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Tom Kirkham
03-03-2019, 05:13
Hello all,

I have been in the Cobra world for some time now, and have been good friends with Gerry of Hawk Cars now for I am guessing close to 25 years. (Yikes time flies by)
I have been in love with the Stratos since I first saw one, and I have the itch to build one. I do have an Alfa 164 with a manual transmission, but I am not sure I am going to use it.

I do not know much about the Stratos, but if any body needs any info on Cobras, or Ford 289 or 427 engines, I can certainly help.

Tom

john
03-03-2019, 09:45
Hi Tom. Welcome to the forum.
Kirkham is a name associated with the best of Cobra replicas I think?
How do you plead? Guilty or not guilty?

Tom Kirkham
04-03-2019, 02:28
Yes I used to be with Kirkham Motorsports.

My current shop (Cubic Performance) built this car.
https://www.hillbankusa.com/vehicles/258/daytona-coupe-shelby-csx2000-secret-weapon
We got the frame and body out of Poland and then cut the car in half and put in a 3 inch stretch and installed a 427 FE engine. Most of the suspension parts came from Gerry Hawkridge.
There was a car built in this configuration in 1964, but the car was never completed and was returned to the standard Daytona configuration and raced at LeMans in 1965.

So yes, I am guilty as charged.

Guy Mayers
04-03-2019, 09:44
Hi Tom & welcome to this madhouse!
Why did the factory attempt a stretched Daytona? Comparing photos it looks like it longer on the wheelbase with the bonnet stretched between the wheel and the exhaust exit? That must have been a difficult panel to stretch? Or was it made specially?
Guy

Normb666
04-03-2019, 09:55
Hello Tom, good to have you in the gang! Kirkham Motorsport....whoo. Big respect! Always liked the way they were the proper 60's Cobra that looked like they'd rip your head off, rather than the slightly-toned-down replicas that some people like to construct. Anyway, glad to see you've finally seen sense and are now looking at a proper car......ahem ;)

Stratos Fear
04-03-2019, 10:41
I have been in love with the Stratos since I first saw one, and I have the itch to build one

Hi Tom - although you obviously have long -established links with Gerry Hawkridge I suggest you also check out the Lister Bell Stratos - as I'm sure you would be favourably impressed.
Good luck with whatever you decide to build . Looking at what you've done with the Daytona Cobra I've no doubt it will be absolutely stunning !

Tom Kirkham
04-03-2019, 16:17
...Why did the factory attempt a stretched Daytona? Comparing photos it looks like it longer on the wheelbase with the bonnet stretched between the wheel and the exhaust exit?...
Guy

Yes the three inch extension was all in the front bonnet between the wheel arch and the vent. We cut the bonnet and welded in three inches more aluminum. The factory (actually it was a small shop in Italy) made the extension so an all aluminum 427 (7 liter) FE Ford could replace the standard 289 (4.7 liter) Ford.

AVFC80
04-03-2019, 23:10
Hi Tom,

Welcome to the club, there are at least two of us in Arizona getting Stratii one Lister Bell and a Hawk.

Let us know if we can help

Tom Kirkham
05-03-2019, 04:17
Hi Tom,
Welcome to the club, there are at least two of us in Arizona getting Stratii one Lister Bell and a Hawk.
Let us know if we can help

Thank you. What engines are you planning to use?

I have an Alfa 164 with a 12 valve engine and a manual transaxle, that I bought to use, but I am thinking a Honda J32A2 Type S engine would be better.
Aluminum block and heads... Engines are cheap, reliable and plentiful. Also, the Acura manual 6 speed transaxle came from the factory with a limited slip.

AVFC80
05-03-2019, 22:32
Thank you. What engines are you planning to use?

I have an Alfa 164 with a 12 valve engine and a manual transaxle, that I bought to use, but I am thinking a Honda J32A2 Type S engine would be better.
Aluminum block and heads... Engines are cheap, reliable and plentiful. Also, the Acura manual 6 speed transaxle came from the factory with a limited slip.
We are both using Alfa’s one 3.0 and one 2.5

mine originally had a Honda motor in it but I thought he Alda was more in keeping with the spirit of the original

AVFC80
05-03-2019, 22:33

Thank you. What engines are you planning to use?

I have an Alfa 164 with a 12 valve engine and a manual transaxle, that I bought to use, but I am thinking a Honda J32A2 Type S engine would be better.
Aluminum block and heads... Engines are cheap, reliable and plentiful. Also, the Acura manual 6 speed transaxle came from the factory with a limited slip.
We are both using Alfa’s one 3.0 and one 2.5

mine originally had a Honda motor in it but I thought he Alda was more in keeping with the spirit of the original