Kirkham 77k-SPF 65k. Your choice ?

[FUNFER2]

I do not,...want to put down the SPF or the owner, as I believe the SPF is a wonderful cobra. Although it seems that they have the "name factor" as todays top cobra on the market, not including the alum. Shelby or kirkham. I think some are over priced like the one noted here.

On cobra country, there is a Kirkham asking $78.995 (obo) and a SPF for $65,000.

The SPF looks to be a outstanding and high quality built cobra and would love to have it in my garage. It helps to be painted blue like my cobra. lol

For the money, which would you choose ?

I do know this, if I had the funds to spend, for around $12,000 more (which wouldn't make a difference to me) I could have my favorite muscle car of all time, a Kirkham !

It's a no brainier to me which car is a better cobra or investment.

The Kirkham has a well built 428FE, not a side oiler.
The SPF has the Roush 427SR/TW polished Dart 4-bolt block, but not the stacked EFI.

HERE'S THE SPF AD-

For Sale: Superformance MkIII Cobra, SP0#2782. Royal Blue/white stripes. The BIG Picture: Click Here! The Superformance MkIII is the only reproduction that is endorsed by Carroll Shelby. Under the hood: a Roush 427SR/TW polished Dart 4-bolt block with #4340 forged crank, #4340 forged H-beam rods, Roush aluminum heads, 8 qt. T-pan, hydraulic roller cam, Edelbrock RPM Dual-Plane intake, 770 cfm 4150 Holley carb, MSD distributor, MSD 6AL ignition, MSD HVC coil motor, Roush 9.5 ignition wires. BIG Photo of powerplant: Click Here! This Roush engine delivers 507 hp/522 ft./lbs. torque, with a compression ratio of 10.5:1. The top-flight install is finished off with all-stainless-steel braided Grade 8 hoses (and Aeroquip fittings) throughout. Geartrain: high-performance clutch, steel blowproof bellhousing and hydraulic clutch slave. Tremec TKO600 5 speed transmission [with a 26-spline input shaft], Ford/Dana IRS. Rolling stock: The Superformance Halibrand-look wheels are fitted with BF Goodrich rubber [225/60rRx15 front, 275/60Rx15 rear]. In the cockpit: Smiths Instruments gauges [with correct reverse-reading speedometer], German leather seats, 5-pt./Y-shoulder belts/harnesses, Moto-Lita hardwood-rimmed steering wheel. BIG Photo of cockpit: Click Here! The locking glovebox is personally signed by Carroll Shelby. Closeup of Carroll’s autograph: Click Here! This pampered MkIII has been carefully garaged since original delivery in a fully-climate–controlled garage and has never experienced inclement weather! Under 1,300 gentle miles [2,100 km]. Ceramic-coated sidepipes & headers, and ceramic coated heat shields on the sidepipes. All electical connections are fitted with weatherproof thermal wraps. Carefully broken in, it's basically brand new, and show, road and track ready. There are no stone chips or issues; top and side curtains never out of the trunk. Another BIG 3/4-view (driver's side) shot: Click Here! Registered in Illinois as a 1965. $65,000. Contact Ray at (847) 251-0597 (home, CST), or email: RYKoenig1@aol.com
Chicago, Illinois
4 October
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KIRKHAM AD-

For Sale: 427S/C Cobra by Kirkham Motorsports, KMP478. All aluminum (brushed coachwork). The BIG Picture: Click Here! Registered under the coveted "SB-100" (California Senate Bill 100)—that means no smog certification, no California registration hassles for the life of the car! BIG broadside shot: Click Here! Under the hood: 428FE custom built by FE Specialties and outfitted with the best of everything: Stage II Edelbrock heads, Ross pistons (10.5:1 compression), Scat H-beam rods, Crower cam, Erson rocker assembly, Aviaid oil pan, Pro-Systems carburetor, aluminum turkey pan, stainless steel Kirkham headers & sidepipes (VHT black), complete MSD billet ignition ensemble. BIG Photo of powerplant: Click Here! Over 500 horsepower! Kirkham external slave clutch system, Tremec TKO-600 five-speed (0.82-ratio OD) transmission; McLeod aluminum flywheel, Kirkham billet suspension with Penske coil-over shocks, upgraded Wilwood brakes. In the (period-correct) cockpit: Wilton Wool carpet, Kirkham gauges, billet-aluminum pedals, driver’s fresh air system. BIG Photo of cockpit: Click Here! Other particulars: halon fire-suppression system, stainless steel heat shields on the sidepipes, billet aluminum coolant tank, Fuel Safe fuel cell, Tom’s differential cover and breather, powder-coated interior, wheel well foam. In-Your-Face frontal shot: Click Here! Trigo wheels shod with Yokohama Avid rubber. BIG "See ya' later!" shot: Click Here! $76,995 obo. Contact Jason at (916) 296-4243 PDT, or email: kmp478@gmail.com
Cameron Park, California
3 October
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SPF-


KIRKHAM-

[Benzito]

if you're paying they much, wants another 12,000? You'll probably see a return IF you ever sell. Assuming you keep the car for 10 years, that equates to a 100 dollar a month difference. A cup of coffee a day costs more! Do it...pull the trigger, man!

[fordracing65]

There is only about a $15,000-$17000 difference in roller prices from a Kirkham to a Superformance when new so that seems about right, none of these cars hold there value, especially in this market.

[FUNFER2]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

There is only about a $15,000-$17000 difference in roller prices from a Kirkham to a Superformance so that seems about right, none of these cars hold there value, especially in this market.

I would have to say the kirkham by far, is the best investment over any SPF. Just wish I had that much change to buy it.

