"Inspirations" for my ERA 289 - Page 22

jeffy · #**421** (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xb-60

Hi Jeff,
Tell me (for my own purposes, and as always, thinking ahead), would gauge visibility be improved if the whole grouping was shifted in towards the vehicle centreline a little?

Yes it would.

Quote:

And have you deserted NY?

Only in the winter.

RAO-3 · #**422** (**permalink**) 05-11-2011, 11:37 AM

Great to see it on the road, and just in time for the great warm season.

Really looks great in the outdoors!

Best of luck to you with it.

-Ray

jeffy · #**423** (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 12:20 PM

Had some nice driving yesterday. The Richmond 5-speed takes some getting used to but can be mastered. I had a tendency to go from third to second (instead of to fourth) that was annoying. Less often went from second to fifth. Just took some getting used to.

Was brave enough to floor it through the first three gears and it is wicked fast. My friend that races a Lotus Exige Cup car looked a little fearful as I was going through the gears, but when we were once again safe and sound said he was very impressed by the V-8's torque. Thought it was clearly faster than the Exige.

I had a bit of a shock when I snapped the turn signal arm while making a left. Not a very sturdy piece. Taped it up but will need to be replaced post-Carlisle. Has this happened to anyone else?

This car really sucks gas. Of course I've been keeping the revs high and not doing any real cruising, but it has burned up almost 20 gallons with just 167 miles on the odometer. As I said last week, the odometer seems to understate the mileage by 20%, but even accounting for that it's about 10 mpg. We had a '65 Cadillac that got that kind of mileage.

Where my right hand rests on the transmission tunnel by the shifter the aluminum is starting to tarnish. What do you guys use to clean up the aluminum?

Everyone oohs-and-ahs over it, and the paint job gets a lot of compliments, but the most fun is opening the hood. What's some backfiring compared to the bug-eyes the Webers always get? That and the exhaust note just gets people laughing and shaking their head. The car is just too much fun!

*13* · #**424** (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 01:10 PM

Turn signal is a British POS, what did you expect? Ha! Webers are always fun to unveil & open up next to a punk kid in a WRX. Got to love that!

Murky781 · #**425** (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 01:24 PM

Jeffy, The turn signal switch is pretty delicate and I've replaced mine once Easy enough to do, but a quick 45 or 50 bucks I think. I just keep handing Peter cash and he gives me parts. I've lost track now! LOL I'll be at Carlise with #781 with the ERA gang. Seems we keep the same friends as our cars shared the Ct Custom booth at the Frank Marrotta show in Jan. Are you going to Carlise or just the car? Wife and I will both be there.

jeffy · #**426** (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 03:23 PM

The turn signal should come with a warning then! Seemed awfully flimsy.

Murky, I won't be at Carlisle, sadly. I heard there was a black Cobra at Marotta's show, so I guess that was yours!

Have fun at Carlisle, and good luck with the weather.

BTW, I grew up in West Hartford and sent you a pm a few days ago, in case you didn't notice it in your inbox.

xb-60 · #**427** (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 06:09 AM

Hey Jeff! So you and 2131 have gained celebrity status with an appearance on the ERA website!

Will you still talk to us commoners?

Seriously though, I've kept a keen eye on the latter stages of your build, made a few notes along the way, learnt a few things, and hope to translate them into the metal (and 'glass) a little bit further along the track.
Cheers!
Glen

Jim Holden · #**428** (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 09:48 AM

My recollection is that the turn signal is a VW part;

See: Your Parts Search Returned 1 Part(s)

Jim

xb-60 · #**429** (**permalink**) 08-31-2011, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffy

Hi Jeff! How's that red rocket going? Silly question; you've had a whole summer now to enjoy.
Got a question....do you recall what the brand of the remote oil filter bracket is? And what is the 'switch' on the top of the bracket? And do you have a thermostat in the line?
Cheers,
Glen

jeffy · #**430** (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xb-60

Hi Jeff! How's that red rocket going? Silly question; you've had a whole summer now to enjoy.
Got a question....do you recall what the brand of the remote oil filter bracket is? And what is the 'switch' on the top of the bracket? And do you have a thermostat in the line?
Cheers,
Glen

The switch regulates flow to the oil cooler. You don't really need the oil cooler under street conditions and shutting off the oil flow raises the heat in the engine. No thermostat in the oil line, I just make adjustments depending on how hot it is outside.

