CSX vs. Kirkham - Page 4

Dan Stryffeler · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 08:45 AM

There are still a couple of 2006 GT-H cars out there on eBay for well under $30,000.

From an investment standpoint - I'm getting killed - paid a lot more for mine

Dan

RodKnock · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 09:02 AM

During my search of ClubCobra during the past few months, I remember coming across a great thread where it ewas stated that the Kirkham weighed less than the CSX. I apologize if I'm summarizing the thread incorrectly, but hasn't the subtle "modernization" (e.g., billet suspension) of the Kirkham cars resulted in a lighter Cobra? I remember David Kirkham actually commenting several times in that thread about the weight reduction.

Excaliber · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 09:55 AM

Original suspension on a Kirkham is an additional $15K 'up grade' as I understand it.

Super Genius · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 09:59 AM

Hello,

I am an engineer and a business owner. I did a significant amount of research before making my purchases. My wife (she is the only female Kirkham owner that I know about) and I own two of the top configured / optioned Kirkham cars - #491 and #504. Polished bodies, stainless exhaust, polished 427 (482) FE - the awe factory that the car produces in unbelievable. From an engineering standpoint, the cars have been modernized to be better, lighter, and "cooler". The Kirkham cars (properly setup) are pure race cars. No matter what you sit next to the polished Kirkham, the Kirkham gets the attention.

Appreciation? Guys (and gals) that have the coin for a $100k+ second car (6th and 7th for me) are looking to maintain value not make money off of it. I plan on retaining my cars for years to come.

I believe that 200 aluminum bodies were sold to Shelby by Kirkham. So many Shelby cars are Kirkham skins. Sheep in wolf’s clothing???
:-)

RedBarchetta · #5 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Genius

Hello,

I am an engineer and a business owner...My wife and I own two of the top configured / optioned Kirkham cars...Guys (and gals) that have the coin for a $100k+ second car (6th and 7th for me)...

Dad?!? Have I finally found you?!?

Signed,

Super Genius Jr.

Igofastr · #6 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Dad?!? Have I finally found you?!?

Signed,

Super Genius Jr.

NO WAY!! YOU ILLEGIT BASTERD. Quit trying to horn in on my Sugar...er, Daddy.

1ntCobra · #7 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Dad?!? Have I finally found you?!?

Signed,

Super Genius Jr.

Well I bet you could slip 10k to the right DNA lab to legitimize your birthright. But for less fraudulent results, I bet for 25k the kirkham brothers could put an aluminum body on your sfp.

Super Genius · #8 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Dad?!? Have I finally found you?!?

Signed,

Super Genius Jr.

If it makes you feel any worse, my wife is really hot!! Keep an eye on Kirkham's website - photos of her and her car will be on there shortly (not a hired model). Maybe on the main page if I can convince David!

imagine2frolic · #9 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 10:30 AM

Ernie,

Is that for the slabside with leaf springs front, and rear?

767Jockey · #10 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 10:35 AM

I just went to the Kirkham website. The option of the original type suspension on a 427 car is $15,995.00. Remember, that's in ADDITION to what you're already paying for the billet suspension.

Excaliber · #11 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 10:35 AM

As I understand it that is the additional cost for the classic 427 model. I don't know how it might apply to a leaf spring model.

1ntCobra · #12 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excaliber

As I understand it that is the additional cost for the classic 427 model. I don't know how it might apply to a leaf spring model.

From Kirkham's website for the FIA car, it looks like you need to pay for 2 upgrades:

3" Leaf spring frame = 995
Original style suspension = 15,995

Power Surge · #13 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

From Kirkham's website for the FIA car, it looks like you need to pay for 2 upgrades:

3" Leaf spring frame = 995
Original style suspension = 15,995

The FIA is a hybrid car. It comes with the 427 suspension. If you want original leaf spring suspension, that's extra.

I spoke to David at the 05 Summit about original suspension, as I wanted some for my prior Kirkham. He said it would be an additional 10-15k (don't recall the exact number, it was one of those two).

767Jockey · #14 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 12:08 PM

The $15,995.00 is right off their website today. Look at the "pricing" section. When you look at the cost of the roller from Kirkham, which obviously is just a thing of beauty, that's just an ENOURMOUS price increase over the cost of the car itself. Just running the numbers through my head, and I'm admittedly no math whiz, I come up with an increase of over 25% of the value of the car itself. Incredible. And again, that's over and above what you're already paying for that Billet setup, which I'm sure isn't cheap to begin with. Wow.

1ntCobra · #15 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Surge

The FIA is a hybrid car. It comes with the 427 suspension. If you want original leaf spring suspension, that's extra.

I spoke to David at the 05 Summit about original suspension, as I wanted some for my prior Kirkham. He said it would be an additional 10-15k (don't recall the exact number, it was one of those two).

Sal,

I'm confused. I stated the 2 exact upgrade prices from the Kirkham webpage that are necessary to get the '3" leaf spring frame' and the 'original style suspension' on the FIA car (which yes is a hybrid, if you don't upgrade to the leaf spring frame).

Power Surge · #16 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

Sal,

I'm confused. I stated the 2 exact upgrade prices from the Kirkham webpage that are necessary to get the '3" leaf spring frame' and the 'original style suspension' on the FIA car (which yes is a hybrid, if you don't upgrade to the leaf spring frame).

You're talking about something different. We are talking about the cost to upgrade the 427 car from billet suspension/modern brakes, to original suspension/Girling brakes. What you took off the site, was the upgrade for the FIA car, to go from 427 suspension, to original small block leaf spring suspension.

RodKnock · #17 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 10:38 AM

I doubt that there is any empirical evidence that shows that the Kirkham is better than the CSX. I thought both cars drove differently. Also, when the Kirkham's produce parts in house, such as the gauges, aluminum rear end, billet suspension, I think at least theoretically they're trying to not only increase their profit margins but also at the same time improve quality control by less outsourcing. I'm fairly sure about the former, but have no evidence of the latter.

They're both wonderful cars in their own respects. I would suggest that they attract two different owner types.

Russ Dickey · #18 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 12:16 PM

This thread is the perfect reason we need to resurrect the discussion of having a comprehensive "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS" section. This needs to be the third topic in that section, right under the "big block vs. small block" and "is it real" threads....

imagine2frolic · #19 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 12:48 PM

Super,

That is bad parenting to make your son wait so long. Why not post a pic here, and get his anguish over with?

big-boss · #20 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 01:08 PM

Was a good thread.

Then as fast as a 427 Cobra goes from zero to 60, we went to a guy pimping out pictures of his wife and all in between. COOL!