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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[jose velez]

"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..."

All this to be pushed up and down a trailer. You forgot to show the key to wind it up so you do not have to push.

It looks great I can not wait to hear it starting up with the webers not working and spitting sound

[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?

[jose velez]

I have ERA 2075 with 17" Gulf type wheels and it has 13" power assisted brakes. It stops in a dime. The engine is 409 small block with good american 4V holley that works perfect.

[Jim Holden]

"starting up with the webers not working and spitting sound"

but what a glorious sound!

J

[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.