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1999 Birkin S3


Davemk1

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Hey there,

 

I was sure this day would never come but I guess the phrase "never say never" should fit as I'm offering my 1999 Birkin S3 up for sale.

 

I'll post a few photos here and if anyone would like more I have many I can send you. I also have a very extensive list of features and improvement made to the car that I can email to interested parties as it's way too much to stick in a post here.

 

 

Just the basics -

 

1999 Birkin S3 - I'm the second owner of this car. It has a 2.0 L Zetec from a 1997 Contour (desirable hydraulic lifters model) fitted with Weber DCOE 45's. It makes 143 hp and 137 lbs/ft at the rear wheels on the dyno (figure 165ish at the crank). It has a Ford T9 5 speed and a live axle with a Quaiffe LSD fitted.

 

I've used the car for fun street use and some autocross since early 2006 and in that time gotten it very well sorted and competitive in DM Solo. The car has many FTD's and is two time overall state championships to its name.

 

The car will come with all the related stuff I have for it including full weather gear and a set of race wheels with 1/2 season old Hoosiers and a custom made quick release rack to haul them to events. When I autocross I drive it to events and change tires there and drive it home. No trailer or truck needed and a cheap way to be very competitive if you like autocross. I also have a pretty good sized list of spares that will go along with the car.

 

It makes for a really fun street car and is quiet enough for regular street use and it's very comfortable to spend time in. I really love this car and have spent countless hours getting everything just right on it. It is not a show car but a very reliable street car. Everything works all the time.

 

Please let me know if you'd like some more photos sent your way along with the list of features and improvements and I'll get them right out to you.

 

Thanks much.

 

Dave

info (at) kirkframeworks.com

406 582 9084 Montana

birk1.jpg

birk2.jpg

birk3.jpg

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Dave , if your car is anything like your bike frames, it should be perfect.

I read your post, and seeing your email address, I got sidetracked, and spent almost an hour reading your website. The attention to detail and dedication to doing it all correctly is the reason your frames look so perfect.

After looking at the pic, I would love to have one of your bikes, and I don't ride bikes.

 

You are a real craftsman.

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Dave , if your car is anything like your bike frames, it should be perfect.

I read your post, and seeing your email address, I got sidetracked, and spent almost an hour reading your website. The attention to detail and dedication to doing it all correctly is the reason your frames look so perfect.

After looking at the pic, I would love to have one of your bikes, and I don't ride bikes.

 

You are a real craftsman.

 

Thanks so much for the kind words. There are many parts of life that do not reward my natural tendency to be a bit anal.............. but bicycle framebuilding isn't one of them. It allows me to fuss over the little details to my hearts content.

 

The Birkin has been much the same way. I'm a real stickler for having things work as they should. This is especially true when it comes to alignment and handling. The car is so easy to drive at it's limit that it's very rewarding to play with.

 

Thanks again,

 

Dave

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Awesome bikes!

I actually looked at getting one of your frames a few years back (love cycling but really didn't have the time anymore).... soooo, the money went into the S2K (you don't have to be in shape to take it out for a century ride).

 

It would of really been personalized as my name is Kirk as well;)

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I have often wondered what a bike frame builder would think it would take to build a Lotus Seven style frame using a tube vs. square steel stock.

 

 

I have toyed with the idea of building my own Seven at some point and if I did it would have round tube most everywhere. I think there are places where a flat sided tube might work better but I think the big reason most have them is that it's much easier to miter tubes to meet one another.

 

But once you are set up to mitre one round tube to fit another it's just as easy.

 

Maybe a lugged Seven? :)

 

 

dave

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I have toyed with the idea of building my own Seven at some point and if I did it would have round tube most everywhere. I think there are places where a flat sided tube might work better but I think the big reason most have them is that it's much easier to miter tubes to meet one another.

 

But once you are set up to mitre one round tube to fit another it's just as easy.

 

Maybe a lugged Seven? :)

 

 

dave

 

Get crackin'! :) Sounds like a perfect project to get you through a long Bozeman winter...

