Headed To ERA End Of August !!!

tkb289 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 12:54 AM

Well at long last, the time has finally come for me to head to ERA, as my 289 FIA bodied 'street' car build, will soon be started.

I have spent a lot of time with the ERA manual and talking with Peter, and I am ready to go.

In review ... here is what is on the drawing board so far:

- 289 FIA body
- No hood scoop, no trunk bumps and no oil cooler scoop, but with a grille!
- Solid color, no stripes or roundels, and painted something really different ... like a medium to dark shade of blue

- A 289, that really is 289 cu inches (imagine that) about 300 HP
- Torque Thrust D wheels, with black (Anthracite) spokes and a machined polished lip
- The 'under car' exhaust, but with a simple round pipe, that exits near the front of the rear tire ... kind of what was done on the '65 GT350
- Optional rear suspension ... outboard brakes
- Roll bar ... Black
- Leaning towards a wide ratio top-loader ... rear ratio TBD
- And most important for me ... all of the tricks that Peter and crew have up their sleeves to get all 6'-4" of me to fit !

Along with visiting Peter and the crew at ERA, I plan to stop by Connecticut Custom Car to discuss paint and possibly visit Danbury Competition Engines as well. I also hope to meet up with a couple of ERA owners, that I have met through Club Cobra.

I have booked a flight and will be in the New Britain area from Wednesday August 26th through Saturday morning August the 29th.

Last but not least ... If there are any Club Cobra owners that would like to get together for something to eat and some bench racing ... just send me a PM.

The best part is, my wife and kids are 100% behind the project and have been encouraging me all along the way. Looking forward to a great trip ... let the fun begin !

- Tim

RICK LAKE · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 04:17 AM

tkb289 Tim Don't forget the camera and to suck and added info from Mr. Jim Holden. He always has some small info ideas on the build. He might also know where a Westlake-Gurney motor is with webers that would look great in your car.

Rick L.

RAO-3 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 05:33 AM

Congratulations on the start of your build! An exciting time is ahead for you. I'm sure that Peter will take good care of you and show you around the place. Everyone at ERA is great to work with. Take plenty of pictures so you have something to look at while waiting as your build progresses.

-Ray

JBCOBRA · #4 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 05:44 AM

Very Cool!
You will have a blast with it!

patrickt · #5 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkb289

I have booked a flight and will be in the New Britain area from Wednesday August 26th through Saturday morning August the 29th.

Tim, that's great -- all of us here enjoy a new ERA build. You'll get lots of car tips, but I'll give you a Bradley International Airport tip. When you walk downstairs and stand outside at the taxi stand area, the taxis won't come until you walk up to the woman in the little glassed-in booth and give her the secret word. There's no signs either -- you're just kind of expected to know that.

Snakebit · #6 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 09:12 AM

Sounds like a great build. Can't say enough about Peter, Bob, Jim, and Doug. The help has been incredible. I just started attending some local shows and received great comments about the quality of the car and the build. You won't be dissapointed!

tkb289 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 09:42 AM

Thanks for all of the advice. Along with a camera, I'll also be bringing some California grown goodies. I understand that the folks at ERA enjoy a good snack from time to time

Patrick ... thanks for the travel tip. I actually have a rental car lined up, an Alamo 'economy' car ... but I'll be sure to walk by the taxi area, just for fun.

- Tim

patrickt · #8 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkb289

Patrick ... thanks for the travel tip. I actually have a rental car lined up, an Alamo 'economy' car ... but I'll be sure to walk by the taxi area, just for fun.

OK, take lots of pictures. And, if you can, find out what ERA is doing different in the last three or four years. They're constantly improving their product, but that they don't always announce the little improvements that they make.

Bobcat · #9 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 11:46 AM

I didn`t realize that they grew sausages in California .... that`s Peter`s weakness !
Patrickt is right ... they make small changes/improvements as they go along , and EVERYONE up there is a wealth of knowledge . Those pictures you take now can be some valuable reference material later .
I had CT Custom Car do my paint ... and am very pleased with how it turned out . They are about 30 minutes from ERA in Enfield .
Welcome .... you`ll have a blast !

Bob

Jim Holden · #10 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 02:54 PM

Here is a short list of "burnt offerings" to take to PEP (Peter) guaranteed to get his attention:

Supresada, the hotter the better
Provolone, the harder the better
Stuffed hot Italian peppers with garlic in oil, the messier the better
Proscuito, the thinner the better, wrapped around almost anything
A loaf of unsliced Italian bread from Arthur's Avenue in the Bronx, the crispier the better

tofu and vegtables from CA won't do it....

