ERA 427 Cobra
ERA 427 Cobra
This page shows some photos of the build-up of my ERA 427 S/C Cobra. This was a great car to build and drive and really got me hooked on racing. I originally intended to build this car for street use but after driving a few open track events like the Shelby American Automobile Club puts on I realized that was the best way to enjoy a car like this.
The big day…picking up the car at ERA. I ordered the car with the chassis painted and the body mounted. That was a $1,200 option but well worth it. The car comes on casters, which are great for rolling the car around in the garage.
This photo explains why we had so many people rolling the car out of the shop. In the foreground is Jim Holden's (in light blue shirt) beautiful ERA GT-40. Jim made sure his body was between the two cars at all times.
Loaded on the trailer and ready to be strapped down for the ride home. Peter Portante (in black shirt) was so exhausted after watching the loading operation; he had to lean against the car and rest. :-)
This is the start of the body work. The windshield, head lights, trim, etc. get removed and the mold seams are being sanded.
I probably spent about 100 hours block sanding the car prior to painting. Most of that time was spent getting carried away with little details. All of the body edges such as the wheel openings were shaped and sanded to replicate the wire-rolled edge of the original aluminum bodied cars.
One of the many coats of primer being block sanded. After painting a few cars I've learned that once you think it's perfect; spray some more primer and keep sanding. This is the step in the painting process that really determines how good the car will look.