ERA 3001 Smokey Mountain Cruise and the trek to the Tail of the Dragon

Jim Holden · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 09:52 AM

A couple of weekends ago, wife Suzanne and I packed ERA3001 into the car trailer and headed south to the NC-Tenn Smokey Moutains on a trek to drive the "Tail of the Dragon". We stayed in an outstanding B&B in small town approximately 20 miles west of Asheville, NC. The next day we set out for our cruise in ERA3001 and spent some seven hours driving the roads in the Smokey Mountains, including the "Tail of the Dragon". The "Tail of the Dragon" is an eleven mile 300 plus turn undulating narrow two lane challenge of mountain highway. The foliage was in full color, the views spectacular and the roads, for the most part, in great shape (certainly compared to ours here in the NE) and relatively lightly traveled.

It did, however, appear that every motorcycle in the southeast, from Harley cruisers to rice burner - knee scrapers, was attempting to drive the "Tail" that Sunday afternoon, with a great disparity of speeds. So, we made the run once and then headed off in search of other roads.

ERA 3001 was just the car for this back road jaunt; cruising along without a hiccup. Once again I was reminded that for me, ERA had made my fantasy a reality.

Next year we plan to do it again, only this time, just in 3001 (Suzanne says that she will pack "lighter") and take a few more days to do it properly.

Jim

Here are a couple of websites to visit for anyone else planning to make the trek:

http://www.andonreidinn.com/

http://www.dealsgap.com/

lnfletcher · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 12:07 PM

That looks terrific!
Next year, you may want to give everyone a heads up, some of us would love to meet up and tag along on a beautiful trek like that!

a427sc · #3 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 06:06 PM

So, did you run out of gas?

cks

Jim Holden · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 07:01 PM

No, Cheeks, we did not run out of gas. Actually the maps have the location of gas stations marked on them so that you have absolutely no excuse if you do run out of gas...

J

PS: How are you doing? Last I recall seeing you was when you dumpted oil up the entire length of the esses at the Glen.

jose velez · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2010, 05:00 PM

See I am not the only one that remembers that you had ran out of gas several times (Portland, Glen, Lime Rock etc) and you blame the gauges.

Is a nice trip in good cool dry weather in a roadster.

*13* · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2010, 09:02 PM

Very nice car! Trip must have been a blast!

tkb289 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-08-2010, 12:43 AM

Beautiful car! Sounds like it runs as good as it looks

speed220mph · #8 (**permalink**) 11-08-2010, 08:36 AM

Jim,
When you do the Dragon again, make sure you drive up 181 from Morganton, NC to Linville and the Parkway. It's a nice hillclimb with fast multi-lane sweepers and tight turns. Lots of bikes and fast cars, too.

Jim Holden · #9 (**permalink**) 11-08-2010, 10:17 AM

Having had two ERA427SC's and ERAFIA, I can truely say about ERA3001 that "less is more."

Jim

PS: ...and we will do the drive again.

fastd · #10 (**permalink**) 11-08-2010, 12:27 PM

Jim,

I have heard great things about that trip.

I would love to hear more detail regarding "less is more," especially with respect to a comparison against the ERAFIA.

Regards.

tkb289 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-08-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastd

Jim,

I have heard great things about that trip.

I would love to hear more detail regarding "less is more," especially with respect to a comparison against the ERAFIA.

Regards.

Jim ... me too

... what are the parameters or key components that make the difference ?

- Tim

Jim Holden · #12 (**permalink**) 11-09-2010, 08:39 AM

"Less is more."

To put the quote into context, you need to understand that I have, over the course of the past twenty five years, built two ERA427SC (with 428cj motors), an ERAFIA and now the ERA289. Each has been built with a certain vision in mind. The first big block car was very "streetable" with leather interior, heater and a single four barrel Holley carb. The second big block was built with Webers and no heater. It was less streetable, but could definitely blow the wax out of your ears.

In building the ERAFIA, it was the least "streetable" of all; race rubber, no heater, Webers and no windshield. The motor was a stroker Dart block 331 (or so) with zero balance forged crank, etc. The car is a blast, but rather tiring to drive over any distance.

