always be a Shelby, whether it will appreciate or depreciate is anyone's guess. No one knows.

Great cars regardless which one you go with.

Some drive their cars carefully and very few miles. Do you realize how many Cobras are out there that are 4-5 years old with 2 or 3 thousand miles on them?
I drove my ERA 11,000 miles in 10 months. For my driving style it is a match made in heaven. I am not into car shows, I am not into track, or Auto Cross. I just enjoy driving them long distances.

If you read some of my earlier posts going back a year ago, when there was no mention of CAV cars you would see the consistency in my posts. I was saying the same then as I am now. NO it is NOT the introduction of CAV Shelby cars.
I couldn't care less about the speculation of values etc. Not my motivation whatsoever.
I buy them to enjoy them NOW. Not later!!

TURK