I am in the market . . . - Page 4

ERA Tom · #61 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010, 09:34 PM

Hello Dallas. I am the owner of the black ERA 675 that's for sale. As it's been said before, for some it's driving the car, for some it's building the car, for some it's both. I'm more the builder type.

My advise is regadless of what brand you buy, buy the best that you can afford, wait until you can buy a top quality car, don't go cheap. Don't over do it on the horsepower, these cars are crazy fast with modest mills. I would suggest a moderately twiked big block to a streched out small block for a street car, as the big block will provide plenty of street friendly torque and a top speed that will blure your eyes. I think that the small block makes a better racing engine due to weight bias and quicker rpm's between corners.

Finally, I would check with Curt Scott at Cobra Country to see if he is still publishing the Cobra buyer's guide. It gives a great overview of the twenty top brands. If you have any questions or need any advise my phone number is in the ad for ERA 675. - Tom

WardL · #62 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010, 10:39 PM

I've seen too many extremely low mileage Cobras to think they are not being driven. One of the reasons we love these cars is because we can do anything we want. I just bought an SPF with 1,700 miles. As it was being put on the transport truck, we were talking. Maybe about the speedo bouncing..... He said something like, yeah, all the speedos bounce a little. I had two replaced before this one. Oh? I didn't ask "So how many miles might you have had on each of the two previous speedos?". I don't mean to say anyone is dishonest, but it could happen.....

patrickt · #63 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Tom

My advise is regadless of what brand you buy, buy the best that you can afford, wait until you can buy a top quality car, don't go cheap. Don't over do it on the horsepower, these cars are crazy fast with modest mills.

We've been harping on that for years, and for some reason guys just won't listen -- even though that advice is absolute gold. Tom, your car is gorgeous. I'm tempted to buy it myself as a stablemate.

Mooch · #64 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

We've been harping on that for years, and for some reason guys just won't listen -- even though that advice is absolute gold.

Which part? The "buy the best that you can afford" or the "Don't over do it on the horsepower"

patrickt · #65 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooch

Which part? The "buy the best that you can afford" or the "Don't over do it on the horsepower"

Really, both. But between those two pearls of wisdom I would say the "don't overdo it on the horsepower" is the more important. I say that because the impact of "overdoing the horsepower" will act as a subtle psychological deterrent to driving the car. It will actually take away from the enjoyment, rather than adding to it. While buying a little less car than you can afford will generally just whet your appetite for the next level up -- which is a good thing. With a car that only weighs 2500 lbs. or less, anything even in the 300+ horsepower range is going to be plenty. 400, more than plenty. 500? C'mon.

I don't think any of us with even the weakest FEs on the road can stand on a WOT above 3000 RPM and slowly count to three on the street. And with most of the big block builds coming out of the well-known builders on this forum you can't stick WOT at all without busting your rear loose.

blykins · #66 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 08:12 AM

As long as you can make a lot of horsepower without making an engine fussy or finicky, I'd go for it. A 500hp 347 isn't the most streetable thing in the world, but a 500hp 482 FE is.

The truth be known, if you aim for 300/400 hp now, you'll want more a year down the road. I'd rather have more horsepower now. You have a gas pedal. It doesn't have to be pushed to the floor all the time. ;-)

patrickt · #67 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins

A I'd rather have more horsepower now.

You're an old, jaded pro.

For the new kids on the block that have to ask, I say keep it in the low 400s to start. You can always add more power down the road.

RodKnock · #68 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

You're an old, jaded pro.

For the new kids on the block that have to ask, I say keep it in the low 400s to start. You can always add more power down the road.

Even if your starting point is over 600+ HP, I/you will still want more down the road.

I really want one of those new Cammers with 700 HP.

RedBarchetta · #69 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 10:30 AM

FWIW, the blue car is really nice. But I think that single stripe hurts its resale ability and that might be why it has to be marked down so much. Just a thought.

-Dean

RodKnock · #70 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

FWIW, the blue car is really nice. But I think that single stripe hurts its resale ability and that might be why it has to be marked down so much. Just a thought.

-Dean

I would agree, but it does have real magnesium Halibrand wheels.

Gunner · #71 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

FWIW, the blue car is really nice. But I think that single stripe hurts its resale ability and that might be why it has to be marked down so much.

Marked down? I've been watching this car for a while, have been thinking about it as a stablemate to 707. I agree that its one significant... well, "flaw" is too strong a word, maybe "blemish" is better... one significant issue is the oddball stripe. That is fixable, though.

But it has one of the highest prices on an ERA I've seen in two years and if I'm not mistaken, the price was raised slightly in the repost of the Cobra Country ad. I've exchanged some chat with the owner and he's firm in price, too. Very nice car, but I wouldn't expect it to sell at that price for at least a year. If then.

tkb289 · #72 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 01:28 PM

Both 675 and 760 are great examples of ERA 427 cars ... I like them both.

The stripe on 760 does seem unusual, not sure what the intent was. Was a stripe of this type used 'back in the day'. The other thing that caught my eye on 760 is the paint, it seems a bit 'bright' for Guardsman blue, maybe it's the lighting or the camera (or me

) ?

Dallas56 · #73 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010, 05:58 PM

Well . . . today I made the very dicey early morning drive out of Dallas (snow, ice) to spend two hours with Keith Craft in Arkadelphia, Arkansas looking at a new SPF that he has for sale. Keith gave me the full tour of his very cool shop, charmed my socks off. He is transparently honest, extraordinarily competent, great guy to deal with. The SPF is beautiful. (OK, maybe not an ERA, but a great car.) It has a small block 427 that Dyno tested at 580 hp and 590 torque. I bought that bad boy on the spot and am now turning to new owner stuff, like plates, title, registration, insurance, etc. I am a very happy camper. I hope I can meet several of you, and thank all of you for the great information and advice.

Rickd · #74 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 05:04 PM

Congratulations Dallas!! Great car and excellent motor. The Superformance is a very very good cobra replica, and Keith Craft has a superb reputation. My 331 Stroker was built by Keith Craft - and I was able to ask for special details - certain pistons etc that I wanted - no problem - included. The Superformance is an excellent car, very well built, and there are owners who have used them as a daily driver + track time, and have put almost 100,000 miles on them (changing motors on occasion). Congratulations - enjoy the heck out of it. You bought a VERY NICE package.