KMS769 Kirkham 289 FIA Build

RestoCreations · #1 (**permalink**) 03-04-2014, 04:31 PM

The 289FIA I ordered last summer arrived in Provo a few weeks ago. David was kind enough to send me pictures of my car in the build stage. As much as I loved the 427 Ironman car, this is much more my style. Small Block Ford engines are my favorite!

KMS #769

soulman · #2 (**permalink**) 03-04-2014, 04:57 PM

What a great start,

Having a documented record of the birth of your car!

Fantastic service !

Great choice ,good luck !

If only I had the same for #385.......

But then again my Car was built in 1965 by the Kirkhams and the black and white photo resolution was pretty bad back then!

Great stuff,

Soul.

1985 CCX · #3 (**permalink**) 03-04-2014, 06:13 PM

Awesome..................

ERA Chas · #4 (**permalink**) 03-04-2014, 06:22 PM

Where did it arrive from? Was the body done in Poland or elsewhere?

RestoCreations · #5 (**permalink**) 03-04-2014, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Where did it arrive from? Was the body done in Poland or elsewhere?

The frames and bodies are made in Poland.

ERA Chas · #6 (**permalink**) 03-04-2014, 08:01 PM

Thank you.

tkb289 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-04-2014, 10:27 PM

Congrats … the beginning of what will become a beautiful Kirkham … IMHO it's hard to beat a 289 FIA

Nice photos, in particular the shot of the body and frame upside down in the jig, really shows how the body is married to the frame. What suspension setup are you going to use?

MOTORHEAD · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-2014, 10:15 AM

Photos show the frame as being a 427 unit, (coil spring).
I've wondered how they deal with the body and frame width difference between the 260/289 cars ( transverse leaf spring) and the 427 coil spring chassis they use for the small block cars. 260/289 chassis main rails were 3", 427 were 4" dia, and 427 frames and bodies are wider (by 4" ?) So is a kirkham 289 coil spring car the same but modified 427 frame and body, or do they narrow the whole thing down to 289 dimensions?

RestoCreations · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-2014, 10:53 AM

Correct, it is a hybrid car. 289FIA body on the upgraded 427 chassis with coil over suspension, billet control arms, etc.

xb-60 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-05-2014, 02:16 PM

Thanks for the pictures of KMS 769, particularly those of the body part way through fabrication. Gives more of an appreciation of how the body curves are created before the filing of the welds makes that information 'disappear'.
Also nice to see an old-fashioned workshop, old fashioned tools and fixtures, with guys in bib overalls doing work that they must get huge satisfaction from.
Please keep up the supply of pictures!
Cheers,
Glen

Bill D · #11 (**permalink**) 03-05-2014, 06:39 PM

Beautiful. Simply bee-u-tee-full!

ALF · #12 (**permalink**) 03-07-2014, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RestoCreations

Correct, it is a hybrid car. 289FIA body on the upgraded 427 chassis with coil over suspension, billet control arms, etc.

Is this the normal combination of the Kirkham 289FIA?
289 FIA body on 427 chassis..

Or was this your request and normaly the chassis would be 289 FIA correct with the Transverse Leaf Springs?

1985 CCX · #13 (**permalink**) 03-07-2014, 06:09 AM

I prefer buggy springs

RestoCreations · #14 (**permalink**) 03-07-2014, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALF

Is this the normal combination of the Kirkham 289FIA?
289 FIA body on 427 chassis..

Or was this your request and normaly the chassis would be 289 FIA correct with the Transverse Leaf Springs?

This was my request and what I prefer. I am not sure what is normal or more popular though. The original style suspension costs another 15,000. If it had been 15,000 less, i might have considered it, but there was no way i was paying a significant amount more for older technology.

ALF · #15 (**permalink**) 03-07-2014, 07:07 AM

Thanks for the clarification

*13* · #16 (**permalink**) 03-07-2014, 05:31 PM

Love the "in the raw" look.

ALF · #17 (**permalink**) 03-13-2014, 05:54 AM

Unfortunately I did not found any clear statement on my question and therefore I’m posting it on this thread.

Are the aluminum CSX (7000) chassis and body still produced by Kirkham?
I found an interesting information on the registry about the CSX4000 having the SAI VIN welded over the KMP VIN and I would like to know if this is still valid for the cars today.

RodKnock · #18 (**permalink**) 03-13-2014, 07:57 AM

The current signature line of David Kirkham states "official supplier to Shelby" for CSX 4000's, 6000's and 7000's.

Avmaviator · #19 (**permalink**) 05-07-2014, 08:17 PM

I thought you were only working/slaving on corvettes these days Chris? This looks way too nice compared to the project cars you've been taking home lately

Looking forward to seeing it. I think this calls for another trip to your neck of the woods when you finish it, or even before you finish it if you need an extra hand

RestoCreations · #20 (**permalink**) 05-20-2014, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avmaviator

I thought you were only working/slaving on corvettes these days Chris? This looks way too nice compared to the project cars you've been taking home lately

Looking forward to seeing it. I think this calls for another trip to your neck of the woods when you finish it, or even before you finish it if you need an extra hand

Considering a split window restomod just sold at mecum for 279,000 last weekend, perhaps i should.

I was planning on having my black split window restomod ready for the auction, but it just didn't happen.

You are welcome anytime Arnaud! David says the FIA will be ready by mid to late June, so you need to fly down and help me put the engine and trans in around mid July! Beth wants to use the Kirkham as the get away car after our wedding, so I am going to need to have it ready by September.