James Baldwin - you hold the answer to this question

[btsai]

Well, we've all heard a lot about ERA vs. SPF lately. Okay -- a LOT. But now you have the unique (no pun intended) opportunity to truely drive them both back-to-back. As long as you can pry the keys out of Jeannie's hands...

So -- I think inquiring minds would want to know -- how DO they drive? What are the differences. Strengths and weaknesses of each? Which would you rather drive on the track? Which on the street for a fun afternoon? I imagine engine choice will make a difference there -- is the SPF a Windsor?

Note, I'm not asking which one is more correct, which one is truer to an original, which one's shape is better. No, my question is about the driving experience. It also would be interesting to hear about interior space/comfort. I know some of the early SPF's were pretty challenged in the foot box area.

Okay -- let it fly. And the fun begins.

Thanks,

Ben

[James Baldwin]

Hey Ben,

Sorry for the delay but I just saw the post. In answer to your questions, I have not yet finished my comparison. Jeannie won't let me drive the car!!!

Seriously, I will post my personal opinion on the cars in the next few weeks because I have received about 5 emails wanting to know the same thing. We are taking both cars to the Texas Event next week and I am sure I will get to know the Superformance much better then.

Yes, I will include pictures and everything... (no, not of Jeannie... pictures of the car)


It might be a good idea to have everyone list their questions or request for what exactly you want me to compare on the cars (i.e. aesthetic differences, lock-to-lock steering ratio, ) and I will do my best to answer them.

What I will NOT do is say which one is "better", because that is too subjective and my "better" is probably somebody else's "worse". I will just list the facts and let the peanut gallery decide.

[btsai]

James,

Thanks for the reply. And I think your approach will be great. After all, there is no one Cobra that is right for everyone. But to know how the brakes in one car feel vs. another. Steering. Etc., Etc. If the gearing is relatively the same, then I assume your car would be faster. So we probably don't need all the reasons why (heck -- HP and TQ can tell most of that story). I don't recall if you gave us any details about the drivetrain on the SPF -- you'll have to let us know.

BTW -- did I catch an earlier post that you were interested in the TWM system? There's an FIA ERA here in town (just finished -- beautiful) that has that system on a small block "R" block punched out to 347 cu in. I hear it runs great. It's a great looking system too -- and it's supposed to be very responsive. If you could make fuel rails that look "vintage", you could really give that Weber look a run for the money.

:-)

Ben