The ERA Slabside Q and A Thread

[ANZAC]

Originally Posted by dacobb

Also, if you are planning to purchase one of these gems, this might be a good place to ask us who have already pulled the trigger.

OK I will bite.

I'm considering an ERA slabside. I'm 6'5 so that's one consideration... I know there are ways to accommodate.

I haven't spoken to ERA yet.

I'm pretty comfortable with mechanical and electric work. I've built several engines, manual transmissions, restored a few cars, built a competition car, built up a Jeep. I've got tools, engine stand, cherry picker etc. Don't have a lift but have a friend with one.

Things I won't touch: paint/bodywork, automatic transmissions, crown wheel and pinion setups/shimming.

One question I have is, for those who built a slab side from a kit, care to share your total build cost (including kit, w/ paint, wheels, tires, SBF/tranny etc?)

I would probably use one of ERA's suggested paint shops. No desire to find someone here to paint it (I have another unpainted repair job in my garage!)

Here are my current thoughts on what I'd like, I want to make it look like a very early street car:
- AC logo pedals, steering wheel and bonnet badge
- very mild 289/302 build, maybe roller rockers but very stock HiPo 289 look, 4 barrel, would be happy with 270-300hp
- TKO600
- Dunlop wire wheels (might prefer gray over chrome?)
- Smith's gauges
- leather interior
- clear parking light lenses
- no bumper rings, just the overriders

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ANZAC

OK I will bite.

I'm considering an ERA slabside...

Your height is right on the edge of doability. It will really depend on where your height is (meaning the distances between your heel and knee, knee and hip, lower butt and head. You'll have to have a "butt in seat" test there at ERA to know for sure. Listen to me on this, I'm 6'4" and the poster child for putting a big guy successfully in to an ERA car. Another positive note from your post is that the engine you've spec'd out will be a piece of cake for any of the engine builders, so no problem there. Now for the downside. The car is going to cost more than you think. Guys will PM you specifics, but in your mind you should be factoring in an "all in" cost from everything (including flights to CT for a "tall man" fitting) approaching six figures. Another sad point is that the time will take longer than you think. A turnkey slabber will take over a year and, possibly, upwards from there (some guys have patiently waited for almost two). You won't know for sure until you talk with Peter. If you're really serious about getting an ERA, custom made to your specs, then send Peter a reservation check today so you get in the queue. If you change your mind, they just give it back to you. And you can work with them on a handshake basis. Take it from me, as someone who has to gird for battle on a daily basis, that part is indeed refreshing.

[ANZAC]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Your height is right on the edge of doability. It will really depend on where your height is (meaning the distances between your heel and knee, knee and hip, lower butt and head. You'll have to have a "butt in seat" test there at ERA to know for sure. Listen to me on this, I'm 6'4" and the poster child for putting a big guy successfully in to an ERA car.

Ah, I'd seen your pictures on the ERA site!

Another positive note from your post is that the engine you've spec'd out will be a piece of cake for any of the engine builders, so no problem there.

I'd prefer to build the engine at home, then take it to a local shop to dyno/jet/tune. I did this with my engine builder in Portland for one of my race engines. He did the machining, I did the assembly, then took it back there to dyno.

Now for the downside. The car is going to cost more than you think. Guys will PM you specifics, but in your mind you should be factoring in an "all in" cost from everything (including flights to CT for a "tall man" fitting) approaching six figures.

I fly to upstate New York every few months with work, going to try and figure a way to do a side trip from a NYC/EWR connection to visit ERA.

What are the other big costs beyond what you spent at ERA? Engine, trans, tires?
Or is it the death of 1,000 cuts?

Another sad point is that the time will take longer than you think. A turnkey slabber will take over a year and, possibly, upwards from there (some guys have patiently waited for almost two).

If I wanted a turnkey there are other quicker options, I'd personally prefer to build from a kit (assuming ERA does the bonding).

You won't know for sure until you talk with Peter. If you're really serious about getting an ERA, custom made to your specs, then send Peter a reservation check today so you get in the queue. If you change your mind, they just give it back to you. And you can work with them on a handshake basis. Take it from me, as someone who has to gird for battle on a daily basis, that part is indeed refreshing.

Well.... I need to get rid of at least one car first to make the boss happy....

[patrickt]

I think ERA charges ten grand to do all the work themselves, so that should give you an idea of what you can save by putting it all together yourself. There are sample spreadsheets and costs for the cars scattered around the ERA site, but once you know exactly what you want, Peter can spec the prices out pretty close. But different add-ons will start to add up. For instance, if you go for the six pin hubs, and a soft top with side curtains, and maybe you add in the big brake option, and some nicer gauges, leather, etc. The price will creep up faster than you might think.

[fintubi]

Originally Posted by ANZAC

OK I will bite.

I'm considering an ERA slabside.

Hi -

My car is one of the ERA slabsides completed in 2019. I built the car from a painted half-roller and assembled the engine from a bare block. I'm happy to share lots of details via PM, but the best places to start are:

FAQ (you probably know most of this)
Fabrication pictures (at ERA)
Engine build pictures (at my home)
Kit assembly pictures (at my home)

Also, listen to Patrick His budgetary cost estimate is accurate and he's got lots of other relevant experience (including being tall).

Happy New Year,
Bill

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by fintubi

Also, listen to Patrick His budgetary cost estimate is accurate and he's got lots of other relevant experience (including being tall).

Not to mention exceptionally good looking. This is from the ERA site. Note how I peer directly through the center of the windshield.

[ANZAC]

Originally Posted by fintubi

Hi -

My car is one of the ERA slabsides completed in 2019.

Happy New Year,
Bill

Thanks you! I replied to your post earlier - somehow got stuck in mod-land...
Maybe it will show up next year