Replica or real? [help request from Switzerland and Italy]

[MOTORHEAD]

Larry: I missed that,so dug deeper. The size of the intake is the key to telling the 302 from the 351W. I see that it has an Edelbrock Victor Air Gap, which is available for either engine. The only difference I could see on the pics in Summitts catalog was the temp sensor boss on the 302 is in line with the manifold bolt holes, whereas the 351 temp boss is offset towards the center . So it does appear that it is a 351W based engine. Actual displacement and power is nebulous. There is a way to test the actual volume of a cylinder, but I don't remember what it is. Or, just put it on a dyno.

Ted

[LMH]

I didn't know you could tell by the temp sensor! Good to know. I always look at the block above the timing chain cover. On the 351w, it's about 1" to 1.5" higher.
Larry

[LMH]

"427W"... Looks like the engine builder noted the displacement on the block.
Larry

[86Sebring]

Davide, please tighten the battery cover holding nuts. You wouldn't want the battery sliding around in the beautiful finished trunk.
Not sure if a Dyno test will reveal the size of the engine? Perhaps bring the car to a respected garage and have them remove the heads and take some measurements, that would clear things up.
And Davide, please take the car out and floor it like it was meant to, before you decide to sell it

[1ntCobra]

Kirkham billet aluminum suspension...

[MOTORHEAD]

The engine/tranny must have been done in the US, maybe by the "Affordable VIP Cars" outfit that Davide has unearthed, and they were the ones who got the CA title, then shipped it to Mr Phillipps in Germany, but why bother with a US reg if its being shipped out of the contry ?
And that engine still doesn't look right to me. If it's 500+ hp, it would have a high lift cam which would require tall valve covers. The ones on this engine look stock height to me. One way to be sure: Davide, can you measure the distance between 2 intake bolt heads from one side to the other ? Looks like you can fit a measure under the carb.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by MOTORHEAD

The engine/tranny must have been done in the US, maybe by the "Affordable VIP Cars" outfit that Davide has unearthed, and they were the ones who got the CA title, then shipped it to Mr Phillipps in Germany, but why bother with a US reg if its being shipped out of the contry ?
And that engine still doesn't look right to me. If it's 500+ hp, it would have a high lift cam which would require tall valve covers. The ones on this engine look stock height to me. One way to be sure: Davide, can you measure the distance between 2 intake bolt heads from one side to the other ? Looks like you can fit a measure under the carb.

My Victor Jr heads have a raised valve cover rail for extra clearance. Could be the case here. (maybe)
Larry

[cycleguy55]

The manifold looks like an Edelbrock Victor Jr. 351W, p/n 2981. So, it's a 351W block, but displacement could be quite different depending on how it was built. As to the 427W paint on the block, anybody with a paint stick could put that on there, just like the Shelby plate to cover the Kirkham #.

[Rick Parker]

With the issue date showing 1996, it's pretty obvious that it does not belong top this car.

[slider701]

The pedals are Kirkham......look closely in the picture of the footwell.

[CowtownCobra]

Its a very nice car.

I understood that a certain European country (Switzerland I believe) doesn't allow side pipes on any street driven car. If so, I am wondering how this car is registered in Switzerland?

And that's a small block Ford for sure.

Very nice, thanks for the pictures, enjoy!

[MOTORHEAD]

I noticed the side pipe exit turns have been cut aft of the muffler and rotated down about 45* and rewelded. Probably to cut down on the noise. Could have been done in the US or GermaNY.

[MOTORHEAD]

SLIDER; Yea, we spotted those a page or two back.

[LMH]

Trust me: this car is the loudest that I have heard in my life. I don't think that the noise is cut down at all. If you turn the engine on next to other car parked, the alarm starts playing immediately. Birds start to fly, dogs start to bark, children start to cry. We had the fortune to have other sport cars in past, some with also modified exhaust, but this one is on a total other level. Honestly, we think that is greatly exaggerated

Sounds perfect!
Larry

[mrmustang]

Folks, the forgone conclusion is that the car is indeed a Kirkham.


