December 18, 2019
Posted By : Barrett-Jackson
Written By : independent automotive journalist David Neyens

FROM THE SAM PACK COLLECTION: Four hand-built Kirkham beauties

FROM THE SAM PACK COLLECTION: Four hand-built Kirkham beauties

December 18, 2019
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Written by independent automotive journalist David Neyens

Kirkham Motorsports continuation Cobras, Sam Pack Collection

Four stunning hand-built Kirkham Motorsports vehicles will be crossing the block with No Reserve as part of the Sam Pack Collection in Scottsdale.

When it comes to fine collector cars, legendary Texas-based Ford dealer Sam Pack is universally renowned in the space for his uncanny ability to recognize quality when he sees it. He ought to know, after several decades building one of the largest – and finest – collections of classic and special-interest vehicles found anywhere in the world. Sharing Texan roots with Carroll Shelby, the mastermind behind the mighty Cobra roadsters of the 1960s, it’s only natural that Mr. Pack would have several fine examples of these true rolling legends within his noted collection.

Speaking of quality, Mr. Pack is partial to the hand-built roadsters from Provo, Utah’s Kirkham Motorsports. Truly embodying the credo “Creativity has no limits,” Kirkham’s quest to build the finest replicas in the world began in 1994 when David Kirkham restored an original Shelby 427 Cobra and assisted a relative with repairs to the damaged nose of an ex-Polish fighter jet of similar vintage. Finding the fighter’s metal construction quite similar to that of the Cobra, Kirkham forged an alliance with expert Polish metalworkers to build new “continuation” vehicles celebrating the classic Shelby designs with impeccable Old-World craftsmanship. In fact, Kirkham Motorsports supplies bodies to Shelby’s current headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada. Accordingly, the team at Barrett-Jackson is thrilled to offer three stunning, metal-bodied Kirkham roadsters and one aluminum-bodied coupe – all at No Reserve – during the upcoming 2020 Scottsdale Auction in January.

Lot #1389.1 - 2013 Kirkham Cobra Aluminum Daytona

Lot #1389.1 – 2013 Kirkham 289 Coupe Aluminum Body

Visually compelling in beautifully polished aluminum bodywork with brushed racing stripes from front to rear and contrasting black upholstery, Mr. Pack’s 2013 Kirkham 289 Coupe Aluminum Body (Lot #1389.1) is built for sheer driving pleasure and performance. Power is delivered by a hot Dart/Ford 363ci aluminum small-block V8 engine equipped with a Holley double-pumper 4-barrel carburetor and long-tube headers matched to a Ford C4 automatic transmission for relaxed cruising as desired. Other features include power-assisted brakes and even air conditioning for all-weather comfort. Gold foil heat insulation repels engine heat from the Daytona’s footwells. Featuring the iconic original looks of Shelby’s Cobra-derived, Peter Brock-designed Daytona Coupes that scored America’s first FIA GT-class World Championship in 1965 with Kirkham‘s renowned construction quality and modern high-performance wizardry, this 2013 coupe marks a thrilling find at auction.

Lot #1388.1 - 2011 Kirkham Cobra Bronze Roadster

Lot #1388.1 – 2011 Kirkham 427 KMS/SC Bronze Roadster

Stunning to look at, fully functional and driving as new, the 2011 Kirkham 427 KMS/SC Bronze Roadster (Lot #1388.1) from the Sam Pack Collection features bodywork handcrafted in Silicon Bronze. Polished to create a gold color, this awesome roadster’s body is further accented by hand-brushed racing stripes running from front to rear for an uncommonly gorgeous overall effect. Riding on a set of correct-type Halibrand “knock-off” wheels as found on the original Cobras of 1960s fame, this Kirkham roadster is an 8-year-old car that has only been driven on and off of its trailer for display by Mr. Pack at various car shows. The roadster’s businesslike cockpit is equipped with correct, original-type bucket seats in black leather, plus black cut-pile carpeting, a leather-covered dash and original-type gauges. A competition-type Halon fire-suppression system is a welcome option in case of emergency.

