Building ERA Slabside #3012

[AndrewB]

Thanks for the prod Chris. I've been meaning to post an update for a few weeks now. The car was delivered on Dec 8th and it is everything I hoped for -- ERA and Connecticut Custom really nailed it. I haven't had a ton of time to work on the car due to the holidays, but so far we've got the front end pretty much wrapped up and will be moving to the rear next weekend. After that its back to finishing the engine. I'm very impressed with ERA's meticulous packaging of the parts and related hardware. It makes it very easy to assemble instead of spending a bunch of time chasing your tail.

I'll get some more pictures up soon, but it resides in a cramped Seattle garage so its not nearly as an impressive scene as some of your guys workshops so set your expectations accordingly

My first view during unloading


At home after figuring out how to get it up the steep driveway. Pucker factor was high on that one!


Also, Intercity Lines was great to deal with. The driver, Mike, was fantastic and very helpful during the delivery.

[AndrewB]

Apologies for the lack of updates. There have not been many picture worthy events lately as it's just been a tedious processes getting the rear end fully buttoned up. One of those two steps forward, one step back type of things. Anyway, the rear end is in and I hope not to see it again . Now that the front and rear ends are done it's time to pivot back to the engine.

Prepare the patient


Home sweet home


Again, I really envy you guys with big garages!

Hopefully the updates will come at a faster pace from here on out.

[bcrumpley]

Nice work Andrew, looking forward to seeing more as you go. I just received my Jag rear from David at Everyday XJ, along with all of the part numbers from Doug at ERA, so I hope to get started on it in a few weeks.

[AndrewB]

Originally Posted by bcrumpley

Nice work Andrew, looking forward to seeing more as you go. I just received my Jag rear from David at Everyday XJ, along with all of the part numbers from Doug at ERA, so I hope to get started on it in a few weeks.

Exciting! Feel free to hit me up if you get stuck on something.

[CCKW353]

The paint job really is nice.

[Cobalt289]

Your car looks fantastic! Don't want to add to your to-do list, but I suggest you paint the underside of the spare tire try black at some point before it's all put together.

Painting Underside of ERA FIA Spare Tire Tray ?

[1795]

Looking great, I would concur that while you have it up and not fully together, paint the under side of the spare tire tray black.

[AndrewB]

Great suggestion, thanks! I'll add that to the list. I wish I did that before the rear went in, but better now than later I suppose. I'm liking the idea of using bed liner/undercoating for durability. Anyone know what the originals looked like? In going through my picture archive, I am not finding a real good angle of the well in a car that was not overly restored.

[Cobalt289]

Originally Posted by AndrewB

Great suggestion, thanks! I'll add that to the list. I wish I did that before the rear went in, but better now than later I suppose. I'm liking the idea of using bed liner/undercoating for durability. Anyone know what the originals looked like? In going through my picture archive, I am not finding a real good angle of the well in a car that was not overly restored.

In looking around for a good photo, it appears in the original cars some of the spare tire tray tubs were dark and some were light. I tried to upload photos, but it wouldn't let me, so links are below.

light - https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2015/0...rs-to-auction/

light - http://phscollectorcarworld.blogspot...2135-some.html

dark - http://www.motortrend.com/news/1964-shelby-cobra-289/

dark - http://www.legendarymotorcar.com/inv...obra-1636.aspx

dark (and with a red interior like your car) - https://www.rmsothebys.com/en/auctio...9-cobra/175168

Anyone know the answer as to how they originally came from Shelby?

[AndrewB]

Thanks for the links! I've ordered up a quart of Herculiner so we'll see how that looks.

John, I'm definitely sticking with red. I'm just not positive that I selected the right shade. It's supposed to be sunny this weekend (gasp!) so I'll try to push it out and take some pictures in natural light to illustrate.

[RockBit]

AndrewB anything to update?

[AndrewB]

Unfortunately not a whole lot as we've been quite busy the past month. I did end up Herculine'ing the underside of the spare tire well black and it came out great. I got some time this weekend to work on the engine and got the front cover, water pump, and rocker studs installed. Hoping to button up the rest of it in the next week or two.

Here's a few pictures I took back in March.

Getting some vitamin D.


Found a somewhat appropriate 1963/64 Washington plate and had it restored.


My helper

[patrickt]

That last picture is funny. I've got shots from when my ERA was new just like it... but they grow up and now he has his own roadster (a BMW Z4) and is pushing hard for his "first drive in the Cobra." Time absolutely flies by.

[AndrewB]

I've often wished he were a bit older so his contributions to the project could be more substantial, and for him to have solid memories of the process other than pictures, but I already feel that the days are really flying by and they are growing up uncomfortably (for me) fast. While I do get frustrated that we are not further along, spending time with family always has to come first.

I guess that is just an excuse to do another build down the road!

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by AndrewB

I've often wished he were a bit older so his contributions to the project could be more substantial, and for him to have solid memories of the process other than pictures, but I already feel that the days are really flying by and they are growing up uncomfortably (for me) fast. While I do get frustrated that we are not further along, spending time with family always has to come first.

I guess that is just an excuse to do another build down the road!

Yeah you need a 427 to complement that slabside!

[RockBit]

AndrewB - How about an update. Are you driving yet?

[AndrewB]

Originally Posted by RockBit

AndrewB - How about an update. Are you driving yet?

Ouch. That hurts

No, definitely not driving. In fact, the car and I are not even on the same coast. Long story short, I noticed a handful of little pimples on the car that I was certain were not there on delivery so I sent Connecticut Custom a few pictures and they quickly arranged for the car to be shipped back to them. It's a bummer, but I am very impressed (and thankful) that Connecticut Custom stood behind their work like they have. I was not really planning on posting about this as it sounds like a fluke incident and I didn't want anything to get misconstrued. I just want to be clear that I have nothing but good things to say about the Walts and their work and I would not hesitate to use them again. That said, the paint work is now complete and it is back at ERA waiting on Intercity for pick up, but they are fully booked due to Pebble Beach. Last estimate I got was first week in September for pick up.

Now I wish I could say that I was just waiting on the car, but summer has been busy and the engine project has taken a back seat. I estimate* I need another solid weekend to get it wrapped up. Instead, I have been buying awesome parts for the car that I didn't think I needed such as Armrer's beautiful seat tracks, some correct mirrors, and other little things I noticed while ogling the original 289's at SAAC. With that, I'm done spending money on it for real this time...really I am. .

I'm really hoping I can get a few good drives in before the weather changes but that is looking more and more unlikely.

*if history is any indication on this project, and my estimating skills, a week is more like a month+.

[1795]

Nice to hear that you will be able to be back at it soon. Also, like your attitude about the paint job. I too am of the opinion that even the best people will at times make mistakes or have something go wrong. If that happens, you contact them and if they make it right, then no need to trash talk them in a public forum. I would not have mentioned it either, unless in some positive way stating that they really stand by their work.

Good luck.

Jim

[dacobb]

"Done spending money on it" will take willpower that no human possesses.

[AndrewB]

Good news -- the car is back and it looks fantastic. Time to get to work!