Kirkham Motorsports University The Making of a Flip Top
Hey Guys!
One of our buddies here on Club Cobra, Darren, decided he wanted a really cool car that he could drive across the US to Washington DC. He didn't have to look far to find someone willing to go with him
Darren wants a "Flip-Top" with a 427 SOHC motor. We will have to do several modifications to the car to make the nose tilt and to get that monster motor inside. Here at our continuing education program at Kirkham Motorsports University we are going to take you right inside our shop and show you how we take your dreams and turn them into iron. We will post the entire build here on this thread.
As always, I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA 623, 427 S/C Cobra. Ford FE 428 Cobra Jet, Ford Nascar TL 4speed - with a touch of raw; "less is more" theme
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Keep in mind the actual "Flip Top" is not just a tilt front end. It has a different body shape, type, and overall profile looking at it from any angle side, front, or back. There is a bit more to the body and chassis that makes it what it is. The back of the car tilts too and the position or layout of the body over (or around) the chassis is a bit unique. My ERA sits low, but feels like a Highboy in comparison to sitting in the FT where you actually feel like your rear is almost touching the ground; the car is literally on a completely different level than a regular 427 car.
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Duane Western States Cobra Group 1998-2016.
Keep in mind the actual "Flip Top" is not just a tilt front end. It has a different body shape, type, and overall profile looking at it from any angle side, front, or back. There is a bit more to the body and chassis that makes it what it is. The back of the car tilts too and the position or layout of the body over (or around) the chassis is a bit unique. My ERA sits low, but feels like a Highboy in comparison to sitting in the FT where you actually feel like your rear is almost touching the ground; the car is literally on a completely different level than a regular 427 car.
Indeed the car is completely different--right down to the leaf springs. Alas, we make dreams according to customer specifications.
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham 427 & 289 (KMP 090 & KMPS 040) and need a Kirkham GT-40
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David,
Will your hinge not only have to pivot but also pull forward to prevent binding on the lower rear corner of your "bonnet" from binding on the body?
Robert
David,
Will your hinge not only have to pivot but also pull forward to prevent binding on the lower rear corner of your "bonnet" from binding on the body?
Robert
The corner doesn't hit in the CAD model, but it is very close. We'll see when we get there.
I don't know the first thing about operating a water-jet. All I do know is that I want one.
Water jets are amazing machines. I don't know how we ever got along without one. When we were cleaning out the attic I found the first frame parts I had ever made. I traced the outline of the part with a scribe onto 1/8" sheet steel. I then center punched the center of holes that had to be drilled. I cut the parts out with a jig saw I bought from Sears because I couldn't afford a band saw. We have come a long way.
Very cool. It will be fun to follow the progress on this one.
Tomorrow will be another fun day. We got the sides of the car straightened and we will be fitting in the structure to hold the rear of the nose together after it is cut off. More video tomorrow.
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham #625 427S/C, 468 ci Al block, 615 HP
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David
These are wonderful videos giving insight to how you think about solving design and fabrication problems as well as the fabrication techniques themselves. Keep them coming!
Kirkham Motorsports University The Making of a Flip Top
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