1934 Era R2A Racer

This 1934 ERA R2A is the second of four A-Types constructed. It was built for Humphrey Cook who provided ERA with financial support. The car was originally powered by a 1.1-liter engine and campaigned in races adequate for its engine size. Soon, it was given the larger 1.5-liter engine which better suited the vehicle. It was retained by the factory for only a short time before being sold to a Greek privateer named Nicky Embiricos. Embiricos commissioned Giulio Ramponi of Maserati fame to modify the suspension with a Tecnauto independent front setup.

Embiricos's first race with the car was met with disaster. It crashed, convincing Embiricos to abandon the sport and end his career as a driver.

During the 1950s, the car was given a new life and campaigned with mild success.

The car has since been restored to its original condition, including the Tecnauto suspension and 1.5-liter engine. It is currently used in historic competitions.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2007

ERAs, or English Racing Automobiles, were primarily built between 1934 and 1939, though a couple of E-Type cars were built postwar. This was the second ERA, bearing chassis number R2A, built with a 1100cc supercharged engine. It was first owned by Humphrey Cook and was driven to a class win at Brooklands in its first race. R2A had a varied race career, often with a larger 1500cc engine; it even participated in ice racing in Sweden in the hands of George Abecassis. In 1936, a revised independent suspension and a lower radiator were fitted. Since 1950, R2A has raced in many historic races all over the world.