ERA Cobra in SE PA?

[kevins2]

Hi Everyone,

I've been researching manufacturers and have ruled out Factory Five. Looking at Antique and Collectible, but not pleased about a couple of things. Love what I've read so far about ERA so that will likely be my decision. I'm in West Chester, PA (just west of Philly). Anyone with an ERA Cobra within reasonable driving distance that wouldn't mind a visitor? I'd love to see your car. Promise not to drool on it...

Kevin

[James Stern]

Mr Mustang (Bill) has an ERA and it's for sale. He's not in West Chester but he's not far away.

[Kramer]

i can't say I know anything about the East Coast, but perhaps it is worth the drive to Connecticut to see Peter and the gang at ERA. It really helped me cement me decision..just my 2cents

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by kevins2

Hi Everyone,

I've been researching manufacturers and have ruled out Factory Five. Looking at Antique and Collectible, but not pleased about a couple of things. Love what I've read so far about ERA so that will likely be my decision. I'm in West Chester, PA (just west of Philly). Anyone with an ERA Cobra within reasonable driving distance that wouldn't mind a visitor? I'd love to see your car. Promise not to drool on it...

Kevin

Kevin,

My personal, fully loaded 289FIA ERA is for sale here in Douglassville (figure 42 miles door to door). Most likely the closest ERA for sale to you at this time.


Bill S.

[patrickt]

Kramer's right. I can tell you already that you'll absolutely love an ERA; there's no doubt about that. So, you might as well meet the people involved and get a feel for the true price that you're going to have to pay to get what it is you want. The only way you're going to be able to do that is schedule a visit up to New Britain. Call first (they close down a bit for the Holidays), and then drive up there on a scheduled day and spend some time seeing and talking. Don't be shy about talking money -- that's important. Have a check in your pocket for $5k and, if you like what you see and hear, leave it with Peter and you've taken the first step down the happy road to ERA ownership.

[Don]

After viewing an ERA in your immediate neighborhood and not knowing what is considered reasonable driving distance, with ERA in New Britain CT and close to I-84, might be an alternative to make a visit and meet with Peter, etc

Have driven many years from North Central CT to the AACA Fall meet in Hershey PA, approx 5.5 hours. Most challenging traffic is on I-84 in lower CT, until crossing over to/from NY.

[Three Peaks]

It would be almost impossible to get as much value for your investment as Bill's 289 FIA. If you're into ERA's, his is an exceptional example for a great price- and you could be driving it immediately instead of waiting in line for a new ERA for a year or longer.

Bob

[DonC]

Add another vote for making the trip (pilgrimage) to ERA to see the operation in person. You won't be sorry even if you decide to go in a different direction. Fascinating operation. In my case I had to fly close to 6K miles round trip but it was well worth it. You should be able to drive it in less than a day.
I've spoken to a number of folks who were thinking about buying a car and the one thing I always recommend it in depth research on the manufacturers of whatever brand you're considering.
Geographically you're in a great position to see the operation in up close with only a small expenditure of time. Take advantage of it.
DonC

[marcalan]

Bills ERA is a great car, and would be almost impossible to replicate. Well worth looking at

m-a

[kevins2]

Thanks for the feedback. I will absolutely make the trip to ERA - only 4 1/2 hour drive. I'm still in early stages, though, and was hoping to see an ERA car locally. Pottstown is close and I'm absolutely sure Bill's car is a good deal but a major part of my plan is to build a car with my car-nut son... He's home from school for Christmas and I was hoping to take him somewhere to see an ERA car and get some pointers from someone in the area. So, if anyone within a couple hours of Philly likes to show off their car, I'd love to come visit.

While I'm writing, one pretty basic question about the ERA body - haven't found too much on this in the posts I've read so far. As far as body work required to get it ready for paint, the Factory Five cars require a lot, Antique and Collectible (with gelcoat option) require very little or none...I believe the ERA is somewhere in between but closer to the Antique and Collectible?

Thanks again.

Kevin

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by kevins2

I believe the ERA is somewhere in between but closer to the Antique and Collectible?

