1964 ERA 289 FIA Cobra

Carroll Shelby's competition glory with the 289 Cobra is a great part of motoring history but to say you own a piece of this history has become a very expensive proposition. The replica Cobra industry is an old one but not all the manufacturers have been playing on the same field. ERA replica automobiles out of New Britain Connecticut, have built a reputation of quality right from the start and the results have shown in many publications, including high marks from Car and Driver, Motortrend and Road and Track. The Shelby American automobile club has voted ERA cobras "best replica" a total of 16 times at their annual meets. The 289 FIA model was born out of a desire by ERA to offer a faithful reproduction of the factory Shelby 289 Cobras that were homologated to FIA standards for international racing in period. ERA spent much effort to absolutely remain faithful to the original FIA cars. This culminated in ERA extensively studying, documenting and measuring the only original NON rebodied FIA 289 Cobra left in existence. The body then provides that perfect period "look" while the chassis and suspension has been much improved and strengthened over the original to provide higher performance and better driveability.

This ERA was sold to a very particular New York collector who dipped deeply into the ERA options catalogue to create a gorgeous example with a very high level of performance on offer. This is a 289 FIA "comp" model featuring a specification most faithful to original 289 FIA Cobras. Sparse competition interior with Vinyl racing buckets, "comp dash" with speedo on passenger side, polished aluminum fuel filler, correct exterior mirrors, Stewart Warner gauges, rectangular taillights, license light and exposed jack pads just like the original. Desirable optional equipment setting it apart including:

- Powder coating complete chassis

- Pin drive aluminum knock off wheels

- Upgraded 12.2 inch front wildwood discs/4 piston calipers

- upgraded ERA design fully adjustable rear suspension w/ powerlok LSD

- upgraded 11.75 inch wildwood discs/ late model corvette calipers

- front coil over shocks/springs

- AC foot pedals

- "FIA" oil cooler system

- rack and pinion steering

- front and rear sway bars

- reproduction 15 inch Shelby steering wheel

- front wiper system

- side door pockets

- heater defroster

- front brake cooling ducts

- steel braided front brake hoses

- custom oversized roll bar/half cage

- custom made foam filled gas tank

- uprgraded ½ inch fuel lines

- soft top

Looking for maximum straight-line and track performance the first owner did not pinch pennies and went big the engine. The Cobra's (very brisk) motivation comes from a 375 c.i. Ford racing car small block with Yates heads and custom Cook's exhaust system. Channelling this power is a suitably strengthened 5 speed manual gearbox, and 3.91 limited slip differential. With the matte side pipes this Cobra barks with brutal authority and announces its earth pounding performance for the listening pleasure of everybody. Acceleration is savage and the experience would turn any child into a lifelong gearhead.

The paintwork on this gorgeous 289 FIA will always set it apart. With the overall period look of the car coupled with many period correct components, the detail obsessed paint job will allow you to fit in at any show or meet. The paint finish is like glass, being wet sanded and polished bettering the results to an absolutely beautiful finish. The gloss black Scheme and the matte finish on both the pin drive knock wheels as well as the beefy side pipes give the whole car an ultra menacing attitude. The chrome and brightwork is gleaming, offering mirror finish. Although a fibreglass body, the aluminum contracted dash, inner fenders, firewall and complete trunk make the fit and finish possibly better than AC had built them in period. The interior offers a competition lightweight personality and shows as if the car was new. Racing buckets are near perfect and the half cage coupled with 5 point harnesses make the car track ready. Heater/defroster, windshield wipers and soft top mean this track toy is also realistically road ready and can be enjoyed on a longer drive.

The car is supplied with spare keys, builders manual, copies of original invoicing, copy of original build certificate and soft top.

ERA replica cars have built up an excellent reputation based on build quality and delivering great high performance packages. The period sports car racing look aligned with devastating performance will have this FIA 289 scaring any passenger and impressing owners of far more expensive modern machinery on any given outing.