Carroll Shelby & the 50th Anniversary CSX 8000 Cobra

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

A few things that I noticed that the CSX8000's have and that the "base" Kirkham 289 does not:

No doubt that the "base" Kirkham 289 is "just another kit car."

[twobjshelbys]

How about comparing it to an original? Anniversary has a red interior. This one is black. CSX2052. Unmolested original (and driven annually in the summer). Otto Werlin's car. 260ci engine.

[computerworks]

Kirkham does OEM body/frame configs, but usually without the running gear or suspension.

But SAI also has a UK-based source for alloy cars (CSX1000 series) whose offerings carry a significant premium to the KMP sourced cars (CSX4000)

and (mod note) I am going to prune the non sequitors out of this thread...it is, after all, a new product announcement.



thanks

[stephen_becker]

just talked to Gary Patterson, VP of Shelby American, who is on-the-ground at Barrett Jackson and SAI has taken deposits for/sold 15 of the 50th anniversary cars since the cars introduction on Monday night - I would have to guess the 50 to-be-built cars will be sold out by EOM.

http://www.goplanetcobra.com/50th-an...ary-cobra.html

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by stephen_becker

just talked to Gary Patterson, VP of Shelby American, who is on-the-ground at Barrett Jackson and SAI has taken deposits for/sold 15 of the 50th anniversary cars since the cars introduction on Monday night - I would have to guess the 50 to-be-built cars will be sold out by EOM.

http://www.goplanetcobra.com/50th-an...ary-cobra.html

Would he know the ratio of aluminum versus fiberglass purchases?

[computerworks]

Would have been nice to get some answers instead of a drive-by post.

...Stephen??

[PANAVIA]

Just reviewed this with Lance Stander, -The 50th Anniversary Cars are available in fiberglass or Aluminum. - the cars are primarily constructed in South Africa, then finished at Shelby in Las Vegas.

Fibreglass is from South Africa ,- just like the CSX 6000 cars.-- The aluminum body is sourced from the same factory as other poland based cars.

However, they did stress this highly. - they are Shelby cars , not anyone elses.

The quality of the current construction is very very high, as I just saw a 8000 roller in Denbeste's when I was there the other day, Dropping off a Shelby motor to Bill.

They are using a 3" tube, leaf spring 289 car for the Anniversary Edition Car -- the leather is upgraded and the fit and finish on the 8000 cars is way above my 4000 series.

A great time to be a Cobra Buyer!

So far there are about 20-30 of the 50 that have sold. -they expect the rest to sell out by Friday night. --

wish I could afford one, but I have too many projects anyway,

-- especially with the one that Peter Brock is helping me with -- TOO COOL>!

Guaranteed these will be the best built 289s from Shelby.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

The aluminum body is sourced from the same factory as other poland based cars.

However, they did stress this highly. - they are Shelby cars , not anyone elses.

Sounds too much like government double talk. What does this mean? Are they sourced from Kirkham or are they "private label"? Does Shelby have his own aluminum Cobra body factory in Poland?

[STL Mark]

I think it's great that they are going to sell all 50 units. Maybe they'll make more...and more and more and more. My next one will be a 289 slabside for sure.

Maybe I can get a 60th Anniversary version of a 1962 Cobra produced in 2022 made in Poland or South Africa with signed dashboard and everything.

Seriously, love the car. If I was in the market - it would be very high on my radar.

[CSX3018]

Sorry Allen
KMPS013/CSX7041 Kirkham/SAI of 700? is the most accurately
detailed Continuation Cobra to original specification.
AC Ford Cobras CSX # were aluminum bodies with gas welded mild steel
tubular frames made by AC cars of the UK. Kirkham continuation Shelby
Cobras are aluminum bodies with mig and tig welding alloy steel tubular
frames clones and of a higher guilty to the AC cars of the UK and made in
Poland at an mig air craft factory. As for Mr. Shelby he was the first kit car
maker and what a great car it is and I know I have owned 4 of them. The
Auto Craft bodies of Bryin Anglos were nicer than the AC of Thames Ditton
UK. And Kirkhams are nicer still.
Thank You
R.H.Messersmith

Originally Posted by slider701

I have a ton of respect for David and the other fine folks at KMP and their ability to deal with the old man and the others at SAI.......people who have bit the hands of those who played a role in keeping them alive over the years.

I'm sure the signature line in David's posts has more history in it than can be told over the time needed to drink a case of beer. David is a much better man than I could ever be for being able to walk the fine line of being in business with the old man........while not officially being affiliated with him.

