Million Dollar Skunksworks Kirkham

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Madmiles442

So how does one test for "chassis flex" and those sorts of rigidity issues. I mean, I've read the descriptions of the parts being in "double shear" and the like, is that anticipated to achieve a more rigid chassis? Besides the obvious WOW factor, which really is off-the-charts, is this anticipated to have greater performance characteristics other than lighter weight?
Your rookie in frame dynamics,

One way to "test" for chassis flex is to do FEA (Finite Element Analysis). That works really well--for the first shot. The next way to test it is to simply tie the chassis down to something really rigid and bend the chassis with a long lever. We are thinking how to do that right now. You always need to prove your designs and thoughts.

Of course, another way to test the chassis (which we will do shortly) is to simply drive the chassis. An experienced driver will know immediately how stiff (relatively) the chassis is. Stiff chassis react faster.

As for performance, the car was built to perform. It is not a trailer queen. Our customer will drive the wheels off the car. Sometimes I think the guys who make really beautiful show cars have it easy. No one ever drives Chip Foose's cars. (Don't think I am dissing Chip here, his work is fantastic). The challenge we were faced with is our customer expects a Ridler type car that handles extremely well. We are up against fierce competition...he owns a Bugatti Veyron, McLaren F1, Ferrari Superamerica, Audi A8 and I am sure I am forgetting some. I told him I was going to make him the best possible car based on a Cobra body dimensions that could be made. This is what we came up with. Now, that has to be tempered with artistic license. We wanted a high performance car that was beautiful as well. There are compromises inherent in anything. We simply tried to minimize them as much as possible. In the end, I think of it more as art than I do a race car. But I always have in the back of my mind he intends to drive it.

David