Had the Cobra (Kirkham) out tonight. | FerrariChat

Had the Cobra (Kirkham) out tonight.

Discussion in 'American Muscle' started by NSXER, May 21, 2009.

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  1. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
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    sick.




    Now sell me your black Countach for cheap and we will be even. :D
     
  2. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ
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  3. lambchop

    lambchop Karting

    Apr 29, 2005
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    Fantastic!!!
     
  4. #Lennard

    #Lennard Formula 3

    Aug 26, 2006
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    Very cool! Did you have fun on the air stip? :)
     
  5. fat cab

    fat cab Formula Junior

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    #6 fat cab, May 22, 2009
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  6. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
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    ohhhhh. so jealous. i'd love to have one. what is it like to drive ?

    i'm afraid if i buy one and i hate the way it drives, i'm screwed.
     
  7. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 Arvin Grajau, May 22, 2009
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  8. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
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    i'd love to have a street 289 kirkham.
     
  9. Hexnut72

    Hexnut72 Formula Junior

    Nov 22, 2006
    331
    Kirkhams are a joy to drive if they are set up well. They are very direct and mechanical. No power brakes, no power steering... Most of the newer 427 Kirkham cars are built with aluminum big blocks that are stroked to 482 cubic inches or so and put out 600 hp and just as much torque. All that in a car that weighs 2100 pounds makes for some amazing performance. Some other cars might be a little faster but they are few and far between and none FEEL faster. Cobra type cars are also pretty loud.

    Alignment is absolutely critical. Because of the short wheelbase and the limitations of the chassis if one tire is going a slightly different direction from the others, it will make a huge difference. The good thing is that the billet suspension bits, Wilwood brakes and Penske shocks shave a lot of weight from the original suspension and make the car drive so much better. Once you get the suspension dialed in, they will do amazing things in the corners. (remember the chassis was designed in the 60's and has its limitations but the brothers K have done a lot to improve without killing the original feel.

    The 289 cars can be had with either the original style leaf spring suspension or the 427 coil overs... Some guys swear by the leaf springs but it is very difficult to find great springs to get the car set up correctly. (remember the spring also acts as the upper suspension link and its length determines some alignment both front and rear.)

    Kirkham makes absolute works of art. From the beauty of the artful aluminum bodies to the amazing machining of the suspension and welding and fabrication of the Chassis.
     
  10. Prugna 328

    Prugna 328 Formula 3

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    #11 Prugna 328, Jun 23, 2009
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  11. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Hi guys,anyone know of a Kirkham 289 for sale?
     
  12. DM18

    DM18 F1 Rookie

    Apr 29, 2005
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    Lucky you. Killer !!!!!
     
  13. absent

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    Love these cars,Kirkhams are arguably the best reproduction Cobras in the World,actually even better then originals.
    Btw,do they still make their bodies at that old MIG factory in Poland?
     
  14. CMY

    CMY F1 World Champ

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    #15 CMY, May 4, 2010
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  15. labcars

    labcars Formula 3
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    I'm right there with you bro!!!
     
  16. S Brake

    S Brake F1 World Champ

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    The Kirkham factory is like a candy store, they have some seriously cool stuff out there.
     
  17. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    thats my pick
     
  18. Bill Sawyer

    Bill Sawyer Formula 3

    Feb 26, 2002
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    The 427s have 'the look', but a clean 289 minus the paperclip and sidepipes gets my juices flowing. After all, the Cobra's racing success came from the 289 and the Daytona, which was essentially a re-bodied small block car. Very few 427s saw factory competition. Not to say I don't appreciate the big block cars. Like sex and pizza, all Cobras are good, I just like some better than others.
     
  19. DMC

    DMC Formula 3

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    Same here.
     
  20. CMY

    CMY F1 World Champ

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    In a perfect world I'd have one of each. I'd love to do a 427 repro that looked like it just rolled off the track in '65 (blemishes, period correct finish, tires, etc) and a pristine 289 like the one above.

    Unfortunately the rash of 427 replicas with perfect paint and overdone interiors doesn't do it for me (you see this a lot in SoCal). The '98' BlackJag posted is just about perfect..
     
  21. Bullitt1

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    #22 Bullitt1, May 5, 2010
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  22. tritone

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    Yes thank you! Put me on the list for a nice black one with black wires. Or BRG.....
     
  23. TRScotty

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    Best post in the thread!!
     
  24. Hexnut72

    Hexnut72 Formula Junior

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    #25 Hexnut72, May 13, 2010
    Last edited: May 13, 2010
    Yes. The bodies, frames and interestingly enough, the seats, are still made in Poland. They used to make almost everything there, but now pretty much everything the Kirkhams make is made in Provo, Utah. They have slowly been replacing what used to be cheap labor in Poland with high tech manufacturing in the US. Old welded tubular suspension bits are now replaced with CNC machined aluminum parts etc...

    There are not many 289 cars around and even fewer 289 street cars. (The FIA, Sebring and other race variations are more popular, especially in the US) Most of the guys that want the 289 street version, REALLY want them and so they don't come up for sale in the secondhand market very often. If you want one you will have to order it in, and right now there is about a 6-7 month lead time. They usually have 427 SC style cars in stock in Provo and they can complete one in about a month depending on what you want done.

    The Kirkham truly is the best of the breed when it comes to these types of cars. You can have it as original as you want, or updated where it counts without losing the original flavor.

    289 Street

    [​IMG]

    289 FIA

    [​IMG]

    My favorite, 427 Street

    [​IMG]
     

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