My trip across the country to visit ERA

[NSXDRIVER]

Left Arizona on Thursday morning after waking up at 3:00 a.m, landed in Hartford in the middle of a blizzard that evening. Rented a four wheel drive, and forged into the storm. Found the Marriott just as my rations were about to give out. Bright and early the next morning (Friday) I was at ERA's toy shop in New Britain. I hadn't been there for about ten years, but it looked much the same -- cool hardware all over the place, including four cars in progress, and a sinister looking black GT that they had on a short leash in the corner. Have you ever seen one of those things from the back? Makes you want to holler.

I had a nice visit with the guys there, including Peter, Bob and Doug, and came away happy and more impatient than ever to have my car. I specifed most of my options while I was there, most notably the custom rear suspension with the outboard brakes, the big brakes for the front, six pin wheels, and the roller assembly option. I also drove up near the Mass. border and visited with a painter, Walter of Conncticut Custom Cars (correct name?). He had three ERAs there in progress, and I saw one of his completed cars at ERA (a green FIA). Man, was it beautiful. It was sitting there by the door, looking like it was ready to ship. Made me want to shed a tear. I got back on the plane at 5:00 that afternoon, and finally arrived home at 3:30 am. the next morning (Saturday).

It was a long haul, especially the flight from Minn. St Paul, which I got to share with a bunch of spring breakers headed to Arizona to engage in who knows what kind of debachery. I was packed in like a sardine in peasant class. I tried to get some sympathy from my wife when I got home, but she says anyone who would go to the east coast on a two day trip just to look at car deserves what they get. She's probably right, but I'd do it again, and probably will as my car reaches it's final stages some time in the distant future.

[RICK LAKE]

NSXdriver This trip is one she will never understand. I did the same thing when going to buy my cobra. Went to 3 places, 3 or 4 times, asked 200 questions about the car. I ended up with in MY OPINION in 94, ERA. You will not be disappointed in the end. You should come to Kitcar show in Carlisle P.A. in May. The eye candy for the East coast is the best. Fly in Friday night and out Sunday. You will see and talk to the best hobbyests in the world. Bring a camera and batterys you will take alot of pictures of things people do to there cars to customize them. If you are free in Oct come to the Run&Gun in St Lious. Good luck with your wife. Take her out to dinner by yourselves, and the trip will be forgotten. Just remeber that when you have the car she will want to drive it too. Good Luck Rick Lake

[ERA600hp]

Arn't the ERA Guys great, it's worth the trip just to stop by and say hello, they really know how to make you feel welcome!
Tom ERA#495

[cobra]

NSXDRIVER

I invited my wife in 1999 for a shopping week in New York and "by chance" we made a short trip to New Britain, CT.
It was a very great day. ( of course in New York )

Walter