I'm ordering an ERA! Seeking your experienced opinions

[P-51 Cobra]

I highly recommend Metal-Morphous. Ron Randall does great work. While he was transforming my 11 year old ERA into the P-51 Cobra I had the opportunity to see the paint jobs he did on several other Cobras. His work is fantastic.

On options, my thoughts are:
Get the big brakes up front.
Pass on the ERA rear unless you are going to track the car.
Avon tires.
Leather seats.
Don't mix S/C and street options. I did and wish I hadn't (of course my car now looks like an airplane, so why listen to me!)
... and most important, its your car! Do what you want.

I used to live in Houston. Make sure you connect with the Houston Cobra
Club. They're a great bunch ... except for Jim D. ... and Kelly ... and Randy ... and Fester ... and Bill ... and Daryl ... and his other brother Daryl ... and all the other Jims ... and Jorge ... and Angelo ... might as well throw Boyd in there too ... and Bubbles (don't ask) ... but the wives are nice!

Rick

[DrivinWest]

This thread has been fantastic, if a dose disheartening . But seriously, many thanks to all!

Originally Posted by patrickt

But, you absolutely have to be there for a "butt in seat" test because it matters where your height is (foot to knee, knee to hip, hip to head, and how "padded" your butt is).

This is another reason that I wanted to order a car. I know I can modify another car to fit me, but it's sure easier to have it done by the factory. FWIW, I sat in elmariachi's Hurricane and looked like this:



but I was able to drive it (which was amazing, of course).

Originally Posted by ERA 778

I agree with much that has been said here already. First, ERA is an excellent choice. Their quality is excellent; everything they do is first class. Second, your final cost will most likely be much closer to $90k.

It seem like I was $15K-$20K off by not calculating for the "other stuff". That $20K could be a deal breaker. If I can get 90% of the car I want for $60K versus 100% of the car I want for $90K, I don't see how I can justify a factory-built car to order. That opinion may change, but that's where I'm sitting right now.

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

You certainly picked the right Cobra, but you need to come on up and sit down with Peter and go through all the options and look at what you may and may not need... No better feeling than driving a car that you built yourself... Peter can save you lots of cash by suggesting certain non-racing items and a streetable 428 is certainly the way to go. (you'll still have well over 400 HP). You can build a car within your budget I think, but you'll need to cut back on some things, and do other things yourself. Good luck with your dream, you only live once. Check my photos if you're curious.

Posts like yours put me back in the "I want what I want, money be damned" camp . Part of me likes the idea of going with a ~425hp 428 and a Toploader to replicate the 60s Cobra experience. I'd certainly save some money that way.

Originally Posted by P-51 Cobra

I used to live in Houston. Make sure you connect with the Houston Cobra
Club. They're a great bunch ... except for Jim D. ... and Kelly ... and Randy ... and Fester ... and Bill ... and Daryl ... and his other brother Daryl ... and all the other Jims ... and Jorge ... and Angelo ... might as well throw Boyd in there too ... and Bubbles (don't ask) ... but the wives are nice!

I've met a few of those guys at Cars & Coffee and HCC events. Definitely a good bunch. I think they have an event this weekend come to think of it.