Cobra Make, Engine: ERA140, ERA 267, ERA GT2038, ERA FIA 2045, ERAGT2077 ERA2893000EXP
Posts: 1,117
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ERA by a repeat offender
Folks:
Just so the record is clear:
In response to an off line question as to whether or not I really own 5 ERAs I responded:
Actually, I only have one at a time (although I still have the FIA as my next GT is going together).
More substantively, I enjoy planning, scrounging for parts and building these cars. While I would consider an original original, Shelby, AC, Ford, Cobra constructed within a particular time frame in the 60's (and to me, all of those are absolutely necessary and critical components of originality), I have more enjoyment out of this process. I for one view any of these cars, original or replica, as just so much processed iron ore, aluminum and fiberglass. I see absolutely no point in spending an extra (fill in the blank) $___________ for that which can not be seen nor touched. To me that is a bit of; "The Emperor has no clothes." And for all of it, if I roll one of these into a ball, I can call up Peter and get another; I have not destroyed some irreplaceable original. I would also note that I do not do business with shoddy, unethical businesses regardless of how much I may want what they offer. I have been more than satisfied with my dealings with ERA over the years. No one is perfect, but I believe that they are conscientious folks, in business to make a living for sure, but truly dedicated to producing a good, safe (have you ever really looked at the side impact protection in an original Cobra) product.
Another thing that I would add is that the wonderful thing about doing replicas is that there is room to do whatever "floats your boat". To me the creative, assembly is the thing. I grow bored with the finished car. To others, driving is the thing and they could care less or don't want to spend the time and energy to put the cars together. And finally, if you deviate from originality, who cares?
I've done the restoration thing on a couple of old Porsches and Mustangs. Dirty business that. I am also in the process (with some partners) of restoring an original GT40. Talk about a long and expensive process... and in the end we'll have so much in that we'd be out of our minds to try and drive it.
Jim,
My thoughts exactly on replica Cobras. If you can't see it or you ain't gonna use it, you don't really need it.
Contemporary with less detail,and more unoriginal parts than just about any other replica. But I drive the crap out of it and that's what I like to do.
Cranky I was checking out your gallery of pics and it looks like the ground clearance on replica is kind of high. Logical question: Why? Have you tried different ride heights, etc?
When I was racing the Excalibur I tried that and eventually found that lower was better, at least on the track. Rode like hell on the street.
It will be interesting playing with this new ERA BB I just got. I bet it WON'T handle as well as the Excal, but then again, maybe better? We'll see.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA140, ERA 267, ERA GT2038, ERA FIA 2045, ERAGT2077 ERA2893000EXP
Posts: 1,117
Not Ranked
For some time, one of the CC members here (a/k/a a427AC?) known to me as "Cheeks" did a lot of open track work with his ERA. He eventually had it tricked out with fuel cell, cage, little race windshield, etc. etc. and had it dropped so low that he had the oil scoop duct taped on so it wouldn't break anymore of the body when he took it off on the slightest little hickup in the road. He balanced out the chassis with lead weights. If anyone knows how to set up an ERA, cheeks does.
Ernie, My car WAS riding a little high for tire clearance concerns. New wheels and some new springs have lowered the car considerable.
Jim,
Cheeks aka McFEz and I have torn up a lot of grass infields together the past couple of years. Too bad his ERA is gone BUT a new track vehicle is in progress.Wish more ERA guys would take advantage of a good handling chassis.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA140, ERA 267, ERA GT2038, ERA FIA 2045, ERAGT2077 ERA2893000EXP
Posts: 1,117
Not Ranked
That be the one!
J
PS: Cheeks wiped out the oil scoop the first time when he hit a racoon. He sez that he had to chase the racoon across into oncoming traffic, but it was worth it; made good eat'n.
Last edited by Jim Holden; 03-18-2004 at 07:07 PM..
Ernie,
I know I'm gonna get in trouble for this one but here is a photo of McFEz, Cheeks, Don in his low rider ERA chasing me at Summit point WV a couple of years ago. All I had was a lousy little 351 crate Engine against his 500 plus HP big Block.
He will probably post another picture showing his car in front of mine but we all know about trick photography.
Anyhow good luck with your new ride. I know you will enjoy it.
Yeah Cranky, I just couldn't pass that small block. At least not on the warm up lap, anyway.
Ernie, I ran a 428 for a long time, then got me a REAL moder, a s/o 427. Ran the snots out of it for several years, outlasting most of my fellow Crankoids lil moders, right Roger, John, Terry, Bill..... The ERA chassis is very adjustable, and will outhandle the Excal anyday. If you can't get it at least that good, give me a call and we can fix er up easy, just send a plane ticket.
Hollywood, I had to get that 'coon cause all you were serving at lunch that day was crappy hotdogs.
Very very interesting!! I figured one of the problems with the BB would be "push" in the corners. Of course a guy could use a little throttle over steer to make up for it, but dam, thats a radical approach with 600+ horse power!
Ernie I still get crap about using lead to balance the car. It was my own fat a** in the left rear than necesitated 20# or so in the RF to get the balance I wanted. Depends on how much stuff you want to cut up/out. I chose lead and kept french fries. The result was 2550# w/o driver, and all four wheels within 10# with above fata**ed driver installed. Check how far back the moder sits in the car, really close to a front-mid deal. Work out the entry push with spring rates and a little tire pressure work and shock setups. And of course, the big right foot always carries the day off corner.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA140, ERA 267, ERA GT2038, ERA FIA 2045, ERAGT2077 ERA2893000EXP
Posts: 1,117
Not Ranked
ERAGT2077
I managed to sneak up to ERA this weekend and induced Peter to take me over to the R&D shop hidden away in the bowels of the lovely old rundown New England city of New Britain to check on the status of my next little project ERAGT2077. I smuggled a camera in and managed to get off a shot of the car before Peter wrestled it away from me. We're going to try powder coating the stainless chassis up at Airborne before the car goes off to Tony's for paint. It's right hand drive this time around with the 1075 body work etc. Now to choose a color...
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA140, ERA 267, ERA GT2038, ERA FIA 2045, ERAGT2077 ERA2893000EXP
Posts: 1,117
Not Ranked
Joea:
Nope. Sorry. We went directly to the skunk (R&D) works and didn't go by the shop on Dewey street. Initial assembly of the GT body and chassis (the chassis are still welded up at the Dewey Street shop) is now done over at the R&D shop.
Jim
PS: But with Peter any visit to ERA seems to either start or end with food.
Jim Holden Your amazing, Loves his wife, working on his 5 or 6 ERA car, truck driver for the ERA race team, and owns 1/2 the stock in ERA Ent. If I hit the lottery can I get a Jim Holden series cobra?? I still want to see the OTHER Car in the R&D shop. What color are we going for on this GT-40? Wes-lake motor? How about an all Aluminium Shelby motor, wieght of a small block balls of a big block. OK your on Atkins I forgot. A small block will be OK. I am sure that the new GT will be even better than the green one. How much for a series Holden car? That Much Thanks Jim. Rick Lake I want to see the twin pax car if it is still there on friday.
ERA by a repeat offender
I still want to see the OTHER Car in the R&D shop. 
What color are we going for on this GT-40? Wes-lake motor? How about an all Aluminium Shelby motor, wieght of a small block balls of a big block. OK your on Atkins I forgot. A small block will be OK. I am sure that the new GT will be even better than the green one. 
How much for a series Holden car? That Much
Thanks Jim. Rick Lake I want to see the twin pax car if it is still there on friday.
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