Fiberglass or Aluminium body

[fonti]

Well...since I can't afford an original Cobra, I'm looking for "the best" from both worlds (originality, price and value).
If I take a good example in fiberglass (Superformance) and aluminium (Kirkham) with similar specs concerning the engine there is a difference pricewise of more or less $30K to $40K.
What do you specialists think: is it worth to spend that amount more "just" to have an aluminium replica? Please don't get me wrong. I'm an absolut "steel guy" - drive hot rods and would never drive a fiberglass bodied 30's era Ford!
The brushed aluminium looks absolutely stunning (there is now an example for sale in Cobracountry for $77500 and a nice example of a Superformance for $46500.--) And the Kirkham comes with a Side-oiler, too...

I know at the end of the day I have to decide and it's my money - but I really appreciate your inputs!!
Peter

[PANAVIA]

There are also Shelby Aluminumninum cars as well. -

Kirkham, -SPF, _Shelby ,--

- I would go sit in them , drive them and feel which one you are more intune with and go from there.

Go see them, go talk to the people. -- that will help tons!

Ask about living with them. --

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

There are also Shelby Aluminumninum cars as well. -

Kirkham, -SPF, _Shelby ,--

- I would go sit in them , drive them and feel which one you are more intune with and go from there.

Go see them, go talk to the people. -- that will help tons!

Ask about living with them. --

Fonti -- Steve is giving you good advice. Whether an aluminum body is worth $30k to you is not a question anyone on this board can answer. You need to go sit in the SPF, Kirkham, and others, touch it with your hands, drive them, and see what you think. There are honestly a lot of people (a whole lot of people) that can't tell the difference between an SPF and a Kirkham even when they're standing in front of them -- don't be swayed one way or another on that issue by what some of us on this board (including me) might tell you. It's a personal decision and you have to decide for yourself.

[Bartruff1]

It wasn't worth it to me...not even close.....in addition, I was told that the aluminum was very thin and subject to denting etc ??.... it is interesting to note that Shelby actually wanted the originals to be fiberglass... 30k bought me a pickup and trailer to tow it....BUT...it is your money and your choice and you will find the fit and finish excellent on both of them....welcome to the club....I should add that I always intended to have the car painted...

[*13*]

Aluminum is just plain sexy. That said, I have no regrets about my Fiberglass car. It all comes down to your research & what suits you best.

With all the brushed arruminum cars out there now I'd almost prefer a painted car anyway..

[LMH]

There was an uncompleted aluminum Hi-Tech 427 for sale a couple weeks ago. Of course, I can't find the ad now but it was a great deal. Might look for it if you're interested.
Larry

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by *13*

With all the brushed arruminum cars out there now I'd almost prefer a painted car anyway..

I agree. Just leave the underside of the hood and trunk raw, as well as the inner door panels, and there you have it...best of both worlds and it screams 100% aluminum!

-Dean

[Lew Ledyard]

Aluminum is absolutely 100% worth the premium.


........ but that is just my opinion.

[Paul F]

If I could afford it, I would get aluminum. No question. I don't care about dents, or maintenance, or resell value or any other consideration. It's just the right thing to do. It's the coolest.

[RodKnock]

Well, you know what my vote would be. First off, I would disagree with the comment that brushed aluminum Cobras are running around cities like water through the city main. (Hyperbole). Just using our local club BACC as a sample, there may be 1 in 20 (or more) that are aluminum. The preponderance of Cobras are painted. Polished aluminum Cobras are even fewer.

Having an aluminum body was important to me, since it approximates the original more than a fiberglass body. So the "originality" spectrum needle moves closer to the "almost authentic" side.

Aluminum can dent, though the Kirkham alloy cars use thicker aluminum (.059" versus .050"), but fiberglass cars can crack or break and paint chips. Pick your poison there.

As Lew said above, the aluminum body was worth it to him, and me as well. Also, as Patrick said, only you can answer the question for yourself. Come to think of it, I think you answered your own question. You said you wouldn't drive (own) a fiberglass 30's era hotrod. I know what that sounds like to me.

