|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The name ERA was short for English Racing Automobiles. Prior to World War II, the ERA Company had built a successful business designing and creating fast and dependable racers. Raymond Mays and Humphrey Cook were the co-owners. There were four iterations of the racers; all were built in low numbers with the Type C being a Type B with modifications. The Type D was a Type C with modifications.
The vehicles were raced in hill climbs and various races amassing many wins and standing start records.
In 1935 there were thirteen Type B racers created which were campaigned with some success. Lord Howe and Raymond Mays are the more notable drivers who championed their Type B racers to impressive finishes. The Type B was similar in design and mechanical components of the 1934 Type A. Under the hood was a 1500cc supercharged engine. Raymond Mays and Humphrey Cook, both saw seat-time at the racing circuits in the Type A during the 1930's. After World War II, the Type A was raced in the 1950 Monaco race by Bob Gerard. Behind a strong field of Alfa Romeo's and Ferrari's, Gerard qualified in sixteenth place, just thirteen seconds off the pole position. A nine-car pile-up at the first turn of the race helped ensure a sixth-place finish for the agile racer.
Three of the Type B's were further developed resulting in the Type C. The main differences were the changes to the suspension. The Type C was given trailing arms, hydraulic dampers, and transverse torsion bars on the front.
Cuth Harrison campaigned one of the Type C racers, the R8C, at three races during the 1950 season.
Further work to the supercharger resulted in the Type D. The design remained the same. Raymond Mays raced the Type D prior to the War but it was never competed in any World Championship events.
The example shown was an ERA R6B 1.5 liter racer built in 1936 created for Doctor J.D. Benjafield. Benjafield and R6B only visited the track twice together. It was purchased by Douglas L. Briault in 1936 who continued to race it during the rest of the season. It was sold to Ian Connell who raced it during the 1937 and 1938 season. It passed hands again in 1939 to a Mrs. Hall-Smith. Robin Hanson raced it during in the possession of Mrs. Hall-Smith with an impressive victory at Donington Park and Brooklands.
After WWII it was driven by its next owner, Bob Gerard. From 1958 through 1967 it was raced by Sid Day who captured two Richard Seaman Trophy victories.
During the later part of the 1980's and early 1990's, it was raced by Jeffrey Pattinson. In 2002 it was purchased by Ian Landy who has since been actively competing the racer in both USA and Europe events.
The vehicles were raced in hill climbs and various races amassing many wins and standing start records.
In 1935 there were thirteen Type B racers created which were campaigned with some success. Lord Howe and Raymond Mays are the more notable drivers who championed their Type B racers to impressive finishes. The Type B was similar in design and mechanical components of the 1934 Type A. Under the hood was a 1500cc supercharged engine. Raymond Mays and Humphrey Cook, both saw seat-time at the racing circuits in the Type A during the 1930's. After World War II, the Type A was raced in the 1950 Monaco race by Bob Gerard. Behind a strong field of Alfa Romeo's and Ferrari's, Gerard qualified in sixteenth place, just thirteen seconds off the pole position. A nine-car pile-up at the first turn of the race helped ensure a sixth-place finish for the agile racer.
Three of the Type B's were further developed resulting in the Type C. The main differences were the changes to the suspension. The Type C was given trailing arms, hydraulic dampers, and transverse torsion bars on the front.
Cuth Harrison campaigned one of the Type C racers, the R8C, at three races during the 1950 season.
Further work to the supercharger resulted in the Type D. The design remained the same. Raymond Mays raced the Type D prior to the War but it was never competed in any World Championship events.
The example shown was an ERA R6B 1.5 liter racer built in 1936 created for Doctor J.D. Benjafield. Benjafield and R6B only visited the track twice together. It was purchased by Douglas L. Briault in 1936 who continued to race it during the rest of the season. It was sold to Ian Connell who raced it during the 1937 and 1938 season. It passed hands again in 1939 to a Mrs. Hall-Smith. Robin Hanson raced it during in the possession of Mrs. Hall-Smith with an impressive victory at Donington Park and Brooklands.
After WWII it was driven by its next owner, Bob Gerard. From 1958 through 1967 it was raced by Sid Day who captured two Richard Seaman Trophy victories.
During the later part of the 1980's and early 1990's, it was raced by Jeffrey Pattinson. In 2002 it was purchased by Ian Landy who has since been actively competing the racer in both USA and Europe events.
| Photos grouped by event | |
|
2005 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix |
 2004 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix |
1936 Era B Type |
|
| Year | 1936 |
| Make | Era |
| Model | B Type |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Weight | 2015 lbs | 914 kg |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Performance | |
| Top Speed | 135 mph | 217.2 km/h Similar top speeds |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | S |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Supercharged |
| Displacement | 1.50 L | 91.5 cu in. | 1499.7 cc. |
| Valves | 12 valves. 2 valves per cylinder. |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Horsepower | 240.00 BHP (176.6 KW) @ 7500.00 RPM |
| HP to Weight Ratio | 8.4 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio) |
| HP / Liter | 160.0 BHP / Liter |
| Compression Ratio | 6.0:1 |
| Main Bearings | 3 |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| 1 SU side-draught carburetor | |
| Block | Cast-iron |
| Head | Aluminum |
| Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight | |
| Transmission Information | |
| Gears | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| View more photographs |
| View Specifications |
| Similar Automakers |
| Add Review |
| Other models by Era |
 |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| 2005 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix |
| 2004 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix |
| Vehicle Spotlight | ||
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
