Kirkham Motorsports

What Kirkham Motorsports does

Kirkham Motorsports is a Provo, Utah-based boutique manufacturer of aluminum-bodied replica sports cars, founded in 1994 by David Kirkham. The company specializes in hand-crafted replicas of the 427 and 289 Shelby Cobra, with a product lineup that includes the 427 KMS/SC and 427 Street variants for big-block V8 performance, and the 289 Street, 289 FIA, and 289 Coupe for lighter, smaller-displacement configurations. It also operates a custom builds program producing one-off commissions such as a copper-bodied 40 Ford replica, an all-billet-aluminum chassis 'Billet Car,' and the Rush project.

The company's core manufacturing approach is grounded in aerospace-grade aluminum body construction techniques learned from a Polish aircraft factory with more than 60 years of aviation production experience. Kirkham sources its aluminum bodies from that Polish partner, then completes final assembly and customization in Provo. Distinctive technical features across the lineup include the 289 Coupe's trellis-style backbone chassis with stiffening tubes for improved torsional rigidity, a Kamm-style tail with full-length belly pan, and optional billet aluminum chassis construction on bespoke builds. The 289 FIA model is officially designated 'vintage eligible,' meaning it is accepted at historic race circuits worldwide.

Kirkham operates a direct sales model with no public pricing; prospective customers are instructed to email [email protected] for quotes. The company has built more than 1,000 replicas since founding, employs 11-50 people at its single Provo headquarters, and serves a U.S.-only market composed of vintage racing participants, collector car enthusiasts, and high-net-worth custom build customers. There is no dealer network, no e-commerce channel, and no disclosed external funding or parent company.

Name

Kirkham Motorsports

Legal name

Kirkham Motorsports

Website

https://kirkhammotorsports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kirkham Motorsports is a Provo, Utah-based boutique manufacturer of hand-crafted aluminum-bodied replica sports cars, primarily Cobra 427 and 289 variants built using aerospace manufacturing techniques from a Polish factory partner. Founded in 1994, it sells directly via email to vintage racing enthusiasts, collectors, and high-net-worth custom build customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Provo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Vehicle Sales: One-time sale of custom-built replica sports cars and component cars. Customers purchase complete vehicles or component kits. Pricing is quote-based and varies by model configuration and customization level.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kirkham Motorsports is a component car manufacturer that designs, builds, and sells hand-crafted aluminum-bodied replica sports cars, primarily 427 and 289 Shelby Cobra variants. The company produces a model lineup (427 KMS/SC, 427 Street, 289 Street, 289 FIA, 289 Coupe) plus bespoke one-off custom builds, using aircraft-grade aluminum construction techniques sourced from a Polish aerospace manufacturing partner. Vehicles are sold directly to consumers on a quote basis with no public pricing or online purchasing.

Product overview

Kirkham Motorsports is a component car manufacturer specializing in aluminum-bodied replicas of classic sports and racing cars, primarily Cobra replicas. The product lineup centers on two main model families—the 427 series (427 KMS/SC and 427 Street) featuring big block V8 engines for high performance, and the 289 series (289 Street, 289 FIA, and 289 Coupe) offering lighter weight options with smaller V8s. The 427 KMS/SC is the top-selling flagship with racing-oriented features, while the 427 Street provides street-friendly styling. The 289 lineup offers various suspension options including original transverse leaf spring designs, with the 289 FIA optimized for racing eligibility and the 289 Coupe featuring a modern trellis chassis. Beyond standard models, Kirkham Motorsports offers custom build services for unique dream cars. All products share common design elements including 90-inch wheelbases, aluminum bodies, and various finish options (brushed, painted, polished).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 427 KMS/SC: High-performance aluminum-bodied replica featuring big block V8 engine with side pipes, roll bar, fender flares, and hood scoop. Top-selling model.
• 427 Street
• 289 Street
• 289 FIA
• 289 Coupe
• Custom Builds

Products and services

• 427 KMS/SC High-performance aluminum-bodied replica of the classic 427 Cobra featuring a big block V8 engine with side pipes, roll bar, fender flares, hood scoop, and oil cooler; available in brushed, painted, or polished finishes for individual enthusiasts seeking authentic high-performance replicas.
• 427 Street Street-oriented aluminum-bodied 427 replica with clean body lines, undercar exhaust instead of side pipes, bumpers instead of jack hooks, and no engine oil cooler; same V8 power and 90-inch wheelbase as the KMS/SC for collectors wanting a more refined daily-driver-friendly configuration.
• 289 Street Lightweight aluminum-bodied 289 roadster replica with American V8 power, originally styled transverse leaf spring suspension, disc brakes, and rack-and-pinion steering; designed as a 'slab side' daily-driver or weekend-warrior configuration for automotive enthusiasts.
• 289 FIA Race-focused 289 replica with flared fenders for larger rear tires, cutback doors, and forward-braced roll bar; designed to be vintage eligible at race circuits worldwide for historic racing participants.
• 289 Coupe Latest evolution 289 Coupe replica with a trellis-style backbone chassis offering improved torsional rigidity over the original Roadster ladder design, plus Kamm-style aerodynamic tail and full-length belly pan on a 90-inch wheelbase.
• Custom Builds Bespoke one-off custom car builds including the pure copper 40 Ford replica, the Billet Car with all-billet aluminum chassis, and the Rush project car; delivered to high-net-worth customers seeking truly unique dream cars.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 replica vehicles built since 1994
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Polish Aircraft ManufacturercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe original manufacturing partner in Poland that produces aluminum bodies for Kirkham Motorsports. Factory has produced aircraft for over 60 years and provided the manufacturing capability that inspired the business in 1994.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Superformance: Superformance is the closest direct peer — a US-based manufacturer of rolling chassis and continuation Shelby Cobra replicas, GT40s, and other classic sports cars. Both companies serve the same enthusiast buyer with factory-built replica sports cars in the same price tier and overlapping model families.
• Everett-Morrison Motor Cars: Everett-Morrison is a smaller US Cobra replica manufacturer focused on hand-built, high-quality turnkey Cobras. They compete for the same boutique, hand-built buyer Kirkham serves, with overlapping technology (aluminum bodies) and target customer.
• Factory Five Racing: Factory Five is a major US kit-car manufacturer whose Type 65 Coupe and other models compete for the same enthusiast dollars as Kirkham replicas. While Factory Five primarily sells kits rather than turnkey cars, they are the dominant alternative in the same buyer consideration set.
• Backdraft Racing: Backdraft Racing is a Cobra replica specialist offering factory-built RT3 and RT4 roadsters with similar pricing, customer base, and direct-sales model. They are the most direct head-to-head competitor for Kirkham in the US replica Cobra segment.

Broad incumbents

• AC Cars: AC Cars is the original British manufacturer of the AC Cobra platform that Kirkham replicates. They offer continuation and AC Cobra Series 1 electric models, competing at the heritage end of the market. AC is comparable because their products are the historical originals Kirkham's replicas emulate.
• Shelby American: Shelby American produces officially licensed continuation Shelby Cobras and is the most authoritative name in the segment. As the OEM rights holder, Shelby sits above Kirkham in the value chain and competes for the same high-end buyers, though at a higher price point and with stricter FIA-homologation positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Kirkham427
• Facebookfacebook.com/KirkhamMotorsports
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kirkham-motorsports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kirkham Motorsports