Meet Nick Kirkham of Kirkham Motorsports, who took center stage at September’s RevRoad University. Founded in 1994 by Nick’s father, David Kirkham, the company has made a name for itself by building the most accurate Shelby Cobra replicas in the world. Here are three key lessons we learned from Nick during his session:
Kirkham Motorsports’ success isn’t built on overly complicated processes. In fact, Nick emphasized how a simple, extraordinary product can speak for itself.
When asked about their custom design process, Nick explained, “Most of our clients are original vehicle fanatics from the beginning, and they know exactly what they’re looking for. If you want the best of the Kirkham Cobra or the Shelby Cobra replicas, you’ve got to go with Kirkham Motorsports. We just plot it out in an email and send it to the client. It’s really kind of bare bones.”
Their business philosophy? No fuss. No frills. They keep things lean and mean. Even with high-end custom vehicles that range from $500,000 to $1.3 million, they attract the right clients without the need for elaborate marketing campaigns or fancy onboarding processes.
“We don’t manufacture anything unless it’s bought,” said Nick, highlighting the company’s lean manufacturing practices inspired by Toyota. This approach allows them to avoid costly overproduction and stay focused on delivering top-tier quality for every single customer.
Kirkham Motorsports started with just the basics: a lunchbox-sized toolkit, a toy model of a Cobra, and a Polish-English dictionary. These unlikely tools were all David Kirkham took with him when he set out for Poland in 1994.
At the time, Poland was still recovering from the collapse of Soviet communism. David arrived at a massive aircraft facility where skilled workers—once responsible for building Cold War MiG fighter jets—were idle, waiting for something to do. These aluminum specialists had decades of experience, exactly what David needed to bring his vision of Shelby Cobra replicas to life.
With a $10,000 investment from a family friend and a new workforce of aluminum experts, Kirkham Motorsports was born. As Nick said, “We just do what needs to be done. Sometimes you just have to start with a toolbox.” From there, the company grew into a multi-million-dollar business.
Success often comes from making the right connections, seizing opportunities when they arise, and using the resources you have, no matter how limited they may seem.
One of the standout points from Nick’s session was about the power of word-of-mouth marketing and brand reputation. Kirkham Motorsports doesn’t have a flashy marketing strategy. They don’t need one.
“Our clientele has kind of materialized out of thin air,” Nick said, half-joking. Their reputation for excellence, precision, and historical accuracy has made them a must-have for high-net-worth clients, from royalty to Hollywood stars.
Their clients know that Kirkham Motorsports delivers — and they tell their friends.
If your product is excellent, people will talk about it. And sometimes, that’s all the marketing you need.
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RevRoad University is a monthly lunch-and-learn event for entrepreneurs, featuring a Featured Founder who shares their entrepreneurial journey, including the highs, lows, and valuable lessons learned along the way. Join us online at youtube.com/revroad or in person at 412 W River’s Edge Dr., Provo, UT 84604 (RevRoad HQ).
