Questions for ERA owners

[FIA Mike]

I used to own ERA 2047. Both of ERA's suppliers do excellent work as do Ken Pike (painter) and Tom Lucas (engine builder) here in Nor Cal. You can't go wrong either way. However, make sure since you are in California to NOT have it come from ERA as a "turn key" car. If it does, you will NOT be able to legally title it in California. It would be easier to title it using SB100 if you have Tom and Ken do the sub work. That way you can easily prove it did not come fully assembled from ERA.

Just my 2 cents worth, FIA Mike

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lippy

I want them to learn how things work, how to plan a project, that things need to be made by someone, and lastly I want to spend the time with them. Otherwise I'd probably save some dough and consider a completed car.

Admirable. BUT, can I ask what age(s) they are? Let me tell you,I speak from experience, and kids will have about a 20 minute attention span, if that, when working on a Cobra. Now, personally, I used to play hooky from high school to stay home and work on my sports car. You couldn't find a bigger sports car nut than me starting around 15 or so, and I would have jumped at the chance to do any work on a Cobra up until, say, 18 or 19. Of course, if I had somehow managed to get my hands on a Cobra at that age I would have 100% wrecked it -- no doubt about that.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Admirable. BUT, can I ask what age(s) they are? Let me tell you,I speak from experience, and kids will have about a 20 minute attention span, if that, when working on a Cobra. Now, personally, I used to play hooky from high school to stay home and work on my sports car. You couldn't find a bigger sports car nut than me starting around 15 or so, and I would have jumped at the chance to do any work on a Cobra up until, say, 18 or 19. Of course, if I had somehow managed to get my hands on a Cobra at that age I would have 100% wrecked it -- no doubt about that.

They are 7/7/9. I know they won't be involved for a ton of time, but they do help me with projects on my '62 Vette and other projects, so I think they will gain something from it.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lippy

They are 7/7/9. I know they won't be involved for a ton of time, but they do help me with projects on my '62 Vette and other projects, so I think they will gain something from it.

Look, I don't want to offend you, but I think it's a bad idea. I'll just STFU now and go away.

[Fullchat289]

Lippy:

The following IMHO, of course:

Overall project: I think it's fantastic you want to involve your kids in the project, especially if they are already little gear-heads. Try to emmerse them in some COBRA history either through books or other on-line media (videos/movies) that surround the car, take them to Cars n Coffee(s) near your area, get involved in your local COBRA club to increase their exposure and get them mentally "vested" and siked about the project. By Choosing ERA, you are already on the correct track for creating a period-correct example of the car. If you have some Program Management experience, and can bring some of the planning and sequencing elements into the mix as well as the mechanical systems education during the actual build, it should be a very cool and memorable experience for them. I like it.

Stuff on the East Coast: I would allow ERA and Connecticut Customs to get you to the point of where you can accept a painted car ready to bolt up the Frt/Rr suspension, install the drivetrain, exhaust, and interior. That's all the fun stuff and things that will be engauging for the kids. One of the many benefits of this is just having to be focused on final assembly and not having to ship the car back out to a painter once you take receipt of it at your shop/garage. These guys will do a great job for you. The hardest part will be making your mind up on the options and keeping "scope creep" under control..

Engine/driveline: Sounds like from the guys familiar with your area, there are a number of reputable builders in your area. I would keep it local b/c if you have any post-build issue, 9 chances out of 10, it will be related to this area and forming a solid relationship with a local builder would have it's benefits over someone elsewhere in the country.

Good luck with your planning and keep us posted on progress!

- Allen.

[kevins2]

I agree with the earlier posts about kids being involved in a Cobra project. In fact, I've gone on record as wanting to build a kit with my son. There is an old adage about one of the benefits of having kids is that you get to play with toys and nobody thinks anything of it... Truth is, my son's in college so probably won't have much time to participate in the build. Also true is that I want to assemble the car myself for myself so if my son participates - great, but if he doesn't, I still want to do it myself. So, if you're truly doing it as a project with the kids, it probably won't happen that way. If you 'fess up that you really want to build a kit yourself, then you're on the right track.

Regards,

Kevin

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by FIA Mike

However, make sure since you are in California to NOT have it come from ERA as a "turn key" car. If it does, you will NOT be able to legally title it in California.

As long as the paint shop, the engine builder and/or installer are different from the manufacturer/retailer, ERA, in this case, and you have receipts to show that these are separate entities, then the car can be registered in CA under SB100.

The problem that was mentioned earlier here on CC was where the CA DMV "interpreted" that the engine builder/installer was a division of the manufacturer, IIRC. That wouldn't be the case here.

BTW, my engine builder was Tom Lucas and I recommend him, though I hear great things about Neil R. locally here in the Bay Area.

[Albie]

Originally Posted by kevins2

The other ERA paint shop was formerly Tony's Auto Body and is now Big B's Auto Body. According to Peter, can't tell the difference in quality between them and CT. Customs. Cost is a bit less.

