Decision made, ERA on order

[snakebitekit]

I mailed my deposit last week for an FIA. These 2 cars will probably be related. Keep in touch, let me know when you get your # and I'll let you know mine. " I'll show mine if you show me yours'"

Snakebitekit

[Godfather]

THanks everyone for welcoming me into the ERA club.

cbmax-- I have opted for a painted roller at this point. I am still researching and engine builder.

redesprit-- let me know how that gear combo works?

Ant-- perhaps others have not had any exposure to ERA. After much searching amongst other brands, I had not heard of them until a year ago. I visited other manufacturers and finally settled on ERA. Although this is my first cobra, in my research I have found it really comes down to two, Kirkham and ERA. The main difference being if you just have to have aluminum then buy Kirkham and if not then ERA. Take away the aluminum question and I'm putting my money that ERA comes in first.

WarrenG-- thanks for sharing the details of your build . I looked your car over good while I was there. It looked great! Keep in touch.

mi rendete il tatto come la famiglia

[RedEsprit]

Godfather,
If you haven't gotten the build manual yet, have Peter send it to you. There is a section on transmissions, gearing, and tires sizes that will give you some additional info. And you are correct, if you want authenticity, ERA is the place to find it. I have crawled around a lot of Cobras both original and replicas and would not think of anything but an ERA or Kirkham. Having had an aluminum AC when I grew up, you can get really tired of dinging out small dents in that paper thin body. The fibergalass works great for me now and ERA has "the look".

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Congrats GF, you made the wisest choice, but Peter may make you pay extra for using the "Godfather" moniker.
Going with the roller allows you to take part in the build and I think you'll be happy you did. Mine was painted by Tony but delivered unassembled, so although I'm behind somewhat, building the car is extremely rewarding and I hope to drive it by summer. Good choice on the rear, if I had to do it again that's what I would choose.
ERA is absolutely one of the 'Big Three'.

[JWheaton]

Originally Posted by Godfather

Take away the aluminum question and I'm putting my money that ERA comes in first.

I believe that as well.

Enjoy the build.

[Godfather]

Peter may well be the godfather of cobra's . I dont have any (family business) in the east so I dont think he will mind. Besides peter thinks only nazi's live in Idaho. Everyone knows Idaho is really just a hiding place for witness protection relocation and retired FBI guys.

[SSSammy]

GF, you arrived at the ERA decision the same way I did. I looked around at the highly regarded manufacturers and chose ERA by reputation .. knowing that it would take longer to get the car than from most any other. You have probably tallied all the changes ERA has just made in the 427 .. including the standard aluminum trunk and engine house trim, wider footwells, etc. Lots of extra value, no extra price (yet). Plus this kit has been refined for decades.

My chassis (745) is close to going out to Tony's for paint. Color sample is in my gallery. Just ordered an aluminum WR toploader and clutch/bellhousing from David Kee. Standard 2.78 first gear. Will use 3.31 IRS provided by ERA, six pin wheels, Goodyear Billboards by Roger Kraus just drop shipped to ERA. Motor is rebuilt 390FE with stock short block, all new Edelbrock top end. Rolling chassis from ERA, I will install wiring, engine, tranny, interior myself.

Stay plugged in here .. these guys are all out there doing it ahead of you and they are great about sharing!

Sam

[Jim Holden]

GF:

Congrats!

Remember, enjoy the journey. ...after all, we all have the same ultimate destination.

J

[Snakebit]

Welcome to the club! It's worth the wait. Peter and the gang are great. there customer service are second to none.

[Kramer]

fyi...ERA 739 here...full comp car with all the goodies...I should be going up to see Peter in a few weeks.

Welcome to the club.

Kramer

[WarrenG]

Kristen,
I think you're half right. I think it's both a quantity and a leadtime issue. Every Cobra event I go to there seems to be large numbers of SPF, FFR, and in most cases more than a couple of KMS, CSX, and backdrafts. ERA's seem to be alot rarer. And like you said, ERA is not pumping them out like an assembly line. To each his/her own, but once I'd seen all of them, there was no question for me when it came to glass car, it had to be ERA. Of Course it also helped that I was set on an FIA. Narrows the choices considerably!

[Chaplin]

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

GF:

Congrats!

Remember, enjoy the journey. ...after all, we all have the same ultimate destination.

J

Jim-
"Ultimate destination" ? Hope you were referring to New Britain and not the ULTIMATE destination.

[Jim Holden]

Chap:

I'm now over 60...

I have no illusions as to my destination and the "futility of all human pursuits". But having said that, I will continue to make the trek to the Emerald City of New Britain to seek the Wizard's (the one behind the supply sargent's desk) take on things both large and small (and enjoy the time as "well spent.")

Jim

[Chaplin]

Getting rather philosophical for a Monday, but I agree completely!
There is always the possibility of interment in New Britain.

[Jim Holden]

As an aside, New Britain had considered building a prison on the old Nike missile base located on the bluff overlooking Peter's house in Plainville.

There were those that said; "Why bother, just fence in the whole city of New Britain."

J

PS: ...and the cemetary is just down the street from the shop. You may recall when the kid driving the "Rush'n" (Peter's FIA at the time) lost it making the turn and tried to climb the fence into the cemetary. Other than a bruise on his head the kid was OK, but the car needed some body work.

[BFBurk]

I have ERA#209, a 17 year old car! I still get a lot of attention whenever I drive it. I just found out that ERA has a lot of good info on their site which is a big plus. Getting an ERA was a very very good choice for me.

[WarrenG]

BFBurk,
Noticed Jersey Shore on the map a few months ago and you're the first person I've "had contact with" that hails from there. Just curious, how did "Jersey Shore" end up in the middle of PA?

[decooney]

Originally Posted by Ant

I havent seen an ERA in the flesh, and wonder at times why ERA isnt considered with the big three, Shelby, Kirkham, SPF,

Oh, it's no wonder, that just depends on who you ask.

[JWheaton]

Chappy,

You could always put in your last will and testament to be cremated and have your ashes sprinkled in the ERA parking lot. I doubt that Peter has that driveway professionally cleaned

As far as the big 3 -- that used to be GM, Ford, Chrysler. Now it is Toyota, GM and ........ oh wait... the big 3 were just US companies.

ERA is the Big #1. They may not have produced in numbers, but they have for a very long time produced on quality accurate cars.

Jamie

[hey,littlecobra]

i was gonna say "well it's about quality, not quantity..." but I don't know the other manufacturers well enough to post something that might be even slightly perceived as negative. I'm SURE KMP, SPF, CSX all make nice cars.
I realize KMP's are generally handmade, like ERA. They are all nice cars.
But ERA has been in business an awfully long time, and i've just never heard anything negative about them!
not paint issues, not quality issues, not 'build manual' issues, nothing. Maybe I'm still too new to ERA, but overall, sure seem like a top 3 company to me!

now BDR, FFR, i'm sure put out a nice product, as well as a kazillion others manufacturers, but again, i just don't think quantity is a goal with ERA.

I would consider a FFR 'specracer' (they now call them something else, forgot) as I would like a full rollcage, race suspension, etc. if I was REALLY going to do some major track stuff with the car.
My ERA is just too sweet and too old!!! Poor Pepe!!

If a KMP or CSX had 'fallen into my lap' like Gary's ERA did, then I'm sure i'd be just as happy with it. I'm not too picky!!!

next car??? hmmm ERA/FIA, or, ERA 'REPLICA' (that means exact!) copy of CSX 2128....frame, suspension, the whole thing. nah... ain't gonna happen!
might as well save my pennies for the real deal.