Kirkham 427 on eBay addition/correction

[southernfriedcj]

Mr. Allen, can you share your information reguarding the Kirkhams business dealings, with Brent, with the rest of the class? Oh, I'm sorry, it's none of my FN business!

Jim (Evan Jr.) Finerty

edit: You SPF guys should be happy KMS Ebayed those cars. I was going to buy a SPF, order it Hugger Orange with Houndstooth stripes, and hang out at the Secound Strike site!

[KeithBrown]

I for one applaud the Kirkham's efforts and think they are adjusting to changing times. It is called good business. Of course it puts more pricing pressure on the SPF and ERA, high end glass kits and that is good as well if you are in the market.

I believe that most (not all), of us would prefer and alloy body over a glass body if the costs were close enough. The Kirkhams just seem smart enough to take advantage of the economiy of scale that comes with higher volumes. Good for them - good for us.

I love the way they are turning the market on its ear. Please keep up the good work!!!!

Regards,

Keith

[Excaliber]

Allan A
The Kirkhams aren't "just another builder". The are a big part of the very fabric that makes up the Cobra world. It is a privilege to have them as active members of this forum. Their knowledge and help goes WAY beyond the call of duty.

I am offended at even a suggestion they should pay for advertising. I want to know ALL about what cars/products/parts are for sale on e-bay or where ever they are offered. I like to track the prices, the "market".

To the Kirkham family:

THANK YOU for being there and sharing so unselfishly with us. I am hurt that your reputation has been called into question in the slightest. Please keep us informed as to how things are going.

Ernie

[TerrysSPF]

I also applaud the Kirkhams and their new "for sale" site(s) on Ebay. They are in business to make money, and they are doing what they can to make sales in a competitive market, during a weak period in our economy. If you offer a good product at a good price, you will stay in business. If you offer a good product at a GREAT price...........the profit margin may not be as good but you will more than make up for that as your sales volume increases! Just good business, and WE ARE in a free market / free country the last time I checked.

......But then again, I'm in the market to BUY right now. If I were on the other side of the fence (either a current owner ((especially Kirkham)), or trying to sell), I may not be so happy about it.

Keith: "still looking, but have narrowed it down to Kirkham or ERA". You say "you love the way they are turning the market on it's ear". Could that be because (like me) you are in the market to buy right now? How would you feel if you had already purchased a Kirkham at full price.........right before they decided to start selling their cars on Ebay at huge discounts??

I can, and DO see both points of view, but you can't change the fact we are in tuff times right now (economy wise), and we live in a free market society. Thank God for capitalism! Good business' will do what it takes to get through these times. The Kirkhams are offering their products to the highest bidders - in effect, lowering their prices and making sales. Superformance is RAISING their prices on their chassis (trying to make more $ during tuff times perhaps??).........both companies offer good products...........each company has a different way of trying to make more money during a slow economy...............who will make more sales???? Time will tell.

I will say this much - I just changed my comments under "Cobra Make & Engine" from: I would like an SPF one day........ To: Shopping the Cobra market!
Hey Steve (Kirkham).....how about e-mailing me a price sheet telling me what it would take to turn one of those 427 shells into a rolling chassis!! Keep up the good work and best of luck on your Ebay efforts!!

[Excaliber]

As far as value goes: Are the uncompleted Kirkham cars offered on e-bay really "that much" less? I mean, you STILL gotta spend a lot to get them on the road. If in fact the cars do represent a "great price", SOMEONE still has a lot of work to do!

It's not like their giving them away. It's more like their giving SOME people an opportunity to figure out how they can "save a few bucks" and actually get one. But there is no free lunch. You will have to do some building yourself, or hire someone to do it. Some people will be willing to pay more and get it completed at the factory. IT's nice to have some "options" for those who aren't daddy warbucks.

Ernie

[KeithBrown]

Originally posted by TerrysSPF




Keith: "still looking, but have narrowed it down to Kirkham or ERA". You say "you love the way they are turning the market on it's ear". Could that be because (like me) you are in the market to buy right now? How would you feel if you had already purchased a Kirkham at full price.........right before they decided to start selling their cars on Ebay at huge discounts??

Terry,

I am sure that I wouldn't be so happy if I had paid more for a Kirham and then saw its price offered less later on - but I wouldn't fault the Kirkham's. I don't expect to make any money on any car in the first place. They are in business to make money and provide an outstanding product. How they market their product is their decision.

I think it's great how they are being so innovative. I admit to being a cheapskate up front . As wonderful as SAI car's are (yes Evan I think your's is a real Cobra), I sure wouldn't pay a premium for a dash plate, but that is just me. I want the best possible product at the least cost. The Kirkham's seem to understand the market for their car can expand significantly at a lower price point

I don't quite understand why the cheapshots are being directed toward the Kirkham's. After all they and Bob Putnam are one of the only manufacturers who post here on a regular basis.

