Doug, I have a roller Shelby American FIA 289. Engine presently being finished. Have a top loader ready to install. Car is Viking Blue with PS Engineering authentic FIA wheels and Goodyear tires. Will be happy to send you pics by snail mail if you email me at : tonysshelbys@yahoo.com. I love my 289 FIA, can't wait to drive it. Suitcase bumps and width of rear fenders from cutback door edge to actual fender edge is absolutely correct.
Tony

doug
you can look at my gallery and check out my "sai" restoration

Bert,

No "can of worms" to open with your statement about the FIA's place in Cobra racing history. It's an undeniable fact, that it was the better track car of it's era as evidenced by the racing record. Yet, there's something irresistable about the 427 as an "uncontrollable" beast.

Doug,

I have an ERA 289/FIA built out as a street car. There are photos in my gallery. The 289 is very nimble great handling car - all of the manufacturers you listed make fine ones.

Like some others, I prefer the lines of the 289 over the 427, they also tend to be a little lighter. Power is not an issue, since you can get more than enough HP out of a 351. I also think the drivability is a little better with a small block.

Doug:

Just to let you know, if you are looking at purchasing a Kirkham 289 Hybrid (also a great car), be prepared to pend a lot more money completing the build. Since it is a combination of a 427 and a 289, I have been told from a friend who is building one, a lot of mechanical parts will need to be custom manufacturered. I was told figure to spend another $12K on the build (at least).

jim:

I love your ERA 289FIA as much as I love my own. I also agree with your comments above.


jamvan

Doug,
E-mail me if you are thinking about a used FIA. I find that slabsides are calling me.:cool:

Jamvan,

Thanks for the complement! - I will always be green with envy though. ;) :cool:

Good feedback on the 289FIA cars. This thread has gotten me some good contacts. Thanks!

Allen: Sent an email to you on your Unique.

I have a few other questions about your cars. Any one have experience with the Ford crate engines? Looking at their 302 and 351's, but also considering Southern or perhaps a local builder.

Those of you with 302's: ever wish you put in a 351W?

Anyone with experience with the three down-draft weber carburator setup on their small blocks? XK's Unlimited shows one in their brochure as "streetable".

Ah, yes. Four speed or five speed? I'm thinking five...

Dking

Kirkham 289 FIA
 

Doug, I have a Kirkham 289 for sale if you are interested here are the specs.

1964 Kirkham 289 FIA S/N KMPS030, built in 2003 and it is not titled
(MSO only) this car has only 25 miles on it, the drive train was professionally installed by Classic by Elite LLC in Ohio, Engine builder is Col-Weld out of London, Ohio. The engine is estimated at over 400hp and the Engine block is period correct for the year of the car, It has hypo heads with Chevy 1.90 & 2.02 valves (heavy breather), MSD 7 ignition, MSD Pro-Billet Distributor and cap - MSD Blaster coil, Milodon large oil pan, Remote oil filter system, Aluminum Radiator with expansion tank, Cobra style valve covers, Holly double pumper carburetor, Edelbrock performer 289-intake manifold, ARP head bolts and rocker studs, March aluminum pulleys, Tuned and powder coated headers, High Torque starter, The body is hand formed of 0.060 thick alloy aluminum with their latest production tooling; the body is much harder and stronger (dent resistant) than an original car. Polished stainless steel footbox heatshields, the seats are leather “dead on reproduction”, Willwood 4 piston calipers brakes with thirteen-inch rotors, Moto-Lita steering wheel, and Aluminum Salisbury Reproduction rearend. Lighter than original, David Lee 4-speed toploader transmission 28 spline outputshaft, scattershield (bellhousing) with hydraulic operated heavy-duty clutch, Seamless DOM Steel frame .130in wall 3 inch diameter all tig welded, orig style forged steel front uprights, forged 7075 aluminum rear uprights, single sealed bearings, forged chrome moly 4340 hubs all spherical bearings rod ends on lower control arms, FIA pin drive Trigo wheels, Fronts 7.5 x 15 with B.F. Goodrich 245 x 60, Back 9.5 x 15 with 275 x 60.
Stainless steel fuel tank, Elect holly red fuel pump, Edelbrock shocks, this car has a five thousand dollar Brushed Aluminum finish with dual ghost and rookie stripes, This car is a mirror image of the original with Transverse front and aft springs.


bsuttonmci@att.net

I've got a Unique 289 with a Ford 302 Crate Engine in it. Quite happy with the combination. A great everyday car.

