Hello from an FIA owner in PA.

[Fullchat289]

Hello, everyone.

I guess it's the news of the FIA that has brought me here. I've been a long-standing member over at FFcars.com, and thought I would come over here for an additional F5 forum experience. I've been a F5 enthusiast since the guys got their start in the mid/late 90's and have watched their offerings expand. Was a member of FFROG, then a member of FFcars when that transition occured. I've also been a member of clubcobra.com since 2003 and finally realized my cobra replica dream when I purchased an ERA in 2010. I've always remained a fan of the factoryfive cars, however, since they consistantly kick my butt in autocross.

A little about my ERA: I've always been a bit of a purist with respect to period correctness when it comes to replicas, that and the fact that I was drawn to the small block cobras is what lead me to ERA. I found a car locally with a 347 and IDF webers, a tko600, ERA's upgraded rear suspension and decided to use it as a basis to create my vision of what the car should be. Over the years of owning it, I've powdercoated the wheels, added an easily removable LeMans Hardtop, built side curtains, split the trunklid to hinge rearward, changed out the cam, and changed over to IDA webers from the IDF's. I have some documentation of my ownership of the car and the changes I've made over on clubcobra. Just google "ERA2124 ownership log" and you'll find it.

For now, I'm awaiting the details to come out on F5's "period correct" version of the FIA/USRRC car with enthusiasm. I really enjoy the journey of the build equally as much as the overall ownership experience and I'm sure F5 will offer a great car. Here are a few pics of my ERA car:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e256/Fullchat289/P4270033_zps16a87eab.jpg


http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e256/Fullchat289/P4270017_zps40860d45.jpg


http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e256/Fullchat289/P4270024_zpsf0af2af6.jpg


http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e256/Fullchat289/IMAG0828_zps6949f681.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Hard%20Tops/SAAC37389.jpg

Looking forward to contributing and enjoying the camaraderie here.

Take care,

- Allen.

[David Hodgkins]

Allen, what a sexy car!

Really, it's stunning. My original color choice too.

Welcome to the forum! Hopefully soon you will have quite a few new FIA friends...

What can you tell me about the top? Is it an aftermarket item?

:)

[68GT500MAN]

Welcome Allen. That is a great example of a 289.
Doug

[Fullchat289]

Thanks, Dave and Doug.

Dave, the top is a copy of the one that was used on the two cars that raced in the 1963 LeMans race. This one on my car was spalshed from a copy that was later fitted to CSX2049, which is now in France and raced in the Masters Series in Europe. Here's a pic of that car:

http://www.supercars.net/gallery/119513/2900/1049727.jpg

Bruce Chervenak in Pittsburgh has a mold from the splash, and I got a copy from him. I then went through the process of modifying the trunklid so it would hinge rearward, making a rear plexi screen and mounting hardware to attach it to the car. It was a fun project and has really expanded the seasonal practicality. I also love the historical aspect of it and if I were to build another car, I would definitely call Bruce for another top.

Here's some documentation of the addition of this top to my car:

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/era-speak-bob-putnam/109088-ownership-log-era-2124-a-12.html

- Allen.

[mrmustang]

Allen,

Now that it is going to be diluted with hundreds, perhaps thousands of FFR 289 FIA's, I'll give you $100 cash for yours. Small, unmarked, non sequential bills if you prefer :D


Bill S.

[Fullchat289]

Haha.....Bill, throw in a little more to get me to a deposit on a F5 and we'll talk. :)

BTW...hope you don't mind that you are present in one of my photos up above...

- Allen.

[mrmustang]

Haha.....Bill, throw in a little more to get me to a deposit on a F5 and we'll talk. :)

BTW...hope you don't mind that you are present in one of my photos up above...

- Allen.

Don't mind at all, that picture and several like it are all over the web from the last SAAC event at Watkins Glen.

Bill S.

[riptide motorsport]

Nice car there!