Kirkham vs Shelby

[tkb289]

nkb

Welcome to Club Cobra.

I have been following this thread and you are certainly doing your homework and have a very good sense of what you are looking for in a Cobra. Lots of good advice, suggestions and options here. Kirkham, Shelby Continuation, Superformance, ERA and many other companies offer a great many choices at different price points. They all have their strengths & weaknesses and people tend to recommend what they own or have experience with. Keep in mind, that no matter the make or who builds the Cobra, these cars do require work from time to time and things will come up that need to be addressed or improved upon.

Like several folks here, I too can recommend ERA, they make an excellent Cobra and their customer service is first rate. One reason I went with ERA is their ability to make modifications (within reason) to customize the Cobra to better fit the customer’s needs. I went with the FIA body but with no hood scoop, oil cooler scoop or trunk bumps, but with a grille. The car also has a few modifications to accommodate my height and has two different roll bar configurations, details are in my build log.

ERA 2136 Build Log

Many people don’t need or want modifications like these, but for those that do, ERA is great to work with.

That said, this type of customization takes time and ERA is busy, but well worth the wait. My experience 10 plus years ago with SB-100 was fairly straightforward, but good job in seeking current information as things can change.

If you would like to look at another ERA, I am in the SF Bay Area as well and would be happy to show you my Cobra, just send me a PM.

Good luck with your project.


tkb289

[nkb]

Originally Posted by tkb289

nkb

Welcome to Club Cobra.

I have been following this thread and you are certainly doing your homework and have a very good sense of what you are looking for in a Cobra. Lots of good advice, suggestions and options here. Kirkham, Shelby Continuation, Superformance, ERA and many other companies offer a great many choices at different price points. They all have their strengths & weaknesses and people tend to recommend what they own or have experience with. Keep in mind, that no matter the make or who builds the Cobra, these cars do require work from time to time and things will come up that need to be addressed or improved upon.

Like several folks here, I too can recommend ERA, they make an excellent Cobra and their customer service is first rate. One reason I went with ERA is their ability to make modifications (within reason) to customize the Cobra to better fit the customer’s needs. I went with the FIA body but with no hood scoop, oil cooler scoop or trunk bumps, but with a grille. The car also has a few modifications to accommodate my height and has two different roll bar configurations, details are in my build log.

ERA 2136 Build Log

Many people don’t need or want modifications like these, but for those that do, ERA is great to work with.

That said, this type of customization takes time and ERA is busy, but well worth the wait. My experience 10 plus years ago with SB-100 was fairly straightforward, but good job in seeking current information as things can change.

If you would like to look at another ERA, I am in the SF Bay Area as well and would be happy to show you my Cobra, just send me a PM.

Good luck with your project.


tkb289

Tim,
I read through your build thread with much interest. What is clear is that ERA can readily accommodate various mods as per the customer needs.

I was intrigued by your creation of an FIA "street" version. The ERA website refers to such a version as historically in existence. The reference on the ERA website is to "a British street 289 officially manufactured by AC, as opposed to Shelby. It retained the flares and doors of the 289FIA." Also, the website references an illustration in "the Rinsey Mills book" (which one I don't know).

I would be very interested if you or others could shed light on such an original 289FIA street car having been produced. I couldn't find anything (yet) on the web. What I found were AC 289 Sports models, but these don't have an FIA body/doors.

I note that it took you about three years from order to "completion" for your car. As you say, the journey is part of the fun. I am familiar with this after a 5 year restoration of my (original owner) '69 Lotus - to get it exactly to where I wanted it. As you further note, the process never really ends as there is always something to fiddle with.

Your build log was highly informative and helpful. Thank you.

[nkb]

Another differentiator between the SPF and the ERA is the ability to control the painting process. In that vein, SPF states that it provides a "show quality" paint job. With the ERA one would be able to specify whatever level of quality (and money) you wanted to achieve.

Clearly, the best way for me to judge this is to see a "new" superformance which I have not yet experienced. Also, this assumes that there is consistent quality from the factory (seen one seen them all).

Knowing first hand what goes into the prep and painting of a fiberglass car, I wonder if the SPF factory finish is truly "show quality" or just "good". Show quality means different things to different people, but true show quality is not usually easy, or inexpensive, to achieve. Especially in fiberglass.

[1795]

I have never had anything but significant praise for the quality of the paint job on my SPF. Even after 5 years of racing abuse, the paint still gleams (where it has not been chipped by rocks, nuts, bolts and whatever else comes flying at it on the race track). The color you choose will come into play regarding how well it shines. Some colors are naturally more brilliant than others. Irrespective of the gleam, the body is smooth as glass, you can find no seams, and there are no blemishes in the paint.

But seeing is believing, so take your time and continue your research. Good luck.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by 1795

I have never had anything but significant praise for the quality of the paint job on my SPF. Even after 5 years of racing abuse, the paint still gleams (where it has not been chipped by rocks, nuts, bolts and whatever else comes flying at it on the race track). The color you choose will come into play regarding how well it shines. Some colors are naturally more brilliant than others. Irrespective of the gleam, the body is smooth as glass, you can find no seams, and there are no blemishes in the paint.

But seeing is believing, so take your time and continue your research. Good luck.

I'll add praise to the Shelby CSX paint job too. My car was a carbon fiber HST-built car. The paint won't look good unless the base is perfect, and in my case, both were. The British Racing Green paint had a depth I've never seen before or since.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by nkb

Another differentiator between the SPF and the ERA is the ability to control the painting process.

You do know that if you change your mind before ERA starts the actual build process Peter just gives you your check back. I did the entire build process, from start to finish, on nothing more than a hand shake... and there was never even a single blip along the way. Even if you end up going with SPF, which I doubt you will, you should reserve your queue spot now with ERA.