Dave,
I've got the sony. It is my-t-fine!

Hey I hope you built Jenny's car right hand drive in preparation for me winning it!!

As for Kirkhams in Australia, I'm all for it. I've only ever seen 1 aluminium bodied replica down here and that was built by G-Force in Western Australia.

Andy is right about the emissions laws and getting a Cobra registered down here. We have just had a big shake up in the laws. I think the only Ford engine option available now would be the new Aussie built 5.4 motor from the GT falcon.

Cheers

David, I don't know if you received my email about the 289FIA, but my state Department of Transport stated clearly that the car must have an almost infinite number of "modern" concessions, such as :
Fuel injection (with 2002 or newer factory computer)
All related emissions hardware (charcoal canister, catalytic convertors)
No chrome bezels on interior gauges
Seat belt warning light
Padded dashboard top
Side intrusion bars
No working sidepipes
No FIA rollbar brace
Aust Design Rules approved seatbelts
ADR app'd tyres
Engineers drawings required for pin-drive wheels
6 digit odometer mounted within 15 degrees of line of sight
Collapsible steering column
Steering lock
Beaming and torsional testing required
Emergency lane-change testing required
Exhaust noise below a pre-determined (LOW) decibel reading
Side mounted indicators
3 wiper arms (most likely - to cover a certain % of windscreen)

Well, that's all I can think of right now..... :eek: :CRY:

On the other hand, if Kirkham bodies were somehow mounted onto a repaired 1960s chassis, then a rebodied / repaired 1960s car would fit the current requirement for "Historic Registration". This would enable the car to come into the country and be driven in Queensland as a left hand drive, sidepipe equipped, IDA webered, rumbling monster that you'd expect an alloy Cobra to be. So David, you wouldn't have an "old" chassis lying around your workshop, would you?

Hey Craig,

Hot Roders have been exploiting a loop hole for years. These guys are putting fiberglass reproduction bodies on new chassis built from reproduction stampings. There were no records of chassis numbers back in 1932 so they just tell the authorities that it is a rebodied car on a modified original chassis. This comes in under a whole different set of rules which allow nearly anything within reason.

I wonder if the Kirkham would come in under the same loophole? especially since you can bolt original parts on their chassis etc? Just tell the RTA it was an old chassis you found in a barn amd the kind gentlemen at Kirkham built a new body for it:3DSMILE:

I think Mr Aussie Mike might just have to uncover a long lost stockpile of old Cobra chassis left over from the 60's in a old disused Melbourne warehouse.

Cheers

Nothing wrong with exploiting loopholes!

Nothing wrong with exploiting loopholes! Why arent we following the hot rod guys lead?

Ken Miles raced his Cobra at Lakeside International Raceway, here in Queensland, back in 1965. Dad was at that race meeting with his trusty old 8mm video camera.

I'm sure Carroll sold my dad their spare chassis after the race meet....

What would the price be on an aluminium body only? At the right price it would be a great thing to fit to any of the supply company chassis. ie bare chassis from classic revivals is appox $3500 au
$15000-$18000 au for the aluminium body sounds like a good package to me :)

Would you kind gentlement from the "Land Down Under" please drop me an e-mail if you are interested. Maybe we could work something out...

We have already made several right hand drive cars...if you prefer. It is really no problem.

David
:) :) :)

David,

Do you consider SC the "Land Down Under"? I am always available for testing in the SE.;) ;) ;)

Regards,

Keith

Keith,

We are working on a customer demonstrator program of some sort. I have NO IDEA how that would work...it is just a thought we are kicking around right now to have our car seen at more shows. There are far more shows around the world than I have time, money, or energy to attend. Any ideas?

