Copper & Bronze Cobras at Barrett Jackson Scottsdale 2020

[t walgamuth]

Well, I am glad to be wrong about the selling price. The bronze one might be more practical with the bronze body since it will not dent as easily.

What do you think, maybe 100# heavier than an aluminum body?

[TimG427]

There really seemed no difference in weight when lifting the hood of the bronze one. If is adds 150 pounds, it shouldn't make a difference. My experience is the cars always run better with a passenger for some extra weight.

[RUFdriver]

Agree, I wouldn’t touch an unfinished kit with a 10’ pole, unless it was from a known manufacturer with all the parts. Registration is a whole other issue with an unfinished kit.

[MD427]

Those are some nice looking bodies, (I love the copper!) but it seems like fingerprints would be a killer!

[t walgamuth]

Probably no worse than polished aluminum. The brass one will turn brown with age. The copper, green.

[MD427]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Probably no worse than polished aluminum. The brass one will turn brown with age. The copper, green.

I wonder if either/both are finished with any sort of clear coat/sealer type product. That could inhibit the metals from oxidizing some, I'd think.

That could make some sense, but didn't see any mention of it one way or the other.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by MD427

I wonder if either/both are finished with any sort of clear coat/sealer type product. That could inhibit the metals from oxidizing some, I'd think.

That could make some sense, but didn't see any mention of it one way or the other.

Yes it would inhibit it a lot.

[TimG427]

I'm the one that ended up with the Bronze Kirkham. My wife and I saw it at a show a few years back and we both loved it. I had sold a CSX4000 Cobra about a year ago when I retired and figured I would never have another Cobra. When I saw this one going through the auction, I figured I'd make an effort to buy it. This is my fourth Kirkham built Cobra that I've had in my garage one at a time. I set my maximum limit going in never thinking it would be high enough, if someone had bid one dollar higher after my final bid, I wouldn't own it. I hope I'll be a good owner for the car.
I have a few items to address. The first are the tires and the second are fender protectors for the rear. If anyone knows of someone that sells good spats, please let me know. Since I don't have a trailer any more, I will drive this car on occasion, I drive everything I own.
I emailed David Kirkham yesterday and he responded right away with congratulations, he also provided some much needed information about the build. Its good to be back in the Cobra loop.

[BOBOCobra]

Now that is some funny stuff. Congrats on the new car TimG. You showed a lot of class watching as these internet warriors with 15,000 posts talk about not driving it and lamenting a person that would buy such a thing. We have to assume that sometime between all the posting on here about people not driving, originality and whatever, they are actually driving their cars. GREAT looking car. Drive it like you stole it, welcome back. Once bitten you can never get the venom out of your blood.

[snakeeyes]

Originally Posted by TimG427

I'm the one that ended up with the Bronze Kirkham. My wife and I saw it at a show a few years back and we both loved it. I had sold a CSX4000 Cobra about a year ago when I retired and figured I would never have another Cobra. When I saw this one going through the auction, I figured I'd make an effort to buy it. This is my fourth Kirkham built Cobra that I've had in my garage one at a time. I set my maximum limit going in never thinking it would be high enough, if someone had bid one dollar higher after my final bid, I wouldn't own it. I hope I'll be a good owner for the car.
I have a few items to address. The first are the tires and the second are fender protectors for the rear. If anyone knows of someone that sells good spats, please let me know. Since I don't have a trailer any more, I will drive this car on occasion, I drive everything I own.
I emailed David Kirkham yesterday and he responded right away with congratulations, he also provided some much needed information about the build. Its good to be back in the Cobra loop.

Tim, congrats and welcome back. Like you I’ve been out of the hobby for (quite) a while, and it’s good to be in it again. Your last post makes the one you put up a couple days ago (“I’m pretty sure the new owner will drive the bronze one”) pretty hilarious. You’ve owned some beautiful examples and congratulations on another unique and stunning Cobra.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by TimG427

I'm the one that ended up with the Bronze Kirkham. My wife and I saw it at a show a few years back and we both loved it. I had sold a CSX4000 Cobra about a year ago when I retired and figured I would never have another Cobra. When I saw this one going through the auction, I figured I'd make an effort to buy it. This is my fourth Kirkham built Cobra that I've had in my garage one at a time. I set my maximum limit going in never thinking it would be high enough, if someone had bid one dollar higher after my final bid, I wouldn't own it. I hope I'll be a good owner for the car.
I have a few items to address. The first are the tires and the second are fender protectors for the rear. If anyone knows of someone that sells good spats, please let me know. Since I don't have a trailer any more, I will drive this car on occasion, I drive everything I own.
I emailed David Kirkham yesterday and he responded right away with congratulations, he also provided some much needed information about the build. Its good to be back in the Cobra loop.