Kevin, the best answer to that is to see it with your own eyes (which you will in New Britain because there are cars in every step of the process). Having the body mounted to the frame by ERA, I believe, is a pretty good investment, but some choose to do it themselves. If, after seeing it with your own eyes and touching it with your own fingers, you want it cleaned up even more, just have them ship it over to either of their two favorite shops and you can literally have "a little light sanding" done, or have the whole nine yards of body/paint done -- it's up to you and you can have a little, or a lot, done. Personally, I absolutely hate body work and have so all my life, but fortunately not everyone feels that way....

[ERA 778]

I had my ERA painted by a guy who does lots of Unique cars. He said that the ERA body was the best he's done. Very little prep work other than the mold seams, which were very little work themselves. The new molds at ERA (a couple of years ago) take a lot of the hard work out of the process.

I think you've got a good plan: try to see some complete cars nearby, then visit ERA (and anyone else you might still consider). Meeting with Peter, Bob, Doug, and the others is well worth the trip. I flew up from South Carolina before I committed and feel that the trip was a wise investment. Seeing the shops and meeting everyone face to face convinced me that ERA was the right choice for me!

Good luck and enjoy the ride!

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by kevins2

Thanks for the feedback. I will absolutely make the trip to ERA - only 4 1/2 hour drive. I'm still in early stages, though, and was hoping to see an ERA car locally. Pottstown is close and I'm absolutely sure Bill's car is a good deal but a major part of my plan is to build a car with my car-nut son... He's home from school for Christmas and I was hoping to take him somewhere to see an ERA car and get some pointers from someone in the area. So, if anyone within a couple hours of Philly likes to show off their car, I'd love to come visit.

While I'm writing, one pretty basic question about the ERA body - haven't found too much on this in the posts I've read so far. As far as body work required to get it ready for paint, the Factory Five cars require a lot, Antique and Collectible (with gelcoat option) require very little or none...I believe the ERA is somewhere in between but closer to the Antique and Collectible?

Thanks again.

Kevin

I've owned ERA, Contemporary,Unique, SPF, and FFR, they all have their pluses and minuses. The first thing you need to figure out is your budget, for without one in mind, you may be looking at items your checkbook cannot afford. After that it is a matter of your skill set and your ultimate end use.

Bill S.

PS: There is a beautiful 427 Tunnelport powered BRG 427SC ERA in Coatsville,might be able to hook you up with it's over worked owner (no it is not for sale) if you want to see the difference between the two body styles.

[strictlypersonl]

Our new bodies are very straight, but we still recommend "Featherfilling" and blocking out the whole surface. Possibly some opening gap matching too, if you're very particular, but no fiberglass work is required. At least half our kits go out painted already because the quality is high and the price is reasonable.
When you visit, you'll see a raw body-on-chassis (plus many painted kits) and you can judge yourself.

[Don]

One of the body shops used by ERA is Conn Custom Car in Enfield CT, Walt Wosko Sr & Jr. Believe they could clarify the amount of prep work and their hours & cost.

Connecticut Custom Car - Home

Connecticut Custom Car - Cobra's

An individual that built an ERA had them mount the body to the frame, 2nd time building an ERA......might ask ERA to clarify what's involved if you elect to do it yourself. I think at one time or still does, ERA used a shop in East Hartford CT to powder coat the frame.

[kevins2]

Thanks again for all the great feedback. Bill, I'd love to get in touch with the owner in Coatesville... I'll send you a PM.

Kevin

[DanEC]

I just painted my ERA and I'm in the process of color sanding and buffing. It took me quite a while only because I do everything to as close to perfection as I can - to the point of going back over it. and over it, and over it, and over it. Also I avoid power tools for body work and and thus I've sanded, and sanded, and sanded. There were a some areas that needed to be skimmed with filler to level or flush up adjacent panels - and I applied several coats of Slick Sand so I could sand some more. But the body itself is first class. When bonded to the frame it's so rigid it's like a vault. the only place that has any give is the rear fenders because I don't have the splash shields installed. I have a friend with a MK III FFR with the body still in gel coat and there really isn't much comparison, although I've heard the new MK IV bodys and pretty nice.

I have done a lot of sanding. From what I understand of the turn key paint jobs that ERA can set up, they sound like a bargain.