Interesting conversation ..

svobud · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2004, 08:24 PM

I was out driving the Cobra this afternoon. Beautiful day and my weekend off, so I just couldn't pass up the opportunity. I woke up around 4:30 pm ... ran around in the shower .. then fired up the FFR. My plan was to run up to Kennesaw for a bite of breaksfest/lunch/dinner .. whatever, it was my first meal for the day. Afterwards, I would come home and mow the grass.

I did just that .. but on the way home, I stop off at the QT for 12 pack of coke. As I'm leaving, there's a guy looking over the car. We chat for a minute - and he leaves. I walk around the to get in the car and another guy comes up - wanting to chat. This is the interesting part (sorry to bore ya up to this point).

The guy comes up and asked 'did you build it yourself?" . I tell him 'yeah, it's a kit car'. He asked if it was fiberglass or aluminum. I told him it was fiberglass. He states, "I just had one delivered to my house a couple of weeks - but it's aluminum - and I still have to put an engine/tranny in it. I wanted one in alum because I've had Corvettes before - and always had bad experiences with the fiberglass." Then he asked, "let me ask you something, I paid $XXX amount for it .. was that a good deal?" I'm just looking at him - blank stare. This has got to be one the most interesting questions I've encountered. My reply was, "did you buy a Kirkham?". He replies, "yeah .. I think that's what it is. I flew out to Utah and checked them out - talk to this guy, such-n-such. I thought I was getting taken on the price, but after seeing their facility - I thought it was well worth it." I told him, "you got a good deal." He starts asking how much I was into mine for ... I told him. He about choked .. and asked why mine was so much less. I explained to him that he had purchased what many consider to be one of the 'top of the line' - and mine is what most people on a budget build. Completely two extremes. He asked what kind of frame it had. I pulled the hood off. He looked at the frame and said, 'well, mine looks just like it, but it's not black like yours. I think it's stainless.' I just chuckled to myself. I guess someone who doesn't even know what they're buying can still have the ability to recognize quality.

We chatted a bit more. He starts telling me how he still needs to find a motor/tranny/etc. I asked if it had ghost stripes, he said he ordered it painted (I forgot to ask what color). I asked what engine combo he was going to use, and he said he was unsure, but would be using a 6-speed. For some reason this prompted me to ask, "you using a Ford or Chevy motor?" He replied, 'I only know Chevys - so I'm going to use a Chevy motor. I don't plan on selling it, so I want something I will feel comfortable with.'

By this time, there was literally a crowd of people around the car - including 4 or 5 local PD/Deputies. One of which I recognized and spoke to. I turned back to the new Kirkham owner and shook hands - told him where I lived and asked that he stop by sometime. Hope to see this guy around more often.

Anyway - interesting conversation ...

MidOHasp · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2004, 08:31 PM

svobud,

very cool story. that's completely wild. seems like most of the people with ANY budget build have a better idea what they're really doing. wild.

cool story.

svobud · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2004, 08:32 PM

oh yeah .. almost forgot. I saw a REALLY nice Pantera out today as well. Didn't get to speak with the guy .. other than a "nice ride" as we were beside one another at the traffic light. Bright yellow .. and looking like it was brand new.

ToyCollector · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2004, 08:38 PM

Interesting is one word that comes to mind..sadly not the first.
Something must be wrong with me.

southernfriedcj · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by svobud

"I just had one delivered to my house a couple of weeks - but it's aluminum........ My reply was, "did you buy a Kirkham?". He replies, "yeah .. I think that's what it is. I flew out to Utah and checked them out - talk to this guy, such-n-such. I thought I was getting taken on the price, but after seeing their facility -

The guy flies to Utah, spends tens of thousands of dollars, sees the "facility", has the car delivered to his house a couple weeks ago, and THINKS it's a Kirkham!
I THINK he's a DUMB@SS , nothing personal to the DA meant if he should join our little group.

Jim, I think I got a Kirkham too.

mr bruce · #6 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 07:18 AM

Ever think the cat might have been an a$$hole, just strokin' you?

southernfriedcj · #7 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mr bruce

Ever think the cat might have been an a$$hole, just strokin' you?

I gotta go with Mr. B on this one.

rabbit1340 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 10:08 AM

Whats really amazing is the people that come into the dealership (parts mgr lincoln mercury) and can tell you everything you want to know about the $400 digital camera they bought but don't even know what engine came in their $60k Navigator.

David Kirkham · #9 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 12:46 PM

Gents:

Of course I don't know...

BUT,

I don't know of ANYONE putting a Chevy in one of our cars. I know where all of the Georgia cars are--I think--(believe me, there are more in Georgia than you would EVER believe), and this isn't ringing any bells...