Here is a link to the manufacturer:

Beaumont Metal Works, Manufacturer of Industrial belt grinders and finishing equipment

Fair warning: it's not cheap and plumbing it to his satisfaction was one of Doug's biggest challenges. Looks really cool though!

Jeff

xb-60 · #**431** (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 08:15 AM

Yes, I like it!
Thanks for the link.
Cheers,
Glen

FatBoy · #**432** (**permalink**) 10-12-2011, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *13*

Turn signal is a British POS, what did you expect?

Up yours!

Actually, if it's the original style, it will be VW, which is obviously German.

BTW, beautiful car Jeffy with some really lovely detailing. Congratulations.

Paul

jeffy · #**433** (**permalink**) 12-28-2011, 02:49 PM

Jim Inglese has added a "Customer Cars" page to his website, and guess who made the cut!

The rest are here:

Cobra/GT40 options13

Jeff

RodKnock · #**434** (**permalink**) 12-28-2011, 02:52 PM

I'm thinking we can rule out CSX 2009 as the answer to your question.

Congratulations.

jeffy · #**435** (**permalink**) 06-26-2023, 10:17 PM

Hello again!

It's hard to believe I took delivery of ERA 2131 twelve years ago in May 2011. The past few years it wasn't registered and in storage. About a year ago, the car went back to New Britain and Peter P. and the crew replaced, replated or recoated anything worn, tarnished or otherwise compromised by age. I've had it back since April but, despite the best of intentions, it's just sitting in the garage. It may be time for a new home. I thought I'd give this forum a heads up before I formally list it.

BTW, it's now registered in New York as a 1964 ERA, vin number ERA2131! It also sports a 1964 New York plate. For historic plates, New York law follows the practice of the year the plate was issued and, happily, in 1964 only rear plates were required.

I'll get some current pictures up in due course, although it hasn't changed a bit in the interim, other than replacing the Florida "antique" plate with the New York "historic" one.

Jeff

xb-60 · #**436** (**permalink**) 06-26-2023, 11:30 PM

Hello Jeff
Welcome back, even if only for a short visit to sell your car. A pity that you have not had a lot of use with the car, as I remember that you put a lot of research into its build.
If it is sold, it will be to a very fortunate buyer.

Best regards,
Glen

tkb289 · #**437** (**permalink**) 06-26-2023, 11:31 PM

Jeff,

Time does indeed pass quickly! Sounds like 2131 is alive and well, good job getting it back to Peter and crew for a refresh. Nice that you were able to update the registration and use the car number as the VIN.

Sorry to hear that you might be letting the car go, but when it's time, it's time. I am sure there will be a lot of interest and hopefully it will go to a good home.

Best of luck whatever you decide to do!

- Tim

jeffy · #**438** (**permalink**) 09-17-2023, 07:20 AM

IT'S OFFICIAL - ERA2131

Jeff Martin's "Red FIA" is officially for sale. It is at ERA and will remain there until sold. My price is $150,000. If it doesn't sell after a reasonable amount of time, I will list it on BAT. My price is based off of this BAT auction:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/era-289-fia/

Feel free to text me any questions: 917-881-3201

Best to all,

Jeff

patrickt · #**439** (**permalink**) 09-17-2023, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffy

IT'S OFFICIAL - ERA2131

Jeff Martin's "Red FIA" is officially for sale. It is at ERA and will remain there until sold. My price is $150,000. If it doesn't sell after a reasonable amount of time, I will list it on BAT. My price is based off of this BAT auction:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/era-289-fia/

Feel free to text me any questions: 917-881-3201

Jeff, can you post one medium length summary of all that #2131 has and what's been done to it? I followed the thread originally but 20+ pages is a lot to review.

mrmustang · #**440** (**permalink**) 09-17-2023, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffy

IT'S OFFICIAL - ERA2131

Jeff Martin's "Red FIA" is officially for sale. It is at ERA and will remain there until sold. My price is $150,000. If it doesn't sell after a reasonable amount of time, I will list it on BAT. My price is based off of this BAT auction:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/era-289-fia/

Feel free to text me any questions: 917-881-3201

Best to all,

Jeff

Strong ask, I personally hope you get it, especially since I've gotten just a few nibbles at $85,000 for 2080.

Bill S.

PS: You might want to check the bidding history of the two high bidders (yes, winner included) and how frequently they bid on the sellers items, in a W-I-D-E variety of items he sells. May be a coincidence, may not be, just an observation and nothing else.