289 and 427 street versions

[fintubi]

All -

Trust me, there's a question here...but first some background:

I've been entertaining the idea of an ERA build for a long time, and visited New Britain last November. I'm going through the soul-searching and research that most new guys do, and nevertheless am still on the bubble between the 289 and 427 cars. First, the things I have come to pretty clear terms on:

- I'm not interested in tracking the car.

- In both cases, I like the street version: no stripes, pipes, hoops or scoops on the 427, and I prefer the slabside to the FIA 289. Some representative pictures: http://goo.gl/DSI3ZW (427) and http://goo.gl/G2xN9I (289 - this one happens to be a Kirkham not an ERA)

- I understand and appreciate ERA's rationale for encouraging the right engine in the right car, so if I built a 427 it would have an FE in it. But I don't have an abiding urge to become an FE whisperer, so the relative simplicity of a Windsor in the 289 body appeals to me too. Cost is a small appeal also, but IMO one shouldn't make any decisions about Cobras expecting to save money .

Next, the things that keep me undecided:

- I like both the muscular 427 look and the slabside 289/wire wheel look
- I like the fact that the 289 car is a more moderate hybrid of sports car and muscle car; but also like the fact that the 427 is legendary because there's nothing moderate about it.
- I prefer some details of the 427: mainly the grille opening but also little stuff like the fuel filler location.

In short, I appreciate both aesthetics: the English roadster with a trick up its sleeve (289) and the overtly bad mofo (427). But at the end of the day, I'm a moderate guy - so I'm starting to think more seriously about the slabside, despite the undeniable appeal of an understated 427 like the picture linked above.

So here's the question: how compatible is a modest Windsor with the skinny rubber of a slabside 289? My objective is cruising rather than limit driving, but it still seems crazy to build the more understated car and nevertheless wind up with something more dangerous (from a snap-spin perspective, either under power or lift-throttle) than a fire-breathing 427. Is that a valid concern?

Of course you'll ask if I've driven them. Answer: I've never driven an ERA, but I recently drove a CCX courtesy of a very trusting acquaintance. But of course that was pretty much trundling around at 0.5/10 to get the feel of the car. It seems pretty unlikely that a hyper-cautious drive in a stranger's car - something pretty rare to begin with - is going to uncover meaningful handling differences between different Cobra interpretations.

Sorry about the long post, but hopefully it sets the stage well.

Bill

[MRGEORGE077]

If you have never owned a street pounding, fire breathing, hell raising 427 then you may well regret going with the much calmer 289, however if you have been there and done that you will not regret the 289 Slibside.

[LMH]

I like both but within the hobby, everyone has a 427 of one style or another. It's kind of nice to have something a little different.
Larry

[Maricopa]

Don't let anyone tell you that you need 600 hp to have a good time in one of these, other than the track there's nowhere for you use that power anyway. Hit a freeway on-ramp and you're well past the speed limit as you roll in traffic. If there had been an affordable Slabside kit when I built my 427-style street car I would have gone that way. A warmed over small block is plenty to keep you amused. You can keep the authentic look and still have something that will leave your eyeballs back at the stoplight.

[lippy]

I was pretty torn between a 289 and a 427 (ERA). I ended up choosing a 427 because it's the car I've been thinking about for about the last 40 years, I like the look, and I thought it would be cool to have an FE. At the same time, I wanted to do something just a bit more understated so I chose FIA wheels and went without a stripe. I was very close to doing a street build, though.

Being someone who over analyzes things, my advice is not to over analyze this and just get whatever turns you on.

[DanEC]

I think you are going to have to make the decision of 427 vs 289 street roadster yourself. There is just so much you can take away from other people's advice because either one is a top notch car. It's not like you are going to conclude that one is superior to the other - they are just two different approaches.

I would not over-sweat the issue of a healthy small block overwhelming a 289 roadster with wires and 70 series tires. The ERA is actually plenty docile to drive. The clutch throw is long and not overly quick. Same for the throttle. The suspension is well designed, compliant and not going to surprise you. Plus, the 289 ERA runs basically the same suspension as the 427 model. I suspect you could definately create some stupid moments in a 289/302/351 powered roadster - but certainly not anymore so than in an FE powered 427 car if you follow true 427 street roadster trim with 7 inch rims all the way around with 70/60 series tires in the rear.

A street style 427 roadster with smooth hood, undercar exhaust and no roll bar is a lot less common than the usual SC style 427 car. And a 289 slabside is going to be even more unusual than a 427 roadster. A lot of us grew up with memories of these cars from our youth and in my case I remember the 427 cars more than the 289 cars. But, if I had been a few years older or somehow just more aware of the 289 cars back then - I probably would build a 289 car. Fortunately ERA had not brought out the 289 car when I ordered mine so that simplified things.

Good luck.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I think you are going to have to make the decision of 427 vs 289 street roadster yourself. There is just so much you can take away from other people's advice because either one is a top notch car. It's not like you are going to conclude that one is superior to the other - they are just two different approaches.

I would not over-sweat the issue of a healthy small block overwhelming a 289 roadster with wires and 70 series tires. The ERA is actually plenty docile to drive. The clutch throw is long and not overly quick. Same for the throttle. The suspension is well designed, compliant and not going to surprise you. Plus, the 289 ERA runs basically the same suspension as the 427 model. I suspect you could definately create some stupid moments in a 289/302/351 powered roadster - but certainly not anymore so than in an FE powered 427 car if you follow true 427 street roadster trim with 7 inch rims all the way around with 70/60 series tires in the rear.

