Kirkham Marketing Question. What do you guys really want?

[David Kirkham]

Gents,

We are working on a package, but we are running into problems. We have seen some of our cars that were put together by other people with some workmanship that was not done according to our standards.

As you may realize, our car still has our name on it when it is finished and if there is poor work done on the car during assembly, it reflects poorly on our company--which, of course, we don't want. I suspect much of that could be corrected with a really detailed manual, but that takes a considerable amount of time and energy to create. We are still working on it regardless.

We remain open to any suggestions.

David

[ibtm]

David:
I am currently shopping for my first Cobra. I am looking for a totally built car, ready to drive away. Will want it to be a head turner, show quality, and sub 4 sec 0-60. So the dealers that can do that I will be talking with when ready to buy.

[55312]

The answer is simple - Marketing 101 -

Give it another name ie the Kirkham Muntz or Caravelle or Quantum IV. That way all can judge the car as a "kit" and know it was not assembled by you.

[What'saCobra?]

55's got a good idea. However, rather than call it one of "mad-man Muntz's" creations, how about another serial number sequence, prefix or suffix (K: could mean Kit or Kirkham to the uninitiated)) as you might prefer?

Otherwise, only a silly person would wish to shovel wet and sticky against the tide of at least occasional so-so assembly, even with tab A and Slot A instructions.

Make it clearly visible.

[CoupedUp]

Originally posted by David Kirkham


Gents,

We are working on a package, but we are running into problems. We have seen some of our cars that were put together by other people with some workmanship that was not done according to our standards.

David

It's a crying shame what people like Jamo do to those fine machines....

Doug

[xlr8or]

David,
Can you be more specific in what areas you seeing a problem in? Unless it's in the aluminum body it may be common to multiple mfr's and it's probable that many here have been through that process and can help offer suggestions on how to idiot proof it or relate what knowledge was missing to do it right the first time.

[Jamo]

Hey Doug, bite my...

All I do is drive the doggone thing...which is why nuthin's ever broke or fallen off.

I just don't know David...it's a slippery slope.

[David Kirkham]

xlr8or,

We have run into about any problem you could imagine. Usually it is just plain sloppy work.

We have seen someone attempt to weld bolts together to make them longer!!!

Can you belive it?

We have seen hoses hanging under the frame, alignments so far off you could see it. Cobbled together brackets are more common that I wish. Mostly it has to do with monkeys using monkey wrenches and not caring much about how anything goes together.

Of course, we have seen some exceptional work done by some of our customers, (Morris Clement, and Tom Decker immediately come to mind--not that there aren't others), who have even helped us to improve what we do here.

Unfortunately, there seems to be much more crappy work than nice work by and large.

David

[bret a ewing]

So don't sell anything but rollers, David.

[xlr8or]

David if that is the case then you would need to provide every single nut, bolt, washer etc down to the last detail with a complete set of textual and visual instructions. Even then you can't idiot proof everything because idiots are far too clever at finding ways to screw things up.

[Sal Gerace]

I think a video or manual of the "correct" parts and accurate information on building a Cobra so that it correctly replicates an original car would sell like crazy if done by the right person or people. Although the forum members have bee very helpfull with all of my build questions sometimes you can't help but feel like you are being a pain in the bvtt . I would easily pay $100.00 for such information and I'm sure others would too. Definatly would be nice if made by one of these three Mike McClusky, SAI or the Kirkhams.

[Excaliber]

A better assembly manual isn't going to help those that are willing to take short cuts. I think in many cases they KNOW what should be done, but thats too hard to do.

After all it's just easier to weld two bolts together, than it is to get in the car and drive ALL the way to the hardware store, AGAIN. I mean I JUST came back from there, screw it,,, glue it, weld it. Yeah, thats the ticket!

[gman]

David,
Your Business growth mirrors mine in many ways. With out causing trouble I'll just say we went back to what got us our reputation in the first place and put more effort into satifying these people that understand quality and are willing to pay for it. I sleep much better now. Do I make as much money? Probably not, but quality of life is worth more than gold!
Gman

[Gus Meyjes]

Hey Dave,

We've been talking frequently lately as I am finishing putting my 289 FIA together. I have a fast growing business aswell and I liked some comments in the previous post. The key to our success I believe is to stick to what we know well, although we've had many opportunities to diversify. The reason I went with your product is that, short of getting your hands on a 60's original, there is nothing like it out there. I like the exclusivity and quality of the car. I would not like to have any botched cars out there detract from the product that you have out there now. And if you recall: I was initially seeing about doing all the work myself. I love to turn a wrench, but there is no way I could do what your guys are doing on a regular basis. Keep putting out the best product available and keep true to the customers you have out there now.

[Lew Ledyard]

David:

Your company has an excellent reputation for turning out a product of the highest quality. That is why I bought one of your cars. I think that there is a good market out there (for those of us that recognize that we have no mechanical ability) to be able to buy as complete a car as possible with one phone call (or at least by contacting only one source). Many of us don't have the time or the ability to put these together, or even the knowledge to chase down the right sources. However, we would take great comfort in (i.e. willing to pay for) the fact that the car was finished to your standards.

Your cars are judged upon how they are as finished cars. A chain is only as good as its weakest link.

[ENTDOC]

David,I have said this from the beginning and nothing has changed. Build rollers.leave the mass marketing and kit car mentality to FFR. Why do you think Superformance is so sought after in the used market(and new);it is because of knowing you will get a known product that is consistent in build quaility because it is produced by people that do not take shortcuts and know what they are doing. Gman above is absolutly correct,you cannot be everything to everyone. chuck

[ChipBeck]

Originally Posted by Mohuska

David...I have to support Blackjack's comment. there is nothing I would rather have than a P-51D replica. I have owned other planes, but would be first in line for a high quality replica.....
What do you think??
Mike

Mike,
I don't know if it's still in production but what you're asking for has been produced. An all aluminum P-51D 2/3 scale replica kit wiith all the aluminum work done IN POLAND!! It was called the Stewart-51 and it used the GM 454 engine. Type "Stewart 51" into your search engine and check it out.

Chip

[ffindling]

Originally Posted by ChipBeck

Mike,
I don't know if it's still in production but what you're asking for has been produced. An all aluminum P-51D 2/3 scale replica kit wiith all the aluminum work done IN POLAND!! It was called the Stewart-51 and it used the GM 454 engine. Type "Stewart 51" into your search engine and check it out.

Chip

Flug Werk Gmbh is building full size FW190's in two versions, an FW190A
with a Russian-sourced radial that is similar to the BMW original and a "long
nose" D-9 variant with an Allison V-1710 installed in such a way that it looks
just like the Jumo 213 powered originals. They have sold 16 '190 replicas so
far.

....Fred

[Dan Stryffeler]

Don't some manufacturers offer a couple day 'build school' to help ensure the consistency/quality of the end product?

- Dan

[SCOBRAC]

I want the California real estate market to increase 15% in the next 3 years so I can sell my investment property and buy a Kirkham.