Kirkham vs. ERA

acindrich · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 09:04 PM

I can't speak authoritatively about an ERA. I own a Kirkham. I have a friend that built an ERA and it's a very nice car, and he did a very nice job, and it looks amazing. My car is polished with racing stripes and has quite the patina on it. Nothing that can't be polished out, but frankly, I like the way it looks. It looks used and it definitely IS used. I've put almost 18k miles on it in three years and taken it to the track for the last three open tracks. The car is phenomenal on the track. I think what I love most is that its as close to a sixties era cobra without the price tag. So, its made out of the same material as an original, has the same frame as an original and it comes with all the same shakes, rattles and noises of an original. It was a rough car then and it's as rough today. I, personally, love that. I guess this is long version of what could been a very short, heavily biased opinion to "go with the Kirkham!" It's as close to real as you can get, and if "real-ness" if anything what you're after, you will not be disapointed. I do have one piece of advise, that's been stated already, go visit Kirkham Motorsports and ERA and use the visits as part of your decision making. And, finally, if you can make it out to the next open track day at Miller Motorsports park you can take my car out and beat on it. It'll grease the check for sure.

Flygirl · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acindrich

And, finally, if you can make it out to the next open track day at Miller Motorsports park you can take my car out and beat on it. It'll grease the check for sure.

Real-ness is pretty important to me. I'm not sure why, it kind of defies logic, but it seems to be.

I fly for a living, and operate machines which might overload my brain and kill me if I'm not careful.

Thank you for the kind offer to come out and drive your car. I'd be worth the trip!

RodKnock · #3 (**permalink**) 10-25-2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flygirl

Real-ness is pretty important to me. I'm not sure why, it kind of defies logic, but it seems to be.

If I remember correctly, then the original aluminum bodies from the 1960's were made from .050" thick aluminum and the Kirkham aluminum bodies are made from .059" thick aluminum.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with either a SPF, ERA or KMP. All excellent choices at different price points. As for "realness", the ERA is closer than the SPF and the Kirkham is "more closer" than ERA.

Since you're buying used, there's no need to worry about lead times on new bodies. Otherwise the ERA might take about 9-12 months or more.

patrickt · #4 (**permalink**) 10-25-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Since you're buying used, there's no need to worry about lead times on new bodies. Otherwise the ERA might take about 9-12 months or more.

I thought she was thinking about buying a new ERA, customized to her liking? Getting something exactly the way you want it is a big deal, you know....

RodKnock · #5 (**permalink**) 10-25-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

I thought she was thinking about buying a new ERA, customized to her liking? Getting something exactly the way you want it is a big deal, you know....

So, if Flygirl considers a new ERA, then the wait is 12-18 months +/- depending on completeness of the build.

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 10-25-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

So, if Flygirl considers a new ERA, then the wait is 12-18 months +/- depending on completeness of the build.

Not necessarily. That info would have to come directly from New Britain. But at the absolute earliest it would be about 9 months, and at the absolute latest (that I can recall) is was over a year -- 18 months seems kind of high. I don't know how many folks they have lined up in the queue, though. Even then, estimates are only estimates and a lot if can be outside their control. I remember a couple of people at Connecticut Custom came down with the flu during my build and *poof* an extra month got tacked on to the project.

RodKnock · #7 (**permalink**) 10-25-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Not necessarily. That info would have to come directly from New Britain. But at the absolute earliest it would be about 9 months, and at the absolute latest (that I can recall) is was over a year -- 18 months seems kind of high. I don't know how many folks they have lined up in the queue, though. Even then, estimates are only estimates and a lot if can be outside their control. I remember a couple of people at Connecticut Custom came down with the flu during my build and *poof* an extra month got tacked on to the project.

Hey, I could wrong, but Tim's 2136 took a really long time. He did do a few things differently too. His build thread started from the body coming out of the mold on 8/28/09 and completion at ERA, not including delivery time, on 3/20/11. That doesn't include the time from deposit to coming out of the mold. That's about 19 months PLUS!

ERA 2136 Build Log