[Dangerous Doug]

David,
You mention two observations in your post: First, you're selling more 289 FIA cars than you anticipated; Second, people are opting for a small block in the 427 chassis.
To the first point, I've been kicking around ClubCobra for a couple of years now, kicking tires. The Cobra I would have purchased when I first landed here is quite a bit different than what I plan on purchasing now. At first, a big-block was the only thing that would do it for me, and my focus was on the 427 body style since that is the most common. Even in looking at Curt Scott's Cobra Guide, I'd just shimmy right past the few 289 FIA's. Then, I got a copy of XK's Unlimited's latest brochure, and spotted that red 289 FIA cornering at speed... Fabulous!

In all reality, the 289 FIA offers the nice wide hips similar to the 427 (well, okay, a 1/2" narrower), has that unique cut-back door style, and the front snout is a snarl, instead of a gaping maw. Sender body, wide hips, hmmm, sounds like a lovely woman...

Anyhow, I digress...

After several years of dreamingly looking at Cobra pictures, as much as I enjoy a nice 427, the 289 FIA is the car for me. By the way, the 289 FIA has a more masculine look to it than the 289 slabside, though it too is a lovely car. The 289 FIA is a 289 slabside on steroids.

To your second point, that people are installing small blocks in the 427 body. This, of course, has been going on for decades with every other Cobra manufacturer. The shift you're seeing is that people are now willing to put a small block into one of the "high end" (read: $$$) Cobras. I'm not sure I can point to any one particular reason for this.

A stroked 351 can be a pretty nasty engine, and for driveability's standpoint, makes more sense than a big block. How many times have I heard about how tempermental a 427 SO can be? Countless! When I fork out big bucks for a Cobra, I want one that I can drive to work and down to the grocery or hardware store. Or better yet, down the Big Sur coastline with my lovely wife or my son.

The last reason for my fixation on the 289 FIA is cost. I can build a very nice, powerful, absolutely stunning Cobra without sacrificing my family's financial well-being. A Kirkham 289 FIA with a Ford crate 302/347 will more than satisfice my need for speed.

By the way, you owe me a call or an email. $

Dangerous Doug