What makes ERA GT40's so special?

[Derek]

Trying to search this topic but haven't turned up much. I've seen that ERA GT40's go for pretty good money. To be honest, the ones I've seen leave something to be desired, no disrespect, I'm just not seeing the value. So what am I missing? I'm hoping someone can educate me on the ERA cars so I can better understand their values...

Cheers,

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

ERA GTs were one of the first reasonably accurate replicas available. The engineering is well done, and the quality of the supplied parts is high. As with any "kit", the final product is dependent upon the builder's skills and the other parts used. As with Factory Five "Cobras" the builder will determine the final product; one of the nicest cars I have seen is a Factory Five......and I have seen one that I wouldn't ride in at 5 MPH!

Peter and the gang have produced a very nice kit that can produce a high-end GT if given the proper investment of time and treasure.

As the prices of other GTs has risen (i.e. Superformance, Safir MK V, etc.) the ERA cars have ridden the rising tide.

We have access to a wide body ERA MK I kit that has never been started, it has been stored for over 15 years. Comes with a -2 ZF set up for GT use and other items. If interested: [email protected]

 

[Michael]

Just to add an endorsement to Rick’s insightful comments, I’ve seen finished examples of ERA GT40s (as well as cobras) at different venues spanning many years, and they’ve always represented among the very best that the replica industry has to offer. I don’t question their rising values at all.

 

[Michael]

Btw Rick, Mac McClendon (Lola specialist) had an unbuilt early ERA GT40 kit stashed in one of his out buildings at his place here in North FL, could that be the one you’re referring to?

 

[Derek]

ERA GTs were one of the first reasonably accurate replicas available. The engineering is well done, and the quality of the supplied parts is high. As with any "kit", the final product is dependent upon the builder's skills and the other parts used. As with Factory Five "Cobras" the builder will determine the final product; one of the nicest cars I have seen is a Factory Five......and I have seen one that I wouldn't ride in at 5 MPH!

Peter and the gang have produced a very nice kit that can produce a high-end GT if given the proper investment of time and treasure.

As the prices of other GTs has risen (i.e. Superformance, Safir MK V, etc.) the ERA cars have ridden the rising tide.

We have access to a wide body ERA MK I kit that has never been started, it has been stored for over 15 years. Comes with a -2 ZF set up for GT use and other items. If interested: [email protected]

Thanks for the insights... looks like ERA utilizes a monocoque chassis design, do you know if they are steel or aluminum? Also I'm curious if they have an alloy roof, or a fibreglass roof?

Other than Gelscoe and SPF/Safir, I assumed RCR was the only other builder utilizing a monocoque chassis design... I've seen well executed RCR cars go for similar money compared to ERA cars. I assume quality-wise, ERA and RCR are in the same class? Is that a fair assessment?

I appreciate your comment on the builders of these cars determining final values, so true. I've seen a few head-scratchers myself, lol

 

[Michael]

Derek, the early ERA cars were I believe mild steel, and later cars I think were stainless. Not sure about the roof material.

Yes, I would equate ERA and RCR build quality, albeit completely different in design and construction under the fiberglass.

 

[Lee Patterson]

The roof on an ERA car is a fiberglass center section. They incorporate a steel roll bar built into the B pillar section.

 

[Walter]

I think that early ERA GT40s have the advantage that they may qualify for historic plates AND are close to the original in using a monocoque. Other early replicas, such as KVA or GTD, usually use space frames. More recently other replica/``continuation" manufacturers have adopted monocoque-based cars/kits, such as CAV, RCR, Superformance, and Tornado. The final quality of the product, as stated above, is strongly influenced by build quality as well.

 

[Andy Sheldon]

Our Monocoques are manufactured in either Aluminium or Carbon Fibre

Thanks

 

[Derek]

Our Monocoques are manufactured in either Aluminium or Carbon Fibre

Thanks

Thanks for the input, I thought all the Tornado cars were just a tubular chassis, good to know you offer monocoque based chassis as well.

 

[Julian]

I think most are aware that Superformance and CAV are turnkey minus, but some other manufacturers will build their kit to turnkey minus or even full completion, obviously such manufacturer completed cars would likely fetch a price premium.
I believe ERA only produced around 80 GT's, with 25 of those being RHD, so a fairly limited pool. That said there is one on eBay (Las Vegas, USA) currently that is well under market, albeit reserve not met yet, probably not helped by a poor description as a '1964 Ford Other'.

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Btw Rick, Mac McClendon (Lola specialist) had an unbuilt early ERA GT40 kit stashed in one of his out buildings at his place here in North FL, could that be the one you’re referring to?

No, Not from Mac.