Greetings from a long-time lurker

[Exit32]

My name is Dan Somers, and I've been lurking here off and on for many years. Without a doubt, Club Cobra is among the best of the best online automotive forums available. The camaraderie and willingness to share information among members is outstanding. Thank you all for making this place what it is.

About a dozen years ago, my wife and I decided to build our own Cobra replica. We decided to go with ERA and have never regretted the choice. Building that car was one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences of our lives, and we're still having fun with ol' #452 today.

While we were planning and building our Cobra, I decided to chronicle the project in writing. The result was an 18-chapter story called, "Birth of a New Machine: Building a Cobra Replica". The story first appeared in a primitive online forum in 1996. Subsequently, the crude manuscript ended up as an obscure footnote on ERA's website.

Over the years, I've received many complimentary e-mails from people all over the world who read my story and were inspired to build a Cobra of their own. (I also received comments about the dreary layout, poor photography, and difficult readability of the online version.)

On my last birthday, my wife surprised me with a professionally designed and produced hardcopy version of our Cobra story. It comprised a full-color, 18-chapter book with more than 50 color photos, and it looked awesome.

Since then, we decided that our story was worth sharing with other Cobra enthusiasts, so we decided to self-publish "Birth of a New Machine: Building a Cobra Replica" in hardcopy form. If you're interested, you can find more info at my website: http://www.cobradream.com

I'm also into restoring -- and driving -- American cars from the '50s and '60s. In addition to our ERA Cobra, we've got a '57 T-Bird, '66 GTO, and '65 Rambler American for summertime fun. And on most weekends, you'll find me at New England Dragway with my small-block '67 Camaro running low-nine-second quarter miles in "Quick Street" class.

Cars are my passion, and I hope to continue learning more about 'em here at Cobra Club. Heck, maybe I'll try to answer a question or two from time to time. Thanks for listening.

[xracerbob]

Welcome Dan. I remember reading your story on the ERA website a couple years ago. I didn't think it was bad at all, and certainly better than I could do. If I remember, you could have contributed to the solid cam/wiped lobe threads over the years.

[ROUSHAC]

Welcome, Dan!

That looks like a valuable resource for the folks who are thinking about building a car, but who are still "on the fence" deciding whether they can tackle the job.

[Exit32]

Originally Posted by xracerbob

Welcome Dan. I remember reading your story on the ERA website a couple years ago. I didn't think it was bad at all, and certainly better than I could do. If I remember, you could have contributed to the solid cam/wiped lobe threads over the years.

Wow! You have a good memory. Yup, that was my camshaft lobe that failed on the way home from our first cruise-night event with the new Cobra. I'll never forget how disappointed I felt. I still have the bad cam and wiped-out lifter as a memento from that day.

Since then, I'm pleased to report that ERA #452 has been running superbly. I can't wait for the last traces of snow to melt here so I can wake 'er up for the 2008 cruising season.

[marcalan]

Dan, I just wanted to say thank you.

I read your story a few times during my investigation as to which kit to go with on the era web site. Your write up, along with a lot of other factors, contributed to my decision to go with ERA.

M-A

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Exit32

While we were planning and building our Cobra, I decided to chronicle the project in writing. The result was an 18-chapter story called, "Birth of a New Machine: Building a Cobra Replica".

I remember reading that -- it was delightful. And from your post it was nice to see that you ended up keeping both Deb and #452! Seriously, it appears that the story has been removed from the ERA site, but you can still find it in the Google cache if you hunt for it. Good luck on your book -- I view it as "must reading" for anyone considering the purchase of a high-end Cobra replica.

[Exit32]

I appreciate everyone's welcome here and your kind words about my Cobra story.

Can't believe so many of you remember reading it! I've always wondered if reading that story ever encouraged anyone to select an ERA car rather than another manufacturer's product.