BTW, nothing screams 100% aluminum like a fully polished aluminum Cobra body. No ifs ands or buts. Nothing.

[REAL 1]

Aluminum dents. Fiberglass crackes and is forever curing causing possible paint issues later. Paint on both scratches. Small dings are easy to fix on aluminum. Call the Dent Wizard. They fixed a few dings on mine over the years. No problem.

An aluminum car just feels different to me. It is more "authentic" for sure. As between a SPF and a KMP, no contest....hands down KMP for a 100000000 reasons. SPF are nice cars but not in the same league as a KMP.

Besides you said your a steel/metal guy or whatever.

Period. Game over.

[Rickd]

The used Kirkham you referenced for $77,000 is a great price for a superb car. Any new well laid out Sueprformance is going to mid $50's or more. For all of the effort - trans shipping to Europe etc., I wouldn't hesitate to go for the superior car - the Kirkham without a doubt. Visit their shop and take a deposit check. It will be one of the best things you ever did - car related.

[1985 CCX]

Lets not get confused here!
An SPF is a factory built car with very high std's but it is not nearly as accurate as an KMS. Better comparison would be SPF to glass CSX6000. When comparing the body of SPF to a KMS include the correct 427 frame by KMS, floor mounted pedalbox (tough with those long legged folks), trunk accuracy and a host of other internal Ally panel detail. SPF does not have any of this.

This is not a simple Ally body to Glass body comparison. This is really apples and oranges.

Better compare CSX4000 glass to CSX4000 ally. My vote Ally if you have the means.

[*13*]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

. First off, I would disagree with the comment that brushed aluminum Cobras are running around cities like water through the city main.

. That's stretching what I said, just a bit just pointing out that they are becoming incresingly more like the blue & white stripe cobra. When I first decided I had to have one there were only a few aluminum finished cobra's on this site & on the road. Now there are quite a few. I love the look, don't get me wrong. I just like to be a little different. I like the idea of the painted car with aluminum undersides.

[mdross1]

Sounds to me like a lot us felt the same about aluminum.When I was contemplating getting a Cobra,talked to a lot of people, a few with aluminum bodied cars and the rest with glass.For me it was glass,for reasons that made a lot of sense.It has to be your choice,do the leg work,meeting people that love these cars is mostly always interesting.

[tkb289]

In my opinion, and to echo the above ... it really comes down to (2) things ...

- What do you like ?
- What can you afford ?

If you prefer an aluminum car and have the means to make it happen, go for it. In the end, beauty and value are in the eye of the beholder.

Or ... if you want to look at it another way ... go for a SPF, ERA or find a deal on a CSX 4000 glass car and take the extra $20K to $30K that would have been spent on a aluminum car ... and get a '65-'68 Fastback Mustang to add to your fleet

- Tim

[mhacars]

I had the same decision to make when I was looking to start my Cobra project. I ended up opting for an aluminum CSX car as I wanted something as close to history as possible. It also depends on what you plan to do with the car. I am more of a collector type and have not really driven it so body damage has not been an issue. If I had to do it all over again, I would select the same route without hesitation.

[Igofastr]

BTW, the Kirkham is sold. On it's way to France I believe.

[427PMS]

The Hi-tech car that was listed really was nice if its still available . I dont think you could go wrong with that one at all IMO. I wish I was still searching cause I would have been after that one pretty hard

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by *13*

. That's stretching what I said, just a bit just pointing out that they are becoming incresingly more like the blue & white stripe cobra.

I know I stretched and I indicated that it was "hyperbole" or an exaggeration for effect. Sorry.

While there are more of them, since Kirkham is still in business and still producing them, the aluminum cars are still few and far between in my estimation. Kirkham makes the bodies for Shelby and Kirkham has only produced about 600 +/- total since the mid-90's. Also, CA is the biggest market for Kirkham, so being in SoCal, the most populous portion of the most populous state in the union, I've got to assume you will see more than anywhere in the country.