Contemporary or ERA

[Dennis Mosley]

Ok, I know about the service that ERA provides. Never doubted that for a second.

You guys have given some great info. So thanks! I really don't think I can go wrong with either maker. I guess I was looking for more technical things about the cars. I know the first Cobra I ever sat in was an ERA and it got me into the hobby. And I have a few friends in the Houston Club that drive them gave me a little talking to when I said I was going to start looking for a replacement for the EM. I don't know anyone and have never seen a Contemporary car in person as far as I know. I do remember that most everything I have read, holds those cars in high regard.

When I built my EM the decision came down to ERA, CCX and EM. EM let me buy and build in a way I could afford at the time. Now that I'm looking at a completed car, looks like I'm at the same cross roads. I know what I liked and didn't like about my EM so I'm just trying to find the things other than service that set the ERA and CCX apart.

[Dennis Mosley]

SPO1715,

No popcorn needed. I am not going to expand the options beyond the ERA or CCX cars in this thread. I'm really just looked in on these two for now.

[mickmate]

Did you see this smokin deal just advertised. PhotoPost Classifieds - 427 Contemporary Cobra - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds
The ERA has some early and late versions with all kinds of upgrades on suspension, outboard brakes etc. Any good manufacturer strives for improvements, CCX just sold the business before they got into the last couple of revisions.

[BOBBYCOBRA62]

Hey guys,i own a superformance mkiii.where do you think that falls in the mix when comparing cobra replicas?

[elmariachi]

Dennis, Dave Tompkins in the HCC drives the Guardsman Blue/Wimbledon White CCX. He may be at the Monument Inn tomorrow but if not he is usually at Nifty 50s on Saturday nights. Its a 428 FE car, nicely done, very original.

Jim

p.s. No, I am not going to suggest you buy a Hurricane because you said this was a ERA and CCX thread.

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by BOBBYCOBRA62

Hey guys,i own a superformance mkiii.where do you think that falls in the mix when comparing cobra replicas?

This should do it...

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Dennis Mosley

At this point I don't need info or reccomendations of other brands. Lets try to keep the converstion to just these two.

Ahem.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by mickmate

Did you see this smokin deal just advertised. PhotoPost Classifieds - 427 Contemporary Cobra - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds
The ERA has some early and late versions with all kinds of upgrades on suspension, outboard brakes etc. Any good manufacturer strives for improvements, CCX just sold the business before they got into the last couple of revisions.

WOW that is a smoking deal

[Buzz]

It's been aptly established in this thread that the Contemporary is the more accurate of the two under the skin. How often, however, after a drive do you stand in the garage before going in and admire the chassis of your Cobra?

The Contemporary is a fine car but the ERA is by far the better executed and more pleasing to the eye. Contemporary modified their body shape for various reasons and the result was a wonderfully accurate chassis with an unfortunately high, chunky looking body.

If one of the things you were less than happy about with your E-M was the shape and stance issues, you will find the Contemporary quite similar in that respect, albeit without the issue of tires extending out beyond the fenders.

An excerpt from: THE BACKGROUND OF THE CONTEMPORARY... A Recap by Randall Thomas
(ed: Randall compiled this from info in part by Brian Sundue & from an interview with Peter Bayer by Jeff Gagnon in 2009, and from additional information from Jeff Gagnon in February 2011)

Like the original CSX 427 cars, the series 1 and 2 molds had a drooped right rear fender. This was corrected on the plug used to create the final series 3 molds in 1983. [My note: instead of raising the right rear fender, they should have lowered the left.]
The front and rear wheel openings are slightly smaller than the originals so that the lower profile tires in production at that time (vs. the taller original tires) looked correct in the wheel wells [My note: The combination of higher fenders and lowered wheel openings really exacerbated the perky butt look.].
The rocker panels were extended downward to cover the outer frame rails [My note: Probably the biggest problem of all - the body needed to sit lower on the chassis. Instead, they extended the rocker downward, making the car look high and chunky from the side. On top of that, the sidepipes had to be lowered to match the rocker which contributed further to the problem].
The parking light mounts were given a raised/flat mounting surface so that the lights sat straight. Finally, the front blinker mounts had a rise which was not original, in the respect of designer liberty. "Designer liberty" - it's all good, but when you take liberties with an iconic shape, don't be disappointed when it no longer has the iconic look.

