ERA 3035 just started

[Grubby]

I think the 427 cars are still the bread and butter for ERA.

It seems likely there is more interest in the 289 builds as they are newer and people have interest. A ERA 427 build would be hard to do something that hasn’t been done many times over.

John

[jasond29]

Maybe bad choice of words....lol. Possibly not "getting tired of" but maybe the fact that the slabsides were not available from anyone for so long. Its only been in the past 5 or so year that slabsides starting to really becoming available. The ford v ferrrai movie helped to I think. The stars driving them to the premier was pretty cool.

[65snake]

Brings back a lot of memories. I remember seriously looking at cobras in 1965. A used 64 slab side with 289 was $4000 and I bought the used 64 Jag roadster (wind up windows). I was tired of side curtains on my TR3, but still would have bought the Cobra except my new bride loved the Black Jag. So I sold Out (Happy wife Happy life). In 66 I saw my first 427 Cobra at archway Ford. It was a silver street version with no hood scoop, and sunburst knock mags. It had 2 4 barrel carbs and later found out it was a 428. You have to know most of us really didn't know the difference between the 427 sideoiler and the 428PI engines. This was the car I wanted but they wanted $6000 which was almost a third more than a new 427 corvette at $4200. I bought the Vette. After drag racing the Vette successfully for several years i again started looking for a Cobra. My friend Sam Farace had worked as a mechanic for my dad, and started his own restoration shop specializing in Corvettes and Cobras. His neighbor had a black 64 Cobra for $6000 and Sam called me. I set up a time to see it the next day. When I called to say I was comeing over I found that Sam had bought it for $5000. Every day going to work I would pass Sam going to his shop in his triple black Cobra. Also had a chance to buy an original automatic Cobra (I passed on that). Sam ended up salvaging and rebuilding several Cobras. I never pursued Cobras at this time because I was to become a Daddy (life gets in the way). I retired from Bell Atlantic in 94 at 50, and decided to once again pursue my Cobra dream. Real Cobras were way out of my means, but ERA made the absolute best kit (we called them kits not replicas). I do like the classy sound of replica better. So I got a roller #407 and finished it in my newly built house (which I also designed and built). The basement was finished with ground level double doors that opened just wide enough for me to drive my Cobra in. Finished it in heated air condition work shop. What fun it was. I will miss that great experience. It took me one wonderful year to complete. Memories!!! This time Peter P and company will finish mine (they get to have all the fun). I feel that I'm lucky in that I've been given the chance to full fill my dreams after striking out way too many times.

[seatra]

I went with the 289 FIA. Not too many around here and something about the look spoke to me. Plus, I feel more comfortable putting together the SBF driveline...

[65snake]

They are great looking cars. If they had them when I built #407 I would have ordered the same. Since I had the 427 (mine had a built 428) with a Richmond 6 sp trans I decided to go way back to the original looking slab side. I still had thoughts of maybe a dragon snake, but will stick with something very stock looking. It will be Black with blood red interior and no hood scoop. The tires will be Pirelli CN12's on chrome wires. I never saw a real 289/260 with chrome wheels, but who today knows that. A couple of other major changes will be Power Steering by Flaming river with speed sensor. Also Vintage air Mini Air, Heat, and defrost. Needless to say I'll be ordering the top and side curtains.
I'm in it for cruising the car shows in Florida, and want my wife to be able to drive it and both of us arrive not sweating. I did all the racing (both street and strip), blew engines, transmissions, slid off the track into a hard pylon (body work), and lived despite my stupid stunts. On my ERA 427 Cobra I had the engine compartment look as original as possible. It fooled a few people (you know the one's that think Shelby built a few original Cobras out of Fiber Glass). On this new Slab Side I'm not going to worry about the engine bay (just keep it neat). At all the car shows I go to there are so many beautiful deassed engines I decided I won't even try to compete.

[dacobb]

Originally Posted by 65snake

Great looking car! Love the color. What is the name of your Cobra Club? I use to belong to the Deeper South Cobra Club.

Cape Coral Cobra Club.

[65snake]

Just found out from Peter P that I have slab side Cobra 3032 not 3035 and both the body and frame are complete. Since it is now May I think it just moved my car up about 3 months. This is great since I'm not getting any younger. Still staying with Black exterior and blood red leather interior. Bob Putnam and I do have a few surprises for everyone and will keep all posted with pics as the Cobra takes shape.

[jasond29]

Sounds awesome, will look killer with red leather on black....classic.

[6TNCRZY]

My father had a '65 289 Cobra. It was black with red leather seats and door pockets, the rest of the interior was black. It was a stunning look especially after he put on the chrome 6" wires and Blue Streaks

[65snake]

My original ERA Slabside number was 3035 but Peter P moved me up to #3032 and sent it to paint around May or June 2023. The new painter has already delivered several cars to ERA and Peter said his work is excellent. Well the new painter "Jeff" send pictures of the completed body work and the first primer block sanding. Hopefully the car will be back to ERA by November 2023. I decided on Electric adjustable power steering "Flaming River". There is a chance we will be installing Vintage air since Bob found that there is enough space under the dash. The glove box will not be used but we will retain the glove box door and hide the controls in it. This is a South Florida car that I intend to drive often including summer car show. My last ERA 427 #407 (had for 26 years) would melt me on those hot summer days although the car never overheated. With the air, top, and side curtains it will be a pleasure driving home in those evening showers (if I can see).

[65snake]

Just to correct this thread. Peter P. changed my cobra from #3035 to #3032. It is at the painter at this very moment with the first coat of primer being block sanded.

[65snake]

Just to clear things up. Peter P. changed my Cobra from #3035 to #3032, and it is now at the painters with first coat of primer being block sanded.

[65snake]

Just an update. 5/2/2024 #3035 changed to 3032 and is back from the painter last week. Yes it's been a long wait at Paint, but finally done and looks great.
Peter now does his work. 302 DART stroked to 331, everything that spins is forged,10.5 to 1 compression, 440 hp, holley sniper efi, vintage air, flaming river variable power steering. Black slabside with red leather interior. Chrome wires, vintage 215/70v cinturato pirelli cn12 tires.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by 65snake

Just an update... 440 hp and vintage 215/70v cinturato pirelli cn12 tires.

YIKES!