Looking for a Used ERA S/C Cobra

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by GoFast1965

All, I am in the market for a used ERA Cobra. I am also going to get a quote from ERA for a new build, but want to see if there is something on the used market that fits my tastes...

I will tell you it's a wonderful experience to have ERA build you a custom car that is exactly what you spec out down to the last bolt. But, unfortunately, and through no fault of ERA, doing that is way more painful than it was 20 years ago. The waiting time in the queue, the difficulty in finding and building 427/428 FEs and the overall costs and shortages have made it painful. I am told that the outboard rears are still not available due to the shortages of the aluminum cast uprights.

So, with that said, you're going to have dangle a "buyer's premium" out there to snag what you want. You're going to have to make it hard for the guy that is thinking about hanging up his driving shoes, but isn't quite sure, can't quite part with his love, but maybe a hundred grand would do the trick, even if he really doesn't want to sell. The proverbial "offer he can't refuse."

That would be how I approach it. When you're in your 40's you have all the time in the world. When you're in your 60's you start to have the nervous feeling that the grim reaper is on the backswing. If you think time is running out, then spend the dough now and get what you want. You can't take it with you and a $20k-$40K premium isn't all that much in the scheme of life.

[sgianino]

Im in them Shoes , I Still like the car and have had it since finished in 2004 but have only put less then 6000 Miles on it in over 20 years.....I know once its gone its gone and will never build another so i keep it Warm and dry under covers
I dont know what the plan is long term with it, Maybe Patrick will buy it and paint it Beige

[GoFast1965]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I will tell you it's a wonderful experience to have ERA build you a custom car that is exactly what you spec out down to the last bolt. But, unfortunately, and through no fault of ERA, doing that is way more painful than it was 20 years ago. The waiting time in the queue, the difficulty in finding and building 427/428 FEs and the overall costs and shortages have made it painful. I am told that the outboard rears are still not available due to the shortages of the aluminum cast uprights.

So, with that said, you're going to have dangle a "buyer's premium" out there to snag what you want. You're going to have to make it hard for the guy that is thinking about hanging up his driving shoes, but isn't quite sure, can't quite part with his love, but maybe a hundred grand would do the trick, even if he really doesn't want to sell. The proverbial "offer he can't refuse."

That would be how I approach it. When you're in your 40's you have all the time in the world. When you're in your 60's you start to have the nervous feeling that the grim reaper is on the backswing. If you think time is running out, then spend the dough now and get what you want. You can't take it with you and a $20k-$40K premium isn't all that much in the scheme of life.

@patrickt Thank you for the detailed information. I spoke to Peter P a couple months ago and learned about the ERA rear end still not being available, unfortunately. I did not realize it was difficult to source 427/428 FEs!

If I cannot find a used ERA that I want, and I end up building one with ERA from scratch, I am thinking of doing a tribute of this Shelby Cobra CSX 3040 which recently sold at auction: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zUqkJMNS2bA.

[patrickt]

OK, next time it's a slow day at the office call, do not email, some of the well known FE builders on this forum, the 332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum forum or that have been recommended to you, and tell them "I'm building a 427SC Cobra from ERA, how hard is it to find an original iron 427 or 428 block and then, roughly, what will it cost me for you to build, meaning all the machining, parts, stroked and bored and with only high quality parts." Everyone but blykins and barry r. will be low balling you on their guess, so keep that in mind. If they say, "well, you have to bring me the block" then keep looking. Buying a used 427/428 block is fraught with peril.

[GoFast1965]

Originally Posted by patrickt

OK, next time it's a slow day at the office call, do not email, some of the well known FE builders on this forum, the 332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum forum or that have been recommended to you, and tell them "I'm building a 427SC Cobra from ERA, how hard is it to find an original iron 427 or 428 block and then, roughly, what will it cost me for you to build, meaning all the machining, parts, stroked and bored and with only high quality parts." Everyone but blykins and barry r. will be low balling you on their guess, so keep that in mind. If they say, "well, you have to bring me the block" then keep looking. Buying a used 427/428 block is fraught with peril.

@patrickt Thank you for the guidance! Who are the well known FE builders that most ERA purchasers use? Are there any that work closely with Peter P and team?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by GoFast1965

@patrickt Thank you for the guidance! Who are the well known FE builders that most ERA purchasers use? Are there any that work closely with Peter P and team?

I would ask Peter that question. When I asked him that question 20+ years ago he referred me to Joe Lapine at Danbury Competition Engines. Joe has since retired, as has Keith Craft, as have some other well-known names. Sometimes the people that buy their names turn out not to be as good as the original. So, I will not recommend an engine builder when I have only done business with their predecessor because I simply don't know them. But I will give you this one tip: Look for an FE engine builder that has been doing it for at least 25 years or more.