289 Street / Slabside Cobra -

[Hexnut72]

Here are some pics of a hybrid slab side on the website:





And a leaf spring car:

[Jamo]

Panavia

When i was moving towards getting my Kirkham in late 2002, JohnnyMac from Jersey and I were begging David and Tom to do a Slabside. Alas, it was to be a few years later, so I opted for the S/C. Not that I'm unhappy, mind you...but I did want a Slabside first. David even tried to help me talk my wife into getting one for herself a couple of years later when we were there. He wasn't really trying to help me so much as himself...he figured if Cheerleader got one, he could talk his own wife into getting one. We both failed miserably.

Having driven both the 3" frame/leafspring and the hybrid, as well as a CSX leafsprung FIA, if you have any intentions of utilizing this little beauty for touring, go with the hybrid. The driving feel, comfort and handling are simply in a different league. While I have no doubt of one's ability to make a leafsprung car handle...Allan A. certainly made his CSX version handle amazingly well (up to the time he scratched the wall at Sears Point...more likely driver error )...as others have said, adjustments, etc. are simply easier with the hybrid.

I still dream of a BRG with oxblood leather and a black top, radio, heater and a luggage rack out back. I would probably have a set of nice wires, and another set of FIA wheels for long trips. Hell, I might even trade the current tin can for that sometime in the future.

Good luck to you on this.

[Rickd]

Jamo - I like your dream car - sounds like "my next one" if there ever is!!

[PANAVIA]

Thank you Rodney and Jamo for the insights - I think I am leaning toward the HB.

I think it will be 15x6" aluminum wheels all around-- was thinking a 215/60/15 --or a 215/65/15 tire ( tyre ) .

Other details formattting in the mind. -- like Black bezel GT40 smiths repro gauges on a dark green leather dashboard.

Silver chrome ball shifter as in the SPF I have. -

any idea how much the HB chassis weighs with no eng/trans >?

--Steve

[tkb289]

Steve,

RodKnock, Jamo and the others certainly know their Krikhams and have some really good ideas … the 4" 427 chassis with the 289 body sounds like a great combination and it seems like you are leaning in that direction already. In a way, it's the best of both worlds.

Rodney is right, choosing a color is a challenge ( at least it was for me ) but that's part of the fun. Then you will need to decide grill or no grill, bumpers, luggage rack, mirrors … so forth and so on !

Look forward to seeing how it all turns out, it sounds cool already !

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

any idea how much the HB chassis weighs with no eng/trans >?

--Steve

My Kirkham weighs 2,128 lbs with engine and trans. I'm not sure what an aluminum FE plus a TKO weigh.

Hey Steve, if you order the Kirkham 289 and change your mind, maybe I'll step in and take your position, BUT PLEASE NO LUGGAGE RACK.

Stranger things have happened.

[acindrich]

Originally Posted by Hexnut72

Here is a picture of acindrich's car. It is very nice.

If you plan on driving the car a lot, the 427 hybrid frame is the way to go. Easier to tune and adjust the suspension as needed. I know that there are some die hard leaf spring guys that say that they can set up their cars just as well, but it takes a hell of a lot of work to do it. The 427 suspension is easily adjustable for ride height and alignment, something that requires spring changes in a leaf spring car.

If you are trying to do a dead nuts accurate replica, go for the leaf spring suspension.

A couple more:

Hex, thanks for posting the pictures of my car. LIke I said - just havent made time to do that. The drive was sure fun. Never been out on that road. Wish I could have gone the distance with everyone. The wife had an urgent root canal done and I had to bug out and watch the two year old while we had the dentist that was on call come in a fix the tooth. I'd love for my cobra friends to get a chance to take my car out at the track and drive it with the top on just for the experience. Highway driving doesn't really delineate as to whether it is needed or not. Sure it keeps the sun off the noggin, but it also obscures the views. Nevertheless, I like it a lot and am priveliged to have it. Thanks for taking the pictures and for thinking it "looks nice"

[PANAVIA]

I spoke with David K. at length today and he is working me up a config.

I forgot to mention a few items to him, that I just thought of.

His lead time quoted on the car looks like 6-7 months, which has me getting a roller for xmas if timing holds true.

So far , here is the config;

Slabside
HB 427 Coil chassis with 4" tube
undercar Exh
15x6 wheels
powdercoated bulkheads
no gauges
no carpet
no seat covers
no fuel lines/pumps (going to be injected)
3.31 rear gear ( possible 3.54)
Scuffed up for paint
dropped footbox
roadster dash with center drop
no luggage rack

--still working on other details.

Steve

[somedayaurora]

no luggage rack ? OMG ! LOL
SDR
________
Hawaii medical marijuana

[RodKnock]

Steve, Kirkham can also make all the exterior chrome stuff (e.g., grill, bumpers, etc.) for you. You can buy it aftermarket, but having the Kirkhams custom fit it to your car at their factory is a huge plus.

I know Jamo likes a luggage rack on his future 289 Cobra, but for me, it justs adds a huge non-usable (I'm not drilling any holes and/or strapping anything on the back of my aluminum Cobra) distraction covering a large portion of the rear of the car.

There was a reason the luggage rack was a rare (i.e., undesirable) option on vintage Corvettes, even those without trunks.

[PANAVIA]

That is the one feature of the SPF that is truly great is that trunk space.

Dont forget for long stays, the wife flies "chase plane" in the E55.

