Visit To Kirkham Motorsports

tkb289 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-18-2011, 11:54 PM

Last Thursday (8/11/11) my son and I stopped by KMS for a tour, it was amazing. I had contacted the shop a week or so ahead of time, to be sure they would be open. We had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Steve and Tom Kirkham, jack of all trades Cindrich (aka Sandwich) and briefly with David Kirkham. We took a tour of the shop … the cars, the parts and the machinery, it is all very impressive. The bodies are fabricated in Poland and I believe the frames are as well, the rest is pretty much done in Provo.

The real magic however comes from the fine folks that design and fabricate these parts, then assemble them into such beautiful cars.

Thanks guys for your time and the tour !

- Tim

Tom's 289

Tom's 427

This copper cobra is even more impressive in person …

The car in the middle will be a 289 Le Mans car

The Le Mans car from the back

Looks like a Daytona Coupe in the making

This is the billet motor which has been run on a dyno, it looks great!

Sandwich was in the process of milling the billet oil pan for the billet motor

The rest are parts and machinery which are very interesting to look at ...

FIA-ERA · #2 (**permalink**) 08-19-2011, 01:14 AM

GREAT Photo's! Thanks for sharing! It would be too much like Johnny Cash's song "one piece at a time" for me. I'd have me a "63,64,65,67" cobra running down the road

The Kirkhams are true craftsmen and the passion, dedication and love for these cars is just untouchable. Glad I couldn't sleep and got to enjoy these photo's! I love my ERA but there's just something about these cars! THANKS, Matt

Avmaviator · #3 (**permalink**) 08-19-2011, 09:49 PM

Thank you for the great pictures!

SpecOp1 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-20-2011, 02:34 AM

Thanks...wow these guys are good...Bill

mrmustang · #5 (**permalink**) 08-20-2011, 03:12 AM

One day I'll have the pleasure to visit the Kirkham factory,perhaps to pick up or order one of my own. In the mean time I live vicariously though the pictures of others like you who have been there. Thanks for posting.

Bill S.

Mando · #6 (**permalink**) 08-20-2011, 04:24 AM

Thanks for the pic's, they're fantastic.

Regards.

Maricopa · #7 (**permalink**) 08-20-2011, 10:25 AM

Nice pics. That place is like the Playboy mansion (minus the STDs) for gearheads.

750hp · #8 (**permalink**) 08-22-2011, 05:57 AM

Great photos! I see the brushed finish, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Then I see the polished finish and change my mind. Then the next picture convinces me that brushed is best, and so it goes. Everyone who works there must be used to seeing jaws drop as visitors walk into the factory...

rodneym · #9 (**permalink**) 08-22-2011, 09:37 AM

Tim is right. The copper Cobra is more impressive in person. I used to dismiss it in pictures but seeing it in person is whole different story.

And visiting KMS is a must. It's like being in Willy Wonka's laboratory. You get to see how things are made and what's coming around the corner.

patrickt · #10 (**permalink**) 08-22-2011, 12:36 PM

Yep, beautiful. I particularly like that first picture....

xb-60 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-25-2011, 09:18 PM

Nice shots Tim! So you walk from the bright sunlight outside into the workshop, and you have to keep your sunglasses on...
The Kirkhams must get really frustrated that they can't do everything (like brake discs) in aluminium alloy!
Cheers,
Glen

BMK · #12 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 06:55 AM

Thanks for sharing.

Looks like a neat factory. I will make sure it is part of my next visit to call in and take a tour.

Bernie

HealeyRick · #13 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 04:08 PM

Then:

And now:

Thanks for sharing the factory tour.