Million Dollar Skunksworks Kirkham

David Kirkham · #1 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Three Peaks

What? No billet roll bars?

We actually thought about them, but when we did the calcs they ended up being too heavy. So, for this car they will be made out of stainless. Interestingly, we made the car with provisions for roll bars on both sides.

David

Lew Ledyard · #2 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 10:22 PM

What are the hubs made out of? They look tres exotique!! Is that something that could be fitted to a standard KMS (assuming that MAGNESIUM wheels were available to maximize unsprung weight)?

David Kirkham · #3 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 10:45 PM

The hubs are made from 17-4 stainless--extremely strong and very corrosion resistant. All of our current hubs are made from 17-4 as I hate rust.

What are you doing up so late? Wife kick you out of bed and send you to the couch?

David

cobra · #4 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 11:27 PM

David

Congratulations, what wonderful craftsman art.

KeithBrown · #5 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 07:59 AM

Thanks David for sharing.

BTW - I saw that you had mentioned the E-type Bonnet, are you planning on making a whole E-type roller?

Maricopa · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 08:37 AM

So what does the whole shebang weigh before brakes, rearend etc. and how much less is that from the tube frame?

I sent this link to a buddy of mine that does CNCing for aerospace application and I think he fell off his chair. I asked him could he make me one if I sent him your (stolen of course

) files and a truckload of pop cans but he begged off.

David Kirkham · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 04:38 PM

Walter,

Thank you very much for your kind words!

Keith,

We have thought about making the entire Light weight Jag, but I have too many other projects in the Skunkworks right now. If all goes well, one of them will keep me busy for a long, long time--certainly for the foreseeable future.

Maricopa,

The whole thing weighs just slightly less than the original tube chassis--but it is 300% stiffer. We traded weight for stiffness. It certainly was an immense undertaking...but not nearly as big as the one I am working on right now. We just keep reaching for the stars. Sometimes I can't believe I am paid to do what we do! Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done.

Here are my two favorite quotes from Robert Heinlein.

"Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done."

"One could write a history of science in reverse by assembling the solemn pronouncements of highest authority about what could not be done and could never happen."

David