It's...ALIVE!!! ERA FIA2108 hits the road!

Dangerous Doug · #1 (**permalink**) 11-15-2008, 04:36 PM

Well, after several years of dreaming and scheming (and saving...), and two and a half-years of spending and building (and saving some more...), ERA FIA2108 finally had a chance to stretch it's legs.

Tim B. came by about 11, and we set the timing, checked the cooling system, adjusted the clutch and testing the shifting, dropped it onto the ground and fired it up. Had a brief run around the neighborhood and had her back in the stable by 1:30. Sensational day for a drive. It had to be in the high 70's or low 80's today.

Coming next: Finish welding the exhaust brackets, lower and aliagn the suspension. Paint.

This has been a labor of love. I fell in love with the Cobra at the Monterey Historic Auto Races back in 2000, so this has been a long time coming.

And what a thrill it is to drive! 302 is nice and snappy. TKO-600 shifts nicely. And that hydraulic throwout bearing? What a piece of cake! Followed ERA's instructions, bled it well, and made a minor adjustment and I was done.

Anyhow, had to post it here.
Cheers,
Dangerous Doug

Kramer · #2 (**permalink**) 11-15-2008, 05:00 PM

Congratulations Doug....where's the pics buddy? (not that I don't enjoy your current gallery

Kramer

ZOERA-SC7XX · #3 (**permalink**) 11-15-2008, 06:07 PM

Congrats on the ERA...good to hear that it's on the road. It's all downhill from here.

Great Asp · #4 (**permalink**) 11-15-2008, 06:11 PM

Sounds fantastic, congrats!

It's a thrill huh?

E

Got the Bug · #5 (**permalink**) 11-15-2008, 06:36 PM

Congratulations Doug!!

My plan was stop by to see your maiden voyage, but I was "unexpectedly detained" in Los Gatos waiting for ride home from AAA.

1985 CCX · #6 (**permalink**) 11-15-2008, 08:16 PM

Post pics!

Congrats..............

tkb289 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-16-2008, 02:39 AM

Doug,

Congratulations!!! ... a long time coming and you have done a great job with your car. Now the fun really begins, the motor sounds good and the car looks great! Glad to have been there, I'll send you photos.

- Tim

marcalan · #8 (**permalink**) 11-16-2008, 05:21 AM

Congratulations! I am getting close to firing 2112, and I have been following your posts on all the items you have been working on to get to this point with interest. Please post some pictures when you get a chance.

m-a

Dangerous Doug · #9 (**permalink**) 11-16-2008, 05:36 PM

Thanks, guys. I'm practically beside myself. I go out into the garage and there she is, MY Cobra, low-slung and sexy---even without a paint job.

You have got to love the 289 FIA body style, faithfully reproduced by ERA.

Tim was my camera man and "shotgun", so I'll post some of the pics. He also did a great job on the video, which I will likely post to youtube soon. Great fun!

More work to follow.

So, uh, Doug: What happened such that you needed to call AAA?

marcalan: Feel free to PM me if you have questions that I may be able to help you with. Also, Doug at ERA is indispensable for noodling out the build details.

Cheers,
DD