In building the ERA289, I wanted a car that was "180 degrees out" from the ERAFIA (which I still own). A mild 302, Holley carb, heater, top, side curtains, full interior all make it a vehicle that you can do reasonably long hours in and not be beaten to death. The light motor, relatively narrow 215 profile tires and 16" steering make the steering light and manageable. It is a car my wife loves and has in fact appropriated it for her own.

Admittedly, I have the option of going down to the shed and choosing what sort of ride I would like to have on any given day; mild or wild... not a bad place to be.

Jim

Jim Holden · #13 (**permalink**) 11-09-2010, 10:27 AM

Here are a couple of shots of the ERA289 with the top on (I didn't want to be caught up in the Smokey mountains without the top and side curtains):

Jim

*13* · #14 (**permalink**) 11-09-2010, 12:04 PM

Looks like a lot of fun. I wanted to build one like that for the wife, as well. Maybe someday...

tkb289 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-09-2010, 10:27 PM

Jim,

Sound like a great set of cars ... one mild

and one wild

For me ... 2136 will be somewhere in between. Since I won't have two Cobras ( unlike someone else

) ...

I'll have sort of a mix of your two cars ... The FIA body, roll bar & pin drive wheels, but no hood scoop, trunk bumps or oil cooler, and with a heater, wipers and a grill

Not a likely combination from back in the day ... but should make for a fun car.

Jim Holden · #16 (**permalink**) 11-10-2010, 08:30 AM

tkb289:

The whole point of the comment "less is more", I think, is that you can get caught up in building a big motor car that sounds interesting, but is not easy to live with when you are done. It all depends on your priority, of course, but we have put more miles on ERA3001 than all of my other ERAs combined.

It sounds like you are on the right track to build a car that you can use on the street, live with and enjoy.

Jim

fastd · #17 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 08:50 AM

So Jim,

I continue to be intrigued by your "less is more" comment. Since this is not your first rodeo, I will look to you for advice regarding my lonely stallion (ERA FIA) in my garage...

You have 215s all around on your 289? What exact size are they?

Do you think that those tires are the biggest difference contributing to "less is more"? I.e., is that where most of the different feel is coming from do you think?

I would guess that the weight difference between your FIA and 289 isn't that large...I understand that a mild versus aggressive engine build might require more driving effort and a big factor also, but that is a lifestyle choice - I don't know how much "less is more" is contained in 300 hp vs say 400-450 hp.

I guess I am specifically wondering: for my next set of wheels, maybe I should go a little smaller - I have AVONs, 225s on the front and 295s on the back. Since am I getting another car for the track (a '68 Mustang Fastback), I bet I don't need that much rubber (especially in the back) for the street. Please let me know what you think.

Regards,

Phil

jose velez · #18 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastd

Jim,

I have heard great things about that trip.

I would love to hear more detail regarding "less is more," especially with respect to a comparison against the ERAFIA.

Regards.

I drove the slab side ERA last year and is a lot of fun. Also with two 427 and 2 GT in my pass. It brakes easy, light steering and not too loud. My daughter loved the rides with Steve and Jimmy last year at the SAAC meeting.

1985 CCX · #19 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 04:53 PM

Jim

Great story and share. Can't wait to see the slabside first hand. Your FIA and 40 are A-1 ..............

Jim Holden · #20 (**permalink**) 11-12-2010, 12:32 PM

Phil:

The tires are a contributor (certainly versus the Goodyear Race rubber on the ERAFIA), but it is the total package that makes the package "Cruiser-friendly". I think that the point of the discussion is that one can get caught up in building the ultimate horsepower, big block beast and end up with something that does only one thing well (which is OK if that is all you want) but is not easy to live with on a day to day basis.

As I have said, we have put more miles on the ERA289 in the last year and one half than I have on all the rest of my ERAs in the last 25 years.

Jim

The tires are Pirelli P4000 15x215 70s front and rear. (edited to show correct tire size.)