I was in a discussion with a good friend today and the subject of whether or not Jay Leno owns an original 289 and/or a 427 Cobra is up to debate. I have seen websites make mention that he does, but no-one is sure of their CSX numbers or even have a picture of one. Without giving up the man's privacy, does he own an original of either? I know he temporarily had a 427 SC (CSX3010) car parked at his facility when he California fires raged on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVxSqnNQR9s
As far as I know, it's a replica 427SC made by a guy in Minnesota.
He commissioned it I believe before there were any continuation cars being made. So must be late '80s or so?
All things considered, I'm not sure why he just didn't go out and buy a real one at the time?
Ask Rick Kopec. He knows the details on that car and was consulted by Leno at the time.
He has an aluminum 427 replica that he had built many years ago. He also has a black 289 replica Cobra that he had Dave Wagner build. Leno does not have an original Cobra.
Thanks guys, that's what Nick had told me, but I had believed the bad info that the internet loves to give out.
Jay Leno's 427 was built by Mark Geirish of M and L motor works in Manatouic, Wisconsin in the mid 80's. It originally had a 427 side oiler, but he later installed a SOHC motor. No idea if they are still around, but I think Mark got into Ferrari restorations. Leno told me the story at SAAC 8 in Dearborn. At the time I had no idea who he was and we talked for about 45 minutes. The following week he was the guest host on Johnny Carson.
I believe the town is spelled "Manitowoc", just north of Sheboygan. I visited there during SAAC-39 at Road America with Hawaii friends who were from there originally and keep a late model Shelby GT at there summer farm.
Interesting information on Leno's replicas. 8)
Yes Gerish built the car. Jay bought it because at the time he could not afford an original. Gerish today is running a panel beating school. We used Jay & his Cobra in a cover shot for Mustang Illustrated. It was shot at Shelby's Chrysler skunkworks in Whittier and Bill Norton's 66 GT350 Convertible was the main car in the shot.
http://www.aametalshaping.com/about/mark-gerisch/
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on December 31, 2021, 06:17:45 PM
Yes Gerish built the car. Jay bought it because at the time he could not afford an original. Gerish today is running a panel beating school. We used Jay & his Cobra in a cover shot for Mustang Illustrated. It was shot at Shelby's Chrysler skunkworks in Whittier and Bill Norton's 66 GT350 Convertible was the main car in the shot.
http://www.aametalshaping.com/about/mark-gerisch/
I would have thought it would have been more expensive to build one from the ground up then to buy one?
Back then it cost about $250,000. Don't ask me how I know.
Quote from: shelbydoug on December 31, 2021, 07:01:21 PMI would have thought it would have been more expensive to build one from the ground up then to buy one?
ve
Nope - which is why you have air cars floating around. If I remember a Garish car was 40-60 and a 427 200+ at that time - early-mid 80s.
Today with the Kirkhams having stamped sections rather than rolled they are even more affordable - and accurate. http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/aoe_18.pdf
I can understand why so many Kirkhams don't get painted. No one wants to cover up the work.
They refer to the chassis as "billet". "Billet" as in aluminum?
I don't know if I would feel worthy of owning a piece of art like this? Saying "amazing" seems so inadequate?
Quote from: shelbydoug on January 01, 2022, 08:46:07 AMThey refer to the chassis as "billet". "Billet" as in aluminum?
That book https://kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/ I linked was done for Larry Ellison. It has a billet aluminum chassis. It's worth looking at each section to see what's possible with cubic dollars.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 01, 2022, 12:01:02 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on January 01, 2022, 08:46:07 AMThey refer to the chassis as "billet". "Billet" as in aluminum?
That book https://kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/ I linked was done for Larry Ellison. It has a billet aluminum chassis. It's worth looking at each section to see what's possible with cubic dollars.
The 289's weigh in about 2200 pounds as is. The 427's a bit heavier.
Go with aluminum heads and block if need be.
Steel is ok for me. I need to hold on tight as is. The windshield is a little low for me. The wind keeps tearing off my cap and sunglasses.
Lowering the seats is about all that I would need like in my Pantera. Then I'd look like a 12 year old who just stole the car and can just barely see over the steering wheel.
I actually like that. It's like Larry Johnson with the Granny disguise lurking behind the wheel.
Is that considered "unstable personality behavior"?
Quote from: shelbydoug on January 01, 2022, 12:33:18 PM
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 01, 2022, 12:01:02 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on January 01, 2022, 08:46:07 AMThey refer to the chassis as "billet". "Billet" as in aluminum?
That book https://kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/ I linked was done for Larry Ellison. It has a billet aluminum chassis. It's worth looking at each section to see what's possible with cubic dollars.
The 289's weigh in about 2200 pounds as is. The 427's a bit heavier.
I couldn't find the weight of the billet car. I imagine it's heavier than a standard 427. Yes aluminum is lighter but there is a lot more of it there than a few steel tubes.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 01, 2022, 02:11:30 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on January 01, 2022, 12:33:18 PM
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 01, 2022, 12:01:02 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on January 01, 2022, 08:46:07 AMThey refer to the chassis as "billet". "Billet" as in aluminum?
That book https://kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/ I linked was done for Larry Ellison. It has a billet aluminum chassis. It's worth looking at each section to see what's possible with cubic dollars.
The 289's weigh in about 2200 pounds as is. The 427's a bit heavier.
I couldn't find the weight of the billet car. I imagine it's heavier than a standard 427. Yes aluminum is lighter but there is a lot more of it there than a few steel tubes.
Did they even weigh it?
Quote from: shelbydoug on January 01, 2022, 03:58:54 PM
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 01, 2022, 02:11:30 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on January 01, 2022, 12:33:18 PM
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 01, 2022, 12:01:02 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on January 01, 2022, 08:46:07 AMThey refer to the chassis as "billet". "Billet" as in aluminum?
That book https://kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/ I linked was done for Larry Ellison. It has a billet aluminum chassis. It's worth looking at each section to see what's possible with cubic dollars.
The 289's weigh in about 2200 pounds as is. The 427's a bit heavier.
I couldn't find the weight of the billet car. I imagine it's heavier than a standard 427. Yes aluminum is lighter but there is a lot more of it there than a few steel tubes.
Did they even weigh it?
I would have thought so. They talked about the weight of some of the billets and making a ton of aluminum chips every week while machining it.
shelbydoug,
Bare aluminum bodies were first started around 1938 ?
It was not to show off body bldg perfection though.
I believe Mercedes stripped the paint off a race car to get it within weight std for FIA.
Crazy but it is a true story.
John
The car is currently listed on Facebook for $3,000,000.00. That's a lot of Kirkhams...
https://m.facebook.com/groups/2081740122112565/permalink/3684025375217357/?mibextid=unz460