Looking for a new TURNKEY

[Dwight]

and a used car with miles on it has most if not all the bugs worked out.

The OP should go and look at this car. IMHO

Dwight

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

That really is a very nice car. The OP should take a hard look at it. Yes I know it's >11 years old, and the previous generation of ERA's 427 cars, but it's priced right, looks beautiful, and is nicely equipped.

Too bad its got a 428 and that "Lamborghini Titanium" paint is getting kinda close on the color spectrum to beige in a couple of those pics.

Appears to be a good deal, especially for someone in CA.

[BDR_Boy]

I have an older (2007, #509) BDR Cobra. LOVE the car... they're built pretty well, so much so that a well recognized local speed shop that's been in the business for 40 years was impressed with the build quality. The parts it shares with BMW's aren't hard to find. The issue is usually parts that are proprietary to BDR. You'll find a growing number of BDR owners on this forum expressing frustration over a lack of support from Florida on this topic.

If I were going to buy today... there are two things I would definitely consider:

1) Upgrade the windshield from the aluminum frame to a chrome over brass.

2) I would likely do business with VMS in Connecticut... and I'm way down here in Texas... so that should say something. I've had limited dealings with them on some of the custom parts they make... but they've been top notch to deal with. There are various pictures and reviews of their work on this forum. The work looks top notch... & I've yet to read of a dissatisfied Customer. They also have an active presence on this forum and seem willing to help and offer suggestions. I can't make that same statement about the guys in Florida. There's also Radical Roadsters in Houston. I don't know a lot about them... but they too have an active presence on this forum. My ONLY experience with them was a voice mail message I left that went unreturned... but that's one time... and much too small of an item to form an opinion on their performance/service.

[7173TA]

Thanks, BDR Boy

[7173TA]

Anyone who has a BDR with VMS 427 E Series engine, please leave comments on your experience with this engine. Also any comments on Holley Sniper EFI vs. carb and rear ratio.

[krausewich]

There is a beautiful Blue 427 power Contemporary on ebay right now @ $54K - Make offer...

[olddog]

I have seen quite a few BDR and talked with them at different shows. They look like a great car. I have no issues. But to be fair to the OP, I believe the BDR is a slightly stretched wheel base car. That may be good if you are tall. It may not matter to you. I might be a deal killer if you have some originality phobia. Just thought you should know.

I remember things incorrectly at times, so if this is not, true please correct me - anyone please.

[7173TA]

I know they're 92" vs. 90". Not an issue for me.

[KDubU]

Looks nice to me.

[mrmustang]

Without getting into the owner/seller ego trip (as I currently do not own any of the three), and having personally owned more than a few, in order of purchase it would be as follows:

ERA
SPF
While potentially a nice build, a Backdraft body and interior is nowhere near as accurate as the other two listed above, not even close. But if you want a car that "sort of looks like" a Cobra, then they, along with Factory Five or Unique might just be up your alley.

I'll leave it at that and let everyone else fight about BB vs SB, stripes vs no stripes, etc and so forth.


Bill S.

[E5USMC]

My BDR had a Roush 427R installed and was actually a really nice driving car. Handled well and had PLENTY of power. Seats were comfortable and the room with the 92" wheel base was perfect for my 6-2 height. Bill is spot on that the BDR looks 100% like a 65 Cobra until it sits next to a more accurate body style then the differences are clearly apparent. I replaced the 18" wheels with 15" wheels and fake Billboards on my BDR which dramatically helped the look in my opinion....give it more of the old school look as BDRs are a more modern interpretation of the Cobra with the larger wheels really pushing that modern appearance.

The thing to watch about the BDRs is the options you may want aren't standard and can drive up the price to what maybe a better car will cost. Options like oil coolers, puller fans, and LSD rear ends are not standard and there are lots of BDRs out there that did not have these options. The other huge negative to me is the exhaust on the BDR. Lots of complaints on the sound and mine had a weird exhaust note....almost like a card in bicycle spokes which gave it a semi rattle sound. I was told if was the result of the design of the side pipe that allowed a lot of flow for performance but the sound drove me crazy.

Hopefully some food for thought.

[csx4017]

I am in full agreement with the positive comments on the ERA for sale. Looks to be a very well sorted Cobra. I just purchased ERA #520 and am beginning to like it very much. My CSX4000 will hopefully be on the market by the end of July..........new MSD box going in, photo session complete. Then I will start to tweak the ERA. If your budget is around 70K you need to look at the Silver beauty...........my 2C

[E5USMC]

Never heard anyone not compliment an ERA built by them. Definitely a quality car!!!

[RENNugade]

I'm hardly unbiased, but this one really is a jewel among jewels - I believe it was among the first turnkey cars they built, and they had essentially an unlimited budget for it. A hand-built masterwork.

[66gtk]

Originally Posted by RENNugade

I'm hardly unbiased, but this one really is a jewel among jewels - I believe it was among the first turnkey cars they built, and they had essentially an unlimited budget for it. A hand-built masterwork.

First turn-key built with an unlimited budget? This is certainly a nice car, but these kinds of unfounded statements can sometimes turn people off of your sale. This is just food for thought - good luck with the sale. Nice car - no need to over-hype it.

[RENNugade]

*Guilty*.

The OP is pretty set on a BDR, anyway.

[7173TA]

Of all the Cobra Replicas, which has the pedals furthest to the right? Sat in a BACKDRAFT for the first time or any one for that matter.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by 7173TA

Of all the Cobra Replicas, which has the pedals furthest to the right? Sat in a BACKDRAFT for the first time or any one for that matter.

The later ERA cars have them pretty much straight on. So, if you want your pedals not shifted to the left, and if you want them coming out from the floor and not down from the top, then you're going to have write a bigger check. Here's a shot of my pedals on ERA #732 -- I also had them slightly spread out, because my feet are 12EEE. I have no problem at all with the spacing or configuration.

[7173TA]

Don't care if out of floor or not, just more straight on.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by 7173TA

Don't care if out of floor or not, just more straight on.

OK, sit in a Kirkham, an ERA, and an SPF. A "butt-in-seat" test is absolutely mandatory and, under no circumstances, buy a car sight unseen. You should also start letting in to your head the notion that a Cobra just might not be the car for you.