Kirkham Visit Today

alpace@pacificp · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 11:02 PM

Hello all,

Continuing affirmation of the terrific Cobra/Shelby/Kirkham social circle. As I finalize my search for the car that fits me, I have had the opportunity to work Frank Liautaud of Superformance, Gary Patterson at Shelby Las Vegas, Ted at Roush, Keith Craft at Keith Craft Racing, Don McCain at Shelby Engineering and Joe Weight at Kirkham Motorsports. Everyone has just been informative and helpful; the real benefit is that NO ONE has been pushing Shelby over Kirkham over Superformance. In fact, everyone has been helpful and appears to be genuinely interested in my getting the car that is right for me.

Today I had some business in Salt Lake and had the opportunity to carve out a couple of hours to drive to Provo and meet with Joe Weight of Kirkham. Like everyoe else I have met in this arena, Joe was terrific, toured me throughout their shop and took me for a test drive in a beautiful mirror finish 427 style body with Keith Craft 600hp engine. Screamer. More impressive? Their shop. Quality througout. As the son of a man who spent 50+ years running his own machine shop, I have a distinct appreciation for what I saw at KM...and it was impressive. They fabricate knock off spinners from solid blocks of billet..detents on the hubs so you do not have to wire the knock-offs...just lots of cool details. Acknowledging some of these changes might not be viewed as improvements by some, their dedication to the product was evident. No doubt many other manufacturers bring quality to their game, but I must say the Kirkham attention to detail and dedication to improving the product was something to see.

So it is down to the CSX and the Kirkham. Love them both. No downside here. All good stuff.
If anyone has final thoughts on the subject, would appreciate hearing them.
Thanks!

al

Got the Bug · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 11:07 PM

I think that you have a better chance of seeing the Kirkham in your lifetime

. You're right though...no downside with either choice.

alpace@pacificp · #3 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 11:38 PM

Well the Kirkham is fresh in my mind, having just seen it and all. That said, a Shelby is a Shelby.....No decision as yet. Bottomline, you pay a bit more for the aluminum Kirkham....or take the fiberglass body and get the cobra/shelby badging. The aluminum Shelby CSX is just too spendy....

al

mwmac · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 08:41 AM

I am also trying to finalize a decision between the Kirkham and CSX4000 and have spoken to most of the same folks. I appreciate the aesthetic appeal of the aluminum bodied Kirkham but, as you say, a Shelby is a Shelby.

What engine/tranny and rear gear are you considering?

Mike

Igofastr · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 11:54 AM

Love my Kirkham, and the customer support has been great.

See my album for the rather large dent in my rear fender that that they hammered out after overnighting their tools at the last Cobra Bash...at their own insistence, and on their own dime. And note, I didn't buy the car directly from them.

Further, I would also mention the free aluminum "upgrades" that were handed to me when I visited their shop last summer.

Finally, never mind the degree of customer service provided by Kirkham, I dare you to try to hammer out a "dent" in fiberglass!

Tony Ripepi · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 03:23 PM

Hi guys...

Painted Kirkham $87K

http://www.cobracountry.com/home2.html

Complete early car.......ready to drive. If you wait a bit into early 2008 I'm sure there will be more Shelby & Kirkham cars available. When the real housing crunch hits (late 2007 and 6 months into 2008) there will be a lot of toys for sale.

TR

RodKnock · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 04:12 PM

Tony is correct. It is a buyer's market right now, whether it be a Kirkham or CSX. Wait a few more weeks or even a couple of months and the deals will probably get better.

bnewell · #8 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 06:49 PM

The Kirkham is a great car!!

nmayes · #9 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 09:52 PM

Last winter in February a friend of mine told me about an aluminum Cobra being made in Provo Ut. My wife is from Payson Ut. So I devised a plan for a small trip to take her home for a week, the week of the Kirkham 2007 Summit. We were greeted with a warm welcome by the Kirkham's. As we toured their shop I knew if you wanted to build a first class car these were the people to talk to. We spent most of the day looking and talking to the experts in the business, people who have built and raced their cars. We purchased a new Kirkham, and took delivery a few months ago. I must say that I am very happy with our purchase and the quality of their car. They have been very helpful in answering questions and giving good advice. There are many good manufactures out there, and it all comes down to what you want. The biggest challenge I had wasn't who to buy the car from, it was choosing who to have build my engine and what transmission and gears to go with.