Million Dollar Skunksworks Kirkham

[David Kirkham]

The top of the footbox was quite complicated. Everything was laid out in CAD. I am amazed at how perfectly everything fit together when we were done.

[David Kirkham]

The front of the footboxes were made from 1/2" plate to make them stiff. The footboxes had to carry the loads between the front and rear suspension.

[David Kirkham]

The upper picture shows prototype cowl structure. Notice the firewall was not milled directly into the part. After riveting a sheet of aluminum onto the part I told myself, "This is dumb!" So, we machined the "sheet metal" right into the part on the next iteration. In the lower photo, the number "77" in blue magic marker shows how many holes had to be tapped and drilled into the driver front plate in the footbox. 9 different surfaces had to be thought about while making the part.

[David Kirkham]

[David Kirkham]

[David Kirkham]

[David Kirkham]

A CAD program and a water jet can make some really cool parts!

[David Kirkham]

[David Kirkham]

A look at the Aerogel insulation. You can see the polished stainless heat shield on the engine side of the footbox.

[David Kirkham]

Here is a better shot of the stainless heat shield on top of the Aeorgel.

[David Kirkham]

In this closeup you can see the insulating sandwich we made. First line of defense, gold foil. The gold foil reflects 80% of the radiated heat from the pipes. Next, polished stainless steel heat shields. Stainless has the lowest coefficient of thermal transfer (heat takes a LONG time transfer from one end to the next) of any common metal. Next, Aerogel. Aerogel has THE lowest coefficient of thermal transfer of any known material. During testing the interior was absolutely cool. No heat at all came through to the interior.

[David Kirkham]

I'll post more as I can!

Happy to answer any questions!

David

[David Kirkham]

I liked this quote because most people don't realize how much work actually goes into a project like this.

[David Kirkham]

I really liked this pic showing how we tried to make the undercarriage as smooth as possible.

[David Kirkham]

[David Kirkham]

[David Kirkham]

[David Kirkham]

[David Kirkham]

Here is the next chapter. I'll work on machining as soon as I can get to it.

[Cobra Lite]

A workman works with his hands
A craftsman works with his hands and his head
But, an artist works with his hands, his head, and his heart

You are artists in the fullest sense of the word.

I have finally made through all these pages after days of reading.
Words absolutely fail to express the beautiful sculpture you have created.
It may have a Cobra body and the same basic dimensions and layout but that is all it has in common with the classic AC car that CS had his team put a V8 engine in. Your Billet car is beyond the realm of the carbon fiber designs called "supercars" these days.

The Veyron may sell for $1.6 million, and I would guess the billet car was double that, and still it is an amazing bargain for the artistic engineering involved.

Bravo gentlemen!

Now when anyone asks the question: "Should I buy a Shelby or a Kirkham?" we can just link them to this thread.
Even though they will not get a billet car, the car they do get will be built by the absolute best.
I believe the name "KIRKHAM" will become the gold standard among Cobras, if it is not already that is!

Any painting by a great artist is better than the best work of an average painter. It will always be worth far more among those who collect art.

I will never be able to afford the best, a Kirkham, but put me on the list for an affordable coffee table copy of "THE BOOK".
Even if it is only semi-affordable, I will scrimp and save to be able to have a copy that I can hold in my hands.