Based on comments above, how a Unique and ERA feel , drive, and handle different, I'd be interested to hear details on that. ( like chassis stiffness effect on handling ?) Even more so, I'd like to hear same details from anyone who has driven an original 60s Cobra and can compare to ERA and/or Unique, or other replica. (this has probably been addressed on this forum before, but I don't remember it, or wasn't on board then). I'd like to think I am getting very close to the original driving experience, but have never had the opportunity to drive an original. Thanks
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #778 427SC Keith Craft FE 428 stroker
Posts: 243
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Adding to what Dan said, my ERA is #778, after the major upgrade. Bonding the body is not a difficult job at all. It's more straight forward than the method described in the manual (Bob, are your reading? The manual is out of date on this!) The biggest challenge is that you need several friends to help you twice during the process: to lift the body off the frame, and to drop it back on.
I had several things I wanted to do to the car myself that worked out much better by having the car completely disassembled. I painted the underside of the body and did some polishing on some of the aluminum panels. The pneumatic riveting tool from Harbor Freight is a MUST!
To me, doing the bonding was the right choice, plus it saved me some money that I could use elsewhere!
There's no bonding on the Unique car. It goes together more conventionally, I think.
One other comment> Take a look at the assembly manuals offered by both. There is a lot to be learned just by reading through both of them.
Location: No city...only 118 residents in Manter,
KS
Cobra Make, Engine: Cobra Auto Works body, Ron Godell Racecars chassis, 1989 Mustang GT 5.0 HO (converted to carb), W/C T-5, 3.73's in a Ford 9" Traction-Loc.
I was wondering how long it would for this to come up. I considered strongly the Unique product before I bought an already completed replica, and their online manual was one of the "red flags" to me until I searched further.
I was assured by a Unique owner that the info that accompanied the kit was much more detailed, but have never seen it.
I suspect it is much as the situation with the ERA manual...a brief overview online to get you interested, the real deal after "...the deal" is sealed.
I like a company who will sell you their full build manual before you order a kit, then give you credit for it when you order. Hurricane use to be that way, I bought a build manual directly from the corporate headquarters. It goes a long way toward convincing me I can complete the kit...or not. Should be standard practice in the industry, IMHO...
While I don't have a horse in this race, I see very clearly the similarities between the two companies in terms of approach to customers and dedication to quality.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,025
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YerDugliness
I suspect it is much as the situation with the ERA manual...a brief overview online to get you interested, the real deal after "...the deal" is sealed.
No, I think the only real difference is that the pictures are removed in the free manual, but all the same text is still there. Even with all pictures removed, the free manual is still 139 pages long.
Cobra Make, Engine: Unique Motorcars 289 FIA street version
Posts: 98
Not Ranked
Thanks for the link Patrick, ERAs websight is extensive, everytime I think Ive seen everything on it, theres another link to follow. Oh and Patrick your soundbite of your 428 rowing through the gears is my ringtone on my phone thanks for that too.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,025
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A/S65
Thanks for the link Patrick, ERAs websight is extensive, everytime I think Ive seen everything on it, theres another link to follow. Oh and Patrick your soundbite of your 428 rowing through the gears is my ringtone on my phone thanks for that too.
Bonding the body is not a difficult job at all. It's more straight forward than the method described in the manual (Bob, are your reading? The manual is out of date on this!)
The PatrickT Rule: There is only one assembly manual that counts and that is worth the paper (or Internet space) that it's printed on. And there is only one manual that will ever be written by any Cobra replica manufacturer since no other company or person will accept the task and challenge of completing an assembly manual. ERA Rules!
BTW, Patrick could you please write the update on section that has to do with "Bonding the ERA Body." It appears that the vaunted ERA manual is outdated.
AFAIK, SPF's, CSX's, BDR's and KMP's don't have manuals and people still purchase and enjoy those cars. So, please don't base your decision on a manual or lack thereof.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,025
Not Ranked
Quote:
Originally Posted by RodKnock
AFAIK, SPF's, CSX's, BDR's and KMP's don't have manuals and people still purchase and enjoy those cars. So, please don't base your decision on a manual or lack thereof.
... and people bought the Chevette, Gremlin, Pinto, and Yugo as well. If you're going to drop a chunk 'o change that is approaching (or passing) six figures for a lot of those cars, you're damn well entitled to a service manual. And the folks at the respective companies need to get off their fat asses and write quality manuals for their cars (or complete the ones they've started). It is simply inexcusable.
