Progress on #782

[strictlypersonl]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

How come you didn't tell me that when you sent me the big brake kit and steel hoses (16? years ago) Robert???

Ignorance is bliss.

The good part is most companies now offer the DOT-compliant hoses. That's what we've been supplying for about 10 years.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

Ignorance is bliss.

It never bothered me---witness non-DOT harnesses, tires and brake hoses. Funny how stuff engineered for the stress of racing isn't deemed suitable to be legal for street use...Lotta geniuses in BIG GOVT...

[strictlypersonl]

As far as I can tell, the only change in the hoses is some reinforcement where the line enters the end fittings. I suspect that it's supposed to idiot-proof the system so that hanging the caliper by the hose won't damage the line.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Well - I finally have 4 wheels mounted although I'm a long way from going anywhere yet.

Yes, you're well on the way. I was there several years ago too, but the build time flew by and before I knew it I was on the road. Good luck

[cscobra]

Dan - you're front and rear tires appear to be different sizes. Aren't you building the street model?

Your paint job looks great!

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by cscobra

Dan - you're front and rear tires appear to be different sizes. Aren't you building the street model?

Your paint job looks great!

Yes and yes - it's a story of compromise. At the time I started Sumburst wheels were basically unobtainium (at least pricewise). The wide-hip street car body with 7-1/2 inch rear SC wheels all around was not my favorite look and Peter discouraging me from going with a widened rear suspension although in hindsight that might have been something I should have done as I would have gained room for the exhaust also. Also, although no stranger to fiberglass work having restored an old Corvette, I wasn't brave or disrespectful enough to start carving up the beautifully done ERA body to create a narrow-hip version. So, I ended up going with the wide-hip Street Cobra approach + day 1 (or day 2) when a lot of early owners switched to 7-1/2 & 91/2 SC or FIA wheels in order to fill out the rear fenders on the wide-hip models. Next, I had to go with something smaller in a tire in the rear so I can fit 2-1/2 inch tail pipes back there (ERA only uses 2 inch) which I wasn't willing to compromise on. A 255/60-15 tire came closest to fitting the bill and being tall enough to fill the wheel well. It was a little marginal in size for a 9-1/2 inch wheel but I like how it worked out. In picking a front tire I again wanted something fairly tall and the 60 series sizes just didn't size up like I wanted, so I went with a 215/70 tire that fits on a 7-1/2 wheel marginally about the same as the rear tires - giving real similar sidewall appearance. BUT - it's a 26.9 inch tall tire (virtually the same as rear) and about 1/2 inch larger than ERA recommends. Thus - I was watching for tire rub on the fender lip at the rear and sure enough on the driver side there is a little bit.

ERAStreet went with a different approach and he has a beautful car that is the wide-hip Street Roadster + day 0 with his Sunburst wheels all around. But, I wanted to fill the rear wheel wells with a little more tire and have big exhaust.

So, there - any of you future Street Roadster builders - are two general approaches.

Thanks

Dan

[DanEC]

I know it wouldn't be cost-effective for ERA to gear up separately for a narrow-hip 427 street roadster body - just not enough demand apparently. But - I wonder if they have ever considered moldiing up a set of outer rear fender sections matching the narrow hip car that would extend to the mold match lines surrounding the rear fender flares and wheel lips. If they included a recessed bonding flange it would be pretty easy for anyone with a little fibergalss skill to zip the SC fender section off at the mold lines, bond the new narrow-hip fender sections on and then dish grind and fiberglass everything together. They could sell them as an owner-installed option or even do it themselves.

Maybe something for Mr. Bruce to consider doing for ERA, FFR and Shelby fiberglass bodies.

Dan

[DanEC]

I've been trying to figure out some sort of rubber grommet to use under my street roadster gas cap. (I know - it has a ribbed release button and isn't 100% original as a result). I finally went and rummaged through the plumbing department in Home Depot and found this one. The originals didn't use anything quite this finished from the pictures I've looked at - but this works so well and looks so good that I'm going to stick with it.



Does anyone know the correct orientation of the gas filler (hinge in back or front). Most seem to be installed with the hinge at the front but I have a picture of 428Street's car and it appears to have the hinge at the rear. I know how thoroughly he has researched original details so I'm left a little perplexed on this.

[*13*]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I know it wouldn't be cost-effective for ERA to gear up separately for a narrow-hip 427 street roadster body - just not enough demand apparently. But - I wonder if they have ever considered moldiing up a set of outer rear fender sections matching the narrow hip car that would extend to the mold match lines surrounding the rear fender flares and wheel lips. If they included a recessed bonding flange it would be pretty easy for anyone with a little fibergalss skill to zip the SC fender section off at the mold lines, bond the new narrow-hip fender sections on and then dish grind and fiberglass everything together. They could sell them as an owner-installed option or even do it themselves.

Maybe something for Mr. Bruce to consider doing for ERA, FFR and Shelby fiberglass bodies.

