Ownership Log – ERA#2124

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ERA engineers a great car that is solid, well thought out, period correct where it counts, and intelligently engineered where it doesn’t. BUT…. Each individual build result can vary slightly as the customer/owner chooses to take on the final completion work…installing the drivetrain, assembling the suspension, installing the interior in the case of my car. If I was going to auto-cross this thing, it was going to need some sorting. The nose pushed, it was riding on flabby tires with a rock-hard compound, the seat wasn’t ideal, ride height was too high, and the steering wheel was too large and thin. Exhilarating in a straight line, certainly, but turning was something to be done with due care. So those observations created a tick-list for the up-coming Winter months in preparation for the 2011 auto-x season.

However, the car is perfectly capable at posted limits, and the overall excellent quality of the build gave me the confidence I needed to proceed with plans for the September 1,300mile round trip to Tennessee’s Tail of the Dragon. In preparation for that, I contacted Bruce Chervenak and asked him to make me a Lemans Hardtop so that I would have some weather protection for the trip. The reasoning behind the Hardtop was practical as well as a desire to incorporate the historical significance of that style of Hardtop. The documentation of the top build is located here:

LeMans Hardtop for ERA

- Allen.

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Rather than re-hash the story, here’s a small report I put together after I returned:

Back from "The Dragon" report..

- Allen.

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So it’s already well into the Winter of 2011 and the task list is long. The first auto-x will likely be held in March, so the car needs to be back on the ground with most of the items complete by or around the 4th weekend. Not a big deal, but planning is key. Here’s what the list looks like now:



So, lots of small items there, but I don’t want to forget anything and it helps to see it all written down in front of my face.



The more critical items include getting the 17” wheel set from Bob Lacey at Vintage Wheel ready with the A6’s mounted (275/315), my steering column converted over to include a quick disconnect, the fuel filler assembly changed over to a more robust solution since the roller cap was relocated to the roof, as well as, getting the ride height and alignment sorted. The fitting of the split trunk lid, associated hardware, and transport of those pieces and Hardtop off to paint really aren’t necessary until the middle of April, as I have a goal of taking the car to the Carlisle Import and Replicar show the third weekend in May. I also found that the backspacing on my FIA wheels wasn’t machined correctly to ERA’s specifications, so I had that corrected and will be taking them off to have them powder coated completely black over the next few weeks.



There’s a little bit of catching up to do with regard to documenting some of the things already accomplished on the list, so as I get time, I’ll be continuing with more updates.

- Allen.