Superformance & ERA owners I need your help!

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by patrickt

You don't want rolled edges?

Yeah, standard... like your brakes

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Yeah, standard... like your brakes

Walt and his band of merry elves takes care of the rolling.... I don't think it cost much either (seriously).

[Cashburn]

It really should be discussed in another topic, so take it away... at the end of the day why would you buy an ERA over a Kirkham? If you are not building it from kit form yourself, I think that is the big question.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

It really should be discussed in another topic, so take it away... at the end of the day why would you buy an ERA over a Kirkham? If you are not building it from kit form yourself, I think that is the big question.

ERA is the clear choice if, for whatever reason, an aluminum body is not important to you. To some people, it is very important... just like to some people the Shelby name is very important.

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by patrickt

ERA is the clear choice if, for whatever reason, an aluminum body is not important to you. To some people, it is very important... just like to some people the Shelby name is very important.

Again, it is not a clear choice. It was for you, but I think many would disagree. It makes no difference to me, other than adding to the discussion and getting to the bottom of the superiority claims (or complex perhaps).

[Bob In Ct]

Do the ERA cars have the transverse front leaf spring like the originals or the inferior coil-overs? This thread has become a real pissing contest.

Bob

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Bob In Ct

Do the ERA cars have the transverse front leaf spring like the originals or the inferior coil-overs? This thread has become a real pissing contest.

Bob

Well then I'll politely shut up. But I will mention to Jay that I think he would be shocked at how many people have examined my car and exclaimed "this is aluminum, isn't it?" even after running their hands under the lips, etc. I think for most car nuts (not just people) it is much more difficult than you would think to tell aluminum from plastic. I know, I know... you probably don't believe that, but it's true.

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Well then I'll politely shut up. But I will mention to Jay that I think he would be shocked at how many people have examined my car and exclaimed "this is aluminum, isn't it?" even after running their hands under the lips, etc. I think for most car nuts (not just people) it is much more difficult than you would think to tell aluminum from plastic. I know, I know... you probably don't believe that, but it's true.

Not shocked at all, but they would say the same thing to a bunch of other "replicas" because they don't know... as they proved to you. You wanted a time machine and you got the full experience (aside from some significant telling features). Don't pretend it's at the top of the heap though

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Bob In Ct

This thread has become a real pissing contest.

Bob

It sure has, I wonder what the original thread post must think of Cobra owners after he asked a few simple questions and had it blow up into what it has. Buy or build, big block or small block, one manufacturer over another is all a very personal choice that the thread starter must now decide on. I do wish him the very best regardless of which car/kit/manufacturer he chooses, why, simple, because when all is said and done we'll have another cobra owner on the forum.

Yours In Fords,

Bill S.

[Excaliber]

Oh I wouldn't call it a pissing contest, just another day at the office. No doubt I personally would go with Kirkham over ERA, PRICE being the major factor there.

But I'd rather walk than own some of the replica's I've seen, even if you gave me them for free.

I see Kirkham has recently adopted CV joint axles, I'm disappointed, another move toward modernization is better I guess. Sigh,,,

No question there IS a pecking order among the various manufacturers. All though some may adjust where any given one lands on the chart, most would agree to the basic premise. Shelby, Kirkham, ERA, oops, I mean SPF, uh oh...

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Oh I wouldn't call it a pissing contest, just another day at the office. No doubt I personally would go with Kirkham over ERA, PRICE being the major factor there.

But I'd rather walk than own some of the replica's I've seen, even if you gave me them for free.

I see Kirkham has recently adopted CV joint axles, I'm disappointed, another move toward modernization is better I guess. Sigh,,,

That's why there should be another topic on the comparison, I don't think the price difference will be significant (at that level) once you factor in all the options of one brand and having them assemble it too.

[Stentor]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

No question there IS a pecking order among the various manufacturers. All though some may adjust where any given one lands on the chart, most would agree to the basic premise. Shelby, Kirkham, ERA, oops, I mean SPF, uh oh...

Wow, with all of patrickt's hyperbole and chest pounding I was ready to put my car for sale on Cobra Country and get in line to get an ERA.

After all--according to patrickt--craftmanship on all CSX 4000s is shoddy, SPFs suck, and ERAs are clearly the best Cobra replica available.

How about just driving your car and enjoying it for what it is...that's what I do.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Stentor

After all--according to patrickt--craftmanship on all CSX 4000s is shoddy, SPFs suck, and ERAs are clearly the best Cobra replica available.

Don't worry, RodKnock's teaching me to be calm. Stentor -- you might add to that statement the potential danger that some of the changes that you see in Kirkhams are beginning to take them away from being a Cobra replica. They are quickly becoming "their own car." Some might like that, some might not.

[Stentor]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Don't worry, RodKnock's teaching me to be calm. Stentor -- you might add to that statement the potential danger that some of the changes that you see in Kirkhams are beginning to take them away from being a Cobra replica. They are quickly becoming "their own car." Some might like that, some might not.

Ah, yes...a replica that makes so many improvements over the original product that it becomes a completely different (better) car than the original--and therefore is no longer a good replica. I knew there had to be something wrong with Kirkhams, as well.

[Excaliber]

The thread is specifically about SPF vs ERA, this is the perfect format for this discussion, I think.

Interesting note, Jay, about the price difference, I've never looked at closely enough to consider what kind of difference their might be. I WOULD say though that both cars need to have similiar specs. Side oiler vs side oiler for instance. A 385 vs 427 is just not a valid comparison, for instance.

In such a discussion of comparison between two manufacturers it is logical to also introduce, on a limited basis, other manufacturers for a better over all picture. Strangely, I don't see the "pissing contest" aspect of this thread...

[Excaliber]

Oh I get it now, Patricks hyperbole. Well, you'll always have at least one guy in the crowd who is more vocal about his position than others. I guess I took with a bit to much of a "grain of salt".

Patrick, remain calm.

[Excaliber]

THAT is a trend I see with many manufacturers. There responding to the market, like it or not, they gotta pay the rent. Like Kirkham said some time ago, they sell FAR less original style suspensions than they used to, most folk simply don't want it. Now an original style suspension option is/was around $15,000 extra! That's pretty much the final nail in the coffin for "originality".

[patrickt]

Plus, I don't think the Kirkhams can be satisfied just making money (even great gobs) -- they have a creative "artsy" side that simply can't be bottled.

[Cashburn]

Not to mention that whole round tube thing to worry about.

[Excaliber]

... dang, you would have to bring that up. Compromise, no square frame stuff and I won't mention BMW parts.

The MAIN reason I sought out an ERA was because I wanted a genuine 427 side oiler, typical ERA installation, more difficult to find in other cars. The second reason was an accurate body shape. Third was quality. I looked very hard at an older Hi Tech with a side oiler, more accurate to detail than the ERA and the same price (both used cars). BUT, the Hi Tech had a 9" rear end, when I saw that, it was over, keep looking.