 

I imagine it is quite a bit easier to attach the riveted aluminum panels to the flat steel than tubes.

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Also, what wheels are you running in the top photos?

 

They are Team Dynamics wheels - 15 x 7.

 

It's a nice light wheel that I like the look of very much. I got them from a Miata supplier.

 

 

dave

td1.jpg

Edited by Davemk1
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Maybe a lugged Seven? :)

 

Make mine filet brazed!

 

If your Birkin is anything like the Terraplane that one of my riding partners has, then I'm certain this car is superbly set up, perfectly aligned and executed with a clean, precise aesthetic throughout.

 

Question regarding the non-stock roll bar: You're obviously a tall fellow -- how much height does that roll bar extension add?

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Make mine filet brazed!

 

If your Birkin is anything like the Terraplane that one of my riding partners has, then I'm certain this car is superbly set up, perfectly aligned and executed with a clean, precise aesthetic throughout.

 

Question regarding the non-stock roll bar: You're obviously a tall fellow -- how much height does that roll bar extension add?

 

Cool that your riding buddy has a Terraplane. Small world eh?

 

The roll bar is 3" taller than the very low stock Birkin bar. It allows the driver to drive the car with a helmet on with the top up. When I made the bar I had a new top made that came out much nicer than the stock Birkin top. I am very pleased with the canvas guy's workmanship.

 

Dave

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Hi dave,great looking car,pity its a 1999, need one that is 15 yrs old to get it into Canada. Steve

 

Actually.......... it's not a problem. My official Bill of Sale and official Montana title lists the car as a "1969 Birkin".

 

So as far as anyone is concerned it's a 1969.

 

I can send you a photo of the title if you are interested.

 

Let me know if you'd like more photos of the list of features/improvements. I can email them to you if you like.

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

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I wonder how one proves the date of manufacture on something? It's not like they have birth certificates.

 

Does anyone know how this works? I'm just curious to know how they are dated.

 

 

dave

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Hi Guys,hope this helps with vehicle age issue.

A kit car is not permitted entry unless it was assembled more than 15 years ago. You will be required to submit proof of the age. Registration documents will have to show that the kit car was registered more than 15 years ago. The date the reproduction was assembled is the age of the kit car rather than the model year of the reproduction.

This is relevant also: Importation of vehicles into Canada from countries other than the United States

 

From Transport Canada:

PROHIBITED VEHICLES

 

Vehicles Manufactured for a Foreign Market

 

31. Vehicles less than 15 years old and buses manufactured on or after January 1, 1971, that are manufactured for a foreign market (a market other than the United States), do not comply with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. These vehicles are permitted entry only if they qualify for one of the provisions stated in paragraph 29.

 

Grey Market Vehicles

 

32. Grey market vehicles are foreign-specification vehicles that are re-certified by a United States company. They were originally manufactured for the domestic market of a foreign country and were subsequently imported into the United States where they have been modified to comply with the United States safety and emissions standards. Grey market vehicles may be identified by a label affixed by the United States company that altered the vehicle, indicating that they have been "imported," "altered," or "modified" to comply with the United States standards. These vehicles may not have a certification label affixed to them. Grey market vehicles are ineligible for entry to Canada and are to be processed in accordance with paragraphs 40 and 41.

 

Kit Cars

 

33. Kit cars are treated as vehicles whether they are presented for importation as a fully assembled vehicle, or as an unassembled vehicle in a kit.

 

34. A kit car does not meet the import requirements for the SOC label, the 17-character VIN, or admissibility status. Therefore, it is not permitted entry unless it was assembled more than 15 years ago and the importer can submit proof of age, e.g., a registration document. The age of a kit car is determined by the date the reproduction was assembled rather than the model year of the reproduction or the date of manufacture of a donor car. If in doubt, contact Transport Canada for a determination on the kit car's eligibility.

__________________Steve

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In California, I got to think if you went to the DMV office, which is always pressed for time, and and just handed over the registration paperwork they wouldn't handle it any different than a '69 camaro.

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