Patrick, Have You Thought About a Kirkham?

[FUNFER2]

Does anyone with a Kirkham use the long/wide rectangle roll bar instead of two of the original type ?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Does anyone with a Kirkham use the long/wide rectangle roll bar instead of two of the original type ?

Like this?

[Buzz]

Everyone knows that any new discussions about dual rollbars is tongue-in-cheek, foot-in-mouth and all-in-fun as it's already been established in the other threads that they suck.

Originally Posted by Hexnut72

Unless you and your passenger were almost killed in a single roll bar car. Then you tend to want something a little better as far as protection when you build your next one.

Maybe I'd just stick to pushing the limits on the track when I'm alone and wearing a helmet. Street Cobras had NO rollbars

Patrick gets a pass because his car is only an ERA. Now, on the nicer cars like Kirkhams, Uniques or FFR's, duals are beyond bad taste!

Trularin gets a pass too because he's a nice guy.

Oh hell - you too, Hexnut, because you may not appreciate my humour and tell me where to get off.

Dual roll bars for all!!

[Three Peaks]

I'm losing track of this thread, is it about a Kirkham on ebay, dual rollbars, who has the best technical (not) background, ERA versus the rest of the replica world, or.....?

BTW, isn't this about the third or fourth time this Kirkham roller has been on ebay? If I had the cash at the moment, it would be mine.....

Bob

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Three Peaks

I'm losing track of this thread, is it about a Kirkham on ebay, dual rollbars, who has the best technical (not) background, ERA versus the rest of the replica world, or.....?

BTW, isn't this about the third or fourth time this Kirkham roller has been on ebay? If I had the cash at the moment, it would be mine.....

Bob

I can't remember a Kirkham with a dual roll bars from UT, but I very well could be mistaken.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Three Peaks

... is it about a Kirkham on ebay.

It was about a Kirkham on Ebay, it certainly was not about "ERA versus the rest of the replica world." But that does bring a thought to mind... the Kirkham is a beautiful work of art, and is quickly approaching (if it hasn't already gotten there) the status of "being it's own car" with a plethora of custom parts made only by Kirkham. The ERA is not like that; just about all of the parts are available from non-ERA sources. Add to that the fact that the owners of the ERA company don't really do any of the actual wrenching on the cars (although Bob P. did do some custom work for me). No one lives forever, and "key man" insurance only goes so far. Could the Kirkham company survive if the brothers don't?

[Buzz]

I'm losing track of this thread, is it about a Kirkham on ebay, dual rollbars, who has the best technical (not) background, ERA versus the rest of the replica world, or.....?

D. All of the above.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by patrickt

It was about a Kirkham on Ebay, it certainly was not about "ERA versus the rest of the replica world." But that does bring a thought to mind... the Kirkham is a beautiful work of art, and is quickly approaching (if it hasn't already gotten there) the status of "being it's own car" with a plethora of custom parts made only by Kirkham. The ERA is not like that; just about all of the parts are available from non-ERA sources. Add to that the fact that the owners of the ERA company don't really do any of the actual wrenching on the cars (although Bob P. did do some custom work for me). No one lives forever, and "key man" insurance only goes so far. Could the Kirkham company survive if the brothers don't?

Interesting (though somewhat morbid) thought. If, heaven forbid, something were to happen to the K bros, I suppose a gifted business person could step in and keep the status quo going. The dedication, innovation, ongoing development, passion and creativity would be tough to replicate, though.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Interesting (though somewhat morbid) thought.

Some might even say that the Kirkham's "evolution" has taken it in to the realm of a "proprietary status," whereas the ERA continues to be "open source."

[Buzz]

I agree that cold certainly be true, but wouldn't that have to be established (officially, at least) by the Kirkhams themselves? And if it indeed becomes established, then that status could be transferred along with ownership of the business, yes-no?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Buzz

I agree that cold certainly be true, but wouldn't that have to be established (officially, at least) by the Kirkhams themselves? And if it indeed becomes established, then that status could be transferred along with ownership of the business, yes-no?

The "proprietary v. open source" analogy comes more from the software industry. Both proprietary and OS software can run beautifully and do everything you want. The problem arises when you need to customize (or need support) for your proprietary software and the authors of that software are no longer in business (for whatever reason). Thus, the advantage goes to open source.

[Buzz]

Ah so - my misunderstanding. If the entire company went away, then that could certainly be an issue.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Ah so - my misunderstanding. If the entire company went away, then that could certainly be an issue.

The title of this thread is "Patrick, Have You Thought About a Kirkham?" And the answer is, clearly, I have.

n.b. -- even though the direction of the posts turned out to be a "Buzz Kill," to coin a phrase.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by patrickt

The title of this thread is "Patrick, Have You Thought About a Kirkham?" And the answer is, clearly, I have.

n.b. -- even though the direction of the posts turned out to be a "Buzz Kill," to coin a phrase.

Yes, that was the title all right, but it was really because the ebay car is festooned with a spare hoop. You did get that part, right?

And you asked

Could the Kirkham company survive if the brothers don't?

I figured that was a legit point of discussion as opposed to you just establishing that you do indeed think about Kirkhams (with two rollbars).

[Buzz]

oops - double tap