Who makes the better Roller?

[GOstberg]

I have owned 13 Shelby Mustangs and 3 93 Mustang Cobras, including #57 Cobra R. My neighbor in TX (73 yrs old) owned a Superformance, but let it sit and rot for years. I tried to buy it...did some research on Cobras, and saw the great reputation of Superformance...we eventually made a deal. The owners group (SCOF) has been INVALUABLE with great support, immediate advice, and an awesome tech library. The closest dealer/racer is Dennis Olthoff, truly a shop that understands it all! Then there is RT, a living breathing phone call away consumed by the Cobra passion guy who will do anything to help one of the SCOF community...what else could you ask for? Oh, and it is a fabulous
driving car. Just had it on VIR for three days of hard track driving...what a hoot...best car we have ever had. My wife and I cruise in it a ton, and it rides better than any Mustang we ever had. There are probably other good Cobras out there, but we lucked out and got a keeper...with all the support network you could ask for!

[DonC]

The primary difference between ERA and Superformance lies in how much individuality you want reflected in your Cobra. Both are undeniably great cars but ERA requires a lot more individual thought when you order it.
I spent the better part of a year researching both cars and in the end went with ERA simply because I could get the car exactly the way I wanted it right out of the gate. The amount of individuality available from a company that builds one car at a time can't be matched by a mass production supplier. The only trade off between the two manufacturing concepts is the amount of time needed to produce the car. Getting exactly what you want takes a little longer and a lot more thought than just picking "one from column A and two from column B".
Both cars have options lists but the ERA list is staggering in it's coverage.
Build quality for both is top notch but being able to talk directly to the individual who put your car together makes any questions you have a lot easier to resolve. There's no substitute for that aspect of the ERA build.
To my mind the whole thing boils down to how "special" you want your car to be. ERA can supply you with a car at any point in the build from a pile of boxes on your front porch to a complete car ready to drive away from the curb.
It's up to you to decide how involved you want to get in your finished product. While Superformance isn't a cookie cutter car there are still aspects of the build that are "standard".
The final decision for you is how much knowledge you want to acquire about what's going into your car. You can take the time to build an in depth understanding of what you've got or go with what is provided by someone else.
You can't get hurt quality wise with either car but, for my money, the ERA is the much more individual of the two.
I could go on for a long time about the what's available from the elves at ERA but, for me, deciding for myself is what it was all about. You can take what's there or get into it up to your elbows.
DonC

[SunDude]

Does ERA even offer a roller? My understanding was they sold kits and turnkey cars.

Personally I've never seen an ERA Cobra in person, but their reputation is clearly excellent. So I would imagine, depending on options and who actually built the car, it would be a great choice.

But Superformance clearly makes a fantastic replica, and is a very popular choice as a result. Their rolling chassis approach to business means that these cars are very similar, one from the other, both in terms of equipment and build quality. The major differences come down to engine and transmission, for the most part. I am thrilled to own one and don't hesitate for a second to recommend them to others.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by SunDude

Does ERA even offer a roller? My understanding was they sold kits and turnkey cars.

My experience with ERA was that once I got my checkbook out the boys would do as little, or as much, or anything in between, including building custom stuff for me that I only had "ideas" about and rough pictures. I'm pretty sure if I had paid for it they would have chartered a plane and flown down here to mow the lawn and trim the bushes. Now, all of that is not cheap, but I did not choose ERA in order to pinch pennies.

[Hydramada]

Who makes the better roller?

Whichever one you end up buying because hopefully you did your research and found out what was important to you.

[twobjshelbys]

You should look at a CSX. My roller is perfect. The engine had problems but there are no beefs about the roller.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

You should look at a CSX. My roller is perfect. The engine had problems but there are no beefs about the roller.

And one gentleman who thinks the CSX is best.

While we're at it, has the OP considered a..........oh, never mind.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

While we're at it, has the OP considered a..........oh, never mind.

Ehhhh, 99% of the time these guys come to their senses and never buy a Cobra to begin with.

[cscobra]

Compare the frame designs (Superformance vs. ERA):

ERA vs Superformance

Just one of the multiple reasons I chose ERA.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by cscobra

Compare the frame designs (Superformance vs. ERA):

ERA vs Superformance

Just one of the multiple reasons I chose ERA.

Good comparison. Why doesn't ERA show pics vs. computer renderings?

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by cscobra

Compare the frame designs (Superformance vs. ERA):

ERA vs Superformance

Just one of the multiple reasons I chose ERA.

Now don't get me wrong - I like SPF, but there is a certain quality required and confidence in your own ability/product to directly link to a competitors web page.

ERA have done that! ...and for me, that's classy

It doesn't seem like you can lose with either

PS: ERA don't get my vote for building websites.
I've been to their site 1000s of time an not seen this, and often can't easily find things I'd seen before.
hehehe

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by cscobra

Compare the frame designs (Superformance vs. ERA):

ERA vs Superformance

Just one of the multiple reasons I chose ERA.

Unless you built a FEA model of both frames and subject it to the loads, you will not know one is better than the other. Just looking at the two frames does not tell you anything.

[Snake Pliskin]

Originally Posted by Silverback51

Unless you built a FEA model of both frames and subject it to the loads, you will not know one is better than the other. Just looking at the two frames does not tell you anything.

Thanks for the link ....Snake "If all minds are thinking alike; someone's not thinking!" George S. Patton

[LMH]

That's an awesome comparision! Hadn't seen that before.
Larry

[Bill Bess]

Great comparison, I have seen the ERA frame design before but not the SPF, both great, but one is built like a truck.

[jhwalker]

"Who makes the better roller?

Whichever one you end up buying because hopefully you did your research and found out what was important to you. [Hydramada]"

Short and to the point. Good answer.

The ERA is a very nice car, a boutique car. Something to admire and appreciate. And with all of that protection I guess you don’t have to worry about running into things. (just kidding... )

The SPF tours are something to behold. We have pictures of SPFs fording streams, groups following dirt and gravel roads thru wilderness areas. And then with some water and elbow grease they look great. We certainly know that we can rely on them, and we have a track/race upgrade path and track support that has been shown to make them superior on the track and those upgrades carry over to the road.

Personally, I wouldn’t put a very detailed “car to car” comparison on my website without being very sure of my facts, but marketing is marketing. No harm no foul.

SPF offers dealer support, parts network, and the owner of SPF goes
on cruises with us, invites us his house for a BBQ, and threw 10
members of the “family” the keys to a million dollars worth of cars on a recent Saturday morning to go to a car show ! That is a pretty close relationship…

What does that mean about the roller? The purchase and build are the first step in the ownership of a Cobra replica. The quality of the roller is established over the years and after miles of driving, and I know many of the owners of low 3 digit car number, high-mileage SPF cars who are as happy with their cars as those of us with car numbers in the 2000-3000 range. There are a lot of SPF Mk IIIs clocking a lot of road and track miles. That very fact could be a deterrent to someone who wants exclusivity.

So here’s to you ERA owners who love your cars, and here’s to you other SPF owners who love your SPF like I love mine.
Over and out.

[SunDude]

Sounds like both ERA and SPF owners are fully satisfied with their choices. Always a good sign.

[Got the Bug]

Here's a (little dated) tour of the SPF factory.

[Bill Bess]

Thanks Doug, the video was great. It's pretty tough to compete with the controlled productionn quality and design of SFP.
I love their Daytona's, wish I could afford one.

Bill

[kayakjack]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

Here's a (little dated) tour of the SPF factory.

Amazing video. What great cars!!! Makes me proud to own one.

Magnificent. Bulletproof. Fast. Fun.

Jack