[PANAVIA]

Every Manufacturer has their strong points, -I personally Like the Seats as constructed in the KMP cars as opposed to the CSX cars. The welding I have seen on the Poland Chassis is impeccable. I reviewed the CSX 1000 ( AC / British ) cars with Gary P. when I was in Vegas, - and it was different than the poland car, -- it looked british. -- but I dig that, the same way I dig Spitfires. (the Merlin powered ones)

Comparing a South African CSX, to a Mexico CSX, to a AC CSX to a KMP,

- is Like comparing a 1999 Charleze Theron to a a 1986 Brigette Nielson vs. to a 1949 Lauren Bacall. --then comparing them all to a 1980 Catherine Deneuve,

Think of it as an Ice Cream thing, -- some guys are all about strawberry, some guys are all about chocolate. -- some like vanilla with peppermint schnapps (me) .

The Kirkham Product with David and Thomas ( and sandwich ) is a great product, but its not a Shelby and does not purport to be, some people like that , some people dont.

The current Shelby cars coming out now are great cars ! . One thing, -Good days ahead for being a Cobra Guy, - you can pick from your flavors and get the best for you.

Example; For RodKnock, it was a KMP, - for me it was an SPF, for Denbeste - he loves them new Shelby cars.

If I didnt have a couple of projects that were sucking up all the spare $ -- I would be calling in an order for an anniversary 289.

Afterall --I can make a 331 look like a 289 Cobra Hi-po

Steve

[Jamo]

Good post and that should be the end of the discussion about the relative merits. If the body/frame is sourced in Poland...then Kirkham is the incubator.

Be that as it may...what a beautiful Shelby!

We offer pruning 24/7.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by STL Mark

Maybe they'll make more...and more and more and more. My next one will be a 289 slabside for sure.

Maybe I can get a 60th Anniversary version of a 1962 Cobra produced in 2022 made in Poland or South Africa with signed dashboard and everything.

Seriously, love the car. If I was in the market - it would be very high on my radar.

Hmmm....We now have a lovely tube frame/transverse leaf car from Superformance/Hi-Tech in the MK II 289 FIA/USRRC car. And Hi-Tech is building the composite (Fiberglass to you and me) Anniversary Editions for CS based upon that chassis/suspension unit. Doesn't take rocket science to add it up and figure out what could be next from Superformance.......

No "signed dashboard" option from us, unless you want MY signature (and trust me, you don't!) but we offer very nice cars!

[Excaliber]

For cost benefit analysis:

Kirkham, alloy street, minus paint of course, $61,995
Shelby, alloy street, special edition, with excellent paint, $134,995

Suspension bits vary between the cars and that impacts the cost in either case. I would not jump to the conclusion that the Shelby name alone is the sole reason for the higher cost. But certainly a portion of the higher cost is due to use of a brand name.

Both are in the registry, so I wouldn't think that is a significant issue in a cost/benefit analysis.

This is a picture of a black/red street Kirkham from 2006.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

For cost benefit analysis:

Kirkham, alloy street, minus paint of course, $61,995
Shelby, alloy street, special edition, with excellent paint, $134,995

I think you have left off a couple major cost elements on the street 289 from Kirkham.
The leaf spring suspension adds $15,995 to the $61,995. A brush finish just to get close to a surface that can be painted adds another $7,999.

[Excaliber]

16K (suspension) +62K (base price for the K car) +8K (paint prep) + ?? = $?

I like math, anyone got a number for the paint, following the 8K prep already noted? More $ for the chrome wire wheels? We need some more numbers to nail down the cost/benefit!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

I think you have left off a couple major cost elements on the street 289 from Kirkham.
The leaf spring suspension adds $15,995 to the $61,995. A brush finish just to get close to a surface that can be painted adds another $7,999.

From the FAQ section of the Kirkham website:

"Q: If I eventually plan to have the car painted, what is the best aluminum finish to order ?

A: The filed finish is best for painting. There is no extra charge for this finish and it is the best finish for your painter to start with."

[Excaliber]

Still,,,, allowing $8K for the paint job (total amount), with original suspension and the base price we stand at:
$86K Kirkham vs $135K Shelby (round numbers).

The chrome wire wheels, featured on the Shelby, are an additional upgrade amount on the Kirkham? It's possible the Shelby leather, carpeting and other interior appointments could also increase the Shelby cost? The Shelby alloy rear end housing is an upgrade over the Kirkham. Additional features/benefits to the Shelby edition vs the Kirkham edition might be...?

[RodKnock]

I think you're/we're also making an asssumption that the $16K original type suspension that Kirkham offers on their website equals the CSX8000 suspension. It would be interesting to know if they're one in the same.

Regarding the wires, I would assume you would get a credit for Trigos, since Kirkhams come with wheels, but the splined hubs would be extra.

[RodKnock]

BTW, the CSX8000 has 4-wheel Baer brakes, and I know those aren't original style brakes.