Kirkham Marketing Question. What do you guys really want?

[Gus Meyjes]

Hey Dave,

We've been talking frequently lately as I am finishing putting my 289 FIA together. I have a fast growing business aswell and I liked some comments in the previous post. The key to our success I believe is to stick to what we know well, although we've had many opportunities to diversify. The reason I went with your product is that, short of getting your hands on a 60's original, there is nothing like it out there. I like the exclusivity and quality of the car. I would not like to have any botched cars out there detract from the product that you have out there now. And if you recall: I was initially seeing about doing all the work myself. I love to turn a wrench, but there is no way I could do what your guys are doing on a regular basis. Keep putting out the best product available and keep true to the customers you have out there now.

[Lew Ledyard]

David:

Your company has an excellent reputation for turning out a product of the highest quality. That is why I bought one of your cars. I think that there is a good market out there (for those of us that recognize that we have no mechanical ability) to be able to buy as complete a car as possible with one phone call (or at least by contacting only one source). Many of us don't have the time or the ability to put these together, or even the knowledge to chase down the right sources. However, we would take great comfort in (i.e. willing to pay for) the fact that the car was finished to your standards.

Your cars are judged upon how they are as finished cars. A chain is only as good as its weakest link.

[ENTDOC]

David,I have said this from the beginning and nothing has changed. Build rollers.leave the mass marketing and kit car mentality to FFR. Why do you think Superformance is so sought after in the used market(and new);it is because of knowing you will get a known product that is consistent in build quaility because it is produced by people that do not take shortcuts and know what they are doing. Gman above is absolutly correct,you cannot be everything to everyone. chuck

[Dan Stryffeler]

Don't some manufacturers offer a couple day 'build school' to help ensure the consistency/quality of the end product?

- Dan

[SCOBRAC]

I want the California real estate market to increase 15% in the next 3 years so I can sell my investment property and buy a Kirkham.

[Slojo]

How about an aluminum 427 S/C Cobra peddal car for the kids?

[bnewell]

I still want the front nose section to hang on my office wall........where are my floor mats????

Thanks,

[CSX 4027]

Fred, I believe the DBR1's were scratch built and were not previously cars. If you take a '66 E-type that was built in 1966, has a serial number and set it up for racing with lightweight bits, I believe HRS and SVRA will run it.
Ron, In the case with the new FIA papers, it's a neat thing to have but, we don't have any FIA races state side so, it can run in Europe. I don't know or believe SVRA or HSR will allow them to run against originals here. I have heard of exceptions made but, usually on the left coast.

[Jamo]

KISS...Lotus 7 reproduction. Caterham's about it right now. Good fun for cruising with weather gear, open track and autocrossing. Easy to find motors and trans combos by the end user. Nice alternative to the present line. I would imagine Gerry would luv 'em as well.

[Allan A]

Steve and Ron,

It is my understanding that the new HTP for the FIA only applies to a car that is made by the original manufacturer (Shelby, Chevron, Lola, etc.), so a KMP would not be eligible in any body form. As for HMSA and others it appears they will allow these cars to compete (all original suspension, body, power train etc.) in the future. A wild ass guess as to the time period, within the next 5 years assuming many other caveats.

Allan

[computerworks]

Max Mosley, Prez of FIA said this:

The HTP certifies that a vehicle conforms in every respect to the original specification of that vehicle. The vehicle might not, however, be an authentic and original vehicle. The HC, on the other hand, certifies that a vehicle is original and authentic, even if it does not conform to its original specification in every detail. Of course an original car which still conforms to its original specification could hold both an HTP and an HC. An original racing car which has been modified might hold an HC (with an endorsement), but would not be eligible for an HTP. Conversely, a car which conforms in every respect to the specification of an original vehicle can hold an HTP even if it is a recently-built copy, but can never hold the HC which is reserved for the original vehicle.

So, it does look like replicas, even scratch-built, can claim the HTP...which is cool.

[bbrown]

Allan,

The HTP is very specific in that it allows cars of any origin, as long as they comply with the specifications of the original car. The HTP is not concerned with provenance. They don't care who built it, that's what the Heritage Certificate is for.

Please refer to the FIA webpage. They have a very good reference and a series of Questions and Answers that address these issues.

Regards

[1985 CCX]

A Kirkham of course......................Cobra that is, slabside front and FIA rear similar to early race cars. CSX2259 Perfect!

Aluminum Jag XK or Austin bugeye would also be a great choice. Classics that always draw a crowd.

Back to original question 1, 2, or 3 would be great depending on lifes cash return. I thought the body/frame already was an option?

Someday a KMS owner,
Jeff

[Allan A]

I might have my wires crossed as you compare the FIA rules and vintage group goals. The discussions I have had relate to the vintage groups, they realize that many of the original cars are going into museums etc. Once again this is my understanding, they would (years from now) start to allow cars with the correct heritage and replicate the exact build. The reason they can request heritage is so many of the famous cars are being built by the original manufacturers. Ferrari for example has recently added a new building to fix/certify their old models with rumors of some new units for race only. Why would you accept a garage build (allowable under the rules you provided) when you can get a number of cars with heritage. Who knows, it is all a buddy system anyways.

[csx700?]

david
how about a aluminum porsche 356 speedster or 550 spyder? i can provide a speedster if your interested??

[CSX 4027]

a smashing choice whilst pondering,,

[maverick]

Since we are throwing around ideas beyond the cobra realm, didn't you guys fab a willys (body?) a while back?

Now THAT was spectacular!

............mmm is that thing still around?

[David Kirkham]

CSX700?,

YOU SHOULD HAVE CALLED ME ON THAT ONE! We are always looking for new projects. That sounds interesting.

David

[ffindling]

An aluminum E-type lightweight is pretty appealing, but so is the alloy
550 spyder as well.


....Fred

[John McMahon]

David,

How about this (Cheetah)....





or this (Jaguar XJ-13).......




BTW...that slab side still hasn't been delivered to my front door.