What are the major updates made by ERA

[AL427SBF]

... not to mention the general improvements in quality of materials and fabrication 15 years of tech progress can make

... not to mention the wear & tear/fatique in materials separated by 15 years of time

... I'm sure the list is substantial if you get away from just the "ERA" differences

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

... not to mention the general improvements in quality of materials and fabrication 15 years of tech progress can make

... not to mention the wear & tear/fatique in materials separated by 15 years of time

... I'm sure the list is substantial if you get away from just the "ERA" differences

WTF are you talking about? Do you own an ERA? Have you compared early and late ERA's anywhere other than on a screen? Do you go to the shop and observe techniques? Unless any of those are true (and you know what you're looking at) you aren't qualified to give advice to a guy looking to make a sizable investment.
The materials and techniques are substantially what they were when 002 was built. Chassis jigs are the same with allowance for later features. Body and footbox molds are different. The features and options expanded over time.
Nothing lasts 30 years of use unless the quality and engineering was correct. There is no vast chasm of quality difference over the near-800 427 cars. Nor the FIA's to the early 427's.
Mosley is right-a cared-for early car with just the rad and masters upgrades is perfectly comparable to a newer car. And in some cases a better value. Other quality/race/reliability parts added by owners over time can make it superior in every parameter to a 'factory assembled' car to a lesser content. That's the beauty of ERA-what fits on a newer car can be retro-fit to an older.
Ask how I know.

[patrickt]

If you're of "normal" size, any well-built and well-cared for ERA will do you just fine -- even if it's 20 years old. Beginning with 731, you get some extra room in the foot boxes -- that might be of importance to you.

[lamaluv]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

[i]The materials and techniques are substantially what they were when 002 was built. Chassis jigs are the same with allowance for later features. Body and footbox molds are different. The features and options expanded over time.
Nothing lasts 30 years of use unless the quality and engineering was correct.

Chas one thing that has changed is that Bob welded the first 5 or so chassis himself. Acording to both Peter and Doug a car built in early 1980 can still be very roadworthy

Dick

[AL427SBF]

Surely you can't be serious, the improvements in fiberglass layup alone would be enough for me to probably walk away from an '86 built body ...

what we now know about grain orientation ...
what we now know/developed with kevlar ...
improved resins, ISO standards etc ...

I'm sure Mr. Putnam would agree that ERA continues to employ the latest advances in materials, processes and components. To think an '86 car is as refined as a 2001 car is just plain stupid.

That's the beauty of ERA-what fits on a newer car can be retro-fit to an older. Ask how I know.

Oh I know why, you've done it, retrofitted your ERA with Putnam's finest upgrades. Isn't that the point, let's not send Dennis down that same dirt road aka 'Money Pit Lane' because you had to

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Oh I know why, you've done it, retrofitted your ERA with Putnam's finest upgrades. Isn't that the point, let's not send Dennis down that same dirt road aka 'Money Pit Lane' because you had to

Now that's pretty funny.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Surely you can't be serious

Chas, he called you "Shirley." Them's fighting words.

I'm not sure I've read a much more serious person than Chas. He's about as "serious" as they come.