What more really needs to be said.


Bill S.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Folks, the forgone conclusion is that the car is indeed a Kirkham.


What more really needs to be said.


Bill S.

Bill,

You seem to have a good grasp of how to register Cobra replicas, at least in the states. If this car has a title that looks to be less than legitimate, perhaps you might have an opinion on how easily this car might be sold and registered somewhere in Europe or perhaps it might be easier to sell it in the states. Might you suggest removing the aluminum plate covering the Kirkham number (assuming they did not grind the Kirkham number off).

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

Bill,

You seem to have a good grasp of how to register Cobra replicas, at least in the states. If this car has a title that looks to be less than legitimate, perhaps you might have an opinion on how easily this car might be sold and registered somewhere in Europe or perhaps it might be easier to sell it in the states. Might you suggest removing the aluminum plate covering the Kirkham number (assuming they did not grind the Kirkham number off).

The issue with titling the car overseas depends on the local providential government body. Each town has it's own rules and regulations in areas like Switzerland, Austria, certain parts of Spain (Madrid for example). One local rule does not supersede another. In this case the owner (OP) has a fraudulent (IE: not a real title, but something conjured up from a LaserJet printer) California title, so technically he has no ownership papers to prove he actually owns what he is in possession of.

As for the original poster attempting to circumnavigate his local laws by using said fraudulent paperwork, that is the risk alone he will have to decide to take and potentially lose the car to government inpoundment, forfeiture , and destruction. Sounds almost impossible, ask Mr Muck, I'm sure he can fill you in on at least one or two that have been crushed.

Bill S.

PS: No beef with anyone, just hate for anyone to get sucked in to such an issue years down the road by reading this thread.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

The issue with titling the car overseas depends on the local providential government body. Each town has it's own rules and regulations in areas like Switzerland, Austria, certain parts of Spain (Madrid for example). One local rule does not supersede another. In this case the owner (OP) has a fraudulent (IE: not a real title, but something conjured up from a LaserJet printer) California title, so technically he has no ownership papers to prove he actually owns what he is in possession of.

As for the original poster attempting to circumnavigate his local laws by using said fraudulent paperwork, that is the risk alone he will have to decide to take and potentially lose the car to government inpoundment, forfeiture , and destruction. Sounds almost impossible, ask Mr Muck, I'm sure he can fill you in on at least one or two that have been crushed.

Bill S.

PS: No beef with anyone, just hate for anyone to get sucked in to such an issue years down the road by reading this thread.

Bill,

I don't get the impression that the original poster is attempting to circumnavigate his local laws by using fraudulent paperwork. I think he is trying to determine what kind of Cobra replica he has and along the way, we have figured out that he appears to have fraudulent paperwork. With that being the case, perhaps the best course of action would be to sue the person he acquired the car from as opposed to trying to sell the car?

[Buzz]

I agree with 1ntCobra. That's a hell of a statement considering that nowhere in his postings does the original poster indicate that intent. He is doing the right thing by asking questions about what he has in his possession. As for the part about people getting sucked into this years down the road by reading this thread - I really don't get that either.

[HealeyRick]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

Bill,

I don't get the impression that the original poster is attempting to circumnavigate his local laws by using fraudulent paperwork. I think he is trying to determine what kind of Cobra replica he has and along the way, we have figured out that he appears to have fraudulent paperwork. With that being the case, perhaps the best course of action would be to sue the person he acquired the car from as opposed to trying to sell the car?

Davide,

It appears likely this car was given a false paper trail in order to be admitted into the EU as an "oldtimer" that was previously registered and titled in the U.S. to avoid import, emissions and registration restrictions. Other than satisfying your curiosity, trying to track down who is responsible for the deed may not be the best use of your resources. You received something of value that appears to be not what it was represented. It's time to talk to an attorney and discuss your options of recovery from the person from whom you received the car.

Best of luck,