Era Motorsport Association Newsletter - 1993

[Jim Holden]

Folks:

I was down in the catacombs the other day and came across a faded copy of the ERA Motorsports Newsletter from 1993. Hard to believe that two decades have rolled by, but we're still here and still enjoying the ERAs down in the shed.

If anyone would like a copy send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll shoot you back a copy.... although Lord knows why anyone would want to see something from the last century...

Jim

[ERA Chas]

Is that the work of Scut Farcus Jim??

[Jim Holden]

Chas:

Both Scut Farcus and his nephew Murt contributed to the Newsletter effort.

Sadly, Murt never quite recovered following Uncle Scut's inadvertent self immolation that (according to the coroner’s report) resulted from a misfire of his high pressure rotisserie lamb chop baster.

Eye witnesses reported that the lamb chop baster was built on the same theory (and with many of the same parts) as were used on high rpm FE crank squirters and scrapers. ...and, reputedly, the rotisserie was capable of turning some 7500 rpm without throwing a chop.

Murt was last seen some years ago chasing rabbits on the abandoned back straight of Bridgehampton Race Track, yelling (according to locals) epithets to ghostly visions of long gone high winged CanAm cars.

ERA management at the time (which come to think of it is esentially the same as it is now, albeit 20 years older) quickly tried to distance themselves from the resulting negative publicity following Scut's untimely death and Murt's breakdown. The newsletter, without the Farcus' input and inspiration quickly faded away.

...but I'm glad to know that their legacy, now some two decades later, has not been forgotten.

Jim

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

...but I'm glad to know that their legacy, now some two decades later, has not been forgotten.

Jim

Absolutely not forgotten-I have that 'newsletter'. I think the boys announced the big brake kit (JFZ's!) for the first time therein. And a couple other gimcracks I can't remember tonight. Maybe the rear A/R bar? But as a 'young' ERA owner, I ate it up-and bought all of it. I even think you owned only one ERA back then...

Also not forgotten was the still-born GS roadster project. And Phil Gaudette, who if memory serves was slavish on the research for the FIA.

Any word on / from Phil these days? Is he healthy and kickin'??

[Jim Holden]

Some of you have (foolishly) responded and a PDF copy is on its way to you.

This newsletter was part of a trilogy (more or less) of similar bird cage liner fodder that we cobbled together and foisted on anyone who didn't run when they saw us coming. It was partially done as a result of having got a little fired up to have an ERA owners club. Why we even incorporated a nonprofit membership corporation and had a meeting or two (always in conjunction with some sort of mammal part feed), but the reality of distance (folks were scattered all over the country) and the fact that many (but not all) relatively quickly assuage their ERA urges and move on other (home built Pinto powered track oilers, for example) things. Nonsense, like spouses, children, mortgages and college tuitions all conspire to distract most (but not all) folks. So, we took a bit of a step back. We still schlep to Lime Rock Park each year for the fall vintage races and to Carlisle (which seems to get smaller every year). And when SAAC deigns to travel to the northeast for its annual convention, why we'll even try to sneak in (we're heretics after all) and enjoy bumping shoulders with the CSX'er, serial number fanatics. ...and at our advancing age (and stage) it gets harder and harder to renew the CDL Class A license to drive the little big rig with all the toys inside across state lines. ,,,as the saying goes; "Time and tide wait for no man."

Jim

[ERA Chas]

But Jim-what's the status of Phil? He was instrumental in the design of all three cars.
This generation of CC'ers and ERA owners have no knowledge of Phil's contribution.
And I know-Phil wasn't the 'customer-relations' guy Peter is. Phil didn't suffer fools.
What can you tell me?

[Jim Holden]

Phil is doing fine. I saw and spoke with him at the annual ERA holiday (pre "break") year end party. He has a barn full of a life time of accumulated projects including an ol' 100 Healey that he raced (and actually won a race or two) "back in the day."

Phil and I got to talking about some of the ERA projects that he had on the shelf that unfortuately never saw the light of day; the RSK, the 904, GTMKIV, the Daytona coupe and of course the GS projects... all cars from a bygone ERA. His was, indeed, the vision. But the world (and most certainly mine) is all the better for the ERA427SC, ERAFIA and ERAGT.

The cars that ERA buiilds today are all very much a product of his zeal to build the very best cars that he, Bob Putnam and the merry crew at ERA could put together. Adam, Doug, Rob, Teddy and Bob have all continued to improve the cars since Phil retired, but it is all a reflection of Phil's effort and determination to build the "best."

Jim

[ERA Chas]

Thanks Jim. Very glad to hear positive news of Phil.
Bob, Pete, Teddy, Doug and Jack are the nucleus of my association going back to '83.
And that nice lady that used to answer the phone-Alice?? I CRS anymore....