Which Cobra Kit: Kirkham, Shelby, ERA, SPF ?
(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). |
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. |
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.
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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 |
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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 |
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I doubt Kirkham made many slabsides, so it may be quite a while before you see a used one come up for sale. Although at the current pricing you might like a CSX over a Kirkham, regardless of what you get, you want to get someone qualified to do the engine/transmission install and alignment. On Facebook for the last couple of weeks David Kirkham has been posting about a small block CSX continuation car that was completely messed up by "ORCs" as he calls them. There was bailing wire and a plastic zip tie on a broken leaf spring, grinder marks on all kinds of things, metal filings in the differential, extra holes drilled in the engine mounts, messed up transmission mount due to using the wrong bellhousing and dozens of more problems. David and team are doing a lot of work to get this CSX rebuilt correctly. I would hate to see the bill after Kirkham gets done getting this car right. I wonder who the owner used to originally install the engine and align the car. I hope it was an amatuer mechanic and not a Shelby dealer. |
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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. |
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$$. SPF is a great option as its both CSX glass and SPF using buggy spring chassis. I love ERA cars but I would pay the extra few bucks for SPF as its buggy spring and not a Hybrid chassis. More correct. Glass CSX cars are SPF cars..... Top down: CSX alloy expect finished price >$200k KMS alloy expect completed at >$200K buggy Spring ($less hybrid chassis) CSX glass ~ $140k buggy spring SPF glass ~ $110k buggy spring ERA glass ~ $100k glass / hybrid chassis Of course I menatlly added things for correctness which could change $ but this should be about right in the end for decision making purposes. The base car is mearley the start as motor, trans, wheels, tires adds $$. |
"Original style this...Original style that..."
Still a replica. :eek: Get what you want/can afford. It's YOUR car. :) |
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