Kirkham vs Shelby

[nkb]

(Change in thread title)

As a new prospective cobra replica buyer I have been researching the various options out there. I am looking at 289 slabside. I basically winnowed it down to ERA (Fiberglass) and Kirkham (Aluminum), though still haven't completely ruled out others. I readily got pricing for the ERA but had some difficulty getting current Kirkham pricing.

Based upon perusing this forum I had guessed perhaps that a Kirkham roller could be $100K+ as it seemed that is what various others had experienced. However, the quote I finally received was more in the range of the Shelby aluminum version. $200K for a roller with 50% down. But without the CSX continuation VIN of the Shelby, I think. $20K discount if not assembled. No special options or finish were included. Option, $25K for polish or brushed.

Seems that Kirkham has perhaps made a major pricing change recently (unless all of my information was very stale). It also makes the used Kirkhams out there more attractive (less expensive).

[twobjshelbys]

For equal pricing take the Shelby CSX version. Long term they hold their price or appreciate more than the Kirkham. Yes, it's all in the name.

Kirkham is overwhelmed with orders, booked way out, so pricing is to slow down demand so supply can catch up.

But a Shelby will come from Kirkham, so it will take a while too. The Shelby CSXs show up used every once in a while. Call Hillbank and get on a wait list. Also monitor cobra country. DenBeste might also be a place to check.

[patrickt]

A new turnkey CSX/KMS/ERA is going to be six figures, with an aluminum car being significantly higher than a glass car. Last I heard, ERA was backed up about a year; I don't know about CSX/KMS timelines. If you really want a car relatively soon, or you'd like to save a nickel, go for a used car (which might still take some time). If you absolutely have to have a car made just the way you want it, then it will cost you in both time and money.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by patrickt

A new turnkey CSX/KMS/ERA is going to be six figures, with an aluminum car being significantly higher than a glass car. Last I heard, ERA was backed up about a year; I don't know about CSX/KMS timelines. If you really want a car relatively soon, or you'd like to save a nickel, go for a used car (which might still take some time). If you absolutely have to have a car made just the way you want it, then it will cost you in both time and money.

According to the Shelby web site, starting price for a CSX8000 ROLLER (street 289) - no power train - is 180,995 and goes up from there with options... Fibreglass is 95,995.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

According to the Shelby web site, starting price for a CSX8000 ROLLER (street 289) - no power train - is 180,995 and goes up from there with options... Fiberglass is 95,995.

Dang, I used to think a hundred grand was ridiculous. NKB -- when you add in your engine, trans, start upgrading your brakes, and just get stuff that you really like, you're up at a four year Ivy league med school tuition.

[nkb]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Kirkham is overwhelmed with orders, booked way out, so pricing is to slow down demand so supply can catch up.

For the $200K price, delivery was quoted at 3 months.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by nkb

For the $200K price, delivery was quoted at 3 months.

In the Cobra replica biz, people don't always tell the unvarnished truth.

[nkb]

Originally Posted by patrickt

In the Cobra replica biz, people don't always tell the unvarnished truth.

Since someone revived my original thread I thought I would provide an update.

In the end I decided go full throttle and opted for an aluminum CSX 289. Ordered December 2021. Body/chassis by Kirkham. Roller assembly by Hi Tech. Final assembly by me. I have a very correct date coded engine (see Lykins Motorsports).

I have learned a tremendous amount over the past years from the extended Cobra community especially when it comes to originality. Just my personal objective, but I am striving for a very accurate CSX “continuation” car with CSX 2190 as my reference car. Massive amount of time chasing down parts and details. But I have been enjoying the “treasure hunt”.

Approaching 2 years I still do not have the roller. Now in South Africa. Long story with too much information to recount.

When I receive the roller I will “correcting” many things to be more original. Not an aspersion just my choice. Liberties, great and small, are taken by all the replica manufacturers deviating from original. Either for convenience or “improvement”.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by nkb

Approaching 2 years I still do not have the roller. Now in South Africa. Long story with too much information to recount”.

Well, gosh, since you included my quote I'm curious as to how it has fit in to your adventure.

[FredG]

With the way everything is going nowadays, I would imagine it's going to take a long time time to get anything that has to either shipped or manufactured. As Patrick said, the used route would be the best option if you want something and don't want to wait. It, also, seems that the resale market for all the popular replicas is causing shortages in that market too. Good luck.


Fred

[LMH]

Look at the Superformance leaf spring car if you want accuracy at a lower price. It's fiberglass but has the right chassis and suspension.
Larry

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by LMH

Look at the Superformance leaf spring car if you want accuracy at a lower price. It's fiberglass but has the right chassis and suspension.
Larry

This ^^^
ERA makes a stellar product and their 427 car is superior to the equivalent Superformance offering, but since you're open to a fibreglass body on your slab side, the SPF version is a true work of art. Far more accurate than ERA's slab.

[1985 CCX]

My $0.02 CORRECTED............

KMS/CSX are the same car in alloy and will be well north of $100k to start particularly if you are going buggy spring.

Remember std KMS is like an ERA 289 car, a hybrid using a 427 chassis.
KMS upcharges for buggy spring chassis Big$$.

SPF is a great option as its both CSX glass and SPF using buggy spring chassis.
I love ERA cars but I would pay the extra few bucks for SPF as its buggy spring and not a Hybrid chassis. More correct. Glass CSX cars are SPF cars.....