Take it from one who knows our boy.

Jim

tkb289 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

Here is a short list of "burnt offerings" to take to PEP (Peter) guaranteed to get his attention:

Supresada, the hotter the better
Provolone, the harder the better
Stuffed hot Italian peppers with garlic in oil, the messier the better
Proscuito, the thinner the better, wrapped around almost anything
A loaf of unsliced Italian bread from Arthur's Avenue in the Bronx, the crispier the better

tofu and vegtables from CA won't do it....

Take it from one who knows our boy.

Jim

Jim,

You do know Peter, and he does not seem like a whole grain, hay and alfalfa kind of guy ... that's for sure!

Don't know if I can match what's on the list, but was thinking of some California grown pistachios and almonds, some Ghirardelli dark chocolate, maybe a bottle or two of Napa Valley or Monterey County wine, if I can get in on the plane. I would consider a loaf of real San Francisco sourdough French bread, from Boudin's bakery right on Fisherman's wharf ... but it would probably not survive the flight without being eaten first.

Thanks for the advice !

- Tim

RodKnock · #12 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

Here is a short list of "burnt offerings" to take to PEP (Peter) guaranteed to get his attention:

Supresada, the hotter the better
Provolone, the harder the better
Stuffed hot Italian peppers with garlic in oil, the messier the better
Proscuito, the thinner the better, wrapped around almost anything
A loaf of unsliced Italian bread from Arthur's Avenue in the Bronx, the crispier the better

tofu and vegtables from CA won't do it....

Take it from one who knows our boy.

Jim

We do have turkey, veggie and chicken-apple sausages out here too.

Man, talk about heart-attack central. Whooweee!

Dangerous Doug · #13 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 08:24 PM

Hey, Tim, great to hear. Glad to see your FIA project moving forward. Uh, let me know when you need your cherry picker back...

DD

PANAVIA · #14 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 03:42 PM

Tim: I have 2 , 1965 date coded 289 blocks (5 bolt rear , 6 bolt rear ) they are clean and will clean up with STD rod and STD Crank bearings and --a .020 overbore.

depends on what transmission you would like, but with a 289, you could use a new Ford Racing T5 and be a very happy guy. - and save 800$

tkb289 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 12:28 AM

Steve,

Sounds intriguing ... thanks for thinking of me, I will definitely keep that in mind.

- Tim

tkb289 · #16 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:55 PM

I am headed out in a few days on my visit to ERA and surrounding area, from Wednesday morning Aug 26th to Saturday Aug 29th about noon.

On the agenda will be visits the companies below and hope to meet up with a couple of Club Cobra members as well.

- ERA in New Britain
- Connecticut Custom Car in Enfield
- Danbury Competition Engines in where else but ... Danbury

Questions:

- Anything of note to see for someone interested in Cars, Aircraft and History in and around these cities ... or things to see while traveling between them?

- Are there any car club events in the Hartford area with activities for a visitor to check out on Friday night 8/28 or Saturday morning till noon on 8/29 ?

Thanks!

- Tim

patrickt · #17 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkb289

- ERA in New Britain
- Connecticut Custom Car in Enfield
- Danbury Competition Engines in where else but ... Danbury

I have done business with all of them. If everyone I had to do business with were as honest, competent, and easy to deal with as that group I would be dancing on the tables with a rose clenched between my teeth.

Walt & Diane are especially nice to deal with. Joe is a little unusual, but he is a master engine builder -- no question about that. I am almost not kidding when I tell you that you could actually leave a signed, blank check with any of them and just tell them to fill the number in when the job is done. I trust them that much.

jeffy · #18 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkb289

I am headed out in a few days on my visit to ERA and surrounding area, from Wednesday morning Aug 26th to Saturday Aug 29th about noon.

- Tim

I'll be there tomorrow to check out my paint job; sorry I'll miss you! Have fun!

Jeff

tkb289 · #19 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffy

I'll be there tomorrow to check out my paint job; sorry I'll miss you! Have fun!

Jeff

Jeff,

Sorry to miss you as well ... any guess as to when you car will be completed ?

- Tim

jeffy · #20 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkb289

Jeff,

Sorry to miss you as well ... any guess as to when you car will be completed ?

- Tim

Ten weeks was Peter's most recent guess. I'm not holding him to it...

Jeff