You've nailed it! I don't think it matters which Cobra - original, continuation, replica - you have. Once you're in it and on the road it almost doesn't matter! No matter which one, it is still all the fun you can legally have sitting in a chair with your clothes on.

This thread and decision on this Kirkham caused me to do some serious soul searching and what my next step is in a Cobra. I have to ask myself what am I missing if anything with my SPF to warrant another $25K? out of the bank for an aluminium Kirkham. I have bullet proof reliability (there were growing pains initially), it appears a more durable finish, news to me, I thought the aluminium would be better but it appears it does react with the environment, can scratch and to maintain a uniform finish, no shinny or dull areas may take alot of work if you drive it alot. It appears these are not investment vehicles unless you do get them at rock bottom prices and even if you do you inherit risk of issues you many not have found on the inspection or worse you damage the car yourself.

I know I never felt warm and fuzzy in my BDR, obviously a misperception since the last I heard it had 16k miles on it. My SPF is so rock solid, I never worry about hitting rail road tracks, panel rubs etc. I beginning to feel I have about the best Cobra I can have with the needs and wants I have.

I have a Roush 427, do I regret not having a "big" block, I dont think so anymore, the Kirkham was LOUD, so Loud I feel I would need ear plugs and no way be able to have a radio which I have in mine and use it 100% of the time I am driving. I may not be as hard core as I thought I was, I like the repeatability of the Roush, the quiter sidepipes of the Superformance etc.

I am going to continue to look but be alot more specific on what I want, I need to break away from thinking these cars are investments. True you probably wont loose alot of money, but compared to 2 years ago, the profit and quick sales are gone in this economy.

I originally wanted a GT40, but everyone said the cobra is funner?? maybe I need both.

I keep modifying mine to make it more streetable for the long haul. But some want a show car, what ever works for you. Some want a track car, no radio. Step 1 IS figuring out what your needs for the Cobra are. I sure like the alloy look, I think I'd rather have it painted. A shame to cover that gorgeous alloy body, decisions, decisions...

I looked for a long time at aluminum, both Kirkham and CSX. We get LOTS of hail here so I decided it would not work. Similarly, I was concerned about the fiberglass for the same reason - checking and stars. (One thing you learn is that you WILL get caught in it some time.) When I saw the carbon fiber body I jumped on it like a hawk on a snake. On the way back from a car show in Loveland I drove through a thunderstorm (yes, I got wet) that turned into a hail storm - hail was bigger than marble but smaller than golf ball. My ears were bleeding by the time I got pulled under a tree on the side of the road (next to a guy in a Jeep CJ with his top off) and ducked under the tonneau cover. I didn't get hurt (just scratched) but there was no hail damage on the car body!!! Right choice for me and the area I live in. Now if I could just get the engine running right. Noone here knows anything about the Roush/Accel DFI so my tuner and I are both learning at the same time. Then things like broken ignition controllers cause little setbacks.

Check out the thread on the CSX car going to auction that I just posted, although it is for a glass car. Nice though and could be a good buy.

Regarding maintenance, the brushed finish of an aluminum car can be re-brushed by using a scotchbrite pad. Cleaning is performed with Windex. Ask Jamo or xlr8or, or do a search on the subject. As for polished finishes, you polish it almost like you would paint. Paint requires maintenance as does raw aluminum. Scratches can be brushed or polished out. Fiberglass can chip, but aluminum may (or will) ding or dent easier. To me, maintenance is maintenance. You have to clean all cars.

Loud is relative. There are plenty of loud BB's and SB's out there. I have a BB and many have said it's not that loud at all. My neighbor has a really loud SB FFR, I think louder than my BB.

Very few cars in this world are considered investments. I sincerely doubt any of our Cobras will rise in value, but for the CSX2000 and 3000 cars. The $75K for a completed Kirkham is a good deal. I think that's the best you could hope for...a good deal. Put it this way, I spent A LOT more than $75K to finish my Kirkham. A fully optioned brand new Kirkham roller is right around $75K.

The decision to buy a Kirkham, for me, was easy. And I've never regretted it. However, I think you're right, the SPF may be the best Cobra for you, as well as a lot of other people, since there are so many SPF's on the road now. They're successful for a reason or many reasons.

It's actually very simple. Windex or water. Scotchbrite pads for rebrushing.

Last time I had my ERA washed, waxed I paid a guy $50. I'm extreme when it comes to the running gear, not so much on the body stuff. :)

Excellent feedback. It appears if you keep on top of the aluminium it manageable. I would never intentionally drive mine in the rain and knock on wood have never been caught in it yet.

So, I guess this would be out of the question for you? :eek:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/...cebfa63f_o.jpg

Being as I drive mine almost daily, if it's a light rain or I think can make it there and back without getting "to wet", I go. Every once in awhile I get caught in a bad down pour. So I drilled some holes behind the seats so the water can run out.

Different strokes... :)

EDIT: On occasion I actually LIKE to take the ERA out after a light rain or a wet road. It's real easy to get it "side ways" with light throttle and with a little experience can be a lot of fun at low speeds. Like driving on a dirt or snowy road and playing with the car.

Trust me, if you don't take care of paint, the paint on a painted car will damage too. Contaminants of all kinds will mar or wear paint down. I have first hand experience. ;)

In Hawaii, it can rain virtually every day.

The brushed aluminum on the Kirkham has proved to be easy maintenance for
me. Windex takes care of most of the cleaning - for finger prints or stains I
just use scotchbrite and they go away.

I can see where the polished finish would take more work but have no
personal experience with that.

Ernie - that Kirkham at the Cutter show a couple of years ago that came out
of hiding never to be seen again was polished (but not cleaned well, as you
said). As I recall it had a windsor 408 stroker and he wanted $95k for it.
I bet he still has it too.

Oh, I don't recall that it was the polished version. Man, was it THAT bad or what? :)

Yep - I was in my search mode then and noticed plenty of hand prints, smudges, you name it - and wasn't impressed with the look or build for what he wanted for it.

Maintaining the polish would be a nightmare for a daily driver. I could see "brushed" with maybe some polish stripes, but even that might get old after awhile.

Bryan, one of our local buddies here, was complaining about getting caught in the rain with his ultra cherry Mustang and then finding some stains on the frame. I HAD to laugh as he was dead serious. OK, OK, I can understand it, but... :)

While I don't have many miles on mine, about 1,000 miles more or less, I've not repolished my car since the car left UT in 2007. I think it still looks pretty good.

Do you keep it covered RodKnock? I keep a cover on my ERA and have recently discovered it's actually leaving subtle marks on the paint. They polish right out but I see I need to use a softer cover.

Provided your car is inside, an old king-size bed sheet works quite well.