A street style 427 roadster with smooth hood, undercar exhaust and no roll bar is a lot less common than the usual SC style 427 car. And a 289 slabside is going to be even more unusual than a 427 roadster. A lot of us grew up with memories of these cars from our youth and in my case I remember the 427 cars more than the 289 cars. But, if I had been a few years older or somehow just more aware of the 289 cars back then - I probably would build a 289 car. Fortunately ERA had not brought out the 289 car when I ordered mine so that simplified things.

Good luck.

Dan is The Man. Pretty much sums up my feelings on the topic.

When I was a kid, I bought a poster of a 427 S/C. Eventually, I purchased a '66 Corvette with a Big Block Chevy and sidepipes, so I knew exactly which direction I was going towards when I ultimately bought my Cobra.

You just know. Feel the force inside you.

[jolsen42]

Well I've built both, and loved them both. But between the two, my favorite is the slabside. It's the look of the original Cobra, and while the 427 is more muscular looking, I love the refined almost delicate look of the original 289 . Delicate until you step on the gas. I built a 289 to hi-po specs and while it's not as powerful as the 427, It's managable horsepower, easily doing 0-60 4.5 sec times. Here are some comparison pics.

427



289



John O

[avanti-176]

Not to take over the thread, but, John, you wouldn't happen to have the supplier and part number for the weather stripping you used for the 289 hood??

Now back to our regularly scheduled subject....

[1985 CCX]

Best use of the car is the question.......

For street:
You want:
top
side curtains
pump gas
Rotatable tires - 289
comfort
able to hold conversations with guest
Most of all in my book, you will not have 25 other cars at a car show that look like you.

That is what led me to mine............... Hertz gold, 289 comp with LeMans character.. The only one like it in NH for sure.

[tboneheller]

Cobra Restorers has an ERA slabside for sale that was almost completed the last time I was there.

[1795]

I concur with CCX 1985, having something different is a nice thing. Any cobra will have enough juice to get you where you want to go in a hurry. If you are really looking for a driver, build a driver. You can still build a car with an awesome sound and look without having an FE in it. Probably get a little better gas mileage to boot.

Ultimately, it will be your car. Build what you want and enjoy it.

[jolsen42]

I sent you a private message with info.

John O

Originally Posted by avanti-176

Not to take over the thread, but, John, you wouldn't happen to have the supplier and part number for the weather stripping you used for the 289 hood??

Now back to our regularly scheduled subject....

[mos289]

Always had a 427 Cobra on my dream car list growing up...but then I grew up and realized I am more of a low key guy and a fan of classic Brit roadsters so choice was easy for me - slabside.

Now my only hurdle is getting it titled and inspected (still working through the NJ bureaucracy and regs). May need to go to some unorthodoxed solutions but will post when I know more.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Best use of the car is the question.......

For street:
You want:
top
side curtains
pump gas
Rotatable tires - 289
comfort
able to hold conversations with guest
Most of all in my book, you will not have 25 other cars at a car show that look like you.

That is what led me to mine............... Hertz gold, 289 comp with LeMans character.. The only one like it in NH for sure.

What's ironic is that I attended a local car show this past weekend and the ONLY Cobra there was a 289 ERA. Go figure.

I wanted something "unique" too, so I went with a polished aluminum Cobra. So, we all have our varying definitions of what is considered "unique."

There are definitely less 289's out there, but that's probably for a couple reasons. One, they're only now being made in larger numbers by ERA, SPF, CSX and KMP. Two, I believe the 289's appeal to a smaller audience, which may or may not be an issue for resale. As an example, Kirkham has been offering both 289 and 427 models for a very long time and the 427/SC outsells them all by a large margin.

And you can certainly build a "driver" 427 Cobra. Bernie (BMK), from the Australian Cobra group, has a Kirkham with a 468 FE and something like 1,000,000 miles (an exaggeration, but it's alot of miles/km's, maybe 15,000 in 2 years). With proper selection of parts, an FE can be a very nice driver.

Again, ERA makes a wonderful Cobra. It's whatever appeals to you and marks most of, or all, the boxes on your list.

[Murky781]

As the owner of both an ERA 427 and a slabside I can tell you that they are two completely different cars as well as both being a beast if you so desire. The 427 is sporting a 428 CJ engine @ about 550hp, single 4 barrel, side exhaust and aTKO 5 speed. I've set it up for street cruising and it is a pleasure to drive for hours on end. I can, on a moments notice, drive with my right foot and the seat of my pants and have it sideways in a corner, roaring, spewing flames and giving me the thrill of a lifetime. The right engine, period correct and what someone else says is right has been discussed on here over and over with the end result being build what YOU want.
The slabside is beautiful to look at, a much more nimble car to drive (imho) and with the under car exhaust, very quiet. A 302 bored out to 337 (409 hp) with the single 4 barrel, same TKO 5 speed makes it the perfect daily driver. 6 inch wide tires on wire wheels grip well around town, and as I see it, a small blessing is no one knows what it is. Put a boxster next to me at a stop light and I can light up the tires and smoke the yuppy SOB so bad the alligator on his shirt dies.
Both cars were built the way I wanted them and will be as mild or killer as I make them with the right foot. The choice is yours and there is no right or wrong in doing what you want. The 427 will always attract attention and gearheads know what it is. The slabside, in quiet mode, looks like a MG to most people and mostly I get, "beautiful car, what is it?" Have fun, make the leap, make a choice and do as YOU please.
Just MY thoughts, and welcome to the club.

[Rick Parker]

Well said Murky781, well said.

[Rick Parker]

Well said Murky781, well said. Just depends what flavor you want and what toppings

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

Well said Murky781, well said. Just depends what flavor you want and what toppings

Hands down-the best NAF out there.
And about to get a major power infusion.

[Rick Parker]

Thanks Charles