RaceDeck is right.
The Kirkham is a unique (pardon the pun) offering today, and really always has been for one simple reason....it is the most accurate reproduction of the original Thames Ditton Cobra, and constructed using the same superleggera alloy sheet-on-frame riveted construction. No, it's not for everybody, but it IS how the original cars were built. Now,as back then, some care and common sense needs to be exercised to minimize body damage, but these cars do NOT require any "special handling" versus anything else out there. Should you sit on the fender? No. Pound on the fender? No. But anybody doing that to MY cars - aluminum or not - is asking for trouble...probably your's too!!!
Now, I think you probably still can source an AC roller from the UK, but doing so will set you back about $100K USD. When I bought 142 back in 2000, it was (and is) a part by part clone of the '60's car. As good as my car is, the Kirkhams have never stopped perfecting their products, and today, the state of the art braking and suspension that is standard equipment makes their current car not only the best variation yet, but the current promotional price a screaming bargain.
In the end, it all gets down to what you want. In my case, I wanted as accurate a reproduction of the original as was available. That was the Kirkham 427 SC and it still is. The association with the Kirkham family is just a bonus.
Two years and I still get a thrill walking into the garage..
Bud
