[Jim Holden]

Folks:

A couple of comments (in no particular order):

ERAGT2077 has a bundle of snakes exhaust system that to my (admittingly aging) ears transform the otherwise mundane, commonplace sound of the Ford V8 into a glorious shreak, unlike almost anything else on the road today.

The ERA tub is within fractions of an inch identical to the original, but is now made out of stainless steel. (The originals were pressed out of mild steel and most rotted out relatively quickly and have subsequently had to have everything replaced "below the waterline.") The ERA roof is not steel as original. The suspension, while very similar to the original, utilizes ERA's own proprietary cast aluminum uprights. My suggestion to anyone is to make the trek to the shop up in New Britain, CT., see how the cars are put together, talk with the fellows that build them and try to gain some understanding of why the car is designed and built the way it is.

The SPF version of the GT40 appears to be a very well made and reasonably accurate iteration of the original. But it too has compromises that differentiate it from "original." A friend is building up a SPFGT as an "FIA Mark IIA" and he indicates that he is having to make substantial changes to the car to accurately duplicate a Mark IIA (utilizing an FE427 and T44 gearbox).

Guys... hate to break it to you, but at the end of the day both ERA and SPF are replica/recreations! Frankly, anyone who seeks to drive a dead nuts original GT on the street is crazy. For one thing, AC is absolutely vital to one's survival. A decent emergency brake (as opposed to a lever pushing on the brake pedal) also, to me, seems like a good idea. ...and so on.

I've previously indicated on a number of occasions why I have dealt and continue to deal with ERA. In saying that, it is not meant to denigrate anyone else or their choice of vendor. My preference is stated only to indicate what was right for me and what my priorities are and have been in making my choice. ERA is indeed not for everyone. What is great about this hobby is that there are still choices to be had. We are not (as yet) reduced to all driving the same voltmobile.

ERA produces only a handful of ERAGTs a year, each custom made to a purchaser's personal specifications. I've placed an order for a car to be delivered eight years from now... I can wait to get what I want the way I want it. Others are clearly not so patient.

This thread was started merely to share with those of you who might be genuinely interested how one person's project was built and what choices were made along the way. It was not started to make any comparison with any other manufacturer's product. I have always found it revealing then to observe those who feel the compulsion to then chime in and run down the project and extol the virtue of some other other manufacturer's product. A better course, I would suggest, is for them to build the car of their choice and post a thread and set forth why they made the choices they did.

...see you all at Road America at the GT40 reunion a great opportunity to compare real vs. the recreations.

Jim