David :) :) :)

David,
Get my Big Block Kirkham ready, being retired I have a little time to spare. We will start you off by taking the Cobra to the Spring Daytona Beach 14th annual at Daytona International Speedway, March 21-23,2003 and the 30th annual Daytona Beach Turkey Run in November 26-30,2003. Of course I would take it to the 3rd. annual Deep South Cobra Club meeting at Silver Springs May 9-11,2003.

http://www.daytonabeachcarshows.com/

http://www.turkeyrun.com/

I could take it along when I go to old town on Saturday nights car shows in Kissimmee.

http://www.old-town.com/

Parrish Heacock insurance takes over Lakeland for a large car show each year. I would be busy all year and never have to leave Florida.

Dan Wulff

David,

I will gladly help here in the SE. I know you guys are swamped and probably don't need any help right now, please keep me in mind.

As an example, one of the local shows (at Charlotte Motor Speedway) has a couple of big shows. Below is some info I gleaned from them:


Our (Car)shows draw approximately 200,000 over the 4 days. We have any where from 7 to 8 thousand vendors that particpate. Also, we have 45 to 50 car clubs that come and display their cars. If you are interested in purchasing a space you can contact Amy Kluttz, in our Sales and Marketing Department at 704-455-4373. Amy handles our Manufacture Midway, which in set up in the Winston Cup Garage, this midway is filled with companies who want to display their product. She could gave you additional information as far as cost goes.


I would bet there are some potential customers lurking in that 200K group.

Keep up the great work and I'll scratch my head for some ideas.

I just keep repeating to myself (and my wife), "I will have a Kirkham someday, I will have a Kirkham someday." Maybe if I click my heels three times, I'll have better luck.

Regards,

Keith

David,
Count me in on the Customer Demonstrator Program!
Jeff

pick up of Jenny's car
 

David and Club Cobra,
Intercity Lines Inc. has opened their hearts for Team Jenny. They will transport Jenny's Car from Kirkham to us (It's gotta come here first boys, so we can give it 289 lives!) as their donation to our cause! Intercity works with the Kirkham's on shipping some of their customer's cars, and was very willing to support Team Jenny.
David,
It will be picked up within 10 days from today. We need to finalize the charitable agreement on Friday and set the pick up date, then let you know.
Club Cobra,
If you have not arranged shipping of your car(s) to DVSF yet, give Jeff at Intercity Lines a call at 1-800-221-3936. Or if you have other vehicle shipping needs, give them a call.
(I tried to contact our Club Cobra sponsor, Rich Lacy of Rich's Transport the past couple days but didn't have any luck - cell phone was out of service area, could not leave a message- Sorry Rich - Had to get this done).

The 289 engine is being repaired, blueprinted, rods balanced, etc. I will let DV have the enjoyment of giving you engine details. He will be back online this Friday.

We appreciate everyone's patience with the dvsf.com website. It is soooo close to being up...hopefully ready to go online just after DV's return.

Jay
(DV's business partner at Classics by Elite LLC.)

New rego requirements
 

Hey Mike, you mention maybe the only choice is the 5.4 Ltr from the falcon, and you may well be right.
However, I wonder, if one used say a 5Ltr from another approved specialist manufacturer like Roaring 40's. They use a recammed crate 302 with a 4 barrel Throttle body and Motec ecu. I understand they have approval for that motor.
Not sure, but that avenue may well prove the way to go for an approved engine.
Now, once registered, it may be that the crank and rods get damaged and have to be replaced, together with the cam...damn what a bummer. ;) .
Would be a first class pain too if the block got damaged and one had to get a dart block. :D
Les

Thank you muchly!
 

Updates always welcome on this project! Guess it's pretty obvious that we're all kinda looking forward to the down-and-dirty details of what you guys are doing. Thanks, NoLims, the line for tickets getting longer with each post!

Outstanding efforts on your parts - we oughta make/buy raffle tickets for vacations for you guys!:) :)

Hi Les,

Not sure if Robert's 5.0 motor will still be legal. As of January 1 this year the rules changed. Any cars that started construction before that date will be OK but he may have to seek a new aproval for his motors after that date.

What a minefield:CRY: I spoke to my engineer the other day and he clarified that if you can prove you started building the car before Jan 1 it's OK.

Cheers