Not Ranked
David:
The interest that you have received for the 289 is quite a departure for Kirkham Motorsports, I would assume, based upon what you have seen in the past.
A couple of observations. Given the cost of basic materials these days, I would have to assume that many manufacturers are raising their prices, accordingly. Good 427 OEM engines are getting real scarce and they have always sold at a premium. This brings the cost of getting into one these cars at levels that we have probably not seen.
When we built the few Unique cars we did a few years ago, we could build (professionally) a 289 for under $3,000. That included the builder providing the used block and heads. Everything was new in the motor except the rods (reconditioned the old ones) and the crank (ground and balanced), if needed.
I know that Unique has finally put in a price increase due to the cost of steel and resin. I don't know what we could build the engine for today but we used to be able to do the complete car for around $34,000. I would suspect that that price is close to $40,000 now---and that is for a SB car. I think the 427 concept has become a very expensive one for many "would be" builders.
Perhaps, the results from the Russo and Steele auction with the sale of the Factory Competition car has renewed interest in the FIA concept. Who knows.
|