[quote=willtwallace;1330527]
Lastly, don’t put no stinking Chevy motor in a Cobra!
William
Above all else don't do that. I think some of the ERA guys would stop takling to you.
I looked closely at a Unique also and it was my choice before ERA and after Hurricane Motors temporarily shut down before turning over owners. I think Unique builds really nice car that has been around forever - which is good.
The body proportions are excellent - right there with ERA. In my mind the things that distinguished between the two was that ERA is more faithful to the originals in the interior design/components. Some of that can be overcome with a little additional work and expense if important enough.
ERA is also a little more faithful to the originals under the hood, although neither will ever fool anyone for an original Cobra with a rectangular main frame rail, different wiring harness and arrangement of the major electrical components. But ERA does a pretty good job of mimicing the original front suspension tower and the radiator installation, footboxes, aluminum panels, etc.
A few other things I liked about ERA in comparison was the slightly larger (stiffer) main frame rails although that packs a few extra pounds on. But Unique's have always beern noted for a stiff frame also. I like the additional , heavier, supporting structure around the front and rear cowl to carry the doors, dash, windshield, etc. I like the rear suspension carrier assembly with four mounting points and trailing arms to help pick up impact loads on the outboard hubs.
ERA has an excellent quality fiberglass body. That's not to say that if you get it unfinshed all you have to do is sand it and spray it. Any hand laid body takes a considerable amount of prep work to ready for paint. I also like that it is double walled in many areas where it is bonded and where inner body panels are mounted. This unstresss the outer body and prevents print through on the outer surface over time where bulkheads and inner panels are adhered. I own an old Corvette and this is a typical problem with refinishing them. It also is reinforced around the hood opening and very stiff there. There's no flexing of the body when you are working in the engine bay and leaning over the fenders. I do like the fully bonded body. If it is ever in a collision that may add some time and cost for repair but in the meantime it's about as solid of an open roadster as you could ever expect. I cringe any time I even see someone even lean against a car but I think except for paint and maybe the hood itself, you could climb up and jump up and down on this thing all day without doing it any body damage.
But, I don't own a Unique so I'm sure someone who does can point out some significant features and improvements of the Weavers work. They have enjoyed an excellent reputation from many years.
Keep studying.
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