What about...

Nantucket427 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 12:41 PM

I drive my Superformance everywhere and have owed it for 6 years. I like to do shows but I also like to drive the car on the road and track. I am sold on a Kirham as my next car but I have a few questions that I would like there customers to answer.

1. Can a Kirham be driven and still look good? What kind of upkeep is required?

2. How do you care for a polished body?

3. How durable is the stainless frame. New England has a lot of sand on the roads(left over from Our Wnters)it is very abrasive. I have taken the control arms off and sent them to be powder coated and I am always painting the frame. I just don't know how it will wear or how to keep it looking good without parking the car.

4. What are the necessary options?

Cashburn · #2 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 12:52 PM

I don't know how well that can hold up unless you paint it. Considering you are on Nantucket. I can always tell the cars that stay at the beach homes by how bad the polished engine components look...

xlr8or · #3 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 01:27 PM

The stainless frame should hold up fine with the occassional wipe down. I would get the brushed finish instead of the polished on the body because of the proximity to the salt water. The brushed you can just let age naturally or break out a diaper and windex every week or two.

RodKnock · #4 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nantucket427

I drive my Superformance everywhere and have owed it for 6 years. I like to do shows but I also like to drive the car on the road and track. I am sold on a Kirham as my next car but I have a few questions that I would like there customers to answer.

1. Can a Kirham be driven and still look good? What kind of upkeep is required?

2. How do you care for a polished body?

3. How durable is the stainless frame. New England has a lot of sand on the roads(left over from Our Wnters)it is very abrasive. I have taken the control arms off and sent them to be powder coated and I am always painting the frame. I just don't know how it will wear or how to keep it looking good without parking the car.

4. What are the necessary options?

About all I can say is "it's the greatest thing since sliced bread."

No one cares if it's real or not. No one cares what kind of car it is. No one cares how much it costs. Virtually, the only question I get is "What color is that?" or "Is that chrome paint?"

Unless you're totally anal and the slightest minor blemish or piece of dirt bothers you, then the finish holds up very, very well. I've done literally nothing for a couple years and the polished/brushed stripes finish still looks excellent. Not perfect though.

I do leave it under a car cover and it is garaged, but that's what I'm sure everyone does anyway. However, I don't live at the beach, but I'm also not that far from the Pacific Ocean either. Notwithstanding, I'm sure the East Coast may be rougher.

As for care, I've purchased some cloth and micro fiber towels along with the Nuvite S polish that's recommended by Kirkham. When the times comes, first, I'll polish by hand, see how that goes, and then if needed, I may buy the dual head polisher from Cyclo and use that, but only if it's absolutely necessary.

Here's a link for you. Scroll down to the section called "Maintaining the Mirror Finish": http://www.irinfo.com/polish/html/polish.html

The Kirkham roller is almost fully optioned as is. Not much additional to buy from Kirkham, except for maybe the Halon system and then the body finish. I also got the powdercoated bulkhead panel and the wheelwell foam, but if you're the industrious type, then those you can do. I have since done a few extra things like install an inner gas cap, vents in the front fenders (near the headers) like the S/C's or comps, changed the mufflers, etc., etc.

Some people would never buy the alloy body and I understand that position. I'm just one of those buyers who personally prefers the aluminum body over fiberglass. Vanilla versus chocolate.

patrickt · #5 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nantucket427

What are the necessary options?

With the fully polished option... sunglasses.

When the sun hits your car it's about the flashiest thing ever to have four wheels.

RodKnock · #6 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

With the fully polished option... sunglasses.

When the sun hits your car it's about the flashiest thing ever to have four wheels.

It is a unique car, even among unique cars. If you're shy, a wallflower or an introvert, then do not get the polished body. Unless you've decided your personality needs a dramatic 180 degree change.

I don't have the stainless steel frame and thus have not commented on this question.

