The MOST ACCURATE REPLICAS of ALL time!

[Satanpez]

David:

Just wondering, what type of steel do you use. And would you say the steel available today is better than 35 years ago used on the originals?

I'd imagine something like 1020 wouldn't change...but I'm no expert.

-steve in nj-

[Excaliber]

David,
You forgot to rate the Kirkham on a scale of 1 to 10 . So what "number" would you rate it at?

Yeah right, like we need to ask!

Ernie

[CSX 4039]

Originally posted by David Kirkham




All of our frame brackets are as thick or slightly thicker than an original car. The original control arms were 0.063 tubing. We make them out of 0.080 tubing (2mm). Talk about original sag--the original control arms were lucky to make it through a season--no kidding.

Trying not to name names, but, don't want to referee a "he said- she said" kind of thing either. I think the comparisons that were represented to me (in an unofficial, not company policy manner) were strictly confined to my car (or possibly other CSX 4000 cars) and a KMP. Perhaps someone from SAI could comment about their frame brackets, etc.

[petek]

casaleenie,
I was hoping that it was fiberglass with chrome monocoat; just think, some monocoat, a heat gun ...

Sure was pretty.

[David Kirkham]

Brett,

Did Kimmins make your body? (CSX4039)

David

[G.R.]

Most Accurate Replica--mine of course
At least in my eyes 'cuz it's what I wanted and could afford

[Carroll DeWeese]

Ratings depend alot on what is meant by accurate. An exact reproduction of an original is the most accurate; however, it is not the "best" car. The originals had flaws. Some cars look equal or better than the originals and have improved frames, etc. If "accurate" means relative to the "ideal" Cobra then the ratings change again. If price is taken as a consideration and "accurate" refers to the "best buy relative to an original for the money" then ratings differ still. Part of the difference stem from people having different perspectives and desires on "accurate."

[casaleenie]

Last year at DVSF there were a couple hundred plus Cobras on hand to look at. I went down to Columbus to look at the different cars and make a decision as to what to buy. It was overkill...... So many great looking cars... I came home more confused concerning what to buy.... What I did find out was that every one of those cars looked exactly like a Cobra... Not one car looked any more like a Cobra the one next to it... Some were wider, had more leg room, some were a little longer, some had "perky" butts. etc... but every one of them looked exactly the same to me... They were all Cobras...... Took me a week to wipe the smile off my face after Columbus....

[Excaliber]

G.R. sums it nicely!

Ernie

[CSX 4039]

Originally posted by David Kirkham


Brett,

Did Kimmins make your body? (CSX4039)

David

yes.

[Excaliber]

Does Kimmins make a complete rolling chasis like Kirkham does? And, do they make them available for anybody to buy right now?

Ernie

[CSX 4039]

Not sure, but I think they make bodies only on a special order basis, usually to rebody original cars....

[David Kirkham]

Brett,

I am not sure I understand. Could you please clarify. You say:

Kimmons made your body.
Kirkham frame pieces are thin.
"comparisons... were strictly confined to my car." (CSX4039)

What comparisons "were strictly confined to (your) car?"

Are you saying you have thick brackets, or thin brackets?

David

[CSX 4039]

I was talking to an SAI guy about car values, and, to be honest, about the low prices of your cars, (recently eccentuated by southern fried's fortunate purchase, which should allow him to own a completed aluminum Cobra new, in the 50k range), and, he went on an explanation of how your frame pieces, absent the main frame were "surprisingly thin, welded, not drawn over mandrel etc., (as I mentioned in the other post). I assume that he meant that mine (or all CSX 4000's) are thicker, stronger, more attractive to the opposite sex or whatever, and I assume, better, more valuable, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound....

[southernfriedcj]

Dr. Bolte, please don't p*ssoff the folks at Kirkham Motorsports until they're done with my car!

[CSX 4039]

YOU, my friend, had a good weekend.

[Excaliber]

Well being as this thread is about accuracy, and as much as I hate to ask,,,,,,

Is there any essential difference in a Kimmons body and a Kirkham body? I understand the Kimmons is "hand made? Thus, more expensive? But does that constitute more accurate or better in some way?

Ernie

[David Kirkham]

Brett,

As said earlier...we make our chassis, (not suspension), brackets as thick as the original. It has worked for almost 40 years on our original CSX3104...I guess they are thick enough.

If your brackets are thicker...or "built like a Russian tank" as the Poles say...well, maybe your's will last 140 years.

If SFCJ is able to finish an "aluminum Cobra in the 50K range", I hope he takes the extra 50K he saved and buys anothther one...

As for originality...maybe one day I will make a comparison for all to see. You would be quite suprised.

David

[BANDIT 1]

If the SAI cars are almost "exactly" like the original Cobra's, wouldn't they be the most "accurate" replica's?

I guess that also would make the Kirkham the "second most accurate" Cobra's and ERA third by what I hear....

[Tom T.]

If the SAI person would simply come forward and explain, firsthand, with attribution as to the "speaker," supported by FACTS, exactly what he means by the comments Bolte attributed to him, then I'd appreciate it. This "someone at SAI told me...blah blah blah" stuff is bullpoople. And about supposedly low values for Kirkham cars, give me a friggin' break. They sell for less to begin with, as everyone knows. The Kirkhams build great cars, and sell them for very fair prices. They also don't put down other outfits' products. If I ever go for an aluminum car, it will be a Kirkham, period. Classy, honest, hard-working people. The best there is.

TT