Kirkham vs Shelby vs Original

[rsimoes]

How close is the Kirkham to the original and to the Shelby CSX4000 cars? (with aluminum bodies)

What are the differences?

[thorconstr]

The original body is pretty much like a beer can strength wise. Side to side, the body panels vary in size as much as 3/8 of an inch or more. The Kirkham is a stonger, lighter, aluminum alloy built to much more exacting tolerances. Many of the new Shelby's are Kirkhams. It all depends on who Shelby has snowed into getting in bed with at any given time.

[nikbj68]

The Kirkhams took their own original Cobra, measured one side of it, mirrored that set of dimensions to give a totally symmetrical body, and build the whole lot to aviation-standard tolerances, so basically, it`s about the best you can make it, and all parts are interchangeable with the original.(Or were... not sure now that they are doing the billet suspension stuff etc!)
As THOR has said, Kirkham supplied full rollers to Shelby which became the CSX4000 when a badge was added.

[PatBuckley]

nikb-

There was a hell of a lot more of difference between a Kirkam and a Shelby than just addng a badge.

It's amazing how you can make this blanket statements when in fact you don't really know anything about this?

On second thought I get it! You're just trying to minimise what Shelby does!

I understand now - never mind.

Pat Buckley

[computerworks]

Originally posted by nikbj68


Kirkham supplied full rollers to Shelby which became the CSX4000 when a badge was added.

Pat's correct, for sure.

Most of the CSX4000 alum cars are based on Kirkham-sourced platform. A handful of hand-made others were sourced from a few different companies, but the majority are KMP-based.

But, Kirkham supplied the frame, with body skin attached, and the inner alum panels.... no roller, by any means.

SA does their own full undercarriage, plumbing, fuel and hydraulics, and all rolling and suspension components.

They are indeed a value-added finished product... not a re-badge...couldn't be further from the truth.

[Specialk]

nikbj68,

When did THOR say this??

As THOR has said, Kirkham supplied full rollers to Shelby which became the CSX4000 when a badge was added

Kirkham has NEVER supplied a "full roller" to Shelby.

[computerworks]

Originally posted by rsimoes


How close is the Kirkham to the original ...

Back to the original question...

The body is extremely faithful..probably one of the best replications.

The frame is 99.9% to the original...with very minor variations for production improvements.

[casaleenie]

and we're off!!!!!!

[computerworks]

Originally posted by casaleenie


and we're off!!!!!!

oh, no, it won't...new rules....

20 factual posts allowed... if it turn to blather, it'll get shut down!

[Tom Kirkham]

The typical “cars” we have sold to Shelby, were configured as follows:

Aluminum body, steel frame (early cars were painted, most cars were powder coated, never stainless), interior panels, trunk panels, engine panels, oil cooler panels, kick strips, radiator shrouding, foot boxes, side vents, dash, fiberglass trunk trays on FIA 289s, and roll bars.

Most, if not all, cars were provided with provisions for a fresh air system to the driver’s foot box.

A few cars were sold with out interior panels
A few cars were sold with out roll bars

Early cars had fiberglass hood scoops
Some had no hood scoops
A few later cars had aluminum hood scoops

Some early cars, but very few, had throttle pedals installed

Some early cars but, very, very few of our cars were supplied with fuel tanks. It is even possible that all the tanks were returned as Shelby wanted to use fuel cells

For the most part, we have not sold Shelby: suspension, steering, brake and clutch system, seats, seat tracks, wiring harness, or differentials.

From what I have been told, Shelby cuts out the motor mount pedestals and welds in their own pedestals. I am unaware of any other frame mods they may have made. I am sure Kris Kincaid can tell us of any other mods they made to our frame.

Some of our suppliers are the same: Trigo, Autometer (Shelby uses his own CS faceplates) Moss Motors, etc.

Many of our suppliers are different. For example, Penske shocks, instead of Multimatic; Wilwood brake components, instead of Baer; KMS machining, instead of Accurate Machine.

There are several parts that we make and do not supply to Shelby. For example: seats, seat tracks, billet suspension, pedal box guts, differential housings, aluminum jack hooks, fresh air system, cold air box, fuel tank straps, etc

I hope this clears up some of the confusion.

[rsimoes]

Tom,

Thank you for your detailed answer.

What is the typical wait time to get an aluminum car from you from the initail order?

[David Kirkham]

Rsimoes,

Typically we can have a roller finished in 2-4 weeks depending on options. A car in a box is on the shorter end and an assembled roller is on the later end of the time frame.

We have devoted a lot of time lately to making the cars easier and faster to build for both us and the end customer.

David

[Specialk]

We have devoted a lot of time lately to making the cars easier and faster to build for both us and the end customer

David, Tom,

I have found that your cars are much easier to assemble than the Shelby. Headers alone can save several hours of headaches.

[Cobra Pack]

Tom and David,

Just curious, was there a particular original Cobra you used to get the shape of your FIA cars? At the SAAC convention last summer, I was talking to a guy that has a FIA rebodied CSX2--- street car that he claimed was the car used to take the measurements for the Kirkham FIA cars.


Thanks,

Mike