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Old 02-21-2004, 06:02 PM
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thorconstr thorconstr is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA 427" 351W
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Question Kirkham quote

Quote:
Originally posted by computerworks




As is with the Kirkhams. Many folks quote the "digitizing" and the mirror image stuff about the KMP, claiming perfect symmetry.

Not so. The source 'drawings' of the KMP were from CAD, and that was used to make the forms, etc.

...but, Kirkhams are not popped out of a big stamping press... they are hand formed and pounded and welded just like they do ( and did) on all limited production aluminum cars.

The Kirkham body has about 17 discrete panels that are combined to create the car, pounded, welded and filed.

You will see difference on KMPs as well.

To quote the Kirkham brochure,

"We took our own Cobra, CSX3104, as the basis for establishing the accurate geometry for our cars. First, we digitized the original car's body and created a computer model from which we CNC-machined an exceedingly accurate master buck of the entire body. During this process, we did something most other manufacturers overlook---we made the body symmetrical.
Body panels are beaten by hand close to their final shape, over tools created from the master buck. Then, both the tool and the panel are slid under an enormous press where the panels are given their final shape." Tom and Dave K. help please!
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Last edited by thorconstr; 02-21-2004 at 06:08 PM..
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