Incredible deal on Kirkham?

[madmaxx]

Tonny,

I saw your gt40 on cobra country, stunning car!!! You always take it to the next level. Can't wait to hear about your next project.

Originally Posted by Tony Ripepi

Great thread,

I've built them myself starting from the early 90's ( Shell Valley & Unique) and when the SPF rollers came a long I know that it was very expensive,time consuming and difficult to achieve the fit , finish and quality that they put into their cars from the factory.

Shelby originally tried to compete with FFR with their "kit" up picked it up in Las Vegas with a rough Fibreglass body, Original styled frame and 27 boxes of all the orginal style bits and pieces --- No Instruction Manual !!!! They have been through eight years of change and numerous interation of builder to get to where the SPF guys have been for ten + years.

The Kirkhams uppped the ante when they started putting cars together in in Utah with Aluminum body parts, frames and some additional pieces from Poland, they even sold some to Shelby. And then they took the next step to Stainless Steel ----If you have seen the MBA presentation that Thomas put together on the business model you have a new a respect for them a company, family and business model that puts them at the top of the industry and keeps them there.

In recent years I have gone to the best people to have cars built by people that had the experience, skills, historical reputation for quality and delivering on time to feed my passion for the toys that have ended up in my garage.

In this thread All of the years of change and the opinions of both the home builder and professional expertise are voiced. You make the choice and take the path your skills, time, and money lead you and deal with the results when and if you decide to sell. I have seen home builders take 10 -20 years to fabricate a car and then sell when they got to the end of the journey, it was about the journey not the destination and talked to the people that bought their cars to hear them rave about the quality, beauty and engineering.

One lesson I have learned is that it will always cost more than you think to build than the number you start out with in the spreadsheet and when you sell it you will not get back what you put into it. Labor is not free even if it is your own.....when you consider shipping, registration costs etc. etc. etc. You will end up upside down no matter what.

This is a hobby and passion for me ----- One mans Opinion !!!!!!!!

Four Cobra Roadsters, One Daytona Coupe and a GT40 have made their way into my garage ----The Shelby is in the garage and the GT40 is for sale and looking forward to the next project

Tony R.