ERA or Superperformance 427 Thoughts and Observations

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I actually pay attention to threads like these because they tend to sadden me a bit. The original post is full of excitement and promise, but then they trail off and, usually, no Cobra ever gets purchased. That tends to be lesser though with Kirkhams. When people come on here and say they're really excited about getting a Kirkham they seem to follow through on that promise. ERAs (speaking of 100% turnkeys, now) have the problem of the long wait. You have to really have your heart set on an ERA to plunk down your money knowing you won't be driving it for a while. I don't know where Shelbys fall in that mix.

I think that's accurate. Buyers who want a Kirkham or a CSX, generally desire to have a REAL Cobra, so they have a higher probability of completing a purchase.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I think that's accurate. Buyers who want a Kirkham or a CSX, generally desire to have a REAL Cobra, so they have a higher probability of completing a purchase.

Careful. On this thread you risk the wrath of D-CEL. He makes ERA-Chas look "mellow."

[ERA Chas]

I AM mellow-I've stopped picking on F-40's...

[RodKnock]

I think I'm OK with D-Cel (De Check Engine Light?).

I just need to keep the Berg carb versus Kinsler FI straight in my head.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I think I'm OK with D-Cel (De Check Engine Light?).

I just need to keep the Berg carb versus Kinsler FI straight in my head.

Easy for you to say. I was particularly gentle in my language on Turnkeys in an effort not to antagonize him.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Learjockey1

Guys, I am new to the site and first post. I appreciate the candor and wealth of information. Bottom line up front, I have done the searching, lurking, collecting books and magazines for over 25 years and finally decided to make the move. I am looking at two cars, the 427 ERA and SPF MKIII Cobras with soft top and side curtains. I have not driven an ERA or SPF as I am over here in Germany, so the Audi’s, Porches, Mercs and BMW’s reign. I desire my American V-8 roots and require a car to sustain 90-120 mph cruising with sustained periods of 140-160 and still take me through the Alps and small towns. I am looking for a feeling of polish, essence, and finish that only comes with RD time and engineering passion. Subjects such as pedal arc, pedal pressures, great brakes, control feedback, cowl shake, solidness and smoothness, warmth and pleasantness, of the car are what I consider. Unwanted or excess vibrations will disqualify. A car with fine qualities speaks to a person that horsepower and ft lb numbers cannot.
---

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

Originally Posted by marcocsx3121

I have no expertise on either the ERA or Superformance, but based on my six years with CSX 3121 ("real" Cobra) I can tell you that sustained speeds much above 100 mph are decidedly unpleasant in these cars. Aside from the total lack of real wind/weather protection, the aerodynamics cause lift at speed, not a good thing. I had hit 135-140 on a couple of occasions, and the front end was getting noticeably lighter at that speed.

I've spent a fair amount of time on the autobahns, and a replica Cobra would not be my first choice for that duty, great American V8 noises or not.

Lke 3121 said, a cobra is not exactly what you are describing. I think you need to buy a new vette/viper.

[D-CEL]

"The wrath of D-CEL"
I like it.
“DE-Check Engine Light”
lol funny...lets not talk about the poetic correctness of screen names…Rodknock.

This sounds so familiar,
“I was gentle in reasserting my unwarranted emotionally based claim that any ERA is better than any SPF”
Don’t be shy, say what you feel.

“Subjects such as pedal arc, pedal pressures, great brakes, control feedback, cowl shake, solidness and smoothness, warmth and pleasantness, of the car are what I consider. Unwanted or excess vibrations will disqualify.”

I think all Cobras just got disqualified.

3121,
Im with you of the Front end lift, it is a real deal!
I once went hard to the brakes right from full throttle at about 135mph(ya know, maybe I wasn’t going that fast. Patrick, get out your slide rule and tell me how fast I was going).
Regardless, it instantly locked both fronts. Eye opener.
Be sure to let the front end settle down before you get on the brakes.

Jason

[Learjockey1]

.