Regards,

Keith

[Allan A]

Excal,

If you’re offended then you must be putting on to much coconut oil. If David Kee (who donated to the DV car), Gessford Machine, and anyone else has to pay why not the Kirkhams.

As for the value, if you had purchased one of their cars a month ago you would be crying like a baby. But since you haven’t you are applauding since it is within possible reach for you. That is all I am saying not grinding an axe, my wife and my mom loved Martha Stewart until she was selling at K-Mart.

Get over it Allan

[BT SNAKE]

So my best friend heads off to the Dodge dealer to look at a new Durango. This was in December 2002. He finds a beautiful, fully loaded, with the color we wants and begins the "Lets make a deal", process. After a few back and forths they agree on a price.
All is well and my friend heads home in his new Durango.
Three weeks later that same dealer runs TV and newspaper ad claiming all 2002's must go. They actually had an ad with a Durango fully loaded for $5,000 less than what my friend paid.
Now he could have went back and complained but it would have gotten him ziltch. Bad timing on his part. He was happy with the deal he made at the time and now he sees the same thing cheaper he gets teed off. It's called doing business by volume.
Sell more for less, clear the inventory.
I cannot believe the audasity of such a post. If you have been a member here or have been lurking here for any lengh of time you would know that the Kirkhams are hard working, honest folks. Their generousity is beyond reproach. I believe they did these acts of kindness to help a cause. Not to indirectly sell cars through this forum. To insenuate this is totally in bad taste.
You most certainly need not worry about Brent. He is fully capable of taking care of himself and this site. If he feels there is someone taking advantage of this forum he would surely take care of it.

Hersh

PS... My apologies for the long rant...It just tees me off that someone would even post such a statement towards good people.

[HIQ]

The Kirkham family is a smart group. They know that people will start looking at eBay for their cars now that they are selling them their. This will create a group of waiting, motivated buyers waiting to buy on eBay. This in turn will create eBay sales at a higher price than we see today. The "low" prices that they got for their cars is really a marketing expense.
I think the folks who have bought cars in the last month have got the best deals we will ever see on a Kirkham. Many guys like me where caught off guard and did not have the CASH needed to move forward to their real value. If they contiune to sell a limited number of cards to a developed market prices will increase.

[xlr8or]

Allan I don't get the beef

If you’re offended then you must be putting on to much coconut oil. If David Kee (who donated to the DV car), Gessford Machine, and anyone else has to pay why not the Kirkhams

I don't see a rotating banner ad on the front page for them just an information post in thier own forum, that's why.

And I think it is Brent's decision as to whether or not that post would require some form of payment for advertising. It's his site.

Scott

[ToyCollector]

Their Ebay sale yesterday resulted in the sale of another today offline!

[ENTDOC]

kirkham cars sold on ebay pretty much have to use kirkham or other source original type parts none of which are cheap. if you do the math on the car sold last pm at 30k and add the needed parts to make it a roller it comes very close to the price of a complete roller( 30 plus 25 or so).Add 427SO and tranny and you are back up to 70 grand. chuck

[TerrysSPF]

Toy Collector - Congrats!! ........does this mean you are selling your SPF? Just wondering............

I'm starting to think the Kirkhams are the only folks keeping our economy going! Way to go Steve!

Ahhhhhh...........capitalism at it's finest. You gotta love it!

[Excaliber]

ENTDOC

I couldn't agree more! And I'm tickled that the Kirkhams have enjoyed some success in their sale of cars at market price as a result of the e-bay sales, if indeed there is any connection. They cetainly deserve it.

Ernie

[ToyCollector]

Terry?? You know something? Are you a Kirkham relative? detective?

[TerrysSPF]

No. Not a detective........although I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once. I wish I WAS a Kirkham relative.....I might get a nice discount!

Actually, I'm a SPF fan (as well as ERA and Kirkham), and love black cars. I have a couple pictures of your car in my gallery (love that Titatium stripe!) and figured from your last post on this thread, it sounded like YOU were the one that purchased the Kirkham "offline". ......Unless you know someone who did? Anyway, If you're getting a Kirkham, I thought perhaps you may want to get rid of the SPF...........although you have a pretty big garage and may be able to keep them BOTH!

Although with the insurance problems associated with Cobra's, I may be more willing to take one of those Porsche's off your hands! At least I know my Insurance Co. will cover one of those!

[ToyCollector]

I did do the KMP purchase. Not sure yet what will happen to my SPF and the engine. Will entertain offers in the short term however.

[Dave Crace]

Congrats TC! You never cease to inspire. I do know where you can find a certain 427 shelby alum engine though. Would go nice in that aluminum body

DC

[casaleenie]

ENTDOC,

I also did the math and you're correct.... It ends up just about where it should be....

[southernfriedcj]

Originally posted by ToyCollector


I did do the KMP purchase. Not sure yet what will happen to my SPF and the engine. Will entertain offers in the short term however.

Hey! You're screwing up my new thread on the DSCC page! Can't ya keep a secret!