A Kirkham, only smaller...

bmwmech1 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-24-2010, 07:32 PM

I may get flamed for posting this here, but since I'm using the Kirkham site as my main source of reference in this build, I thought I might post a couple of pics and a link to the thread in the models and collectibles sub-forum. Since these cars are a real work of art in their own right, I figured most of the posters on this subforum would enjoy seeing what I'm working on. Remember that this is in 1/8th scale which is fairly large and it's being entirely scratchbuilt. Enjoy...

Here's the link to the thread in Models and Collectibles

Scratchbuilt 1/8th scale 427 Cobra

Thanks for looking and let me know what you guys here on the Kirkham Subforum think...

Garey

bmwmech1 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 08:45 PM

Started the frame over due to some inaccuracies and now have much better reference, so it should be a better build from here on out. Latest photos just posted in the models and collectibles sub forum... Thanks for looking, guys,

Garey

soulman · #3 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 11:54 PM

Looks Awesome !

bmwmech1 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 07:48 PM

Here's the latest update... I added some of the first pictures from when I re-started the frame... The rear sub-assembly, the main tubes and then the front suspension mounts, almost complete. For anyone who has built one of these frames, you know how much of a pain all of the brackets are to fab up, jig up and attach... believe me, it's no simpler in 1/8th scale! It took 2 days to fab up all 16 of the front control arm brackets, jig them up and solder them on. Patience was key here, as everything has to line up for the suspension to work properly, but it paid off... everything is nice and concentric and now the front-end is getting dangerously close to being done! Only the shock mounts and steering mounts are left for the front suspension mounts to be complete. Then it's onward to the rear suspension "box" and mounts... it's starting to look familiar...

Thanks for following...

Garey

Scratchbuilt 1/8th scale 427 Cobra

Dangerous Doug · #5 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 09:27 PM

Wow! Nice work! Keep posting. Very cool.

DD

A98Coupe · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2010, 09:15 AM

I'm looking forward to what you plan to do about the drivetrain?

N2VENOM · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2010, 09:52 AM

You might be building on a "small" scale, but your craftsmanship is outstanding. You must have incredible patients or a very understanding wife. Keep the pictures coming.

bmwmech1 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-07-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A98Coupe

I'm looking forward to what you plan to do about the drivetrain?

Well, I'm using the Kirkham's car as my reference, so whatever they have done, I'll do... or replicate. The suspension will be made up of milled aluminum and brass parts and some cast metal items. The coilovers will be functional and correct with adjustable ride height, just like the real thing. The motor and gearbox will likely be made from cast metal, then machined like the real thing with miscellaneous resin, metal and plastic details all made to look the part. I have set the bar kind of high for the rest of this build, by what I've done so far, but what's the point of not doing it as right as possible. That's why I started over on the frame... what I had was okay, but nowhere near what I have now as far as accuracy goes. Thanks for the comments and for following, everybody... I have family in from out of town this weekend, so I'll not get any pics up til' Monday-Tuesday this week...

Garey

bmwmech1 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2VENOM

You might be building on a "small" scale, but your craftsmanship is outstanding. You must have incredible patients or a very understanding wife. Keep the pictures coming.

I was blessed with incredible patience (thanks, dad) and a very cool wife... well, cool enough... I still don't have a full size Kirkham, Lol! I usually work 3-4 nights a week on my hobby, which is enough for me and not too much for her, so it works out fine. Plus she's pregnant with our second and she loves the Bravo network shows, so I just sneak down to my shop and start working, haha!
Thanks for watching,

Garey

Tom Kirkham · #10 (**permalink**) 02-07-2010, 11:58 AM

Very nice.

Dwight · #11 (**permalink**) 02-07-2010, 03:09 PM

great

can't wait to the finished car.

Dwight

bmwmech1 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-07-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Kirkham

Very nice.

Thank you sir! Quite the honor to have the VP of the company I'm basing my build on give me a nod! I hope the build does your car the justice it deserves... any insights or critiques you, your brother, or anyone else at Kirkham wants to give would be greatly appreciated!! I'll keep posting, so long as everyone keeps watching and wants me to! Thanks again,

Garey

bmwmech1 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-07-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight

great

can't wait to the finished car.

Dwight

Thanks Dwight, it'll be a while until it's done as everything has to be made, but, it's a labor of love, so keep watching... it'll get better, I promise!

Garey

PaulProe · #14 (**permalink**) 02-07-2010, 08:36 PM

Garey,
Thinking ahead, have you determined a source of the tires to be used?

Nice work. Are you soldering or brazing?

Paul

bmwmech1 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-07-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulProe

Garey,
Thinking ahead, have you determined a source of the tires to be used?

Nice work. Are you soldering or brazing?

Paul

Paul, I will probably have to cast the tires from rubber. I have a good pair of scale 15" Goodyears from an old Monogram kit. They're both the same size, so I'll have to section one to a narrower width and then cast them both in 2 piece silicone molds. Not a big deal.

Secondly, I'm soldering. I have a couple of irons of different sizes, a bunch of torches in different sizes and a resistance soldering rig, also. Depending on what I am working on, dictates which type of tool I use.

Thanks for the questions and keep watching,

Garey

Da Man · #16 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 10:51 AM

By all means, we are watching. Please do not stop posting updates. Dare I say, this is fascinating.

bmwmech1 · #17 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da Man

By all means, we are watching. Please do not stop posting updates. Dare I say, this is fascinating.

Oh, I won't... thanks for watching! We are due for 18+ inches of snow tonight into tomorrow and I rescheduled all of my appointments tomorrow, so I'm taking a snow day! I should get some more done and pics posted by tomorrow night, so stay tuned...

Garey

bmwmech1 · #18 (**permalink**) 02-10-2010, 10:20 PM

Well, I took a snow day today, since we got another 18 inches of snow overnight... I thought I'd spend the day in my workshop, but as it turned out, I spent the day with my 2 year old and the wife, which was just as good! We had the neighbors over for dinner, so my shop time got condensed to a few hours after they left. Oh well... the best laid plans, right? I did get the motor mounts done, the trans mount done and the front shock mounts, too... enjoy!

Should get some build time tomorrow also, so I'll post some more pics tomorrow night...

Garey

slider701 · #19 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 07:40 AM

You need to talk the Kirkham boys into milling you a tiny body out of billet

Trueoo7 · #20 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slider701

You need to talk the Kirkham boys into milling you a tiny body out of billet

Those craftsmen.... they could probably hammer one out, like they do with the full size cars !!