Because Contemporary had the "splashed from an original" rep, many subsequent manufacturers (including SPF) found it easier to aquire and copy a Contemporary body than a REal CSX car and the DNA is readily apparent throughout the industry. Some (like SPF) recognised the design issues and went to varying lengths to change them.

At the end of the day, this only matters if you are really into the body shape thing. If not, Contemporary remains one of the most respected Cobra replicas ever produced.

[mrmustang]

An interview with Peter Bayer,CLICK HERE



Bill S.

[Buzz]

Thanks Bill. Directly from Mr. Bayer - confirms everything that was quoted in the article I referenced.

[mreid]

ERA for the best original look, updated components, and existing great service.

[dont]

Dennis I know you have narrowed it down to two cars but will the color have to be Aggie maroon?

[Dennis Mosley]

Thanks Jim, I didn't know Dave's car was a CCX car. I may need to swing by and see him. Dave was actually at my house the first day I started my 428 when building the EM back in 1999.

Buzz, there were only a couple of what I would call design things that I didn't like about my EM. I liked the overall look. I could overcome them if I still had the car. It only takes $$$$ LOL.

Dont, I'm still a bit off from buying anything but If I buy a completed car, I probably won't even have it delivered to my house. It will go straight to the paint shop to have whatever color it is "corrected" to fit my Aggie tendencies.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by Dennis Mosley

Buzz, there were only a couple of what I would call design things that I didn't like about my EM. I liked the overall look. I could overcome them if I still had the car. It only takes $$$$ LOL.

True stuff Dennis! Not much about these cars that can't be changed to suit as long as one starts with a basic platform he's happy with and is willing and able to throw some money and effort into it!

[Rickd]

Chas, it was in 1993 - quite a while ago. I was visiting the corporate produce buying office of King Kullen Supermarkets - which I believe at the time was in Westbury / Bethpage area. I had a card from the shop - but since then I pruned my cobra file somewhat after buying a used Unique FIA, and then getting a new ERA FIA to replace that. I recall a conversation with the guy who ran the shop - mentioning both Contemporary and ERA. Most of the cars he was building were Contemporary, and there were so many, and the shop was "purely dedicated to cobras", that I thought it WAS a Contemporary facility.

[Bruce M]

I built my Contemporary in 1982 and have no difficulty locating parts as required. I used to travel to the Contemporary facility to see Monte or Peter from Long Island which was invaluable to me having the resource nearby to answer questions while in the building process. I would upgrade my car as upgrades becam available. I guess that ERA could still perform the same services. Bruce M

[RICK LAKE]