Top down:
CSX alloy expect finished price >$200k
KMS alloy expect completed at >$200K buggy Spring ($less hybrid chassis)
CSX glass ~ $140k buggy spring
SPF glass ~ $110k buggy spring
ERA glass ~ $100k glass / hybrid chassis

Of course I menatlly added things for correctness which could change $ but this should be about right in the end for decision making purposes.
The base car is mearley the start as motor, trans, wheels, tires adds $$.

[Grubby]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

My $0.02

KMS/CSX are the same car in alloy and will be well north of $100k to start particularly if you are going buggy spring.

Remember std KMS is like an ERA 289 car, a hybrid using a 427 chassis.
KMS upcharges for buggy spring chassis Big$$.

SPF is a great option as its both CSX glass and SPF using buggy spring chassis.
I love ERA cars but I would pay the extra few bucks for SPF as its buggy spring and not a Hybrid chassis. More correct. Glass CSX cars are SPF cars.....

Top down:
CSX alloy expect finished price >$175k
KMS alloy expect completed at >$150K buggy Spring ($125k hybrid chassis)
CSX glass ~ $140k buggy spring
SPF glass ~ $110k buggy spring
ERA glass ~ $70k glass / hybrid chassis

Of course I menatlly added things for correctness which could change $ but this should be about right in the end for decision making purposes.
The base car is mearley the start as motor, trans, wheels, tires adds $$.

I think your ERA price is too low. I am in process now and I would be thrilled to get done for $70k. Closer to six figures if you do the assembly.

John

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Grubby

I think your ERA price is too low. I am in process now and I would be thrilled to get done for $70k. Closer to six figures if you do the assembly.

OK, then under the new rule the car is not real.

[nkb]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

My $0.02

KMS/CSX are the same car in alloy and will be well north of $100k to start particularly if you are going buggy spring.

Remember std KMS is like an ERA 289 car, a hybrid using a 427 chassis.
KMS upcharges for buggy spring chassis Big$$.

SPF is a great option as its both CSX glass and SPF using buggy spring chassis.
I love ERA cars but I would pay the extra few bucks for SPF as its buggy spring and not a Hybrid chassis. More correct. Glass CSX cars are SPF cars.....

Top down:
CSX alloy expect finished price >$175k
KMS alloy expect completed at >$150K buggy Spring ($125k hybrid chassis)
CSX glass ~ $140k buggy spring
SPF glass ~ $110k buggy spring
ERA glass ~ $70k glass / hybrid chassis

Of course I menatlly added things for correctness which could change $ but this should be about right in the end for decision making purposes.
The base car is mearley the start as motor, trans, wheels, tires adds $$.

It would appear that your prices are too low for the CSX alloy and KMS. CSX alloy roller starts at $181K. The KMS roller(billet suspension) is $200K. KMS finish (polish/brushed) - plus $25K, leaf spring suspension(recommended) - plus $10K. KMS appears to easily exceed $250K with engine and trans.

[ERA 626]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

My $0.02 CORRECTED............

KMS/CSX are the same car in alloy and will be well north of $100k to start particularly if you are going buggy spring.

Remember std KMS is like an ERA 289 car, a hybrid using a 427 chassis.
KMS upcharges for buggy spring chassis Big$$.

SPF is a great option as its both CSX glass and SPF using buggy spring chassis.
I love ERA cars but I would pay the extra few bucks for SPF as its buggy spring and not a Hybrid chassis. More correct. Glass CSX cars are SPF cars.....

Top down:
CSX alloy expect finished price >$200k
KMS alloy expect completed at >$200K buggy Spring ($less hybrid chassis)
CSX glass ~ $140k buggy spring
SPF glass ~ $110k buggy spring
ERA glass ~ $100k glass / hybrid chassis

Of course I menatlly added things for correctness which could change $ but this should be about right in the end for decision making purposes.
The base car is mearley the start as motor, trans, wheels, tires adds $$.

your comment about glass CSX cars being SPF cars? you are correct in saying that both cars are made by hi-tech in the same factory but completely different cars.

[1985 CCX]

Originally Posted by ERA 626

your comment about glass CSX cars being SPF cars? you are correct in saying that both cars are made by hi-tech in the same factory but completely different cars.

We are talikng about the current 289 cars here, not 427 cars to which your statement holds true.
Yes "HiTech" but virtually the same in 289 lanes.....
The reason I stated SPF as most understand its HT some will see HiTech as possibly from AZ vs the one from S. Africa. Confusing....

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by ERA 626

your comment about glass CSX cars being SPF cars? you are correct in saying that both cars are made by hi-tech in the same factory but completely different cars.

This is absolutely incorrect in relation to the slabside Cobras. The HT/SPF 427 car is completely different from the 427 that they build for Shelby, but their slabside is the exact same car, minus badging, branding, that all-important (to some) CSX number and I think - as mentioned by Larry - the optional differential.

Originally Posted by ERA 626

The customer service from ERA will be light years better that SPF...

Well the OP never asked about customer service, so I'd best leave that debate to others except to add that given ERA's well-established focus and pride in their limited production and extremely long wait times; it wouldn't surprise me one bit if SPF wasn't better able (and/or inclined**) to be faster and more responsive to new or potential customers and their pesky inquiries.

**kinda based on personal experience

[nkb]

Originally Posted by Buzz

This ^^^
ERA makes a stellar product and their 427 car is superior to the equivalent Superformance offering, but since you're open to a fibreglass body on your slab side, the SPF version is a true work of art. Far more accurate than ERA's slab.

Is the SPF slabside generally understood to have a more accurate body than the ERA? That could definitely influence my decision between the two (or the CSX fiberglass )