HI Cobra · #7 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 03:08 PM

I have the brushed finish and love it. It doesn't show dirt and if I get some bug hits I just get out the windex and 5 minutes later the whole thing is done.
The bright finish in sunny weather can be blinding to yourself and others but
they look cool. I have the comp 42 gallon tank and like being able to pass
gas stations. No gas gage but keep track of the odometer so no problem. I
can get close to 400 miles on a full tank if I take it easy.

RodKnock · #8 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HI Cobra

The bright finish in sunny weather can be blinding to yourself and others but they look cool.

I've had no problem from my perspective in the driver's seat and no one on the road has complained to me about glare.

big-boss · #9 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 03:45 PM

It all depends on what you are willing to take. If you have to have a polised show car quality clean 24/7 then you should leave it in the garage. If you are going to drive the hell out of it 4 or five time a year and don't really car that your dog's slobber stains the fender then this is the car to have. They are very tough and well put together. I loctited everything and haven't had any issue (not counting my wife hitting it while parked in the garage). I have had icesicles growing on mine and it still draws a croud.

Check this picture out.

Got the Bug · #10 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big-boss

It all depends on what you are willing to take. If you have to have a polised show car quality clean 24/7 then you should leave it in the garage. If you are going to drive the hell out of it 4 or five time a year and don't really car that your dog's slobber stains the fender then this is the car to have. They are very tough and well put together. I loctited everything and haven't had any issue (not counting my wife hitting it while parked in the garage). I have had icesicles growing on mine and it still draws a croud.

Check this picture out.

Great pic Big-Boss!

RodKnock · #11 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:13 PM

Wow!

Sunny and 50 degrees and I'm worried.

patrickt · #12 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Sunny and 50 degrees and I'm worried.

Upper 50s or I don't even open the garage door.

HI Cobra · #13 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I've had no problem from my perspective in the driver's seat and no one on the road has complained to me about glare.

Heh heh - how could anyone catch you to complain?

My only personal experience close to a polished Kirkham was walking around
one at San Marcos last March on a sunny day and the reflecting sun was blinding. Guess I shouldn't be extrapolating. Still look cool!

RodKnock · #14 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HI Cobra

Heh heh - how could anyone catch you to complain?

It's not too hard to catch me when you drive 45 MPH on the freeway in the slow lane with your right blinker on.

OK, I just got my hair dryer, can we now start getting the snow off Big-Boss' Kirkham?

RodKnock · #15 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Upper 50s or I don't even open the garage door.

We have these Cobra breakfasts on Saturday mornings at 8:00 (or 8:15 AM or 8:30 AM or whatever we agreed on and then changed our collective minds to) during the Winter and I have that same debate.

patrickt · #16 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:31 PM

A fully polished Kirkham actually impresses more people than a real Cobra ever would... by a mile.

RodKnock · #17 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

A fully polished Kirkham actually impresses more people than a real Cobra ever would... by a mile.

I had my doubts when Joe Weight attempted to convince me that every Kirkham coming out of UT is/was fully polished and that I would be "swimming up stream" with anything but a polished finish. Now having 20/20 hindsight, I know I made the right choice.

It really floors people out there on the road or in the garage.

patrickt · #18 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:50 PM

Another advantage of the polished Kirkham is that you don't have to deal with the "is it real" question. I think people instead go with "wow, what is it?" instead. Now there are pluses and minuses to that; it all depends on what you want and what you like.

RodKnock · #19 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Another advantage of the polished Kirkham is that you don't have to deal with the "is it real" question. I think people instead go with "wow, what is it?" instead. Now there are pluses and minuses to that; it all depends on what you want and what you like.

Rah Roh. You may have awakened "The Beast."

In almost two years, I think I've only been asked the "Is it real?" question only once.

patrickt · #20 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Rah Roh. You may have awakened "The Beast."

In almost two years, I think I've only been asked the "Is it real?" question only once.

We're skipping over the issue of whether it is indeed real or not and, instead, concentrating on whether or not you're subjected to the question itself. I would venture to say that a polished Kirkham gets asked that question far less than a beautifully painted ERA, or for that matter, a POS FFR or SPF.