Hey Stimpy, what's going on with the worm references?
Your next thread after the "value" and the "big block versus small block" thread should be the holy grail thread where you ask if the Kirkham is indeed a "REAL" Cobra. That would be the trifecta.
There are buyers who favor fiberglass (or carbon fiber) and there are buyers who favor aluminum. Same goes with small blocks and big blocks.
I agree with Paul (Fatboy). Our weight distribution is about the same and my Kirkham weighs 2,128 lbs. Total weight and weight distribution are not issues with a big block Kirkham.
When stop n' go traffic is encountered on a hot day, the interior of the Kirkham doesn't seem all that hot to me and when the water temperature starts to rise, just flip on the fan and voila! The water temperature almost immediately goes back down to normal.
FE's are definitely more expensive to purchase, but maintenance and reliability are similar, assuming you have a good engine builder. Most small block Cobras put out about 400-550 HP and most big blocks are in the range of 500-650 HP. So the HP is pretty close and comparable in some cases. In my case, I have never wished for less power, but I have wished for more. I wouldn't mind what Ron has and own one of each. But for me, the big block is my 1st choice, obviously.
For me, it "boiled" down to which body style looked better to my eyes.