David

luke-44 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 12:58 PM

I think the guy was totally full of s***, or simply pulling your leg. Nobody who is has it all together enough to afford a K car is this wacked out.

David - do you even sell the cars "painted"?

[quote]Originally posted by svobud
I asked if it had ghost stripes, he said he ordered it painted (I forgot to ask what color). ...He replied, 'I only know Chevys - so I'm going to use a Chevy motor. I don't plan on selling it, so I want something I will feel comfortable with.'
...[quote]

svobud · #11 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 02:23 PM

I don't think the guy was BSing me. He lives just down the road (rural area) - and the chance of us running into one another is pretty good. He even invited me over to his place to see his car - normally I would have accepted, but I needed to get home (mow the grass before it dark out).

The name of the guy he told me of who showed him around and sold him the car wasn't a Kirkham (David or otherwise). Maybe he bought one from an individual - who knows. Next time I run into him - I'll be sure to get he rest of the story. Is there another manufactuer of alum replicas? (besides CS using Kirkham bodies). He said he had paid $47k for it .. painted, shipping, etc.

Tom Kirkham · #12 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 02:45 PM

Strange engines in our cars:
Ferrari 365 V12 engine and transaxle!
426 Hemi (TF drag racer)
427 SOHC (at least three)
4.6 4V Cobra engine w/Vortec

We have had some potential customers threaten a BB Chevy but I don't know of any who followed through.

I don't remember anyone even considering a SB Chevy.

Tom Kirkham · #13 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 02:53 PM

We have not painted a car in a very long time. I think the phrase was when pigs fly was used the last time it was brought up.

svobud · #14 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 05:22 PM

Tom, is there Kirkham "dealers"? Maybe he purchased one through someone like that.

hey,littlecobra · #15 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 07:16 PM

hey, there guys. I'd keep my garage shut and locked. We tell our kids not to "talk" to strangers on the internet, and it seems to me you gave your address to a con guy that might be the kind of guy to "not talk to" in parking lots. He "wants" a cobra! YOURS!!

just my .02cents worth in Texas...
Kristen

excelguru · #16 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 07:49 PM

Hmm... Kristen has an interesting (if somewhat disturbing) viewpoint. I hand out business cards for Unique Motorcars to anyone who seems truly interested in the car. I have two packs of cards. Normal ones, and ones with my name/address/phone number stamped on the back. I'm pretty selective about who gets the stamped ones (probably not selective enough, though).

hey,littlecobra · #17 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 07:58 PM

wise idea with the cards, Keith. I thought when first reading the thread it sounded fun and like a neat story,-- I love to talk with folks in parking lots, wherever,-- but the bells started ringing when the guy didn't even know what kind of car he "has" in his garage!!! I mean, a Kirkham, really. Even with my 2 month old cobra (to me, anyway), I know what a Kirkham is, and what kind of car I have!!!

ERA #291

svobud · #18 (**permalink**) 05-09-2004, 04:43 AM

Some people are a wee bit different than most. I suppose this guy is completely different than most (here). As for your advice hey,littlecobra .. noted. But please take note yourself that I'm a Police Officer who not only can 'read' BS from people and do so everyday - I also keep my Car and my home under lock/key/alarm system/Glock 22/Mosberg 500/attack Doberman.

If you can get by the locks. Disable the alarm. Distract the Dog. Start the car. And, do so without getting shot by me .... heck, take it - it's insured.

This guy was a little flaky, granted, but he didn't come across as a total BS-er.

Tony Radford · #19 (**permalink**) 05-09-2004, 05:46 AM

Bud, can I keep my car at your place? Hell, I'll drop the insurance and save some bucks!

By the way, oil consumption problem solved. A leak down test showed that I had 10-12% leakage. It turns out that my BG carb was so incredibly over jetted it was washing the film of lubricating oil off of the cylinder walls and causing the rings to go metal to metal. Lewis and John yanked the pistons, honed the cylinders and installed a new set of "rings from hell". I tested it out with a burn out leaving the show yesterday. Most impressive!

hey,littlecobra · #20 (**permalink**) 05-09-2004, 07:53 AM

alright, I'd guess by your impressive and quite credible credentials that you got a "good read" on the "new cobra guy". I will then change my stance, and express my sorrow that a guy that can afford a Kirkham doesn't know beans about them, and the multitude of guys that can't afford it know all the beans there is to know about them!!

Where do I fit in, in all of this?? I have a Sequoia. Don't know what kind of engine is in it. Don't care. Buckles 8. (mommy mobile). I do know the Brand is Toyota. I have a Cobra. Know the engine. 427 s/c Ford, s/o, toploader, Brand, ERA. oh well, guess everyone knows what their own priority is!!

more .02 cents (unsolicited!) from Texas

kristen