Aluminum Body

[ERA Chas]

1ntCobra,
You seem to write authoritatively about both manufacturers. Now David has not participated here nor a current Shelby member, but you have provided detailed information of the sort I would expect from them. You have generously provided a wealth of reference photos with comment about all of them.
My simple question is, what is the source of your apparent wealth of knowledge? In no way am I questioning the veracity of your comments.
Indeed, I applaud them and appreciate your sharing such detailed information. I'm just trying to assess the accuracy and some 'credential' would help to do that. Other than as Jamo stated, you have been a serious 'shopper' there is no gauge by your presence here of your experience. Other than a gallery full of SAAC event attendance.
My question is NOT an attempt to discredit nor in any other way cast a negative take on your information.
Just like to gauge how accurate the source might be given the absence of the company participants.
Thanks,

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

1ntCobra,
You seem to write authoritatively about both manufacturers. Now David has not participated here nor a current Shelby member, but you have provided detailed information of the sort I would expect from them. You have generously provided a wealth of reference photos with comment about all of them.
My simple question is, what is the source of your apparent wealth of knowledge? In no way am I questioning the veracity of your comments.
Indeed, I applaud them and appreciate your sharing such detailed information. I'm just trying to assess the accuracy and some 'credential' would help to do that. Other than as Jamo stated, you have been a serious 'shopper' there is no gauge by your presence here of your experience. Other than a gallery full of SAAC event attendance.
My question is NOT an attempt to discredit nor in any other way cast a negative take on your information.
Just like to gauge how accurate the source might be given the absence of the company participants.
Thanks,

ERA Chas,

A great deal of my apparent wealth of knowledge on this subject is based on following threads on CSX and Kirkham cars on clubcobra over the last few years. Hopefully my memory on past threads isn't too cloudy. I have been to both Vegas and Provo. I really do like the aluminum bodies cars. However whenever I get around to budgeting my next sports car, I doubt I'll be looking at Kirkham. Perhaps I should be paying more attention to the FFR threads.

I'm not sure I would expect David to pay attention a thread in the Shelby section. But I have noticed that the last person from the Shelby camp who paid any attention to clubcobra threads was Amy B. Perhaps the people at Shelby are not paying attention to this forum anymore.

I might also know a few things about original cobras having read a bunch of books on the subject as well as being a SAAC member since the early 1980s.

[rodneym]

Forgive me because I joined this discussion late but Kirkham is not limited to just supplying frames and bodies to SA. I'm not sure how complete Kirkham supplies them but ......

Maybe David would elaborate.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Forgive me because I joined this discussion late but Kirkham is not limited to just supplying frames and bodies to SA. I'm not sure how complete Kirkham supplies them but ......

Maybe David would elaborate.

Well, that is certainly possible.

But let's take a look at a couple pictures of CSX1021 mentioned earlier in this thread.





Those pictures appear to be CSX1021 in Vegas prior to assembly.

There was an earlier thread showing CSX1001 coming to Shelby from "AC" as a much more complete car, but later CSX1000 series cars were shipped as mostly frame/body to Shelby.

Considering that Shelby is capable of taking a pretty much bare frame/body from their new source in England and then building it up, that Shelby would be equally capable of taking a bare Kirkham frame/body and doing the same. Whether Vegas chooses to do that or get Kirkham to supply a bit more complete package than what Shelby asks for from their friends in England is certainly possible.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

Well, that is certainly possible.

But let's take a look at a couple pictures of CSX1021 mentioned earlier in this thread.





Those pictures appear to be CSX1021 in Vegas prior to assembly.

There was an earlier thread showing CSX1001 coming to Shelby from "AC" as a much more complete car, but later CSX1000 series cars were shipped as mostly frame/body to Shelby.

Considering that Shelby is capable of taking a pretty much bare frame/body from their new source in England and then building it up, that Shelby would be equally capable of taking a bare Kirkham frame/body and doing the same. Whether Vegas chooses to do that or get Kirkham to supply a bit more complete package than what Shelby asks for from their friends in England is certainly possible.

To add to my point, here are some more pictures I took at "SAAC Does Vegas X" several years ago:



I would argue that the above 3 aluminum body/frames were sourced from Kirkham based on their oil cooler scoops. Like the current CSX1021 car, they seem to be pretty much just a frame and body.



The above picture is of CSX705?. The serial number is visible on the nose. Since it is not a CSX1000 series (I don't even know if there was ever a CSX1000 series FIA), it would be a Kirkham sourced car as well. Looks like a body/frame again. It does have a steering wheel, but that could have been installed in Vegas. Back on the picture of the 3 S/C cars, 2 of them have 2 steering wheels, but one does not.



I say that the above car is an "AC" sourced CSX1000 series based on it's oil cooler scoop, the appearance of the panels before any body work, and hey let's see if Ron is paying attention... could that black frame paint be a little too glossy.

Ohh, I see another difference. In the cockpit, the "AC" sourced CSX1000 has an "FIA suitcase panel" (not to be confused with the FIA suitcase trunk dimples on small block cars). If you don't know what I mean, check out this thread, where FatBoy added this feature to his Kirkham: FIA "Suitcase" Panel

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

... and hey let's see if Ron is paying attention... could that black frame paint be a little too glossy.

...can't tell from that pic...

But the surface of a body tips it off whether it has been rolled on a wheel or pressed....that last pic is rolled.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by computerworks

But the surface of a body tips it off whether it has been rolled on a wheel or pressed....that last pic is rolled.

What's the tip-off Ron? Additional weld seams?

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

ERA Chas,

A great deal of my apparent wealth of knowledge on this subject is based on following threads on CSX and Kirkham cars on clubcobra over the last few years.

I might also know a few things about original cobras having read a bunch of books on the subject as well as being a SAAC member since the early 1980s.

Thanks for your 'un-offended' response. That's exactly what I was hoping for. In fact, your background is similar to many of us who follow these cars and their history.

Thanks for sharing your observations.