1947 ERA #18 Bob Gerard

[Taffy]

Dear friends,
I hope, that you all had a good start into the new year!

I would like to begin the new year with a new project: The ERA of Bob Gerard, that he drove in the first international post-war race at the Jersey island in 1947. It’s a pre-war-car, of course, but because Bob Gerard drove it for several years after the war, I´ve put it into the 1945-1960-section.

What I have, are some screenshots from a film showing that race (on “Motorfilms quarterly,Vol 18”):






… and I had: a small PP-chassis (SK1s) and a MacPinches-body (maybe a copy?), that I bought on a swap meet several years ago:



…and a set of Peter Seager-Thomas´ fabulous ERA-wheels:



The tyres are Ortmann´s for the Märklin Sprint formula cars.

The position of the front axle is a bit to much rear, but it was the only position to allow a good movement of the guide flag (it’s a pushed one), that I have placed with its holder behind the front axle. I didn´t want to have an independent suspension of the front wheels, because this car will be part of a “cloverleaf” of 4 early post-war- racecars, that should have comparable driving characteristics.



That´s, what it looks so far:



To be continued….

[nuvolari]

Hi Taffy,

Nice project you got there.

I recently bought the GTM version, together with Peter's magnificent Wheels for a future project.

The only thing I want to change to the GTM version, is from a steady front axle to guide steering wheels. This is perfectly possible with the GTM version.

I want to turn it into a pre war Prince Bira of Siam(Thailand) version.
I only was looking yesterday, to find out more, and to fixate on a curtain version, but this seems to be easy-er sad than done.
If possible I want to make it with the yellow wheels and chassis beams. But up until now I didn't find any pre war proof of this version. I found it only in the 1946 Ulster TT version.

The only Good and usable pre-war Bira version, was this 1936 Monaco version:



So if anybody could point out a pre war yellow wheel and chassis beamed version, I'm all ears and eyes?

Cheers,
Danny

[Taffy]

Well, the paintjob is done. Yesterday, I had a GTM-ERA-kit in my hands – unfortunately not mine. I decided, to do my best to get as many details, as possible, so that my car might look -may be- as good as a car built using a Turner kit.

It begins with the suspension details.
Building of the shock absorbers:



Rear shock absorbers and leaf springs in place:



As hood hinge I took a very thin brass wire:



That´s, what it looks like now:




…to be continued.

[maxrossmassler]

Oh, excellent!!! I love the suspension assembly ..
I haven't done a pre-war car (yet) but the detailing opportunities are very inviting.
Great work!

[Mark Huber]

I second Max' comments about the suspension assembly.

It's those little touches that really make a car special, and are very much appreciated.

[Taffy]

This weekend I had enough time to continue, so there is a good progress in construction of the car.
It is almost finished now, I only have to pour the steering wheel and the driver in resine.







The next pictures will show you the completed car....

VBR,

[Taffy]

The ERA is ready to run, now (only the tyres are not trued at the moment).
Sorry, but due to the lack of time, I only can show you two pictures of the finished car:





Best regards,

[Peter Seager-Thomas]

It looks really good Taffy. I look forward to reports on how well it goes.

Well done, Peter.

[nuvolari]

Well done Taffy, I'm glad that it worked out so well.
The weathering of the grill makes it look so much better now.
Klasse!

Cheers,
Danny