Million Dollar Skunksworks Kirkham

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by Sizzler

How is routine maintenance handled? What happens in case of minor fender-benders? What if there is minor frame damage? Does it have to be shipped back to Utah? Or did the price include all the CAD/CAM files for local machinists to work from? How is it licensed in California? What kind of warranty came with it? Does the price include inspection and bolt-tightening after x-miles or x-months, whichever comes first?

Would you want to trust your local machinist to make some of these parts? Or wouldn't you prefer to just get replacement parts from the source? If you damaged suspension pieces on a Shelby CSX 4000, wouldn't you call up Shelby or your Shelby dealer to get replacement parts?

How would licensing this Kirkham in CA be any different than for any other Kirkham?

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by Sizzler

Just want to know some nitty-gritty details. We've certainly seen enough so far.

I'd think the Kirkhams would be very interested in examing their work and design after a few miles have accumulated and so would have eilther offered or required an examination to check for undue stress, unforeseen wear, and loose bolts and fasteners...especially as the frame is basically a bolted-together structure.

All the theorectical engineering thoughts and designs look good on the computer screen, but no one cares if the real life designs work as expected?

One would assume that the Kirkhams still have the prototype car and have probably put more testing miles on it than Larry will put on his.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

How would licensing this Kirkham in CA be any different than for any other Kirkham?

It wouldn't.

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by pjmoore2003

I second that... wow, a dream.

Thanks for the kind words. An aluminum Fastback would be a dream--no doubt. So many cool projects, but so little time to do everything. There are just too many other projects in the works right now.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Sizzler

How is routine maintenance handled? What happens in case of minor fender-benders? What if there is minor frame damage? Does it have to be shipped back to Utah? Or did the price include all the CAD/CAM files for local machinists to work from? How is it licensed in California? What kind of warranty came with it? Does the price include inspection and bolt-tightening after x-miles or x-months, whichever comes first?

Sorry for the delay in answering guys.

Minor fender bender--no big deal. We handle them all the time.

Frame damage--no bid deal. We have all the parts programmed into the CNC and they can be made.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by ng8264723

Sizzler,
If you have to ask about routine maintenance it's probably not in your budget. Having said that the Kirkham's have helped me with my regular polished alum (non billet) car. They are very receptive and always willing to give advice
chris

Thanks for the kind words. We are always happy to help any time. We even help other manufacturer's customers all the time. We are helping a guy with another make right now.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Sizzler

Just want to know some nitty-gritty details. We've certainly seen enough so far.

I'd think the Kirkhams would be very interested in examing their work and design after a few miles have accumulated and so would have eilther offered or required an examination to check for undue stress, unforeseen wear, and loose bolts and fasteners...especially as the frame is basically a bolted-together structure.

All the theorectical engineering thoughts and designs look good on the computer screen, but no one cares if the real life designs work as expected?

Very true:

Certainly we are extremely interested in seeing how the car performs--that is why we have a prototype. (Tough job, but someone has to drive it )

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

One would assume that the Kirkhams still have the prototype car and have probably put more testing miles on it than Larry will put on his.

Looks like you beat me to the answer!

Yes, that was always part of the program. We wanted to see how the car handled the time and the miles.

I drive it quite often. Frankly, there is no comparison to any other car I have driven. It is fantastic to drive. The car turns so quickly and handles so precisely, it is my first choice to drive whenever I get a chance.

David

[rodneym]

I can attest to David's view on the billet proto. While I didn't put it through its paces, it was very obvious that it was no Cobra as we know them. It is extremely rigid and responsive. Razor sharp and as fast as anything exotic. As I made a right on to their street, the car slid a few inches due to some gravel on the road. It may sound silly but the way the gravel resonated through car made it obvious that the substructure was special.
And you think the locals would be used to these cars but they were all gawking and smiling.
Thanks again, DK.
rodney

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by rodneym

I can attest to David's view on the billet proto. While I didn't put it through its paces, it was very obvious that it was no Cobra as we know them. It is extremely rigid and responsive. Razor sharp and as fast as anything exotic. As I made a right on to their street, the car slid a few inches due to some gravel on the road. It may sound silly but the way the gravel resonated through car made it obvious that the substructure was special.
And you think the locals would be used to these cars but they were all gawking and smiling.
Thanks again, DK.
rodney

Thanks Rodney The billet chassis car is indeed my favorite car to drive.

The billet chassis car is featured on an 8 page spread in the September 2011 Hot Rod Magazine--along with one of our copper cars--under the heading "The Goddesses."

David

[1ntCobra]

I'll have to check that out. When does the September issue hit the newstands?

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

Thanks Rodney The billet chassis car is indeed my favorite car to drive.

The billet chassis car is featured on an 8 page spread in the September 2011 Hot Rod Magazine--along with one of our copper cars--under the heading "The Goddesses."

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

I'll have to check that out. When does the September issue hit the newstands?

It should be out any time. We are already getting calls.

David

[KM480]

Just pulled sept Hot Rod out of the mail box. Awesome spread on the Kirkham cars. Should be 40 pages instead of eight. Doesn't do the billet car justice for sure but great to see your cars getting some recognition.

Every time I see a 'super car' comparison I think, "they should slide a Kirkham car into the mix to give some perspective!"

Great work guys.

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by KM480

Just pulled sept Hot Rod out of the mail box. Awesome spread on the Kirkham cars. Should be 40 pages instead of eight. Doesn't do the billet car justice for sure but great to see your cars getting some recognition.

Every time I see a 'super car' comparison I think, "they should slide a Kirkham car into the mix to give some perspective!"

Great work guys.

The billet chassis car is fabulous because my brother is an extraordinarily gifted automotive engineer. I just figure out how to make his ideas come to life.

David

[slider701]

David,

If someone came along with enough money would you build another one??

And how much would it be??

Is there a group buy price ???

[COBRANIP]

See the September 2011 issue of Hot Rod magazine (starts on page 34).
"......KMS says it can reproduce the car for between $300,000 and $400,000."

[1ntCobra]

I just picked up a copy of HotRod today.

Really nice photography. They must have some pretty extensive lighting in the studio that did those pictures. It all just helps to make the cars look that much better.

I'm not so sure "Larry" is going to like that they said "David Ellison is the CEO of Oracle"...

[HIGHFLIGHT]

A deposit on a
2014 Bugatti SuperVeyron

[thndrrd]

Sorry Dave, just picked up on this post, haven't read the whole thing. You might want to consider using an evolutionary concept. As a 1965 mustang is to a 2013 mustang. The heritage is there, but technology, materials and many other things have changed. Use an artistic approch, then plug in modern mechanicals. Just a thought. It would be interesting to see what you think a 2013 roadster would look like.

[OnyxRider]

Originally Posted by HIGHFLIGHT

A deposit on a
2014 Bugatti SuperVeyron

I just read a few entries but yours caught my eye. I had written a piece about trying a prototype at SLF(Space Landing Facility) at Cape Kennedy. The 15,000 ft. plus runway was rented for the day. This is a small section of the piece.


they shipped a race tuned Super Veyron, a new variation of the Veyron Super Sport model. Which will be unveiled later in the year. I think Bugatti wanted some practical feedback and sent along two factory personnel to assist with this Bugatti. I'm told that this version is about 500 lbs lighter and has 1600 bhp compared to the 1200 of the Super Sport.