New Build Kirkham KMP709

[damage]

Ok at the request of a few I'm starting a build thread of my car.
Kirkham 709, fully optioned full polished alloy body stainless steel chassis with a 427 cammer stroked to 482ci.

My journey on this car all began in 2009 when I started talking to Kirkhams about one of their engineered art works. I decided I had to have one so in early 2010 I paid a deposit and so the journey began. Having previously owned and partially rebuilt a Harrison I already had a head start on what I wanted and how I wanted it and choosing the engine was pretty simple big and something no one else has.

David Kirkham has been awesome to deal with on this whole journey and anyone wanting a Kirkham should be sure and ring him direct to order your Kirkham this will ensure the cheapest and quickest delivery of your dream with no middleman involved.


This is the chassis of my car while under construction in Poland.

[damage]

This is the body being fixed to the chassis,




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[damage]

For any one that isn't familiar with the Kirkham Cobras the chassis and body are manufactured in Poland in an old MIG aircraft factory, once the body and chassis in the raw form are completed they are shipped to the Kirkham facility in Utah USA.

Kirkham generally ship 6 cars per container from Poland to the USA.

this is my car in its packing rack as its being unpacked in Utah.

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The first job at Kirkhams is to finish the file finish on the body down through a range of processes before they commence the polishing.

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Once the car is fully polished all over they can sand in the stripes.

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[soulman]

Way cool Damage!
Great options.
Mines in reverse , sanded body polished stripes..... I hope you enjoy polishing , it's a nightmare!
Congrats!
Soul.

[damage]

Once the body is all shiny and sexy they start doing all the fitment work, most if the stuff is fitted for a trial fitting before being pulled apart again to do all the wiring on a rotisserie..

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As part of this process all the engine bay firewall is inserted along with foot boxes. The foot boxes in my car are aluminium as well the standard Kirkham is fibreglass.

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Then they install all of the heat shield to the fire wall.

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Then the cabin wiring is installed.

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Most of the wiring for the car is done while the car is on a rotisserie at least this beats working over head on a hoist or laying on your back doing it all.

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[damage]

After all the wiring is installed they then install the carpet and sound deadening to the underside of the guards.

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And then they start bolting in all the goodies.

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[damage]

And then the heart and soul of my baby, long time waiting for this engine but in the end it will be worth it.

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And then they bolt it all in.

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Some people might notice the slight differences to the engine installed in the car in these photos, the motor photo on the crate is how the engine looks now. I paid the extra for everything on the motor to be billet CNC machined (front pulley set, sump, rocker covers and injector trumpets. The billet brackets for the external oil filter and the billet header tank are all billet CNC aluminium also.

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[750hp]

I'm super excited about seeing/hearing this drive down the road.
The Cobra industry has changed so much since I started playing with them in the late 90's. Back then if you told me there'd be a polished alloy, stainless chassis, stroker 427SOHC Cobra with live sidepipes in South East Qld, I'd call you a liar.
I can't wait to see this progress and I call shotgun for a ride in the passenger seat!!!

[damage]

Then the car is almost finished.

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oh nearly forgot the side pipes, theyre full polished stainless

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[damage]

Thanks Craig, the car is progressing well since you saw it before Christmas. Ive got a heap more pics to post with all the current work that I'm doing. I had my engineer around today and he was super impressed with it all. I reckon tomorrow I will have all of the suspension in the car and be ready to slide that motor back in by the week end.

Its funny I paid some one else to do all this work that I'm now doing but I reckon the finished product will turn out heaps better in the long run. Ive only spent 3 days on the car so far amazing how much you get done when you get stuck into it.

Soulman, great to hear of another Kirkham with all the fruit. Do you have yours yet or is it still on order.

[madmaxx]

Incredible, but the steering wheel is on the passenger side, will two be installed? Keep posting!!!!!

[albanycobra]

Would it be to much to ask about pricing?
and how you got import approval?


thanks for taking the time.


cheers
Dave

[RodKnock]

I'm very interested in the modifications that you'll have to make in order to fit the Cammer. Can you please show us some details of those operations? Thank you.

[eschaider]

Gorgeous does not do it justice! You have a stunningly impressive build coming together there.

BTW I just love your engine choice. Those were easily the most impressive engines that came out of the sixties for Ford.

You are going to have an absolutely stunning car when you are done.

Congrats and enjoy.


Ed

[Dimis]

Sublime choice of car and engine.
Purrrrfect! Just purrrrfect!

Can't wait to see it all finished and roaring down the road!

Best wishes.

[Tonus72]

Nice thread...

Thanks for sharing.

Tony

[blown871]

wow wow wow!!!

[soulman]

Soulman, great to hear of another Kirkham with all the fruit. Do you have yours yet or is it still on order.[/quote]


Damage,

Mines been on full rego in Victoria for over 5 years now.

Soul.

[Bernica]

Beautiful car, done by the best! One thing for sure, rust will never sleep there! Bravo job to everyone involved.

[lippy]

That is a heckuva build. Congratulations. That Cammer is stunning.