Outside of this and a few other web sites most people wouldn't know what a real Cobra should look like. For most of the population it is a recognition of the profile side pipes or badging. I think we put to much emphasis on originality, sort of like marrying a virgin. Not likely to find many of those in this day and time either.
Without a doubt there are manufacturers that are committed to building better products than others. Some do this without a lot of hype and several manufacturers come to mind that have been mentioned on this thread already. Some manufacturers just want your money and in return you will eventually get something like you were promised that at first blush resembles a Cobra. It has been my experience that to the vast majority of people (that know Cobra's are not Corvettes) don't sort out the differences from a quality standpoint or for originality when they first see one. They just want to take some pictures or tell us a story about their cousins Cobra. It is kind of like talking to someone my age and asking them about Woodstock. Of course they were there!
I guess in short we should all be thakful we have Cobra's, Coupes, GT40's etc. and can actually come to this site and argue with one another about whose is best. We are a fortunate group and I think a little of "mines better than yours is good". It keeps everyone in the game. By the way I really do have a Real Original Cobra headlight ring on my Cobra, I just can't remember which one it was because I bought it at Woodstock for $5 in 1969!
Clois