Vehicle Description
Every revolution creates a trend. Every trend has admirers. And for
every admirer, there's a dilution of the revolution that created
the trend in the first place. But, every once in a while, a trend
is so powerful it not only becomes the standard for what's cool
with a particular clientele, it also sets a baseline for the
culture around that clientele. Need some examples? We all know you
don't button the second button of a 2-button suit. And we also know
you can't wear brown shoes with a black belt. Like it or not, these
are unspoken standards. With their tidy proportions and
all-American athleticism, Shelby Cobras are certainly a standard in
the sports car world. And the baseline for notable Cobra builds is
a lightweight body, ferocious Ford power and somewhat conservative
aesthetics. The question then becomes: what happens when someone
meets that baseline and throws in a couple of great ideas for good
measure? You get a break-neck classic like this polished 289 FIA
Hybrid! Whether you're a diehard Cobra fan, an old school track
carver or just a curious enthusiast who loves shiny things, it's
not hard to see yourself enjoying good times and great equity in
this mirrored roadster!
BODYWORK/TRIM
The pros at Provo, Utah's Kirkham Motorsports have gained quite a
reputation for assembling serious performance machines. Founded
when a hardcore enthusiast elicited the help of a Polish plane
manufacturer, the firm is well-known for creating precision
tributes that, in roller form, currently fetch $100K. Commissioned
in 2014, this polished roadster, officially known as a Kirkham 289
FIA Hybrid, took roughly 1.5 years to complete. An interesting and
fun play on a 21st century buzzword, that title simply means the
car marries an aluminum 289 FIA body with a traditional 427
chassis. That union, which, in retrospect, seems like a natural
tie-up, gives owners the glory of both race-winning looks and
world-beating power. And today, this classic is a timeless
combination of killer style and serious performance that, like all
Kirkham Cobras, is listed in the Shelby World Registry!
Detailing is crucial on a car like this because that's where others
start to disappoint. Not surprisingly, this glare-inducing beast
nails all the right visuals! At the front of the car, aluminum
quick lifts float between chrome-trimmed headlights and amber
parking lamps. A small hood anchors a riveted scoop in front of
billet latches, polished wipers and a glass windscreen that's
dressed in tinted visors and clear wings. At the sides of the car,
finned heat extractors lead the eye to a Monza-style fuel filler.
And at the back of the car, a polished roll bar complements a
chrome tag light, chrome-trimmed tail lamps, a locking trunk handle
and two more aluminum quick lifts.
ENGINE
When this Kirkham's owner decided to build a Cobra, he wanted
something that was powerful but well-mannered. And, even though
427s are lots of fun, they simply aren't that streetable. So, while
this roadster is, like all Kirkham 289 FIA Hybrids, founded on a
427 chassis, power is all small block all the way. Beginning life
as a Ford Performance Boss 302, the car's spry powerplant utilizes
363 cubic inches of displacement to twist 10.2 to 1 compression
into just over 500 horsepower. At the top of the engine, a Shelby
signature air cleaner drops wind through a 750cfm Quick Fuel double
pumper that's backed by an electric choke, braided fluid lines and
a quality Quick Fuel regulator. The resulting air/fuel mixture
makes its way from an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake to Ford Racing
Z-Heads, which hide fluid roller rockers under polished breathers
and Shelby signature valve covers. Beneath those heads, a forged
SCAT crank pushes forged SCAT rods, which balance forged Mahle
pistons at the sides of a hydraulic roller cam. At the front of
that cam, an MSD Pro-Billet distributor sequences fire between Ford
Racing plug wires and MSD 6AL ignition. As combustion is sparked,
resultant gases are jettisoned through $3K worth of stainless
headers that were assembled by MP Custom Fabrication. At the front
of those tubes, a polished Concept One serpentine drive spins a
polished Powermaster alternator above a big Edelbrock water pump.
And in front of that drive, a beefy aluminum radiator runs coolant
past a large-diameter puller fan and a billet Kirkham expansion
tank.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
One of the best things about buying a professionally engineered
Cobra tribute is the impressive hardware underneath. Fully sorted
and completely detailed, this Kirkham's beefy, ladder-style frame
and billet, fully independent suspension are ready to hit the
toughest track you can find. Behind the stalwart small block, a
Tremec TKO600 5-speed makes excellent use of a Modern Driveline
bellhousing, a hydraulic ZOOM clutch and a billet Ford Racing
flywheel. Vented discs combine with quality Wilwood calipers to
provide confidence-inspiring stops. Modern rack-and-pinion steering
makes low speed parking almost as easy as high speed sweeps.
Exhaust makes haste through custom, side-exit pipes which, with the
help of DEI-wrapped SpinTech mufflers, create a smooth roar that's
uninhibited by popping or flapping. And power meets the pavement
through attractive Knock-Offs, which spin 245/60R15 Futura GLS
Super Sports in front of 275/60R15 Futura GLS Super Sports.
INTERIOR
Between the doors, leather-wrapped seats feature bright Stroud
safety harnesses that manifest in two points for the passenger and
four points for the driver. In front of those seats, a painted dash
hangs full telemetry over standard driver ventilation and optional
passenger ventilation. Below that dash, fade-free carpet frames
simple hand controls between DEI heat shield, Fat Man floor
insulation and color-keyed floor mats. And in front of the driver,
a wood-rimmed steering wheel spins polished spokes around a
colorful Cobra inlay.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
Build receipts
Component literature
A few spare parts
With impressive performance, classic appeal and incredible
aesthetics, this polished roadster provides unmatched exclusivity.
It's an adventuresome take on two of the most desirable Cobras ever
produced. And if you're the kind of enthusiast that likes to show
and go, it's the perfect addition to your garage!
SUMMARY
Kirkham Motorsports 289 FIA Hybrid
Listed in the Shelby World Registry
363 cubic inch Ford Performance V8 / All-aluminum construction /
Over 500 horsepower
Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission / Hydraulic clutch
Polished Kirkham 289 FIA aluminum body / Leather interior
Kirkham 427 chassis and coil-over suspension / 15-inch Knock-Off
Wheels
Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes
Custom side-exit exhaust
Rack-and-pinion steering
Sale includes build receipts and component literature