[Mark IV]

The Kirkham is a great car and a very good value......BUT if you don't want raw aluminum, factor in a quality paint job. Maybe $7000 if you get a steal, probably more like $10,000.

Different answers to different questions, but no wrong answer. There are some buyers who would look at either, many will not look at one or the other based upon wants, needs and perceptions.

[SMOKNAC]

I have to go with a Kirkham, hands down!

[twin turbo]

The Kirkham would be my 1st choice, a nice ERA would be my 2nd choice. I wouldn't even consider the SPF at that price, but that's just me. Cheers.

[fordracing65]

Superformance always have different values, I've seen $35,000 all the way up to $80,000 for a used car and they all sell eventually, just depends on the build and options.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by SMOKNAC

I have to go with a Kirkham, hands down!

... and you have an SPF?


Disclaimer: (now for the not so funny jokes...)

Further:
This is not a fair fight.... the SPF has a Roush which by all reports and recent blogging by others means that it will need its oil topped up more regularly than the FE

Further again:
There's every chance that the Roush engine in the SPF may need replacing which means it will bring you up to the same price as the Kirkham

Sorry I couldn't resist!!!

In all seriousness, there are millions of blue sports/muscle cars on the road.
But how many shinny aluminum ones that aren't owned by Saudi Sheiks or Oil moguls?

Hence it was a no-brainer for me!

[madmaxx]

The correct asking price for the spf is $57,500, with a sale price of 53,500. Kirkham will probably go for $75K. Now we have a $21K difference. Hate to break your hearts but 9 out of 10 prefer the look of the painted spf to the raw Kirkham.

[Cashburn]

SPF will adjust price and sell first.

Kirkham owners usually have the beans to hold for their asking.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by Dimis

... and you have an SPF?


Disclaimer: (now for the not so funny jokes...)

Further:
This is not a fair fight.... the SPF has a Roush which by all reports and recent blogging by others means that it will need its oil topped up more regularly than the FE

Further again:
There's every chance that the Roush engine in the SPF may need replacing which means it will bring you up to the same price as the Kirkham

Sorry I couldn't resist!!!

In all seriousness, there are millions of blue sports/muscle cars on the road.
But how many shinny aluminum ones that aren't owned by Saudi Sheiks or Oil moguls?

Hence it was a no-brainer for me!

But this one is'nt shiney, it's brushed, either way there both cool, I think all cobras are cool, even the chevy powered ones.

[grego]

If it was about investment, I don't think most of us would be involved in this passion, hobby or interest or whatever it is that fits your own reason. To me, it's your personal taste that counts.

I have a Superformance car, a beautiful one at that. I knew when I bought it I would probably never get the money out of it and that I have in it or will put in it over the years. I also looked very closely at Kirkham and came close to buying one. While I'm not an expert at assessing which one may be better mechanically, from what I can see both are very well built cars and I'm sure I would have been happy with either one.

You can't judge the car itself by the engine installed. There are about as many variants out there as there are types of cars. And, both of these are used cars, so you need to make sure the conditions of both are as you would want them to be. So, my recommendation is look at both cars very carefully. List what you like or don't like with both. I use the old accountant methodology of listing the pluses and minues in a "T" account, and then making a decision on how the pluses for one outweigh those of the other.

Personally, I'd love to have one of both, particularly the 289 Kirkham, which would be a great compliment to my Superformance 427. Maybe some day!

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

Hate to break your hearts but 9 out of 10 prefer the look of the painted spf to the raw Kirkham.

Huh...! Funny thing that... My late Granddad also said 9 out of 10 statistics are made up...

Now with that in mind, since I "prefer" them shinny ones (or brushed ones as fordracing65 corrected) you find me the next nine guys who prefer blue.

Happy to be proven wrong... Just saying!

[Got the Bug]

If you've got the cash, go for the Kirkham...then paint it.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

If you've got the cash, go for the Kirkham...then paint it.

I think you meant to say "then drive it."

Paint is so......yesterday.

When I first read the "9 out of 10" comment, I thought Patrick had posted it. He's the best at making up statistics.

Maxx, SPO2782 is $65,000, which is the Royal Blue pictured above, unless I'm reading the Cobra Country ad wrong.

Both are very nice cars.

[madmaxx]

SPF is priced incorrectly, you read the add correct. New SPF's of his options are $70K plus. Dealers dont have excess inventory anymore and build on demand. So a guy wanting a "new" one can spend $55K? or $70K and wait and sort, he may get $60k on a whim. I'll go $55k instead of $70k new. As far as the kirkham I was head over heels and sure was my next cobra. The bottom line they are RAW in the aluminium state. The question is would you spend $70K on new spf or this kirkham for $75K?, no brainer kirkham for $75K. The kirkham will always be worth $70K, the SPF will settle in low $50's

[madmaxx]

As far as cobra as investments, pick your poisen. BAC,CSCO,msft,qqq, they are all down more than my cobra. Compared to my lexus dropping $40K, GMC, $30k, Cobra been my best INVESTMENT car wise.

[Igofastr]

I'd take the Kirkham. Again.

I'd say $75K is about the bottom of the market nowadays for a runing Kirkham without significant flaws. And, this is in a poor economy. Of any of these cars (barring Shelby) I'd say you have a better chance with the K-car of appreciating or at least not dropping from this point.

I suspect you could buy it, drive it for 5 years, and sell it for at least what you have in it.

[RodKnock]

It should come as no surprise that I would buy the Kirkham, since I likey the raw aluminum, but if I bought that Kirkham, then I would have to yank the 428 and install a 427FE-based engine. At $77K plus having the CA SB100 exemption done already, that's a very good deal for someone here in CA.

Heck, maybe I should get another one.