It doesn't matter, he's not going to get a Cobra... I'll bet you on it

Still lurking and planning Partick T, but I do understand your experiance, I still have hope that it may turn out different for myself. Been actively wanting one for over 25 years. Remember watching Wild Word of Sports in front of the black and white, the Porsche 356's, Cobras etc. I have professionally framed pictures, Shelby books (autograhed), Kit Car, Contemporary and ERA brochures, and all of older, now defunct, Cobra Magazines, and British mags in my place back in FL. I had a 428 Engine in "92" on an engine stand in my friends shop and a RUG code top loader but the engine got stolen in "94". Turning wrenches and fabrication is my life after work, Military job is 10-11 hours a day and some weekends and nights. I built a 6 up 5 out 48 degree rigid springer HD TC88B based "Rat Rod look" chopper over here that when parked downtown Stuttgart and will have 4-5 people around it all the time even at Faak am See/ European Bike Week in Austria. Older ladies smile when they look. You can tell when people "get it". I am still very thankful it turned out so well. The most used word I hear is "Sweet". However, when people ask how long it took, I ask them how many times did you make love to your wife, sleep late, go to movies, watch TV and rented DVD movies, travel and ski trips, go out with your kids to games, go to bars and drink. I say you are looking at that time. I am still single, so, searching to find that balance of time building, wrenching, fabricating, and living in Europe. Looking at the used ERA's and watching the economy and prices. Sorry for the rant and TMI, but machinery is my other life since I was old enough to hold a tool. Just not enough time in the day to do it all, like many of you. I want to drive the car over here before orders are up. Just being patient, working with the bank, paying off a few items as soon as I can, and timing, etc.
Regards,

[fastd]

Learjockey,

I say "go for it". Of course you know that this car is not practical, and that there are much better choices for 150 mph+. Having said that, I bet every single person who owns one of these cars has an itch that needed to scratched that they have for many years. You don't have to drive it a million mph all the time; I think everyone will agree at 80-90 mph, this car should be plenty of fun. At speeds above that it is definitely not as safe, comfortable, etc, as other cars but you can still do it.

The bottom line: you can find a reasonably priced used Cobra somewhere, probably much cheaper than any time in recent history. If it doesn't work out as a super high speed car, drive slower or sell it. In the mean time, you have satisfied your urge that you have had for a long time. IMO, even if you only own it for 6 months, it will be worth in.

Regards.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Learjockey1

.

Still lurking and planning Partick T, but I do understand your experiance, I still have hope that it may turn out different for myself. Been actively wanting one for over 25 years.

Not unusual. I first tried to swing a Contemporary Classic in the early 1980's. Newly married, and newly mortgaged, I met with Peter B. and did my best to make it work. I just couldn't do it in a fiscally responsible fashion (plus the "dealer" network that was set up at that time had a fellow in my area that had a certain smell of "snake oil" to him). Some 20+ years later I finally closed the deal with Peter P.

[mdross1]

It took me a long time as well to decide on a kit,mine was CMC back in the early 90's.Other than their horrible customer servive their product was all I could have hoped for.We all have our own specifics,and reasons for doing the things we do.My car has been an absolute joy,and satisfys all my needs for performance and acceleration.The best thing about a kit is,you can build in exactly what you dream of owning.Good Luck,above all do not compromise on anything.Have fun

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Learjockey1

I am still single, so ... Just being patient, working with the bank, paying off a few items as soon as I can...

And now for a word about fiscal prudence. The fact that you are single probably balances off the fact that you have to "work with a bank." That is, if, and only if, you have no other human beings relying on you to take care of them. If you do, then the Cobra rule should be "I will only buy this car if I could take the purchase money and throw it off a cliff and still suffer no ill effects in taking care of the people who I am responsible for." Others may disagree.

[kgs365]

Well said! "I will only buy this car if I could take the purchase money and throw it off a cliff and still suffer no ill effects in taking care of the people who I am responsible for."

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Life is short. Take the bull by the horns and buy your Cobra, have fun with it and bring it home when you return. You don't have to drive it that fast to have fun, and everyone who sees it will think it'll go 160 mph. If after a few years you find you don't want or need it any longer, your thirst was quenched.

[Jim Holden]

Some of us are repeat offenders... there is just something about these cars that cannot be duplicated.* So, just do it.

Jim

*That's not to say that other cars (Porsches, etc) don't have their own attraction, the trick is to try and experience them all.

[Learjockey1]

Well much thanks to all who helped on this thread.
I did it!!! I got the One Bad *&#@^!^*^ Cobra 427 ERA #539 off of Club Cobra. Bought it in January and with two months shipping time finally picked it up 26 March from Bremen, Germany. The car is louder than……, but I still feel a peace when driving it in the slow lane with the earplugs and low gears. I am working on it now in front of the barracks parking lot to fix a few things to pass German inspection. First, I would like to thank Ted at American Hammer for sending me a lead hammer free of charge for the spinners. I appreciate his giving spirit and graciousness. I would also like to thank ERA’s Bob Putman for is never ending kindness, technical support, calm manner, and “reach back” as I learn, order parts and work on this car in Germany. He is always there and never seems to get bothered by my many questions and overnight parts requirements while stationed here. If it were not for his help support it would be near impossible.
Thanks again to all!

[Silverback51]

Congratulations.

That 2 month wait must of been he11.

[RodKnock]

This thread is worthless without pictures.

Congrats!