Kirkham Skunk Works Project

[Hank F]

Piano on wheels.
Hank

[BT SNAKE]

Gee Dave,
This is a tough one.. Is this a small piece of a large
puzzle.
My guess, and I do mean guess is the scuttle frame to
the XJ13. If it is I think you chose the second best
car in the world to reproduce in alloy.

Hersh

PS..Yeah, I know, it's wood he is cutting but it's cheaper to proto wood than billit

[mikiec]

This is one of many pieces for building a buck, to build a trailer to tow behind a cobra.

Mike

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by CoolCarl

Is it a canoe?

No canoe. I did teach canoeing for years as a counselor though. Those were the days!

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by BERT

David,
I'd like to see the "Kirkham Skunk Works Dept." build a 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante style car on a 427 frame. PLEASE......
Hope all is well in Provo. Robert

Maybe one day. Those certainly are beautiful cars.

Things in Provo are going well. People keep buying cars so we can't complain.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by BT SNAKE

Gee Dave,
This is a tough one.. Is this a small piece of a large
puzzle.
My guess, and I do mean guess is the scuttle frame to
the XJ13. If it is I think you chose the second best
car in the world to reproduce in alloy.

Hersh

PS..Yeah, I know, it's wood he is cutting but it's cheaper to proto wood than billit

Actually, it is a Kirkham Coupe. That is why the earlier. Doesn't take you guys long here, does it

Maybe one day we will do an XJ13. I do agree they are fabulous cars.

David

[LMH]

I just figured what with the 289 model and the 427 model, what would be the next logical car. Actually, I guess I should have called it a Kirkham Coupe to be correct.
Larry
(but I'd still like to see a "D" someday!)

[RodKnock]

[BT SNAKE]

Dave,
That is one hard pattern to come by. Are you using a model or the real deal?

Hersh

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by LMH

I just figured what with the 289 model and the 427 model, what would be the next logical car. Actually, I guess I should have called it a Kirkham Coupe to be correct.
Larry
(but I'd still like to see a "D" someday!)

Larry,

Good call!


David ... if it's not a trade secret, about how many patterns do you guys need to fabricate to make the bodies ?

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by BT SNAKE

Dave,
That is one hard pattern to come by. Are you using a model or the real deal?

Hersh

We bought a McCluskey Coupe. We digitized it and are now CNC cutting the forms.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by tkb289

Larry,

Good call!


David ... if it's not a trade secret, about how many patterns do you guys need to fabricate to make the bodies ?

No trade secret. Actually, I'll post all the pictures of the forms if you guys want. I am not sure how many we will end up with. I'll let you know. Maybe I'll just start making the panels and put them on YouTube for you guys so you can see how we do it.

David

[LMH]

That would be a great idea. I'd love to see it from start to finish!
Larry

[BT SNAKE]

David,
You sure know how to keep your eye on the ball.
I can imagine the phones have started ringing already. An honest to goodness alloy coupe. I know it will be awesome just like all the other projects have been.

Hersh

PS ..... I sure wish you guys would show up at Run and Gun with a few Cobras and that Rush car.
This year R&G is going to be in Hastings, Nebraska so it's close enough for you.

[Mark Thompson]

Uh Oh. I may have to put another storage lift in the big garage.

Mark

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by LMH

That would be a great idea. I'd love to see it from start to finish!
Larry

I've been thinking quite a bit on making a "How to" YouTube series. I think it would be quite interesting. We would show all the various techniques for aluminum forming. Hand forming, stretch forming, super plastic forming, hammer forming, etc. I envision it as a educational tool--something like a technical university that people around the world could visit from home. Only, no tuition

There were so many wonderful men who taught us how to make cars over the years. None of them ever asked for any payment--they just freely shared their knowledge. We'll share what we know-I hope the world is a better place for it.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by BT SNAKE

David,
You sure know how to keep your eye on the ball.
I can imagine the phones have started ringing already. An honest to goodness alloy coupe. I know it will be awesome just like all the other projects have been.

Hersh

PS ..... I sure wish you guys would show up at Run and Gun with a few Cobras and that Rush car.
This year R&G is going to be in Hastings, Nebraska so it's close enough for you.

Hmmm, maybe we will show up at the Run and Gun this year. I think I'll bring the billet chassis prototype car--and a few other projects we have going on.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Mark Thompson

Uh Oh. I may have to put another storage lift in the big garage.

Mark

They are one of the most beautiful cars in the world. Peter Brock is a good friend of mine. We anticipate making them in both a 427 chassis and a 289 chassis. (Maybe even a billet chassis some day too.)

David

[David Kirkham]

Oh, by the way...

The wooden form in the picture is for the diffuser. We started on the 2nd 1/2 of the form today. I'll post more pictures tomorrow.

David

[BT SNAKE]

David,
That would be fantastic to see you guys at R&G.
I'm sure you are aware it is September 23-25.
It would mean a lot to see The Kirkhams at R&G.

Hersh