Dan

I like the idea! More options for us picky types...

[strictlypersonl]

My picture of csx3360 shows the release button toward the back of the car.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

My picture of csx3360 shows the release button toward the back of the car.

I think I'm going to flip it around to that direction. Makes sense somehow.

[DanEC]

A bit more progress. About ready to start putting dampning material and insulation in. Also should be able to drop the engine in shortly. Summer heat is starting to slow things down however.







Here is the nifty, behind seat pocket that ERA reproduces for the street roadster.

[cscobra]

Did your transmission tunnel arrive with the ashtray hole already cut?

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by cscobra

Did your transmission tunnel arrive with the ashtray hole already cut?

Yes it did. I ordered it as an option so I they did the prep. I don't smoke - just another item towards period appearance.

[428street]

Not sure on Dan's car but 99% no since there are very few street cars built...Dan, the snaps for the top of the pocket (2 on each side) should be lift o dot's not the black ones you have that are stock. Either is fine but if you want the small details you have it!

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by 428street

Not sure on Dan's car but 99% no since there are very few street cars built...Dan, the snaps for the top of the pocket (2 on each side) should be lift o dot's not the black ones you have that are stock. Either is fine but if you want the small details you have it!

Any idea why they even have snaps or lift-o-dots at the top of the pocket? Does it flap on the highway or something? I didn't test fit my side curtains to see if they would fit in there - it looks a little tight and I bought a storage pouch from ERA to store them in, in the trunk. But I wondered why the snaps?

Dan

[428street]

Dan:

My orientation is wrong!

[428street]

No idea Dan...I have not been on CC for a while or here or there at best BUT you have my contact info and can email me anytime. I notice the weather striping on the trunk. It's ERA stock which is 100% fine. The original car came with a rectangle weather stripping which I bought from a guy in Duranga, CO that restores AC Aces. Relatively inexpensive and there is a specific pattern it was installed. If interested I can give you more details. Believe it or not the WS did not go around the entire truck not did it for the hood. Also, two pin holes for drainage in the front hood corners. I can go on and on!

Lastly and this is something you can change now. The original cars did not have carpet behind the seats. From wheel well corner to wheel well corner it was vinyl. I just bought the vinyl from ERA to do this upgrade.

Again, all little details but it's what floats my boat.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by 428street

No idea Dan...I have not been on CC for a while or here or there at best BUT you have my contact info and can email me anytime. I notice the weather striping on the trunk. It's ERA stock which is 100% fine. The original car came with a rectangle weather stripping which I bought from a guy in Duranga, CO that restores AC Aces. Relatively inexpensive and there is a specific pattern it was installed. If interested I can give you more details. Believe it or not the WS did not go around the entire truck not did it for the hood. Also, two pin holes for drainage in the front hood corners. I can go on and on!

Lastly and this is something you can change now. The original cars did not have carpet behind the seats. From wheel well corner to wheel well corner it was vinyl. I just bought the vinyl from ERA to do this upgrade.

Again, all little details but it's what floats my boat.

Good to see you posting again Frank. Hope all is well with you, yours and your Cobra. Wish there was more happening here in CT as far as Cobra runs & events. Hope to see you one of these days cruising the shore.
Rich

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by 428street

No idea Dan...I have not been on CC for a while or here or there at best BUT you have my contact info and can email me anytime. I notice the weather striping on the trunk. It's ERA stock which is 100% fine. The original car came with a rectangle weather stripping which I bought from a guy in Duranga, CO that restores AC Aces. Relatively inexpensive and there is a specific pattern it was installed. If interested I can give you more details. Believe it or not the WS did not go around the entire truck not did it for the hood. Also, two pin holes for drainage in the front hood corners. I can go on and on!

Lastly and this is something you can change now. The original cars did not have carpet behind the seats. From wheel well corner to wheel well corner it was vinyl. I just bought the vinyl from ERA to do this upgrade.

Again, all little details but it's what floats my boat.

I looked around for weatherstripping and ordered a bunch from various places but except for some rectangular for the hood I lucked into from McMasters, I didn't have any luck finding a suitable one for the doors and trunk that was skinned on all 4 sides. I needed a thinner weatherstripping on the hood than for the doors and trunk as there isn't much room there and 3/8 thick WS was going to bind the hood up and cause it to sit high. I went ahead with the ERA WS on the doors and trunk. I may change later. But, I have lots of different rolls of various weatherstrippinng laying around in the meantime if I ever find a need for it.

You may have started something with ERA as they did send me vinyl for behind the seats. It took me a while to figure out where the roll of vinyl went but I finally did.

I have drilled the drain holes in the lower corners of the hood and plan on running the hood weatherstripping as you describe (even drilled a small drain hole in the bottom of both doors in case water ever gets in there).

I'm not going to be up to your standard on originality but some of those things I can address as time goes by.

Thanks Frank