Updated Pics of ERA 752 7/3/09

428street · #1 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 05:52 AM

Well I've been hard at work gathering more nuts (literally and figuratively) for my journey on this car. I've recently updated the car a bunch and figured I would update the pics as well. Enjoy.

The latest updates are the following:

1. Painted the duct vent screws the body color.

2. Installed the correct chromed hex heads for the windshield hold down.

3. Installed one of the two correct Lucas stems for the rear view mirror I have seen on original cars.

4. Installed Trico bottle and associated tubing to go to manual washer button

5. Painted the gas tank black.

6. Had Nick Acton make original straps for the gas tank. They came out great. Nick can make almost anything. I highly recommend him for parts. Nick is also making me the radius rod covers for behind the seats that the original cars had.

7. Installed the original rectangular weather striping for the hood.

8. Drilled drip holes in the front corner edges as the original cars had.

9. Installed "semi - correct" looking hood hold down bracket. Original cars had them as part of the sheetmetal but this was the best we (ERA) could do.

Hope you enjoy the pics...

1985 CCX · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 06:51 AM

Very Very impressed!
I must say your ERA is the top of the bunch and has by far become my favorite ERA in existance.

I hope you can make our August 15th Cookout here in Southern NH? Would love to see this car first hand. As would everyone else.
4th Annual Cobra Cookout 8/15/09 - Southern NH

Ditto about http://www.actoncustom.com/Cobra_Parts.php

Jeff

428street · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 07:23 AM

Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the kind words. I'd love to come to NH in August, just not sure I'd be real comfortable driving that far with the car in the height of summer...let me work on a trailer or something like that. I'd love to meet you guys. I've taken the car on almost a two hour non-stop drive with no issues so it's not out of the question to drive up. This car is not a garage queen, I drive it as much as possible.

jeffy · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 07:27 AM

Only problem is, your car is now better than an original! Absolutely love the car and your devotion to authenticity. Keep us updated!

tkb289 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 11:06 AM

Frank,

Great photos! Between the guys at ERA and your attention to detail, the results are very impressive!

What's left to do ??? ... Is the car the way you want it ?

- Tim

428street · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 11:15 AM

Tim:

It's very close to the way I want it. I need to do a bunch of very small stuff like paint some bolts black, install a nut and bolt for the air duct brackets as opposed to the sheet metal screws I have now, replace the rest of the weather striping from the half moon to the rectangle original style. Just stuff like that.

The major thing I want t do is to replace the fiberglass hood with an aluminum one. I also still have work to do in the trunk area. Original street cars had a fiberglass tub and was all black. Much different then the ERA trunk so I think I am going to just paint it all black and be done with it...

tkb289 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 11:22 AM

Can the Wizards at ERA make an aluminum hood ... or would that have to be fabricated elsewhere ?

428street · #8 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 12:12 PM

No. I'm going to have Nick Acton and his contacts make me one probably sometime this year...It's a 2010 budget project.

patrickt · #9 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkb289

Can the Wizards at ERA make an aluminum hood ... or would that have to be fabricated elsewhere ?

I find they can do anything you pay them to... but is there any issue in getting the color to match just right when painting the new aluminum hood to match the rest of the glass car?

428street · #10 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 12:27 PM

I'm not a painter nor a paint expert but I have saved ample paint from the original paint job a couple of years ago so the matching should be easy...I know there are a myriad of factors that effect color but I assume CCC can match it...

jay bentley · #11 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 12:49 PM

Wow! I didn't think there was anymore that could be done to this car. It looks great!! Actually even looks better in person.

Jay

428street · #12 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 01:00 PM

Thanks Jay, I appreciate the complement, especially from an original owner. Keep me in the loop for any get togethers, etc.

patrickt · #13 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 01:57 PM

I'm sure CCC can get it right (and if it isn't perfect, just hot tank it and do it again). I'm also pretty sure ERA can whip up an aluminum hood for you too, here's a shot of one on their web site: http://www.erareplicas.com/427man/paint/index.htm

PANAVIA · #14 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009, 11:30 PM

Frank - what about an aluminum liner for the hood, vs replacing the whole hood.-- 99% for 2% the $$$.

Steve

428street · #15 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 05:08 AM

The liner is not the answer for me...there is a gentlemen local to ERA that does metal finish on fiberglass...metalmorpheus I think...anyway, the original hood is very distinct with a thin rail system around the outside edge and then the hood rolled over that. The ERA hood from underneath is not even close to the real one...again, not a big deal for most owners...

patrickt · #16 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 428street

metalmorpheus I think...

I've seen shots of his work. A true artist. BTW, have you check your clutch arm set-screw and your shifter linkage bolts?

RodKnock · #17 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 10:25 AM

Maybe you should just drop all pretenses and go ahead and buy a Kirkham.

It's within the realm of possibilities that the Kirkhams have some extra hoods lying around that they might want to sell? Take some measurements and voila!

Beautiful car. The authenticity thing is almost a maniacal obsession with you. Keep it going. I love the car.

428street · #18 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 11:31 AM

Rodnock:

At some point in my life I would love to get an aluminum car but I am really enjoying my ERA. As you can tell I like the details, research, challenges, etc. Yes, on many levels I am going way overboard with this car...and I know that...it's just to much fun and quit honestly the little things I am doing are not super expensive and the more I do the more it I want to do..

Rock and Roll baby!

RodKnock · #19 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 428street

Rodnock:

At some point in my life I would love to get an aluminum car but I am really enjoying my ERA. As you can tell I like the details, research, challenges, etc. Yes, on many levels I am going way overboard with this car...and I know that...it's just to much fun and quit honestly the little things I am doing are not super expensive and the more I do the more it I want to do..

Rock and Roll baby!

Hey, you're having fun and it's a hobby. I'm enjoying it. Keep posting your changes towards "most authentic."

mickmate · #20 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 05:20 PM

What you do is Cobra art Frank. I think you'll find spare wheel wells in black or cream (footbox colored) fibreglass. Keep inspiring us street guys to do better Frankie baby!