ERA GT2077 Build Pics

[patrickt]

[fkemmerer]

Hi Patrick,

What are you using for a motor and transaxle? Can you share a little more information on the specs for your car? I am interested in doing a GT40 at some point and am considering ERA.

Thanks,

- Fred

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by fkemmerer

Hi Patrick,

What are you using for a motor and transaxle? Can you share a little more information on the specs for your car? I am interested in doing a GT40 at some point and am considering ERA.

Thanks,

- Fred

Jim Holden is building it for me... I'll let him answer that question.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I'd like to understand more about this pic and why the frame has to be notched in such an unusual way.

-Dean

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by fkemmerer

Hi Patrick,

What are you using for a motor and transaxle? Can you share a little more information on the specs for your car? I am interested in doing a GT40 at some point and am considering ERA.

Thanks,

- Fred

Fred,

That's Patrick's cute way of saying that this ERA is Jim Holden's:

Eragt2077

I would like to possibly build an ERA GT too, but a 2-3 year wait seems like an eternity to me.

[Jim Holden]

ERAGT2077 has been a work in progress. I've tried to replicate what woould have been the ultimate version of the car as raced in 1969.

Some of its featurers are:

Right hand drive
Gurney Eagle heads w/ Webers
SafirGT Spares bellhousing and twin plate clutch setup
ZF gearbox/transaxle
BRM 15x10 and 15x14 mag wheels
Sierria front brakes
front and rear flares to accomodate Dunlop race tires
AC
roll cage
late style door handles
custom oil cooler and duct work by Ted
and more...

Jim

PS: The modification to the lower "hoop" section was a result of my utilization of the SafirGT40 Spares bellhousing which has the lower attachment bosses/bushings to locate the bottom of the bellhousing. Teddy made up a little jig after we located the engine in its installed location (approx. 5 degrees down). He then drilled a pilot hole and which he opened the hole up with a hole saw. He machined some steel bushings and then tig welded them into the chassis lying on his back. A beautiful job and located everything perfectly.

PPS: As to the "eternity" aspect of waiting for a custom built ERAGT, I can quite agree that it is not for everyone. I can only speak for myself in saying that my relationship with the talented folks at ERA has evolved over a periodn of almost 25 years and now some six cars. I have been fortunate in having several projects in the works at any one time, thus my focus has always been on having the cars built the way I wanted them done and not on how fast I could get them done. Peter P., Teddy, Doug, Bob and all the guys at ERA are super to deal with and have tolerated my nonsense. So, for me, they have truly made fantasies into reality.

[patrickt]

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

PPS: As to the "eternity" aspect of waiting for a custom built ERAGT, I can quite agree that it is not for everyone. I can only speak for myself in saying that my relationship with the talented folks at ERA has evolved over a periodn of almost 25 years and now some six cars. I have been fortunate in having several projects in the works at any one time, thus my focus has always been on having the cars built the way I wanted them done and not on how fast I could get them done. Peter P., Teddy, Doug, Bob and all the guys at ERA are super to deal with and have tolerated my nonsense. So, for me, they have truly made fantasies into reality.

One of the concerns that I would have with the long queue, is what the status of the SB100 program here in CA will be in 2-3 years time. At any rate, Peter is out today and I plan to give him a call on Monday.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If I built one, then I would use yours as the benchmark. Just beautiful.

I wonder if most GT owners opt for the wide rear end.

[RodKnock]

Jim, one other question. Can someone opt for even bigger brakes, like the Wilwoods on an ERA?

[Jim Holden]

Rod:

The standard ERAGT brakes are Corvette. Larger brakes can be fitted. The Sierra brakes appear to be the largest that can be fitted and still utilize 15" wheels. A variety of brakes have been used with larger wheels. I do have Corvette rear brakes that incorporate a parking brake.

You would need to decide what size wheels you want to use and Bob P. could then advise as to which brakes would fit. (Actually the Sierras did not fit until Ted ground off some of the "fins" on the caliper.)

There is a car sitting in the shop now where the owner decided, against Bob P's recommendation to use certain brakes. ERA sent the brake folks an upright, but to date, what has been produced does not fit. The bottom line? Having built some 85 ERAGTs, approx 800 ERA427SC and now some 125 ERAFIAs, the boys up in New Britski have pretty much seen it all. You deviate from their recommendations and counsel at your peril.

Jim

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

Rod:

The standard ERAGT brakes are Corvette. Larger brakes can be fitted. The Sierra brakes appear to be the largest that can be fitted and still utilize 15" wheels. A variety of brakes have been used with larger wheels. I do have Corvette rear brakes that incorporate a parking brake.

You would need to decide what size wheels you want to use and Bob P. could then advise as to which brakes would fit. (Actually the Sierras did not fit until Ted ground off some of the "fins" on the caliper.)