Jim,

I am very surprised at your comment on an additional 12K to finish one of our Hybrid cars.

Could you please elaborate? Which mechanical parts need to be custom manufacturered?

David:) :) :)

Hybrid?
 

David,

Some confusion on the body shape may come from your last car on E-Bay. It's billed as a hybrid but not having the cutback doors but having the 427 style fuel tank and filler it looks to me like it's your 3002 clone and not the hybrid. Which is it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2451265448

John,

I think that confusion was cleared up earlier in the post on Hybrid vs "Modified Hybrid."

The car that was just on eBay was close to a 3002 clone. It lacked an oil cooler scoop and the brake cooling ducts in the nose to be a true 3002 clone...(thanks Ron for helping out with the info!)

A 289 Hybrid would have the cut-back doors. We have sold several of them--especially in the current sale.

David:) :) :)

Dave:

It was actually you when we spoke last week. If you recall, you specifically mentioned that a lot of the parts were not standard 289 or 427 parts and the build is a little more complicated than a standard car. I verified this with a builder who is currently finishing one (actually the builder you told me about). I was just passing on the information discussed.

jim

Jim,

I think I must have not been too clear in what I was trying to say--sorry for my mistake. There was a lot of customization that had to take place to make the car in the first place. We spent a long time coming up with custom motor mounts that were inexpensive and yet would still work with the 427 frame mounts. The mount we use now, allows the small block to be bolted right in. There were other little things we had to solve as well--like the gas tank, and such. But, I thought we had solved all of those things...

I believe the only thing that the buyer will have to customize is the exhaust--which shouldn't be too hard--as most customers will just go to the local exhaust shop and get one welded up for them anyway.

If there is ANYTHING else that has to be customized, I would really like to know as we have built very few of these cars and feedback is ALWAYS appreciated. I thought we had worked out all of the other glitches. If not, please let me know and I will get right on it.

David:) :) :)

"Three" down draft Webers????????????????

Cal Metal:
Yes, "three". They are lined up perpendicularly to the row of cylinders, and have a "progressive" linkage. I assume this means that the middle one opens first, the the two end ones open as you put your foot into it.

Three would be set up like this > ::: (horns) or ||| (carbs)
(Think in terms of looking down on the top of the engine from the side)
Four would set up like this > :::: (horns) or == (carbs)

I thought the system "looked pretty cool" and the note from XK's says that it is "streetable". Not sure if the cool look would be worth the trouble I suspect the webers would bring.

Cheers,
Doug

Dave:

I was just passiing on what I saw and heard first hand, when I inspected a specific car being finished. Since I am not personally building/finishing one of your 289 Hybrids, all this information is coming second hand (as I indicated).

I agree with your comment pertaining to the custom headers and exhaust system that need to be custom made. That was one of them items mentioned.

Furthermore, as I said in an earlier posting, I was just repeating what I believe you told me along with the comments of the builder you passed on to me.

Sorry if I offended anyone at Kirkham with my posting.

jim

DKing:

I would assume that those are Weber DCNs and not IDAs, like those found on a Ferrari V-12. Who and where does one find a manifold for this?

Jim,

No offence was ever taken. I am always looking for ways to improve our cars and if there are any complaints, I welcome them. I want to make our cars better and better and I think it is crazy to not take advise from anyone who is willing to give it.

If there are problems with our cars, I want to know about them.

David:) :) :)