And the folks at the respective companies need to get off their fat asses and write quality manuals for their cars (or complete the ones they've started). It is simply inexcusable.
So, are you calling David and Thomas Kirkham lazy? You know the guys who are building an alloy Daytona Coupe and engineering a new alloy FE block among other projects? How about that funky looking car made in Greece or wherever? You know the ones who are constantly tweaking here and there to make their products better for their customers. You know the guys who's products are sold out until at least Spring 2013?
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #795 427 S/C completed Jan. '14 - '68 FE 427 side oiler
Posts: 1,059
Not Ranked
Quote:
Originally Posted by RodKnock
So, please don't base your decision on a manual or lack thereof.
I'd agree that this shouldn't be the sole criteria, but a good manual should at least be a huge check mark in the plus column. For example, in the section on adjusting brakes in the ERA manual - "Because the front brake wheel cylinders require more fluid than the rears, the balance bar is always set up with the outside push-rod 1/4" longer than the inside one" So now I not only know how to make the adjustment, but understand exactly why. Assembling the car should be fun and documentation makes it easier. That's worth something to some of us.
Regards,
Kevin
__________________
"Anyone who drives faster than you is a maniac and anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot" - George Carlin
Most folks don't assemble or service their car (beyond the basics) and thus have no need for a manual. What would a Nincompoop like me do with an service/assembly manual other than to use it to prop a door open. I say know your customer base.
There are 99 Cobra buyers like me for every one like DanEC.
CSX, KMP, SPF and BDR have successfully sold thousands of Cobra replicas without a manual.
ERA's, KMP's, SPF's, BDR's, etc. are all great cars, but my purchase decision and DanEC's purchase decisions were different. He's assembling an ERA and enjoys the process. I'm no DanEC. I just want my car to look and run good. Anything more than tuneups and oil changes, I'll take my car back to an experienced shop.
When deciding on which manufacturer to go with, I narrowed my choices down to ERA and Unique. Both of these guys told me the same thing as mentioned earlier in this thread. "If you don't buy an ERA buy a Unique, and if you don't buy a Unique buy an ERA." Both seemed like solid choices to me, and most important to me, they are both made from scratch here in the USA by coach builders.
I decided on a 427 and after looking at both, decided on the Unique 427. The ERA is of course more accurate, but the Deluxe Pallet price and value of the Unique sucked me in.
Fast Forward to Unique's homecoming. I had already put my deposit in with Alan Weaver for my 427, but after getting to look at their FIA and 427 side by side, I promptly changed my order to the FIA. To me, the proportions and look of the car just flat work.
Side by side, my car and the ERA FIA have some differences, but both are very good looking cars with the correct stance.
The manual that Unique has on-line does not include the build CD or the electrical wiring manual. I don't know how else to say it other than the car was just plain simple to put together.
My car drives well, surprisingly very smooth, in fact much smoother than a new GTR or GT500. At my first Auto X I was right there in the thick of things even with crappy Sumitomo tires, only 4/10ths off a viper with a very good shoe at the wheel. (Past run group champion, but in the Viper for the first time).
Both cars are made very well with good support from the owners of each company. The ERA is more "correct" than the Unique in regards to pedal placement, fuse panel, radiator angle and the trunk. But there are some advantages in a few areas for the Unique. For example, having a removable trans tunnel sounds great until you have to pull your trans. Drops out the bottom of a Unique in less than 30 min. You can't go wrong either way, the people at both companies and the cars themselves are fantastic.
Cobra Make, Engine: Unique Motorcars 289 FIA street version
Posts: 98
Not Ranked
Ive built a few period hot rods from the ground up using a mish mash of various parts, without any kind of manual, so that definately wont be a deciding factor.
When finally given permission to pursue the build , shopping commenced.
Quickly came down to ERA or Unique. Never drove either ahead of time, never went to plants, all comparisons were internet or personal stories.
Bought the Unique simply because of the 20%-plus cost differential. Once the body was painted (by others... I have zero skills with paint), it took a total of 35 days to go from kit to driving, working 2/3 hrs each nite and 7/8 hrs each Saturday and Sunday.
Car now has 38,000 miles. I have driven a couple ERA's and they are wonderful. I have just returned from a 700-mile round trip in the Unique, utterly without any incident or trouble.... which is to say the Unique is wonderful, too.
Biggest difference I can observe between the 2 is that the ERA has more interior room than the Unique, in the footwells especially. Beyond that, any other differences to me are purely subjective.
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