There is a car sitting in the shop now where the owner decided, against Bob P's recommendation to use certain brakes. ERA sent the brake folks an upright, but to date, what has been produced does not fit. The bottom line? Having built some 85 ERAGTs, approx 800 ERA427SC and now some 125 ERAFIAs, the boys up in New Britski have pretty much seen it all. You deviate from their recommendations and counsel at your peril.

Jim

I would go with the biggest brakes ERA recommends. I don't have a need to blaze any new trails.

I'm looking forward to speaking with Peter on Monday.

[767Jockey]

I've always liked the GT40's but don't know much about them. How accurate is the ERA GT40 structurally to the original? I have read many times that the Superformance GT40 is 90% parts interchangeable to the originals, and that in all aspects it is virtually indistinguishable from an original both aesthetically and structurally, completely unlike their Cobra, which has the square tube frame and the upright radiator. If this is in fact the case, why would someone wait 3 years for an ERA when you can get the Superformance GT40 now or at the very least much sooner than the ERA? I'm obviously missing something here, what is it that I'm missing?

[RodKnock]

For one, you can build the ERA yourself or have one custom made by ERA. The ERA is made in the USA, which is probably one reason the ERA is more expensive too.

I believe the ERA is fairly close to being as authentic as the SPF. From what I understand, the claim that 90% of the parts on the SPF are interchangeable with the original is incorrect.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

For one, you can build the ERA yourself or have one custom made by ERA. The ERA is made in the USA, which is probably one reason the ERA is more expensive too.

I believe the ERA is fairly close to being as authentic as the SPF. From what I understand, the claim that 90% of the parts on the SPF are interchangeable with the original is incorrect.

From the Superformance website:

http://www.superformance.com/gt40.aspx

"The GT40 continuation is built to exacting standards - in fact over two thirds of the rolling chassis's parts are interchangeable with that of an original car, including the 'monocoque" style chassis."

The SPF is also eligible for the GT40 registry....woo hoo!

[RodKnock]

SPF must have been challenged and they subsequently changed the "90%" to "over two thirds" at some point, but there are still people reselling the rollers using the "90%" lingo. In fact, there's a Gulf colored MKI on eBay right now using the "90%."

[Got the Bug]

BTW - I'm agnostic to make...I'll take a ride in or drive anyone's GT40 any time.

[RedBarchetta]

Doug = a true GT40 whore.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Doug = a true GT40 whore.

Got that right. I'd look like a pretzel trying to drive it too.

[DonC]

Jim:
Are you going to use the "bundle of snakes" exhaust or go with the more conventional unequal length?
DonC

[Jim Holden]

Folks:

A couple of comments (in no particular order):

ERAGT2077 has a bundle of snakes exhaust system that to my (admittingly aging) ears transform the otherwise mundane, commonplace sound of the Ford V8 into a glorious shreak, unlike almost anything else on the road today.

The ERA tub is within fractions of an inch identical to the original, but is now made out of stainless steel. (The originals were pressed out of mild steel and most rotted out relatively quickly and have subsequently had to have everything replaced "below the waterline.") The ERA roof is not steel as original. The suspension, while very similar to the original, utilizes ERA's own proprietary cast aluminum uprights. My suggestion to anyone is to make the trek to the shop up in New Britain, CT., see how the cars are put together, talk with the fellows that build them and try to gain some understanding of why the car is designed and built the way it is.

The SPF version of the GT40 appears to be a very well made and reasonably accurate iteration of the original. But it too has compromises that differentiate it from "original." A friend is building up a SPFGT as an "FIA Mark IIA" and he indicates that he is having to make substantial changes to the car to accurately duplicate a Mark IIA (utilizing an FE427 and T44 gearbox).

Guys... hate to break it to you, but at the end of the day both ERA and SPF are replica/recreations! Frankly, anyone who seeks to drive a dead nuts original GT on the street is crazy. For one thing, AC is absolutely vital to one's survival. A decent emergency brake (as opposed to a lever pushing on the brake pedal) also, to me, seems like a good idea. ...and so on.

I've previously indicated on a number of occasions why I have dealt and continue to deal with ERA. In saying that, it is not meant to denigrate anyone else or their choice of vendor. My preference is stated only to indicate what was right for me and what my priorities are and have been in making my choice. ERA is indeed not for everyone. What is great about this hobby is that there are still choices to be had. We are not (as yet) reduced to all driving the same voltmobile.

ERA produces only a handful of ERAGTs a year, each custom made to a purchaser's personal specifications. I've placed an order for a car to be delivered eight years from now... I can wait to get what I want the way I want it. Others are clearly not so patient.

This thread was started merely to share with those of you who might be genuinely interested how one person's project was built and what choices were made along the way. It was not started to make any comparison with any other manufacturer's product. I have always found it revealing then to observe those who feel the compulsion to then chime in and run down the project and extol the virtue of some other other manufacturer's product. A better course, I would suggest, is for them to build the car of their choice and post a thread and set forth why they made the choices they did.

...see you all at Road America at the GT40 reunion a great opportunity to compare real vs. the recreations.

Jim