Powering this Silicon Bronze roadster is an all-aluminum Ford 427ci side-oiler engine, similar to the type originally used by Carroll Shelby in 1965, albeit of lighter-weight construction for even better performance. Both the rocker covers and “Turkey pan” air cleaner plenum are hand-fabricated in the same Silicon Bronze material as the roadster’s body for nicely integrated look. Power is delivered to the road by a TREMEC TKO600 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive for great freeway performance and cruising flexibility as desired, and power-assisted brakes yield stopping ease. A true work of art by some very fine craftsmen, this roadster is simply awesome on every level.

Lot #1388 - 2010 Kirkham Cobra Copper Roadster

Lot #1388 – 2010 Kirkham 427 KMS/SC Copper Roadster

Featuring a body constructed entirely of solid copper sheeting and polished to a brilliant shine, this 2010 Kirkham 427 KMS/SC Copper Roadster (Lot #1388) from Mr. Pack also features a pair of hand-brushed racing stripes running the length of the car, lending a wonderful contrast to its beautifully polished bodywork. Offered in virtually new condition from the Sam Pack Collection, this stunning roadster has only a few miles of use, mainly from having been driven off and onto its trailer as required for show duty. Equipped with correct, original-type bucket seats covered in black leather, the roadster’s interior also includes a leather-covered dash, original-type instruments, black cut-pile carpeting and an optional Halon fire-suppression system.

Underhood, the engine compartment is stuffed with a rare, all-aluminum SOHC 427ci V8 engine that gulps massive volumes of air through a pair of big Holley double-pumper carburetors on a high-rise aluminum intake manifold. Similar to Ford’s legendary “Cammer” that was disqualified from NASCAR but used to great effect in drag racing, the lightweight aluminum 427 powering this unique roadster yields even more performance than its 1960s forebear. The rocker covers are also finished in copper plating for an eye-popping finish matching the car’s incredible bodywork.

Lot #1389 - 2009 Kirkham Cobra Aluminum Roadster

Lot #1389 – 2009 Kirkham 427 KMS/SC Aluminum Roadster

Last but far from least, Sam Pack’s 2009 Kirkham 427 KMS/SC Aluminum Cobra (Lot #1389) is a true standout with its polished aluminum body and hand-brushed racing stripes. This car is powered by the same 427ci “FE” side-oiler V8 engine that Shelby stuffed into his big-block Cobras and used to decimate the competition in SCCA road racing events beginning in 1965. Fully operational and, of course, running and driving as new, this roadster has undergone only 76 miles of use at the time of writing and now comes to auction as a virtually new automobile in all respects, despite its 2009 build year. The black leather-covered bucket seats are exact copies of the original articles from 1965, and the minimalistic leather-covered dash looks authentic and correct, as do the period-correct instruments monitoring the car’s vital functions.

Virtually every feature of this amazing roadster is period-correct, with the exception of the upright gearshift lever for the 5-speed manual transmission, rather than that used by the original 4-speed cars, which leaned toward the firewall. An optional Halon fire-suppression system provides additional safety. Underhood, the engine compartment is similar in appearance to that of the original cars, including the “Turkey pan” intake plenum underneath the cold-air scoop. While the modern MSD ignition system and Moroso breathers atop the “Cobra” rocker covers are indeed a bit modern, the engine compartment was kept as visually close to the original article as possible. Upgrades from original specifications deliver an amazing drive, including modern competition-style, coilover shocks and 4-piston Wilwood disc brakes all around.

A truly thrilling selection of Ford-powered legends from the Sam Pack Collection, these hand-built beauties from Kirkham Motorsports carry the irreplaceable DNA of Shelby while delivering the finest materials and construction quality possible. With their renowned collector ownership and care, iconic looks and outstanding specifications, they are worthy of the finest collections for those who, like Sam Pack, appreciate the best.

To view all the vehicles from the Sam Pack Collection crossing the block at the upcoming Scottsdale auction, click HERE.

Heritage Partners