Contemporary or ERA

[Dennis Mosley]

Hey ladies and gents,

Been a couple years since I sold my EM and am starting to think about it's replacement and looking for some opinions.

All things being equal, same price, same color, same engine etc, which one would you pick, ERA or Contemporary? Why?

Not trying to start a my car is better than your car thread. Just looking for things to look at that maybe I have or haven't thought of.

At this point I don't need info or reccomendations of other brands. Lets try to keep the converstion to just these two.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[mrmustang]

I've owned both and will own both again, you cannot go wrong with either or.


Bill S.

[RodKnock]

I've never owned either, but: a) ERA is still in business after a century, or so it seems, and the product and support is outstanding (and current) and b) ERA's look more "authentic" to the original in my view, though I'm sure others will disagree with me.

That's my $0.02.

[Rickd]

Was always a fan of ERA, great on-site engineering group. Really work to make sure their cars are superbly built - every detail. And you can go visit their shop 5 - 6 days a week. They have a steady stream of business - generally build around 60 or so cobras a year and also - somewhat more under the radar - a pretty amazing GT40.

I visited Contemporary when they were building cars on Long Island and they also had a very high standard of build quality. I thought there cars were also very much to the originals visually. For some reason I had the impression that ERA had supplied them with some components for a while (might be wrong).

You can order a new turnkey ERA - and Contemporary has been out of business for quite a while. Buying used, there are certainly some very nice Contemporary cars out there, and there is no reason not to buy one if you see "what" you are looking for in a cobra. I couldn't find a used ERA that was set up the way I wanted, so I ended up getting a new one, set up the way I wanted. I really liked the idea that they are still operating, and you do have customer support if needed.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Rickd

I visited Contemporary when they were building cars on Long Island and they also had a very high standard of build quality.

I only knew about Mamaroneck, never saw a LI reference..

[RodKnock]

The ERA's have had the benefit of better engineering and improvements since Contemporary went out of business many years ago. That thought alone would sell me and ERA over a Contemporary in a heartbeat and it's one of the reasons why I chose what I chose.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

ERA for the current support and updates (maybe the best customer support in the industry). Also, they are the most original looking with the hood closed. Not taking anything away from Contemporary, which is the replica that got me wanting one back in 1986 (it took me a while). You are, however, on your own as far as parts and support.

[Rickd]

Chas - you are correct - Mamaroneck was definitely the HQ for Contemporary. What I visited on Long Island was a shop that was building Contemporary kits for customers. When I was in the shop - just stumbled by on a business trip looking for a produce warehouse in 1993 - I turned a corner and - damn - there were about 6 cobras in front of a garage - and inside there were several either in for maintenance, or being built. Don't for the life of me remember the name of the town.

[ERA Chas]

Thanks for the reply Rick-was it Freeport by chance?

[1985 CCX]

I agree with Bill either is good bet you will enjoy........

My preference CCX of course...

[mickmate]

Either is good for different reasons. ERA looks more authentic outside the car with sidepipe cutouts and height, CCX looks more authentic underneath with the round tube frame. I've toured both places a couple of times anyways, they both were and are the benchmark for replicas. CCX still has support and parts available ;-) If you could get your paws on a coil over CCX with Watts linkage rear and pin drives that would be my choice. If it doesn't have all of those features and some you can put them on still but it gets pretty tough on the wallet.

[Dennis Mosley]

Thanks for the info so far. A few of the comments lead me to another question. I was always under the impression that both were molded from originals. "IF" that is the case, why would the ERA look more like an original than the Contemporary?

I have talked to Peter before and I know quite a few ERA drivers. I know he has great support but at the moment that isn't going to sway me one way or the other. I built my EM from the ground up and have helped build a few other brands so I'm pretty comfortable around snakes. I'm looking at buying a completed car this time around. I will however to some modifications so that it suits my taste. I can get my build fix helping my brother work on his cobra.

[mrmustang]

Just as a follow up, if I was looking for an ERA or Contemporary, I'd by hard pressed not to buy THIS ONE.



Bill S.

[mickmate]

This kind of answers your question Which original Cobra was used to splash your replica?
Peter Bayer didn't have a 3000 when he started Contemporary but not many companies did when they made their moulds. They were handmade originally and differed from car to car. If they used a street car to pull from some artistic license was exercised in SC rear fender shape.

[DonC]

Two of the largest factors in my decision to purchase my ERA was their longevity and their assembly/engineering manual. I haunted the forum for a long time and sifted through just about all of the posts in the Manufacturers Forum before making my decision.
I can't say enough good things about their aftermarket support. I've come up with some pretty bizarre questions over the past 7 years and the response has always been very quick and accurate.
From my point of view you can't get hurt by dealing with the crowd from New Britain.
DonC

[mrmustang]

An interview with Peter Bayer,CLICK HERE



Bill S.

[Buzz]

Thanks Bill. Directly from Mr. Bayer - confirms everything that was quoted in the article I referenced.

[1985 CCX]

Peter P has long stated CCX cars were their primary competition. ERA has gained points from decades of continued business ie: revisions which if Burtis was not a golfer and more a car builder would have edone as well. Both CCX and ERA have made consessions in the past to cover a larger range of build parts and MFG ease. Example is ERA uses a larger trans tunnel to account for wide range of units, they have engineered a custom frame and they set up an easier to use pedal box.

Which is better? They both are..... Buy what you like and can afford to drive the worst thing is someone that buys one then leaves it home..

Buzz thanks for the footnote...

[Bruce M]

I built my Contemporary in 1982 and have no difficulty locating parts as required. I used to travel to the Contemporary facility to see Monte or Peter from Long Island which was invaluable to me having the resource nearby to answer questions while in the building process. I would upgrade my car as upgrades becam available. I guess that ERA could still perform the same services. Bruce M

[SunDude]

Dennis, you seem to be in Blue Chip, "can't go wrong either way" territory in your choice of an ERA or CCX.

But why not consider a Superformance too?

I think all three manufacturers are pretty competitive choices.