Calling a Kirkham 427 Cobra a “replica” of an original 1966-1967 Shelby 427 S/C Cobra is accurate, but also seems quite unfair, even to me- the guy who is ever the Shelby purist. I think that describing them, as the Brits do such things, a “Tool Room Copy” is far more accurate. After all, they are exact in every dimension, constructed as AC Cars and Shelby did, and, well, in a sea of quite “variable” replicas the Kirkham cars are the only ones even original Cobra owners add to their collections. Even Shelby American uses Kirkham to build their aluminum 427 Continuation cars. Which tells you how highly even Shelby themselves regards the quality of these cars, not to mention that SAAC has also long included Kirkham Cobras in their 427 Cobra World Registry.
But even within the world of Kirkhams there are various levels of build choices that can determine how true to the original the end result is. Which is why I think this particular Kirkham, chassis KMP0344, stands out. It was completed by my late friend Bruce, whose brother Barrey was also the original owner of my 289 Cobra. So these guys were around Cobras from the beginning. And, beyond that, by profession, Bruce was a F5000 and Can Am mechanic who worked for some of the biggest names in racing from the 1960s-on. So when he set out to build a 427 Cobra of his own, this one, he did it right. There would be no stroked 351W engines, Weber carburetors, or Tremec TKO transmissions here.
Bruce wanted his Cobra to be right- what he would have spec’d out from Shelby American in 1966 if a new 427 S/C had been in the cards for him then. And, given his knowledge of original Cobras, he also wanted to avail himself of the exceptionally engineered upgrades offered by Kirkham, as long as they were inconspicuous and didn’t detract from the period correct vibe of the car.
Under the hood is one spot where this dedication to doing it right shines. Bruce got a brand new BBM, Bear Block Motors, 427 side oiler block and heads- the gold standard of such things- to start the engine build. And then, calling on his connections, he had no less than his old friends at Valley Head Service build the engine to his specs with the best parts money could buy. Valley Head Service, as you may recall, was Shelby’s engine builder of choice in the 1960s- and they still remain in Southern California, quietly working their magic on Ford engines all these years later. The engine is dressed out just like it should be, turkey pan, Baldy valve covers, etc. Custom stainless steel headers and side exhaust were made and then Jet Hot coated satin black. A big spline, close ratio Ford Top Loader 4 speed, built by David Key, backs up the healthy 427. Out back is the full monty HD Kirkham diff with a 3.54 gear, as original, with heavy duty half shafts.
The suspension and brakes are one area where Bruce knew some updated technology would help. Kirkham aluminum a-arms, custom Penske double adjustable shocks with specially selected springs, and modern brake calipers and rotors, in correct original sizes, round things out. Avon CR6ZZ FIA legal super-sticky tires stuff the wheelwells and really show off the perfected chassis setup. No generic BFG truck tires, err, I mean Radial T/As or the like here.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say Bruce built this car with the right people, the right parts, and his exceptional knowledge of race car setup and it shows.
Now, for the most obvious decision Bruce made, the color! Spending time around Allen Grant’s pearl yellow Comp Cobra in the 1960s clearly left its mark with Bruce, so that’s the color he chose for KMP0344. And, in all truthfulness, I had my doubts about it- until I saw it in person. The color is simply amazing, pictures just do not do it justice at all. It just flat WORKS. And, every time I take it out, it never fails to draw a crowd of people who agree!
Stay tuned for more details and photos of this incredible Cobra, but in the meantime, if you wish to discuss adopting it, as always give me a ring or shoot me an email and let’s talk!
