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E.R.A.
427SC
(ERA
#473, black-on-black)
Photo
above is hotlinked (same view,
MUCH larger size).
Back in 1995,
when (after extensive research into the Cobra replica industry)
I decided to buy an ERA 427SC. ERA put me in touch with Steve
Wall in Irvine, California, who, with his good friend Ron Hitter,
built me ERA #473. Steve worked in new product development for
Nissan and was all 'car guy.' He had a long and extensive
history with ERA, and Peter Portante and Phil Gaudette at E.R.A.
highly recommended him.
Steve
had purchased the very first Cobra they sold to the public, ERA#5,
in 1980. He and Ron had built 10 or 12 cars over the years as
a side business/hobby. The two of them did a terrific job putting
this car together and I've never regretted working with them
on the project. They let me fuss over details and specify lots
of bits and pieces like correct dash knobs and wingnuts. Steve
is no longer with us but I'll always be grateful for the magnificent
job he did for me.
Under
the Hood
original
cast-iron Ford 428FE Cobra Jet
[built
by respected Mike Cook, Corona, California]
engine
photo is hotlinked (alternate view,
MUCH larger size).
This 428 Cobra
Jet powerplant is outfitted with:
- dual
Holley 600 cfm carburetors
- triple-chromed
pentroof rocker covers
- solid-lifter
camshaft (produces a beautiful, menacing lope at idle)
- Stellings
& Hellings
air cleaners
- heavy
duty ERA radiator with heavy duty puller fan
- ceramic-coated
primary exhaust tubes
- MSD electronic ignition
ensemble w/adjustable rev limiter, set at 5,500 rpm
- dyno-tuned
by Superior Automotive, Anaheim, Calfornia
- engine
compartment period-dressed with aluminum panels
One
other note—gasket replacement: approximately 1,000 miles ago
[≈1,600 km] I had a performance shop replace the gaskets
for the: valve covers, water pump, oil pan, intake manifold and
exhaust manifold gaskets (i.e., manifold-to-head gaskets).
geartrain
- Lakewood shatterproof
racing bellhousing
- Centerforce clutch assembly
- Ford wide-ratio 4-speed
toploader transmission w/Hurst linkage
IN
THE COCKPIT
This
(period-correct) cockpit shot is hotlinked (same view, larger size).
- original-correct
16" Trigo steering wheel w/AC logo [Yes indeed—it
was Trigo who for awhile produced that correct 16"
steering wheel]
- SC dash
layout (no glovebox)
- Smiths gauges w/reverse
speedometer
- Argentine
black leather upholstery [seats, door pockets and handbrake boot]
- entire
array of original style fluted dash switches & engraved knobs
- ERA
reproduction shifter, handbrake and steering column
- Competition 5-point original
style seatbelts w/3" lap belts & 2" shoulder and
crotch belts
- AC die-cast pedals
SUSPENSION
& BRAKES
- Jaguar independent
rear suspension w/ 3.31:1 final gearing & limited-slip differential
- Brembo inboard disc
brakes [inboard location reduces unsprung weight]
- Spax adjustable coil-over
shocks fitted with Eibach springs
- ERA anti sway bars
3/4-rearview
shot above is hotlinked (same view,
larger size).
ROLLING
STOCK
- 15"
Trigo reproduction aluminum pin-drive wheels
- Polished
stainless-steel wing nuts w/ 'Halibrand Eng. Co. Torrance,
CA' lettering, as original
- New
Avon CR6-ZZ radial rubber: 295/50Rx15 rear, 245/60Rx15
front
- Wheel
balancing, tire shaving & nitrogen gas inflation by Nate
Jones Tire, Signal Hill, California
broadside
shot above is hotlinked (same view,
larger size).
period-correct yellow & black 1965 California license
plate
Other
Particulars
- top-quality
componentry and expert construction along with period-correct
authenticity were highest priorities throughout the build
- triple-chromed
sidepipes & rollbar
- SS bumper
hoops & uprights, front & rear
- riveted
hood scoop, as original
- (correct)
rectangular SC taillights
- fire
extinguisher—trunk mounted
- battery
w/kill switch—trunk mounted
- Finished
December 1996—built by Steve Wall & Ron Hitter, Irvine,
California
- Painted
by Pacific Vehicle Processors, Oxnard, California [PPG
'Deltron' 2-stage black paint]
- Engine
built by Mike Cook, Corona, California
- Titled
as a 1965 ERA
- fitted
with a period-perfect California black & yellow license plate
[license plate number MEE 125] w/red 'JAN' sticker, as
original, complemented with chromed Carroll Shelby Motors
license plate frame
- It's
logged only just over 7,000 miles [11,300 km]; only once on the
track; almost all the mileage has been local/street cruising.
THE
PHANTOM IN ENZO'S
REARVIEW MIRROR
head-on
frontal shot is hotlinked (same view,
MUCH larger size).
 |
I
first registered this black beauty in late 1996 or early 1997;
I'm in the process of ascertaining the precise original registration
date and obtaining any substantiating documentation. If you're
an interested Canadian, let me know and I'll get back with you
when I obtain a copy of my original registration documentation.
Greg Robinson |
You can
safely guess that I've had a bona fide blast with my Cobra
over the years. Made lots of friends and turned lots of heads.
And you can perhaps correctly judge from my photos that it's
been lovingly cared for all along. But the time has come for
me to part with this splendid snake.
I did my
best to provide you with complete and detailed information about
this no-compromise drivin' machine, but you're welcome
to phone or email me with any remaining questions you have.
oo
$56,900 obo
Contact:
Greg
Robinson
(562) 773-1403
PST
(cell)
email:
Greg@GRLocations.com
Located in Long Beach, California, USA
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