Kirkham vs. ERA

[Flygirl]

Thanks, guys.

A bit of an update on the Search...

I checked out an absolutely beautiful Kirkham 427 S/C with a 428 CJ and all the trimmings. I have to say, the car is a work of art and the owner's choices pleased my aesthetic sensibilities very much.

Some things which struck me:

1. The body didn't seem nearly as fragile as I feared. Yeh, if used my knee to slam the door hard it might dent, but I wouldn't do that to my daily driver either. I slammed the doors (not too hard out of respect) and leaned on the fender and like that; all seemed just fine and I was pleasantly surprised. There were no hints of oilcanning or really weak areas just waiting to be damaged, at least I didn't notice any. And the door-slam had a nice thunk to it.

2. It was a shorter drive but we hit a couple of poorly paved patches of road. There was no cowl shake and the car seemed very rigid.

3. The five speed Tremec with a 0.82 (I think it is) fifth is the way to go for me. It does seem to have that close ratio feel in the lower gears, plus a nice O/D for cruising.

4. The cockpit fit me very well. The width of the footboxes was quite adequate even for my gunboats, and the relationship between the steering column/steering wheel/driver's seat cushion made sliding in and out of the cockpit much easier than I've experienced previously. There was more space between the bottom of the steering wheel and the driver's seat cushion. I think it might be a smaller diameter steering wheel, but the angle of the column itself seems to be a bit steeper and that helps too. It was nice to slide in and out normally, instead of bracing myself on the seat or some part of the car and lowering myself in. I might even be able to wear a skirt, driving that car!

Overall an amazing experience, and I like the brushed aluminum too. The price is really a reach for me however, but honestly the car was done just as I'd like it.

It was really a cut above. [sigh]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

2. A 302/331 small block and five speed ...

Don't forget they make 351w small blocks already stroked to 427 CID, DART delivers blocks already punched out to 427 with .040 more room for rebuilds. From DART -
Siamesed cylinders with standard 4.00 in. or 4.125 in. cylinder bores, which can be safely bored to 4.165 in. diameters

Some, such as myself, believe you get the best of both worlds with a 427SBF, just so you know there is that other option out there.

You know, maybe it was just driving my first Cobra, I don't know, but that 392 injected Windsor in the SPF I drove way back when seemed easily as fast as any of the other (FE powered) cars I've driven since. Or perhaps I'm just getting used to it? Is that even possible with over 400hp or more on tap?

A couple of times now I've had that big, big Cobra driver smile I always get...but found myself with my foot to the floor thinking, "is that all there is?"

How can that be?

The other question is, can I really afford a 427SBF?