ERA535 For Sale - Page 4

JimsGems · #61 (**permalink**) 09-01-2002, 08:06 PM

Damn! Good luck with the Kirkham. It's a GEM!

Dave Samson · #62 (**permalink**) 09-01-2002, 09:07 PM

Pat and Daniel,

Good luck to both you.

Dave

ERA535 · #63 (**permalink**) 09-01-2002, 09:15 PM

Thanks Jim and Dave!

Does anyone want to buy a really nice Contemporary? It's only drawback is it has a small block in it!!

JimsGems · #64 (**permalink**) 09-01-2002, 11:30 PM

Oh now I'm asked, what am I supposed to do with the Porsche 550 A RS Edition Replica???

Dave Samson · #65 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 12:06 AM

Jim,

Just drive the damn thing, all of it as fast as you can and imagine it's a Cobra

JimsGems · #66 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 12:19 AM

Mike;

You are of course right, as always. Here is a bit of the rationale I used; besides my pockets aren't as deep as before.

I'm estimating the real horse power and weight of the two average cars I'm comparing and just looking at the surface... lets go.

Porsche 550 A RS Replica = 1,400 pounds dry weight. 160 horsepower. So that gives the P/W Ratio on the Spyder at 8.75 pounds per horsepower.

Cobra 427 replica = 2,300 pounds dry with a small block engine V8 at 350 horsepower. P/W Ratio of the Cobra is 6.57 pounds per horsepower.

That is approximately a 25% horsepower power to weight advantage Cobra.

I’m not sure I can make any radical judgements except to say that cubic inches and horsepower can be over come by good driving and a tight road course where the smaller and lighter car would beat hands down.

I only know a few Cobra owners who drive AutoCross, because the mid-engine just handle better in tight. Interestingly the top speed of both cars are about the same (140 to 150 MPH), certainly not a 25% advantage at top end and neither one can stop worth a nickel at speed anyway.

So, the Spyder ($25,000.00) is half the price of a good Cobra and the 25% advantage amounts to bragging rights. Yup! I made the right choice. Besides havin a sportscar and driving is better than not!

bonyhadi · #67 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 04:50 PM

Well possession is 9/10's of the law? Seems like it's mine now!
ERA535 is parked in it's new home. Great ride back from Modesto,
car handles like a dream and I fit in it pretty good. Thanks for being such a good foster parent Pat, I'll take good care of it.

Remember, in about a year from now I'll buy your old used, beaten up Kirkham in 483c.i. Shelby. Just call me a happy second hand Jane.

Pleasure doing business with you Mr. Buckley... you are a gentleman and Gashole!

ERA535 · #68 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 05:12 PM

Bony -

So what did you think of all that torque? Did you use any of it on the way home?

Bony and I met at 9:30 in Modesto to do this trade. The ride down was, as usual, fantastic - that car has never let me down in 11,000 miles and so I didn't even take my usual tool kit.

Left home at 8AM - beautiful morning - sunny and warm. From each stop I took it easily through the gears enjoying the sound and the feeling of effortless torque. The last two miles I drove my car was appropriate I thought, as a guy on a Buell wanted to race.

Arrived in Modesto at about 9:30 and pulled into a Chevron to fill it up for Bony. When I started it back up there was aloud screeching sound from the engine compartment and smoke started coming out. Pretty obvious it was the fan belt - sure enough the damned alternator was seized.

Labor day ----good luck right?

Well it turns out there was a Kragens Auto Parts store nearby and not only did they have an alternater but they had tools that you could borrow to do the job!! Kudo's to Kragen - I will definitely make them the first place I go to for parts and stuff in the future.

Bony - being the gentleman that he is, insisted on paying for the new alternator. I thought I should pay for it as the car was mine when it happened but he, being somewhat bigger, insisted. Thanks Bony!! I didn't charge him labor to do it.

Bony's car ran well all the way home ---it is missing about 300 horsepower though.

ERA535 · #69 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 05:14 PM

Jim-

Did you get a 550??

Pat

bonyhadi · #70 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 05:45 PM

Dear Pat,
I have a big smile on my face and ... well you know, ..._________________! Car is great, so very well put together. I thought my car ran well and stayed on the road. Until you have driven one that is right and tight, you just don't know what your missing.
It's a strange feeling driving that top loader, sort of an automatic. I ran up to about 120mph and
was grateful Creeper was no where to be found. Again, thanks.. your THE ORIGINAL GASHOLE.
God Bless America,
daniel

Gordon Claunch · #71 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 05:58 PM

Boni, you have been had!! This is a terrible omen of things to come, that car is falling apart,seeing as how we are friends I will trade you my B&B and assume all the heartache for you, act fast before I come to my sense's!!!