ERA vs Unique FIA

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Jdata

By those pictures, I like flares on Unique.

They are more "427" than the original FIA flares. The front flares on an FIA are almost "flat" where the Unique flares are rounded in 427 fashion.

Both are great cars and this is not a dis on either one. If "original"
is not a high priority then go with what you like!

[xb-60]

Valuable comparison shots, thanks for posting them.
My only comment on the ERA FIA - and it's a very minor negative - is that the dash panel is too deep. You could almost fit another row of gauges above the top row.
This is only really obvious when the ERA car has a roadster dash panel as this car does; on an ERA FIA with the more normal comp. dash, you wouldn't notice it.

Cheers,
Glen

[66gtk]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Valuable comparison shots, thanks for posting them.
My only comment on the ERA FIA - and it's a very minor negative - is that the dash panel is too deep. You could almost fit another row of gauges above the top row.
This is only really obvious when the ERA car has a roadster dash panel as this car does; on an ERA FIA with the more normal comp. dash, you wouldn't notice it.

Cheers,
Glen

My ERA has the comp style FIA dash - LOVE IT! I also like the 427 dash offering and the street 289 offering on these cars. It's all about personal choices.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by 66gtk

My ERA has the comp style FIA dash - LOVE IT! I also like the 427 dash offering and the street 289 offering on these cars. It's all about personal choices.....

Troy, yep, agreed. It is about personal choices. I have always wanted a 289FIA Cobra replica, and back in 2011, an ERA 289FIA was at the top of my very short list of one.
Back then, I placed a deposit with Peter, but difficulties with bringing a car into Australia was the major reason for having my deposit returned nearly a year later.
I still think that ERA’s 427s, 289 variants, and their GTs are top-notch as far as being extremely faithful replicas of the ‘60s originals.

The only thing that (to my eye) isn’t correct on ERA’s replica FIA/USRRC cars with drop-centre dashboards (CSX2409 CSX2459, CSX2514, CSX2557, CSX2558 all had drop-centre dashes) is the depth of the dash.

This pic of the drop-centre roadster dash is from ERA’s website:




….and this one shows CSX2514’s drop-centre dash. There is some degree of difference there....




Cheers,
Glen

[jolsen42]

Originally Posted by xb-60

The only thing that (to my eye) isn’t correct on ERA’s replica FIA/USRRC cars with drop-centre dashboards (CSX2409 CSX2459, CSX2514, CSX2557, CSX2558 all had drop-centre dashes) is the depth of the dash.

This pic of the drop-centre roadster dash is from ERA’s website:




….and this one shows CSX2514’s drop-centre dash. There is some degree of difference there....




Cheers,
Glen

I couldn't agree with you more.

John O

[Jdata]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

They are more "427" than the original FIA flares. The front flares on an FIA are almost "flat" where the Unique flares are rounded in 427 fashion.

Both are great cars and this is not a dis on either one. If "original"
is not a high priority then go with what you like!

I have never studied the 289 FIA. I thought regardless of model, the actual cars weren't consistent in their shapes.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Jdata

I have never studied the 289 FIA. I thought regardless of model, the actual cars weren't consistent in their shapes.

They aren't but to a degree there are certain 'tells" that the FIAs had and the flatter front flares are one of them.

Here are the front flares on a Superformance FIA:

[patrickt]

Jdata -- somehow I thought you wanted a 427 car. Are you leaning towards a FIA? They are two entirely different cars in almost every regard.

[1795]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Jdata -- somehow I thought you wanted a 427 car. Are you leaning towards a FIA? They are two entirely different cars in almost every regard.

Yes Patrick they are entirely different cars. I liked my 427 semi comp car, but the more I saw 289's the more that I was drawn to them. When the opportunity came to race an FIA, I just could not pass it up. Really nice handling car.

Jim

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by 1795

Yes Patrick they are entirely different cars. I liked my 427 semi comp car, but the more I saw 289's the more that I was drawn to them. When the opportunity came to race an FIA, I just could not pass it up. Really nice handling car.

Jim

Good luck this weekend. Keep the shiney side up!

[1795]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Good luck this weekend. Keep the shiney side up!

Will do my best! It is a torrential downpour right now. Tomorrow afternoon I may be able to get in a couple of test sessions in a light rain. Not sure if I will race Friday as they are predicting 2" of rain. Saturday and Sunday look doable with mostly just light rain and some breaks of sunshine.

jim

[Jdata]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Jdata -- somehow I thought you wanted a 427 car. Are you leaning towards a FIA? They are two entirely different cars in almost every regard.

Patrick,

I still want a 427 car! 😀

The body differences were interesting..