The Cars
Only 18 ERA chassis were ever made and of those 17 still exist today. Some are mainly original some use recycled and scavenged parts, all have undergone numerous changes and modifications during their lifetime.
The original cars saw engine changes even from race to race as well as the many other changes to blowers, suspension, brakes and styling as part of the simple desire to remain at the cutting edge of what was possible at the time. The histories below are a brief summary of some of the key highlights in the history of each car.
R1A
R2A
R3A
R4A
R1B
R2B "Romulus"
R3B
R4B/C/D
R5B "Remus"
R6B
R7B
R8B
R9B
R10B
R11B"Humphrey"
R12B
R12C"Hanuman"
R14B
E-TYPE GP1
E-TYPE GP2
BROOKE ERA
DELAGE
ERAV8
ERA R1A
ERA R1A
ERA R1A
ERA R1A
ERA R1A
ERA R1A
ERA R1A
ERA R1A
ERA R1A
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R1A
The prototype ERA was completed in May 1934 with a 1,500cc. supercharged engine. Driven by Raymond Mays the car achieved race and hill climb wins and Standing Start mile and kilometre records and won the Nuffield trophy race at Donington. The car went on to race competitively for many years winning at Brooklands, Turin, Rommehed Sweden, & Snetterton as well as numerous podium finishes.
The first ERA used a “Rising Sun” emblem designed by F. Gordon Crosby (the famous motoring artist). Later cars featured the three ring badge for the letters E, R and A.
The bonnet profile of R1A was lowered to give better streamlining during its post war career but was rebuilt to original condition in the early 1980’s by Tony Merrick
R2B "Romulus"
Finished in July 1935 R2B is probably the most famous ERA ever raced. Bought by the White Mouse team of Prince Chula for his cousin Prince Bira’s 21st. birthday and painted in the distinctive “Bira” blue and yellow. The royal pair from Siam (Thailand) ran the team as highly professional amateur team boss and driver. R2B achieved good results throughout 1935 with no retirements and two good second places at its first outing at Dieppe, France and the Berne Grand Prix, Switzerland.
In 1936 the White Mouse team added R5B to their stable so R2B became “Romulus” and R5B “Remus” after the Roman Twins. “Romulus” took Bira to good results on demanding circuits and against strong opposition - A fine win at Monaco - A second on the Isle of Man - A third at the Nurburgring - A win at the Picardy Grand Prix, France – and also a win at Brooklands ahead of team founder Mays in the works ERA!
In 1937 R2B was becoming left behind in mainland Europe by more modern machinery but was still a front-runner in a successful campaign within the British Isles.
In 1938 the White Mouse team took on a third ERA, R12B/C, which relegated R2B to lesser British events. The car not only showed impressive reliability but also won half of its races that year.
For 1939 R2B added yellow wheels and chassis frame to its light “Bira” blue bodywork to match the newly specified national racing colours of Siam. The car replaced a damaged R12C to score a third in Albi, France followed by hibernation during the Second World War.
The car returned to racing for the 1946 Nations Grand Prix in Switzerland and 1948 French Grand Prix.
“Romulus” was then kept by the Chula family and Bira moved on to more modern machinery.
The car is considered by many to be the ultimate ERA due to is one owner – one driver top class racing pedigree followed by a sympathetic restoration by Bill Morris and a return to racing.
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
ERA R2B
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ERA R12C
ERA R12C
ERA R12C
ERA R12C
ERA R12C
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R12C "Hanuman"
1982 - Respected car restorer and ERA expert W.R.G. “Bill” Morris rebuilt the wreckage left over from the R12B/C “Hanuman” crash and rebuild (see R12B "Hanuman / Hanuman II", above). The project used the original mangled chassis frame from R12B/C, other R12B/C parts and other period parts with any gaps filled by remanufactured parts.
The result was “R12C – Hanuman” a C-type ERA as if the 1939 Rheims accident had not happened.
ERA R14B
ERA R14B
ERA R14B
ERA R14B
ERA R14B
ERA R14B
ERA R14B
ERA R14B
ERA R14B
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R14B
R14B was built in 1938 originally with a 1.5litre C-type Zoller supercharged engine and in pale blue colours for J P (Johnnie) Wakefield. Although no longer the most modern cars available, provided good results at home winning the JCC the 200 and being third in Siam Trophy race both at Brooklands and earning an excellent third in the Berne Grand Prix, Switzerland.
Post war saw the car finishing third and then second at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone.
ERA GP1
ERA GP1
ERA GP1
ERA GP1
ERA GP1
ERA GP1
ERA GP1
ERA GP1
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E Type GP1
1938 chassis number GP1 appeared in 1.5litre form but otherwise was a big step forward from the earlier “sit up and beg” ERAs. Unfortunately German and Italian constructors had moved forward further and faster. Raymond Mays used the car in its first race at Brooklands but then left the works team to race R4D as an independent.
Humphrey Cook moved the team from Mays’s Bourne base to workshops at Donington Park and continued with development of the E-type.
GP1 suffered with unreliability and a crash at Albi, France with Arthur Dobson at the wheel.
After the Second World War GP1 returned to the circuits with various owners.
ERA F type 500cc. was a formula three project that never left the drawing board.