Regards,

Kevin

Brendan (Big B) is Tony's nephew, he finished painting my car after Tony passed and did a great job. I definitely recommend him.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by kevins2

I agree with the earlier posts about kids being involved in a Cobra project. In fact, I've gone on record as wanting to build a kit with my son. There is an old adage about one of the benefits of having kids is that you get to play with toys and nobody thinks anything of it... Truth is, my son's in college so probably won't have much time to participate in the build. Also true is that I want to assemble the car myself for myself so if my son participates - great, but if he doesn't, I still want to do it myself. So, if you're truly doing it as a project with the kids, it probably won't happen that way. If you 'fess up that you really want to build a kit yourself, then you're on the right track.

Regards,

Kevin

I appreciate all of the comments and help, and no offense taken, but nothing to fess up here. The real driving reason for this project is the kids - believe it or not.

[kgs365]

i think its a great idea i wish my dad was alive he would have done the same!...great idea ....don't listen to patrick !...and dont add another roll bar its unnatural

Originally Posted by lippy

I appreciate all of the comments and help, and no offense taken, but nothing to fess up here. The real driving reason for this project is the kids - believe it or not.

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by Albie

Brendan (Big B) is Tony's nephew, he finished painting my car after Tony passed and did a great job. I definitely recommend him.

According to Peter, Brendan did the painting even when Tony was alive, so I trusted Peter, sent Brendan a deposit and he's spraying some color samples for me next week. Good to hear your endorsement.

[JustOne]

I think it is great that you are going to do this with your kids. My 2 & 7 year old always want to be in the garage when I am out there. Yes, they make noise and don't pay attention all of the time, but they are great company. They have also been around the cars long enough that they don't run inside the house when a car is fired up, instead they are expecting to go for a ride. Nothing will put a smile on your face like coming home and having one of your kids ask to go for a Cobra ride before dinner.
As for paint and engine work, I would get this done as local as possible. Not that anyone local is better, but Murphy's law can and many times does apply when building a car in your garage. It's a long way CT.

Cheers.

Justin

[tkb289]

lippy,

Sent you a private message.

- Tim

[Chaplin]

Lippy-
CT Custom did my car and they did an excellent job and I would recommend them without hesitation.

As to the many recommendations you've received to have your paint and engine done locally, I see absolutely no reason whatsoever to have your paint done locally. ERA's painters have been painting ERAs for years. They know the cars and they know what it takes to get a show quality paint job, which is what you get with them every time. They might be more expensive than a local painter (however, this was not the case when I shopped around, in fact CT Custom was less than some local quotes I got), but this might be one of those instances where you get what you pay for. If you get scratches, dings, or heavan forbid get into an accident, a good local paint shop should have no problem matching the paint- especially if you go with a factory color.

As for the engine, I am in full agreement with the idea to get it done locally if you are lucky enough to have a good and reputable builder with a proven track record near you. And I am in no way suggesting that Danbury won't do a great job, because they have tons of satisfied customers, but the reality is engines break and things do go wrong, and if you don't know how to fix it yourself and have to bring it back to the builder for repair, it is much easier and cheaper to take the entire car to your local guy than it is to yank the motor, put it on a pallet and ship it across the country for repair.


As for tackling this project with your kids, I wish you the best of luck. I can't even work on a lawn tractor with mine because they are always picking up the tools and walking away with them, but they do like to go for rides in the Cobra.


edit:
As for your questions about options:
As others have mentioned get the edges rolled.
Do not get the wheel wells undercoated- you can buy a few rattle cans of undercoating or bedliner and do this yourself for a lot less money.
Do get the underside of the hood and trunk done.
Do paint the footboxes.

[lippy]

What does it mean to get the edges rolled, and paint the footboxes?

[strictlypersonl]

Originally Posted by lippy

What does it mean to get the edges rolled, and paint the footboxes?

The edges are at the front and rear of the cockpit opening. As the body comes out of the mold, the inside edges go straight down. On the original cars, the aluminum was rolled over a tube, so we recommend grinding the fiberglass to shape. There's enough material to do it without adding any.

I can't speak to painting the footboxes. We never do it ourselves, since the white gelcoat looks pretty good as it comes out of the mold. The original cars were left in gelcoat also.

[DanEC]

Rolled cockpit edges:





White gelcoated footboxes. I don't know why anyone would paint them other than for some custom project.

[Chaplin]

Originally Posted by DanEC

White gelcoated footboxes. I don't know why anyone would paint them other than for some custom project.

Maybe because they look better painted than unpainted. If you are going for a clone of the original, then don't paint them. If you are looking for a clean integrated look, paint them. Purely personal preference.

[FIA Mike]

Tony (ERA's painter) has passed. This is very sad. I met him 10 years ago when he painted my ERA FIA cobra. He was a great guy. RIP my friend.

FIA Mike

[decooney]

Lippy,
Good for you and the kids. Go for it. I remember being around my father's crazy Corvettes and fast boat build projects growing up starting at age 6 onward. The most memorable was breaking in the cam and setting the timing on a drag boat at 3am so we could finish up, leave, and get on the road with it. Neighbors did not like it much. He passed on that same year, and to this day I thank my lucky stars that he included me as much as he did, whenever he could at any age. I will never forget that last day. Its never too early or too late for a kid to learn.