Steve

[maurice19]

Steve,

Good choice on a Kirkham slabside. I like your choice of no carpet also, it makes it a lot easier to clean the floor. I never realized how much dirt got into a roadster, ha

Maurice

[PANAVIA]

No carpet is a temporary thing , but rubber floor mats sound intriguing , that way you could hose out the trail mix wrappers with little effort,

The main reason for the no interior coverings option is I do want to do some period correct , albeit custom touches to make part of he machine think it's from august of 1963.

Anyone -Remember the cover of playboy for august 1963?

Steve (typing from my iPad )

[Ozgur_Tan]

yes

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

No carpet is a temporary thing , but rubber floor mats sound intriguing , that way you could hose out the trail mix wrappers with little effort,

The main reason for the no interior coverings option is I do want to do some period correct , albeit custom touches to make part of he machine think it's from august of 1963.

Anyone -Remember the cover of playboy for august 1963?

Steve (typing from my iPad )

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Steve, Kirkham can also make all the exterior chrome stuff (e.g., grill, bumpers, etc.) for you. You can buy it aftermarket, but having the Kirkhams custom fit it to your car at their factory is a huge plus.

I know Jamo likes a luggage rack on his future 289 Cobra, but for me, it justs adds a huge non-usable (I'm not drilling any holes and/or strapping anything on the back of my aluminum Cobra) distraction covering a large portion of the rear of the car.

There was a reason the luggage rack was a rare (i.e., undesirable) option on vintage Corvettes, even those without trunks.

It's for the wicker basket, you fool.

[PANAVIA]

August 1963, Before everything went totally wrong.

ahhhhh. --

So the dilemma now turns to Drive-Line. --

Do I turn my SPF into the development car ; and keep this one classic, or do I break down new barriers with the Krikham..... or is it like an eclair - looks classic on the outside, - but the filling could be custard, creme' or chocolate.

The SPF is nearly perfect the way it is , a couple of small changes in its future;

Like I need to refine the fuel system to work better with EFI ( add a baffle fuel tray, -in tank pump) -- add a clock to the dash , move dash warning lights, key on power for the fan relays, higher temp automatic fan switch.

The just about perfect drive-train for a 289 would be a 289/302 with a T5. -- simple light , easy, very few plot lines.

other engine / trans choices would make an interesting movie, but I might have to call James Cameron for help with the special effects.

Steve

[John McMahon]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Panavia

When i was moving towards getting my Kirkham in late 2002, JohnnyMac from Jersey and I were begging David and Tom to do a Slabside. Alas, it was to be a few years later, so I opted for the S/C. Not that I'm unhappy, mind you...but I did want a Slabside first. David even tried to help me talk my wife into getting one for herself a couple of years later when we were there. He wasn't really trying to help me so much as himself...he figured if Cheerleader got one, he could talk his own wife into getting one. We both failed miserably.

Having driven both the 3" frame/leafspring and the hybrid, as well as a CSX leafsprung FIA, if you have any intentions of utilizing this little beauty for touring, go with the hybrid. The driving feel, comfort and handling are simply in a different league. While I have no doubt of one's ability to make a leafsprung car handle...Allan A. certainly made his CSX version handle amazingly well (up to the time he scratched the wall at Sears Point...more likely driver error )...as others have said, adjustments, etc. are simply easier with the hybrid.

I still dream of a BRG with oxblood leather and a black top, radio, heater and a luggage rack out back. I would probably have a set of nice wires, and another set of FIA wheels for long trips. Hell, I might even trade the current tin can for that sometime in the future.

Good luck to you on this.

Dagnabbit Ron! Don't get me started on the slabside thing again! I was hoping I got it out of my system! Now you gotta talk about a BRG Hybrid????

YER KILLING ME!!!!!!

I have my mind set on a very particular GT40 replica if its still available after I make my move to NC.

The last thing I need to worry about is becoming "Automotively Bi-Polar" yet again!!!!!



I do love that KMP Hybrid...now I gotta hit the can and 'rub one out'!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

The just about perfect drive-train for a 289 would be a 289/302 with a T5. -- simple light , easy, very few plot lines.

other engine / trans choices would make an interesting movie, but I might have to call James Cameron for help with the special effects.

Steve

I betcha you have a nice real hipo 289 sitting somewhere in the back of the shop. The T5 and a nice 289/302 is a good call with the 15x6 wheels, but knowing me, I would have to build a "mild" 331 with the TKO600.

[open roads]

Hi guys. I know I'm late to the party but I want a car something like this as well.

I like the Kirkhams very much. About what would this car cost?

I'll be in Vegas next week and am thinking about having Shelby American make one.

Anyone have any idea what they will want? I haven't made contact there about this yet.

I just want to live my life the way I want to. Again I love the Kirkhams but may be able to afford the Shelby.

The biggest unresolved issue for me is the wheel wells and wheels/tires.

I want a different look than the FIA. I want a more attractive line there while getting as much rubber on the road as possible.

When I look at skinny tires on the very early cars and ACs, I just know I want more. That will be the best improvement and I don't want to go backwards to the extent that I don't get the car I want.

I want as much rubber as I can put under a slab side while retaining an elegant little english/american roadster look.

[Rickd]

Open Roads. If you're talking about an aluminum Shelby - they are something like a $38,000 upcharge over the glass cars. Rough numbers I believe for an aluminum Shelby 289 you are going to be close to $150, while you can come in at roughly $100k for the Kirkham - quick and dirty guestimate.