"Inspirations" for my ERA 289

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by Snakebit

I went with the Ford Rio Red. I liked the Ferrari Red, but when some one asks you what the color is I would find it hard to say"it's Ferrari Red!" Check out my gallery for the color. Get the sway bars and competition brakes. Good luck with the car, Peter and the gang are a pleasure to work with.

I like Rio red: I admired it when I went through your gallery a while back. Anti-sway bars and the big brakes are already in, but thanks for taking the time to mention them. The validation is appreciated.

To all, please don't be shy: I'm interested in your thoughts and recommendations; keep them coming!

[jeffy]

BTW, for those who might be wondering if trunk dimples are needed for a "correct" FIA body, the answer is a big "NO". Only three of the five original FIA cars had dimpled trunks, and none of the subsequent FIA-style cars had dimples. And, yes, there were dimpleless FIA-style bodied cars that had the FIA-style dash with the speedo off to the right, so that combination is "correct".

[jeffy]

One more thing. I discovered in my research the likely reason why some of the early competition cars had Bell-style sprint car steering wheels instead of the original wood-rimmed wheel. It turns out that the early cars had a worm-gear steering box, and that it wasn't unknown for the steering wheel spokes to break under heavy track use! Naturally, it would be prudent to upgrade to something stronger. After the cars switched to rack-and-pinion steering, that problem went away. Since all the FIA-style cars I've seen have the classic wood-rimmed wheel, I guess that is what I'll use, in order to be "correct", although I really like the look of the Bell wheel better.

[PDUB]

Wow, you are really crankin' up the history! Excellent job! I'd love to see you post the links to some of the photos, if you get a chance. Especially the red one with the MGA...

PM me on the badges...

Thanks!

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by PDUB

Wow, you are really crankin' up the history! Excellent job! I'd love to see you post the links to some of the photos, if you get a chance. Especially the red one with the MGA...

Thanks!

I'll post a few links later on. The photo with the MGA I found in the book Shelby Cobra: The Shelby American Original Archives 1962-1965, on page 89. I'll try to scan it and post it.

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by PDUB

I'd love to see you post the links to some of the photos, if you get a chance. Especially the red one with the MGA...

Thanks!

Here is an OK scan of that photo (note the FIA wheel on the front and kidney bean on the rear!):

[1985 CCX]

JEFFY

I think that Fran Kress has that correct hood emblem just like 2127. The FIA's did not use one to my recallection, they went nude.

Jeff

[mk2gt40]

Originally Posted by jeffy

BTW, for those who might be wondering if trunk dimples are needed for a "correct" FIA body, the answer is a big "NO". Only three of the five original FIA cars had dimpled trunks, and none of the subsequent FIA-style cars had dimples. And, yes, there were dimpleless FIA-style bodied cars that had the FIA-style dash with the speedo off to the right, so that combination is "correct".

As a matter of interest did you manage to work out which three got "dimpled"?
Ross

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by mk2gt40

As a matter of interest did you manage to work out which three got "dimpled"?
Ross

Yes; at the 1964 Targa Florio, where the cars debuted, only CSX2323 and CSX2345 were dimpled. Later in the year, CSX2260 sprouted dimples.

Here are some screen shots from a video of the 1964 Targa Florio of CSX2301, car number 150, with a smooth trunk:





The video link is here (CSX2301 first appears at about the 20 second mark):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rRvf...eature=related

[Snakebit]

I opted for the smooth trunk lid as I like the cleaner look. One less thing to explain other than why it's not a 427. I also opted for them not to cut the vent holes for the defroster vents.

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by Snakebit

I also opted for them not to cut the vent holes for the defroster vents.

I hadn't thought of that. Since I'm not getting the heater, or the top, I think I'll do the same. Thanks!

[mk2gt40]

there`s a nice pic of 2301 in Legates the first 40 yrs with none and on pg 116 theres 2323 smiling. Then in Schoens ferrari/ cobra on pg 214 car no. 177{2260} and pg 212 car no. 176{2345} both flashing theirs. That means 2345,2260,2323 had, and although I`ve also read only 3 got dimpled I have`nt seen 2259 dimpleless in a documented pic whilst racing in that era. anybody?
Ross

[jeffy]

Deleted by author.

[jeffy]

Hi Patrick-

Thanks; I'll look into that inspection issue.

I'm in New York, but I just don't want to have any temptation to drive in the rain: therefore, no top and side curtains, and, without them, I doubt if the heater would do much good. Also, I assume the comp cars didn't have heaters, and you can see how anal I'm getting about being faithful to the originals...

Jeff

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by jeffy

Also, I assume the comp cars didn't have heaters, and you can see how anal I'm getting about being faithful to the originals...

I understand completely. One last point on the top though -- being able to put one up when you're out takes the weight off being able to "read the clouds" before you get behind the wheel. But a top is something you can always add at a later date if you so choose.

[mk2gt40]

Another item of interest is the small aluminium deflector fitted on 2345`s driver side windscreen.I presume that it was an effort to stop the buffeting of the drivers helmet at speed.This was probaly more pronounced once scrutineering had taken place and the screen angled back.See pages 124 & 126 in Trevors "first 40 yrs"
Besides the dash layout what`s your choice for the interior? Spartan (RACING) or luxurious?

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by mk2gt40

Besides the dash layout what`s your choice for the interior? Spartan (RACING) or luxurious?

Spartan, but with carpeted doors and leather side pockets; the original dash was covered in leather and had a glove box, so I'll include that as well. I'll probably use cocoa mats to keep the floor panels clean.

[patrickt]

Your build/delivery thread will be fun to watch. What's Peter's guesstimate on when you'll have it?

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Your build/delivery thread will be fun to watch. What's Peter's guesstimate on when you'll have it?

Sometime when it's warm out, presumably in 2009...

[Snakebit]

Bribe him with food and he will give you a completion date.