Questions for ERA owners - Page 3

Silverback51 · #41 (**permalink**) 04-22-2012, 01:07 AM

Quote:

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.

Damn Patrick, how can you even pretend to know anything about this persons kids?

Your experience does not apply to everyone. Every person is an individual, be they parent or child. We are not all little clones of Patrick's children.

The man has a dream. Let him live it.

Dangerous Doug · #42 (**permalink**) 04-22-2012, 11:21 AM

Lippy, you're the only one here that knows your kids, if they'll have the attention span and the interest for the build process.

I remember what a car nut I was an eight-year old kid. My older brother had a '55 Chevy 2-door post with a fiberglass tilt front-end and a pumped up 283. I was thrilled to be summoned to help him pull the front-end off and get wrenches and hold things in place. If I was lucky I got to start it while he made adjustments. I learned a lot about tools and which engine parts were which, and what they did. I had the patience and focus, and my older brother had the patience.

My 9-year old son isn't interested in cars, but we've built rope swings, bridges, a zip-line and now we're working on a 200' zip-line. If they like the final outcome, they'll have the interest and patience. Good luck, and have a great time with your kids and your build.

Cheers,
DD

Dangerous Doug · #43 (**permalink**) 04-22-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Wow. This speaks volumes.

DanEC · #44 (**permalink**) 04-22-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaplin

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.

What color did you paint them? No slam intended - just mine looked pretty nice and original in white glecoat and a coat of cleaner wax cleaned them up after handling and assembly. I juat had not read of anyone painting them until now.

Chaplin · #45 (**permalink**) 04-22-2012, 06:45 PM

No offense taken. Painting them is not that uncommon. I had them painted the same as color as the body. IMO it just made the engine compartment look more "finished" and since I wasn't going for an exact clone of an original, I figured what the hell. Here is a pic where you can sort of see it:

DanEC · #46 (**permalink**) 04-23-2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaplin

No offense taken. Painting them is not that uncommon. I had them painted the same as color as the body. IMO it just made the engine compartment look more "finished" and since I wasn't going for an exact clone of an original, I figured what the hell. Here is a pic where you can sort of see it:

Looks good - actually the whole underhood looks good.

Dan

lippy · #47 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 11:30 AM

I pulled the trigger this morning and sent the check to ERA. The kids are excited and the wife is supportive!

REAL 1 · #48 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 03:40 PM

I had ERA built my ERA, engine and paint it.

I don't recall who painted it for them back in 1995 but the paint job was great. Joe LaPine from Danbury competition built a 428 Cobra Jet which ran reliably and strong. The car was stunning and was one of the most exciting days of my life when I went to ERA to take delivery.

Interesting note: I believe Peter bought my ERA from the guy I sold it to back in 1998 and still owns my old ERA (#515).

I would have no reservations with ERA finishing your car and providing the engine.

Good luck.