Dennis Mosley Dennis what are your plans to do with the car? Shows? autocross? roadrace? drag race? Cruising? Investment for the future? Or the MIDDLE AGE LIFE ISSUES???
Any way, comparing these 2 cars, I went throught this back in 95. Got down to 3 companies at this time. ERA, Contemp, and Uniques. ERA and Contemp where the bench marks of the cobra replica industry at this time. I likes Uniques pallet car for the complete way to buy it. You needed a motor and trans and you where done. The car came painted, wheels and tires on it, brakes bleed, a good price also. The suspension was weak IMO and not a good buying point. A couple of years after I got my car I saw they added rear radial bars to the rearend assembly for better stability.
I had been going to the Kitcar show at Carlisle since 88 and talked to Peter Bayer and Peter P. about there cars. At this time I had kid looks, Peter Bayer was not the best salemans for a product line. Short, to the point, a bit of a snob. I made an appointment to go and visit his factory on a weekend. Got there Sat morning right at 9:00am. He was on the phone. Told to walk around and see the cars in build. I got 5 minutes of his time and he wanted $45,000.00 of my money. I said we would return on a day when HE had time for ME. Couple of weeks later, same issue Had $5,000.00 for down payment. We walked out without talking. I am gald because I think I ended up with the best replica car builder.
ERA builds tanks for cars, I have seen them hit embankments at Mid Ohio, about a 120 mph in turn 13. Front of the car damaged up to the raditor supports, rest of car straight and no body cracks. Driver walked away with bruises. Have seen other cars have less of a accident and have alot more damage. The rectangular tubing IMO is stronger than round tube from a twist point of strength. I am looking at safety first. ERA car body is bonded to the chassic and is not a main support member of the car. Other companies use the car body to strengthen there cars. My car is 16 years old, 15 years of racing and I have no noises from picking up the car in any corner causing a twist and creek sound. The car is solid. You should hear some of the other cars. ERA has been undating their cars since car #002. Better wiring system with all wires numbered, better brake system with both 11" and 12" front brakes. Rear brakes have a choice of inner or outer brakes on the rear of the car. Pin drive hubs are 1 piece and not a bolt togeather setup. Motor and trans options are up to you. ERA has a power steering setup that works quick and smooth. They are working on an electrical one also. ERA has an in house engineer and support staff that can help you fix or problem shoot your car with a phone call. The strange thing about ERA besides Peter P's hair is the 6 month wait BEFORE you can buy a car. You give 5,000.00 dollars and wait 6 months for a number for your car. Any problem and you get a refund of the full amount back. The rest of the ERA family can fill you in on other things.
If this car is going to be a street cruiser, the smoother ride will come from a torsion bar car over a coil over spring car with all thing being even. I have driven both and riden in both. Problem with Contemp is they are out of bussiness and finding parts could be a real pain in the butt. ERA stocks almost everything in house. Contemps car is as close to orginial as it gets without a CSX#. Contemps was having problem with rearend hopping and breaking parts. They had to add a watt's linkage setup to stop the bad hop. ERA has a sub assembly that allows there rearends to move and not have the the wheel hop on an accelleration trip. You can't go wrong with either car but where do you get parts on one of them?? Who can fix it?? Who can you call for help if you need it right now?? ERA is still here, Contemp is gone. The other issues we can talk about on a P-M. Good luck with your choise. Rick L.

[legenmetals]

I own two Contemporary's and like them both. I made removable transmission crossmembers,original contemporary's are welded in and you must remove the engine to work on the clutch or transmission. I also didn't like the rivnuts that were used to install the front suspension and steering rack so I welded thru bungs that were threaded. I have one car with inboard brakes and I am currently making outboard brake set up using left over parts from Cobraracing and fabricating my own lower control arm and incorporating a watts link set up. Contemporary offered both coil over and torsion bar front suspension. Both of mine are torsion bar and the car has a GREAT ride and handles well. I would think coil over will ride well also and ride height is adjusted easier than torsion bar.

Never owned an ERA but having support has got to be a plus. ERA has one inch larger brake rotors than Contemporary but may not make a difference in braking between the two. ERA has a complete removable rear axle assembly and I believe they use trailing arms. I would consider an ERA if I were two buy another Cobra kit car.

[Dennis Mosley]

Rick, thanks for the info. To answer your question on use, I would say it will be mostly cruising, and maybe a road course here and there.

Your ccx story sounds much like the story I have with a different manuf. that I was looking at back in the late 90's.

As for parts, If I was building a car, I would be pretty concerned about parts availability but since I will probably buy a completed car most of the stuff that breaks can be sourced. Many of the parts in these things are interchangeable.

I like the fact that ERA is constantly updating but I wonder if any of those updates are easily retrofitted. If I buy an older car and the upgrades can't be made to it, all the new tech in the world won't make a hill of beans to me. Maybe someone has some knowledge on that.

If I decide to build from scratch, then that is a whole different topic and I have my top 3 contenders for that selected as well. I even have the 428 from my last car sitting in the garage since I sold the car as a roller....but that discussion if for another thread if I take the fork in the road.