ERA Formula 1 Engines
Founders: Raymond Mays, Humphrey Cook & Peter Berthon
Nation: United Kingdom
First F1 GP: 1950 British GP
Last F1 GP: 1952 Dutch GP
Best Result: 6th (1950 British GP)
Best Grid Position: 15th (estimated)
Formula 1 World Championship Record
1950 Season
Entries: 7
Best Finish: 6th (x2)
Drivers: Bob Gerard, Cuth Harrison, Leslie Johnson
1951 Season
Entries: 3
Best Finish: 8th
Drivers: Bob Gerard, Brian Shawe-Taylor
1952 Season
Entries: 1 (Bristol engine)
Result: Retired
Driver: Stirling Moss
Technical Specifications
ERA E-Type 1.5L (1950)
Configuration: Supercharged Inline-6
Displacement: 1,496 cc
Power: ≈220 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Supercharger: Roots-type
Design Heritage
Origin: Evolved from 1930s voiturette designs
Block: Aluminum with cast iron liners
Valvetrain: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Weight: ≈180 kg
Notable Drivers
Historical Significance
Pre-War Dominance
Won 16 major voiturette races (1935-1939) against ERA’s main rival Maserati
Technical Pioneer
First British manufacturer to use independent suspension and supercharging
Post-War Challenges
- Regulation Changes: 1.5L supercharged formula favored pre-war designs initially
- Funding Limitations: Privateer effort against factory Alfa Romeo/Ferrari teams
- Technical Obsolescence: Pre-war design outdeveloped by 1951
Engineering Legacy
BRM Foundation
ERA technology and personnel formed basis of British Racing Motors project
Preservation
Over 20 ERA cars survive, most still race in historic events
“The scream of the supercharged ERA was the sound of British motor racing hope between the wars.” – Motorsport Historian
