New Member

tkb289 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 01:36 AM

Hi, my name is Tim and I live Sunnyvale, Calif. I do not have a Cobra, but have always liked them since I was a kid. I am looking to build a replica and joined Club Cobra to learn more and to meet people that enjoy these great cars.

I like all Cobras, but especially like the early slab side street cars and the 289 FIA cars. I am fairly early on in the process, but am leaning towards the ERA 289 FIA car (street configuration). Would like to converse with members that have, or are building, this or similar kind of car. I am open to other makes as well, along with suggestions on motors, transmissions and the like. When the time comes, will also be looking for any advice as to how to navigate through the Calif. SB-100 registration paper mill. I look forward to being a member of Club Cobra.

Dangerous Doug · #2 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 09:10 AM

Tim,
Glad to see you're now on ClubCobra. I think you'll find this site a great resource for getting information and meeting other people with the same snake-bite affliction. There are two groups that I know of that meet in the Bay Area: one at Baji's in Mountain View; another at Athens at 580/680 interchange. Both meet Saturday mornings for breakfast and bench racing. I've gone to both at different times, and everyone is helpful. I'll be heading to one of these events shortly---probably the one at Athens---for I want to connect with another 289FIA owner and take a few more pictures of his car and make a few decisions about my next build phase.

Cheers,
DD

ERA2188 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 09:48 AM

Tim, Good Morning from Miami, Fl. I had another brand FIA cobra for 2 years and had a chance to drive an ERA. Incredible car, rock solid, tremendous engineering - great detail work. Their FIA is an exact visual copy of CSX2345, reportedly the only FIA race car that was never wrecked. It is in the Shelby Museum in Boulder, Co (do a google search of CSX2345 and it will take you there). The engine compartment, is a visual copy of the original, so is the "drop dash" for the street configured car. Some replicas have a gas tank in the trunk, the ERA trunk is aluminum lined with a fibreglass spare tire wheel well, identical to the original (gas tank is in a cradle mounted over the rear suspension - as the original). The chasis is amzaing 3" *4" rect tube with an X cross member under the passenger compartment. This chasis does not flex. The Emergency brake mounts on a frame bolted to the chasis - it is designed as part of the car. The door latches are mounted on a steel plate that is bolted to the steel chasis (not embedded in a glass block like some do). My car is at ERA (a turnkey), with the engine installed, waiting for seats etc., and I am planning on picking it up in about 2 weeks (to have before Christmas). Send me a pm with your email and I can send you some build photos. I am doing a street car with leather seats, drop dash, roll bar, the ERA custom rear suspension (oversized outboard brakes). Jeff Burgy (Past president of SAAC) has the second one built, and it is as gorgeous today as it was some 10 years ago. Check out the ERA website and the ERA registry site for owners who will be happy to help in any way they can. Rick Durkin

Tony Ripepi · #4 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 11:16 AM

Hi Tim,

Welcome aboard.

There are no requirements for you to be the next and newest "President" of the BACC Bay Area Cobra Club, take a look at the website to see why.

http://www.bayareacobraclub.com/

We are at breakfast every Saturday and if the weather is good there will be at least one ERA Cobra in the parking lot along with an assortment of FFR, Unique, SPF , Shelby, GT40's etc.

Lots of deep knowledge base in the group also for engines, transmissions etc. in the "Presidents" that are there.

Is Neil building your engine ?????

TR

Dangerous Doug · #5 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 02:11 PM

BACC meets in Livermore now?

Tony Ripepi · #6 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 02:53 PM

Hi Doug,

Yep, changed about a year ago...better food, better place and closer for a lot of people from the south Bay.

TR

cobrajeff · #7 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 03:36 PM

tbk289 -
Welcome to clubcobra! Lots of really knowlegeable folks here with plenty of ideas to help you make your decision.

I've always been a "small-block" guy, and for me, the 289 FIA Cobra was always the one that did it for me. These days, there are a lot more choices out there for an FIA Cobra than there were ten years ago when I built my car (not that I would have made any different choice, mind you, I still love my ERA - it's a fantastic automobile).

Typically, most everyone you talk to will tell you which ever brand of Cobra replica they happen to have is the "best" - just human nature, I guess. Go to some events, talk to people with different brands of cars, and see what you like. Just reading the posts on clubcobra can give you a pretty good idea which brands are reputable, or accurate, or inexpensive - whatever traits you may be looking for in a Cobra replica.

If you send me an e-mail, I'd be happy to share my thoughts with you. My e-mail address is: cobra_jeff_at_comcast_._ net (eliminate all the underscores and substitute an "@" sign for the word "at" - that's it).

regards,

Jeff Burgy

snakebitekit · #8 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 09:51 PM

You will find a wealth of information here.
I am in a current build of a ERA FIA. E-mail me if I can answer questions. Currently I am in the sanding stage and awaiting my rear end from ERA. I am doing the project from almost ground up. Had the body bonded to the chassi and the frame powder coated. Other than that it is up to me.

Dennis