Million Dollar Skunksworks Kirkham

[David Kirkham]

Joe, Hank, Paul

Thanks for the kind words!

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by N2VENOM

David, are you going to have upgraded parts (dash knobs, door hinges, etc.) available to current owners? Congratulations on another incredible work of mechanical art! Peace, Darren

Darren,

Yes, all of the special parts are available for sale. We keep updating our cars as time goes one. We are now delivering our cars with CV axles which is a direct "tickle down" from this project.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by KM480

"So now I suppose it's time to the let the Stig take it around our track to see how it does"

I mean really with a better power to weight ratio than a Veyron and a chassis like that...It could very well top the power board.

In fact I would love to see an entire feature about the Kirkham story and product line done on Top Gear.

Amazing job! It makes owning one of your 'regular' cars even that much more special. You guys are truly a distinguished mark among the craftsmen of car builders.

That would be fun! Our cars have been on Top Gear now twice. Once in England and once here at the Salt Flats. Speaking of the Salt Flats...we are going for the 150 mph club this year!!!

David

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

Darren,

Yes, all of the special parts are available for sale. We keep updating our cars as time goes one. We are now delivering our cars with CV axles which is a direct "tickle down" from this project.

David

I don't suppose you have an upgrade list with prices available to the public yet?

[David Kirkham]

Not yet. We'll work on that tomorrow.

David

[Bluedog]

Are you going to be able to apply any of the MAJOR design changes to your "standard" cobras at a cost affordable basis? I liken your R&D work to innovations made in the space program that ultimately trickle down to benefit the mass population. I think it would be incredible to redesign your chassis to accommodate your new suspension changes, etc in a less costly manufacturing way to raise the performance bar once again. Feasible?

[John A. Simpson]

David, I just finished reading the 'book' online, as I read I recalled how dumbstruck I was when I saw the prototype and parts of the final car the last time I was in Provo. I have never seen in person Michaelangelo's 'David' but I truly feel I have experienced a work of art of the same magnitude by seeing this car. It is not a replica of anything. I'm am glad I can say I am an acquaintance, it isn't often in this part of our great country an ordinary person like myself has access to people capable of producing such magnificent objects of form, function and desire.

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Bluedog

Are you going to be able to apply any of the MAJOR design changes to your "standard" cobras at a cost affordable basis? I liken your R&D work to innovations made in the space program that ultimately trickle down to benefit the mass population. I think it would be incredible to redesign your chassis to accommodate your new suspension changes, etc in a less costly manufacturing way to raise the performance bar once again. Feasible?

Much of the knowledge has already trickled down to our cars and processes. The milled in drive pins on our hubs, the pop-up pins on the hubs, and oil filter adapters come immediately to mind. The thing that was the most impressive, however, was our enhanced ability to do complicated machining and innovative fixturing for the parts. We also bought a water-jet to make the car and now it is used to make all sorts of parts for our cars.

David

[David Kirkham]

John,

Thanks for the kind words!

We are just a bunch of ordinary guys here too! I have always believed determination is more important than brains. That is why I liked Voltaire's quote so much. Anyone can do anything if they try hard enough. I think that is why so many people bristle so much at corruption. With corruption, the playing field is not level and no matter how hard you work, someone can change the rules of the game and ruin everything.

David

[David Kirkham]

A few people told me the car would be impossible to make. That is why I put Napoleon's quote in the book.

[David Kirkham]

[Hank F]

David I have two questions,if you don`t mind,
The rod end threaded adjusters that you use on the rear control arms do not seem to be used on the front control arms or am I not seeing them? and why not fuel injection?
Thanks in advance, Hank

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Hank F

David I have two questions,if you don`t mind,
The rod end threaded adjusters that you use on the rear control arms do not seem to be used on the front control arms or am I not seeing them? and why not fuel injection?
Thanks in advance, Hank

Hank,

I am happy to answer questions! That is why I am posting the entire book in jpg form on this site. No one can comment on the pdf files on our website. You have very good questions.

Because the chassis was machined entirely from a billet there was no need to adjust the front control arms. The entire kinematics of the suspension was worked out in Solidworks and then set. The front suspension was never meant to be adjustable. The only adjustable alignment in the front suspension is by the steering tie rods to set toe. In other words, we designed the suspension exactly how we wanted it, machined it exactly how we wanted it, and then left it.

We made a fixture for the front suspension control arms to set the length of the rod ends and then tightened them up.

It is a tremendous testament to Thomas' vision and engineering skills the car handled superbly out of the box. He has spent his life reading suspension books. The car was a very unique combination of street suspension and racing suspension.

We didn't fuel injection for 2 reasons. 1, it never works right. We have messed with it for years and have never seen one that drives as well as a carburetor. The mapping is simply too complicated. Ford, GM, and company spend 6 months to map the fuel injection on their new cars. It is tremendously difficult to set up properly.

2. There was no room. We moved the engine back 6 inches and so there was no way stacks would have fit under the windshield cowl.

David

[Hank F]

David,Thomas did a GREAT job!
Thanks for the quick reply, Hank

[David Kirkham]

[David Kirkham]

[David Kirkham]

[David Kirkham]

[kobrabytes]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

We didn't fuel injection for 2 reasons. 1, it never works right. We have messed with it for years and have never seen one that drives as well as a carburetor. The mapping is simply too complicated. Ford, GM, and company spend 6 months to map the fuel injection on their new cars. It is tremendously difficult to set up properly.

2. There was no room. We moved the engine back 6 inches and so there was no way stacks would have fit under the windshield cowl.

David

David,

If you guys ever need a well working FI program mine is always available. Tom and Jeremy have driven mine, ask them if it works.

len

[Bluedog]

I really enjoyed reading about this work of art! I didn't see the final weight of the cobra in the specifications. Where you able to get it below 2000lbs with all the shaving you did?