Caseleenie: Thank you for your kind words. I'll take them whenever I can get them. I must admit, though I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop so I haven't unbuckled my chin strap just yet.
. Experience has taught me otherwise around here.
Ok. I think Turk made a very good observation. Thats something you notice with him since it doesn't happen that often. But he is right in that ERA has over the years taken on an aura of their own. They in effect have become almost a legend in the replica industry themselves. They have in my opinion become the "Cadillac" of the Cobra replicas. Their production capability is very limited. They are always back logged. The demand for their cars are great. Yet they survive. Why? Quality product and great service. Great guys.
Despite the recent appearance of the SA CSX I truly believe many will stay with ERA because of ERA and the reputation of the car.
I think that there will still be enough of a demand for ERAs that ERA will always have enough orders to keep them busy and in business. I truly hope so. I have a particular fondness for ERA . Can't say enough good things about them.
I also think that there will, however, be quite a number of people who would've bought ERA's but who will now opt for the Shelby because they want a "Shelby Cobra" and all the intangibles and history of Shelby/SAI that go with it especially now that the rollers of the two companies are in the same ballpark with no significant difference in price..
In short any guy who has enough descretionary spending money to put $40,000 down on a car that doesn't even have an engine and transmission is not likely to consider a $2k to $5K swing in price a factor. IMHO.
A SPF at $37K for a roller is for all intents and purposes in the same boat IMHO. According to the ERA web site they can do a base Turnkey car for $47,000.00. Thats with engine and trans obviously. Back out the engine and trans (figuring an FE 390 and base trans, thats what? $10,000?). That puts the base ERA roller with paint at $37K. An ERA is = to SPF as far a rollers are concerned. In the same ballpark anyway.
Both ERA and SPF don't come with many items that are standard with the CSX such as pin drives ($2,800.00 extra on the ERA and I don't even think you can get them with SPF), aluminum panels for engine bay and trunk, outboard brakes (extra on ERA), roll bar (extra on ERA), fuel cell (extra on ERA), pusher fans (extra on both), remote oiler cooler (extra on ERA, not sure about SPF), roll bar (extra on ERA), leather (extra on ERA).
Point is simple. The SA CSX is being sold at a great price. I'm not a Shelby salesperson but I'm just pointing out the obvious. Anyone who buys an ERA or a SPF based on the above obviously just wants an ERA or SPF for whatever reason they may have. Whether they like the car better, whether they don't care about the "Shebly name", whether they like the quality of the product or the dealer or whatever. All legitmate reasons because they are their reasons.
In the end both companies will lose more customers to SAI now then they would have last year at this time. Why? Because many guys would in fact rather have a Shelby Cobra because of its distinction and place as a REAL Cobra of the second generation. Thats a legitimate reason too and in no way shape or form and insult to any other car or manufacturer. Think about it.