Holy Cow! Congratulations! You got the deal of the century.

If it isn't, I'd clear coat it.

[RUFdriver]

Originally Posted by TimG427

I'm the one that ended up with the Bronze Kirkham. My wife and I saw it at a show a few years back and we both loved it. I had sold a CSX4000 Cobra about a year ago when I retired and figured I would never have another Cobra. When I saw this one going through the auction, I figured I'd make an effort to buy it. This is my fourth Kirkham built Cobra that I've had in my garage one at a time. I set my maximum limit going in never thinking it would be high enough, if someone had bid one dollar higher after my final bid, I wouldn't own it. I hope I'll be a good owner for the car.
I have a few items to address. The first are the tires and the second are fender protectors for the rear. If anyone knows of someone that sells good spats, please let me know. Since I don't have a trailer any more, I will drive this car on occasion, I drive everything I own.
I emailed David Kirkham yesterday and he responded right away with congratulations, he also provided some much needed information about the build. Its good to be back in the Cobra loop.

Congrats! Maybe I’ll see it someday running around the Hill Country!

[Dominik]

The difference in weight, based on the bronze versus aluminium body is not a lot.
Assuming you need 4 sheets per car. That's before you cut and shape it.

Also assuming the material thickness is the same, which we don't know.

Did all four cars have period correct engines?

[bwcobra15]

Originally Posted by TimG427

I'm the one that ended up with the Bronze Kirkham. My wife and I saw it at a show a few years back and we both loved it. I had sold a CSX4000 Cobra about a year ago when I retired and figured I would never have another Cobra. When I saw this one going through the auction, I figured I'd make an effort to buy it. This is my fourth Kirkham built Cobra that I've had in my garage one at a time. I set my maximum limit going in never thinking it would be high enough, if someone had bid one dollar higher after my final bid, I wouldn't own it. I hope I'll be a good owner for the car.
I have a few items to address. The first are the tires and the second are fender protectors for the rear. If anyone knows of someone that sells good spats, please let me know. Since I don't have a trailer any more, I will drive this car on occasion, I drive everything I own.
I emailed David Kirkham yesterday and he responded right away with congratulations, he also provided some much needed information about the build. Its good to be back in the Cobra loop.

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Bring that Bronze Beauty out to the Texas Cobra Meet in San Marcos this year!! Texas Cobra Club Spring Meet
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[TimG427]

Thanks to both of you guys for the kind words. I just have to put this car on the road occasionally with that 482 and five speed. They really do drive well.

[TimG427]

Thank you, Tony. It's held up very well as is, but I'll see what my options are for keeping it nice and shiny. I could see taking time to work the shine on a regular basis. It looked great in person.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by TimG427

Thank you, Tony. It's held up very well as is, but I'll see what my options are for keeping it nice and shiny. I could see taking time to work the shine on a regular basis. It looked great in person.

Think ships bell * 100.

[Mike I]

Gorgeous car Tim, congrats on the acquisition!!

At the very least, you'll have to drive that beauty to the local cruise-in...preferably on a very sunny day...��

I kept a copy of Hot Rod mag from September 2011 that featured the billet and copper cars...here's the article for everyone's viewing pleasure.

[t walgamuth]

Those are some impressive cars! Much more than a special body material.

[TimG427]

Thank you for the article, Mike. I had never seen that. The bronze car has a 482 aluminum engine built by Keith Craft and the Copper has an aluminum SOHC motor. I believe the aluminum car has a 482 Keith Craft engine, also. The FIA 289 car has a 427 small block. If I was outbid on mine, I was going for that one, but my limit was way, way below what it sold for.